Surgical stapling apparatus with powered articulation

• US 7,648,055 B2
• Filed: 09/05/2008
• Issued: 01/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Marczyk, Stanislaw
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith; Scott A.
• Application Number:
  US12/204,843
• Publication Number:
  US 20090001129A1
• Time in Patent Office: 501 Days
• Field of Search: 227/19, 227/178, 227/176, 227/175.1, 227/176.1, 227/175.2, 227/180.1, 606/139, 606/219
• US Class Current: 227/175.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0643 with separate closing member, e.g. for interlocking with staple
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0644 penetrating the tissue, deformable to closed position
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/068 Surgical staplers , e.g. containing multiple staples or clampsstaplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105; for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; staplers in general B25C5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0682 for applying U-shaped staples or clamps, e.g. without a forming anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0686 having a forming anvil staying below the tissue during stapling
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/072 for applying a row of staples in a single action , e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07292 Reinforcements for staple line, e.g. pledgets
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/105 Wound clamp magazines for packaging sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1114 of the digestive tract, e.g. bowels or oesophagus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/115 Staplers for performing anastomosis in a single operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1155 Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/135 inflatable for measuring blood pressure A61B5/022; inflatable pressure pads A61F5/34
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00115 with audible or visual output with imaging means A61B90/37, A61B34/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00473 Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00526 Methods of manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00818 : Treatment of the gastro-intestinal system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00893 : pharmaceutically effective
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00898 : expandable upon contact with fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07228 : Arrangement of the staples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07257 : characterised by its anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07264 : characterised by its staple forming cavities, e.g. geometry or material
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2905 : flexible
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 : the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2929 : with a head rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320052 : Guides for cutting instruments by marking A61B2090/395
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/031 : torque limiting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/037 : with a frangible part, e.g. by reduced diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 : Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0086 : using clamps, folding means or the like
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 227/902 : Surgical clips or staples

Abstract

The surgical stapling apparatus includes a handle assembly, an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly, and an articulation mechanism for articulating a tool assembly. The articulation mechanism includes a first gear rotatably mounted on a transmission shaft and configured to engage a second gear, a clutch interconnecting the second gear and a main shaft; and a yoke shaft coupled to the main shaft and adapted to linearly advance a J-channel, the J-channel operatively connected to an articulation link. A motor assembly may rotate the transmission shaft of the articulation mechanism. Alternatively, the articulation mechanism may include an articulation knob. Users may manually rotate the articulation knob to articulate the tool assembly of the surgical stapling apparatus.

Claims

1. An articulation mechanism for a surgical instrument comprising:

a transmission shaft;

a speed reducing mechanism disposed in mechanical cooperation with the transmission shaft;

a clutch operatively coupled to the speed reducing mechanism;

a frame; and

a yoke shaft operatively connected to the clutch and the frame, wherein the yoke shaft is configured to advance the frame linearly upon rotation of the transmission shaft.

2. The articulation mechanism of claim 1, wherein the frame is a J-channel.

3. The articulation mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the yoke shaft includes a pin protruding therefrom and the frame defines a slot adapted to receive the pin.

4. The articulation mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a main shaft connected to the clutch and the yoke shaft.

5. The articulation mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a motor assembly operatively coupled to the transmission shaft.

6. The articulation mechanism according to claim 5, further comprising a battery connected to power the motor assembly.

7. The articulation mechanism according to claim 5, further comprising a switch for activating the motor assembly.

8. The articulation mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the frame includes a projection extending therefrom.

9. An articulation mechanism for a surgical instrument comprising:

a speed reducing mechanism;

a main shaft;

a clutch operatively interconnecting the speed reducing mechanism and the main shaft;

a frame; and

a yoke shaft coupled to the main shaft, wherein the yoke shaft is adapted to advance the frame linearly in response to a rotation of at least a portion of the speed reducing mechanism.

10. The articulation mechanism according to claim 9, wherein the frame is a J-channel.

11. The articulation mechanism according to claim 9, further comprising a transmission shaft operatively coupled to the speed reducing mechanism.

12. The articulation mechanism according to claim 11, further comprising a motor assembly operatively coupled to the transmission shaft.

13. The articulation mechanism according to claim 12, further comprising a battery pack disposed in electro-mechanical connection with the motor assembly.

14. The articulation mechanism according to claim 12, further comprising a switch for activating the motor assembly.

15. The articulation mechanism according to claim 9, wherein the yoke shaft includes a pin slidably secured on an elongated slot of the frame.

16. The articulation mechanism according to claim 9, wherein the frame includes a projection extending therefrom.

17. The articulation mechanism according to claim 9, further comprising an articulation knob operatively connected to the main shaft.

18. An articulation mechanism for a surgical instrument comprising:

a first gear;

a second gear configured to engage the second gear;

a clutch operatively connected to the second gear;

a frame; and

a yoke shaft coupled to the clutch, wherein the yoke shaft is adapted to advance the frame.

19. The articulation mechanism according to claim 18, wherein the frame is a J-channel.

20. The articulation mechanism according to claim 18, further comprising a motor assembly operatively coupled to the first gear.

21. The articulation mechanism according to claim 20, further comprising a battery pack electrically linked to the motor assembly.

22. The articulation mechanism according to claim 20, further comprising a switch for activating and controlling the motor assembly.

23. The articulation mechanism according to claim 18, wherein the yoke shaft includes a pin slidably secured on an elongated slot of the frame.

24. The articulation mechanism according to claim 18, wherein the frame includes a projection extending therefrom.

25. The articulation mechanism according to claim 18, further comprising an articulation knob operatively connected to the clutch.