Surgical stapling instrument having an electroactive polymer actuated single lockout mechanism for prevention of firing

• US 7,641,093 B2
• Filed: 10/03/2006
• Issued: 01/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Setser, Michael Earl, Doll, Kevin R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Durand; Paul R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Weeks; Gloria R.
• Application Number:
  US11/538,237
• Publication Number:
  US 20070084896A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,190 Days
• Field of Search: 2271751-1754, 227/182.1, 227/19, 606218-220, 606/142, 606/143, 606/75
• US Class Current: 227/175.4
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00367 Details of actuation of instruments, e.g. relations between pushing buttons, or the like, and activation of the tool, working tip, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07285 characterised by its cutter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/08021 of the patient or his organs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0814 Preventing re-use

Abstract

A surgical instrument includes an E-beam firing bar engages the channel and selectively engages the anvil during distal firing movements, wherein the tissue is severed and stapled driven upward from the staple cartridge to form against the anvil. In particular, a wedge integral to the staple cartridge is driven distally by a middle pin of the firing bar to effect stapling. A single lockout of the staple channel responds to the presence of the wedge sled in its unfired position to allow the firing bar to fire. Otherwise, the single lockout prevents firing when the staple cartridge is missing or spent. Further, some versions include an Electroactive Polymer (EAP) actuator that presents an abutting surface, or acts as a trapdoor to a ramped recess in a staple channel to block the firing bar, as an active approach to preventing firing for one or more conditions.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument comprising:

a handle portion operably configured to produce a firing motion;

an staple channel coupled to the handle portion;

an anvil pivotally attached to the staple channel;

a staple device engaged by the staple channel and including a plurality of staples and staple drivers to cam the plurality of staples toward the anvil;

a wedge member proximal to and longitudinally aligned with the staple drivers;

a firing device responsive to the firing motion to drive the wedge member distally;

a lockout device positioned in the staple channel and operably configured to actuate in response to an electrical signal to prevent distal movement of the firing device; and

wherein the firing device includes a laterally projecting middle pin and lower foot that opposing engage each side of the staple channel, the lockout device laterally offset to selective abut the middle pin.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the staple device includes a firing drive slot through which at least a portion of the firing device distally traverses to drive the wedge member, the lockout device selectively intruding into the firing drive slot from the staple channel.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the lockout device comprises an electroactive polymer actuator.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 2, wherein the electroactive polymer actuator comprises a stack actuator operatively configured to expand inwardly in response to an electrical signal.

5. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the elongate shaft further comprises a closure sleeve proximally attached the handle portion to receive a closure motion and distally attached to a pivot feature on the anvil to effect closure thereof.