Electroactive polymer-based articulation mechanism for linear stapler
First Claim
1. A surgical stapler, comprising:
- an elongate shaft defining a longitudinal axis;
a linear staple applying assembly movably coupled to the elongate shaft and adapted to deliver a plurality of staples; and
an electroactive polymer actuator coupled between the elongate shaft and the linear staple applying assembly and adapted to selectively pivot the linear staple applying assembly relative to the elongate shaft when energy is delivered to the electroactive polymer actuator.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and devices are provided for actuating and/or articulating a surgical stapler. In one embodiment, a surgical stapler is provided having a stapling mechanism or end effector that is movably coupled to a distal end of an elongate shaft. An electrically expandable and contractible actuator, such as an electroactive polymer actuator, can be used to pivotally or angularly adjust a position of the stapling mechanism relative to the elongate shaft by delivering energy to the electroactive polymer actuator. In another embodiment, an electroactive polymer actuator can be used to actuate the staple applying assembly, thereby driving one or more staples, and preferably at least two linear rows of staples, into tissue. The actuator can alternatively or additionally drive a blade distally to cut tissue being stapled.
-
Citations
22 Claims
-
1. A surgical stapler, comprising:
-
an elongate shaft defining a longitudinal axis; a linear staple applying assembly movably coupled to the elongate shaft and adapted to deliver a plurality of staples; and an electroactive polymer actuator coupled between the elongate shaft and the linear staple applying assembly and adapted to selectively pivot the linear staple applying assembly relative to the elongate shaft when energy is delivered to the electroactive polymer actuator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A surgical stapler, comprising:
an elongate shaft having a linear staple applying assembly movably coupled to a distal end thereof, the staple applying assembly being in communication with an electroactive polymer actuator that is configured to angularly adjust a position of the staple applying assembly relative to the elongate shaft when energy is delivered to the electroactive polymer actuator. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
-
16. A method for stapling tissue, comprising:
-
inserting an elongate shaft of a surgical stapler into a body lumen to position a staple applying assembly movably coupled to a distal end of the elongate shaft adjacent to a surgical site; capturing tissue between opposed jaws of the staple applying assembly; delivering energy to an electroactive polymer actuator to pivot the staple applying assembly relative to the elongate shaft; and actuating the staple applying assembly to drive at least one linear row of staples from one of the jaws and into the tissue. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
-
Specification