Surgical stapling instrument having multistroke firing incorporating a traction-biased ratcheting mechanism
First Claim
1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
- an end effector responsive to a longitudinal firing motion to perform a surgical operation;
a shaft distally connected to the end effector;
a firing member within the shaft to transfer the firing motion to the end effector; and
a handle proximally connected to the shaft and firing member, comprising;
a housing,a firing control configured for manual movement by an operator in a firing direction and in an opposite return direction,a firing mechanism comprising an axle passing through the firing control, an engagement member operatively configured to rotate about the axle into engage with the firing member, and a biasing wheel attached to the axle, anda handle housing including a friction surface attached to the handle housing and laterally aligned to contact the biasing wheel to effect engagement of the engagement member to the firing member during firing direction of the firing control and to rotate the engagement member away from the firing member during the opposite return direction of the firing control for multi-stroke firing with reduced ratcheting noise and with reduced likelihood of binding in the firing mechanism.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical stapling and severing instrument particularly suited to endoscopic procedures incorporates a handle that produces separate closing and firing motions to actuate an end effector. In particular, the handle produces multiple firing strokes in order to reduce the required amount of force required to fire (i.e., staple and sever) the end effector. A linked transmission reduces the required handle longitudinal length, yet achieves a rigid, strong configuration when straightened for firing. A traction biased firing mechanism avoids binding in driving this straightened linked rack in cooperation with an anti-backup mechanism, with a lockout mechanism that prevents releasing the closure trigger during firing. Furthermore, an external indicator gives feedback to the surgeon as to how far firing has progressed, as well as providing a manual retraction capability.
2228 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
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an end effector responsive to a longitudinal firing motion to perform a surgical operation; a shaft distally connected to the end effector; a firing member within the shaft to transfer the firing motion to the end effector; and a handle proximally connected to the shaft and firing member, comprising; a housing, a firing control configured for manual movement by an operator in a firing direction and in an opposite return direction, a firing mechanism comprising an axle passing through the firing control, an engagement member operatively configured to rotate about the axle into engage with the firing member, and a biasing wheel attached to the axle, and a handle housing including a friction surface attached to the handle housing and laterally aligned to contact the biasing wheel to effect engagement of the engagement member to the firing member during firing direction of the firing control and to rotate the engagement member away from the firing member during the opposite return direction of the firing control for multi-stroke firing with reduced ratcheting noise and with reduced likelihood of binding in the firing mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A surgical instrument, comprising:
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an end effector responsive to a longitudinal firing motion to perform a surgical operation; a shaft distally connected to the end effector; a firing member slidingly received by the shaft to transfer the firing motion to the end effector; and a handle proximally connected to the shaft and firing member, comprising; a rack distally coupled to the firing member, a firing control responsive to an operator to move in a firing direction and a return direction, a firing mechanism including a frictionally biased pawl and a biasing wheel both rotatably attached via an axle to the firing control, the pawl rotated in engagement to the rack to impart the firing motion in response to movement of the firing control in the firing direction, wherein further said pawl is adapted to disengage the firing control from the rack in response to movement of the firing control in the return directions, a handle housing, and a friction surface attached to the handle housing and laterally aligned to contact the biasing wheel to effect engagement of the pawl to the rack during firing direction of the firing control and to raise the pawl away from the rack during return direction of the firing control for multi-stroke firing with reduced ratcheting noise and with reduced likelihood of binding in the firing mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification