Powered surgical instrument

• US 7,950,560 B2
• Filed: 04/13/2007
• Issued: 05/31/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Racenet, David C., Zemlok, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Rada; Rinaldi I.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lopez; Michelle
• Application Number:
  US11/786,934
• Publication Number:
  US 20080251568A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,509 Days
• Field of Search: 227/175.1, 227/178.1, 227/181.1, 227/19
• US Class Current: 227/175.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• 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 17/072 for applying a row of staples in a single action , e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00026 Conductivity or impedance, e.g. of tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00115 with audible or visual output
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00199 with a console, e.g. a control panel with a display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2905 flexible
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/065 for measuring contact or contact pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders

Abstract

A surgical instrument including a housing, an endoscopic portion, a drive gear, a drive motor, a shift motor and an end effector is disclosed. The endoscopic portion extends distally from the housing and defines a longitudinal axis. The drive gear is disposed at least partially within the housing and is rotatable about a drive gear axis which extends therethrough. The drive gear is selectively movable along the drive gear axis. The drive motor is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive gear and is configured to rotate the drive gear. The shift motor is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive gear and is configured to move the drive gear along the drive gear axis. The end effector is disposed adjacent a distal portion of the endoscopic portion.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a housing;

an endoscopic portion extending distally from the housing and defining a first longitudinal axis;

a drive gear disposed at least partially within the housing, the drive gear rotatable about a drive gear axis extending therethrough and being selectively movable along the drive gear axis;

a drive motor disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive gear and being configured to rotate the drive gear;

a shift motor disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive gear and being configured to move the drive gear along the drive gear axis;

an end effector disposed adjacent a distal portion of the endoscopic portion; and

an actuator gear disposed at least partially within the housing and being disposed in mechanical cooperation with the end effector, whereby rotation of the actuator gear causes movement of at least one jaw member towards another jaw member, wherein the drive gear is movable to a position along the drive gear axis to matingly engage the actuator gear.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1, further comprising a user interface, the user interface including a screen that displays readable information.

3. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a housing;

an endoscopic portion extending distally from the housing and defining a first longitudinal axis;

a drive gear disposed at least partially within the housing, the drive gear rotatable about a drive gear axis extending therethrough and being selectively movable along the drive gear axis;

a drive motor disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive gear and being configured to rotate the drive gear;

a shift motor disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive gear and being configured to move the drive gear along the drive gear axis;

an end effector disposed adjacent a distal portion of the endoscopic portion;

an actuator gear disposed at least partially within the housing and being disposed in mechanical cooperation with the end effector, whereby rotation of the actuator gear causes movement of at least one law member towards another jaw member, wherein the drive gear is movable to a position along the drive gear axis to matingly engage the actuator gear; and

a ring gear disposed at least partially within the housing and being disposed in mechanical cooperation with the end effector, whereby rotation of the ring gear causes rotation of at least a portion of the end effector about the first longitudinal axis, wherein the drive gear is movable to a position along the drive gear axis to matingly engage the ring gear.

4. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a housing;

an endoscopic portion extending distally from the housing and defining a first longitudinal axis;

a drive gear disposed at least partially within the housing, the drive gear rotatable about a drive gear axis extending therethrough and being selectively movable along the drive gear axis;

a drive motor disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive gear and being configured to rotate the drive gear;

a shift motor disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive gear and being configured to move the drive gear along the drive gear axis;

an end effector disposed adjacent a distal portion of the endoscopic portion, wherein the end effector defines a second longitudinal axis, the end effector being movable from a first position where the second longitudinal axis is substantially aligned with the first longitudinal axis to at least a second position where the second longitudinal axis is disposed at an angle to the first longitudinal axis; and

an articulation gear disposed at least partially within the housing and being disposed in mechanical cooperation with the end effector, wherein the drive gear is movable to a position along the drive gear axis to matingly engage the articulation gear and wherein rotation of the articulation gear causes the end effector to move from its first position towards its second position.

5. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a housing;

an endoscopic portion extending distally from the housing and defining a first longitudinal axis;

a drive gear disposed at least partially within the housing, the drive gear rotatable about a drive gear axis extending therethrough and being selectively movable along the drive gear axis;

a drive motor disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive gear and being configured to rotate the drive gear;

a shift motor disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive gear and being configured to move the drive gear along the drive gear axis;

an end effector disposed adjacent a distal portion of the endoscopic portion;

an actuator gear disposed at least partially within the housing and being disposed in mechanical cooperation with the end effector, whereby rotation of the actuator gear causes movement of at least one jaw member towards another jaw member, wherein the drive gear is movable to a position along the drive gear axis to matingly engage the actuator gear; and

a user interface including at least one switch that controls the position of the drive gear along the drive gear axis.

6. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a housing;

an endoscopic portion extending distally from the housing and defining a first longitudinal axis;

a drive gear disposed at least partially within the housing, the drive gear rotatable about a drive gear axis extending therethrough and being selectively movable along the drive gear axis;

a drive motor disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive gear and being configured to rotate the drive gear;

a shift motor disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive gear and being configured to move the drive gear along the drive gear axis;

an end effector disposed adjacent a distal portion of the endoscopic portion;

an actuator gear disposed at least partially within the housing and being disposed in mechanical cooperation with the end effector, whereby rotation of the actuator gear causes movement of at least one jaw member towards another jaw member, wherein the drive gear is movable to a position along the drive gear axis to matingly engage the actuator gear; and

a user interface including at least one switch that controls the rotation speed of the drive gear.

7. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a housing;

an endoscopic portion extending distally from the housing and defining a first longitudinal axis;

a drive gear disposed at least partially within the housing, the drive gear rotatable about a drive gear axis extending therethrough and being selectively movable along the drive gear axis;

a drive motor disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive gear and being configured to rotate the drive gear;

a shift motor disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive gear and being configured to move the drive gear along the drive gear axis;

an end effector disposed adjacent a distal portion of the endoscopic portion;

an actuator gear disposed at least partially within the housing and being disposed in mechanical cooperation with the end effector, whereby rotation of the actuator gear causes movement of at least one jaw member towards another jaw member, wherein the drive gear is movable to a position along the drive gear axis to matingly engage the actuator gear; and

wherein the housing further includes a distal housing portion and a proximal housing portion, the distal housing portion being rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative to the proximal housing portion.

8. The surgical instrument of claim 7, wherein the distal housing portion includes a plurality of detents thereon and the proximal housing portion includes a tab thereon, the tab being distally biased and in mechanical cooperation with a detent disposed on the distal housing portion.

9. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a housing;

an endoscopic portion extending distally from the housing and defining a first longitudinal axis;

a drive gear disposed at least partially within the housing, the drive gear rotatable about a drive gear axis extending therethrough and being selectively movable along the drive gear axis;

a drive motor disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive gear and being configured to rotate the drive gear;

a shift motor disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive gear and being configured to move the drive gear along the drive gear axis;

an end effector disposed adjacent a distal portion of the endoscopic portion;

an actuator gear disposed at least partially within the housing and being disposed in mechanical cooperation with the end effector, whereby rotation of the actuator gear causes movement of at least one jaw member towards another jaw member, wherein the drive gear is movable to a position along the drive gear axis to matingly engage the actuator gear; and

an articulation gear disposed at least partially within the housing and being disposed in mechanical cooperation with the end effector, wherein the drive gear is movable to a position along the drive gear axis to matingly engage the articulation gear and wherein rotation of the articulation gear causes the end effector to move from a first position towards a second position, and wherein the drive gear is selectively movable along the drive gear axis between three distinct positions, including a first distinct position where the drive gear is engagable with the actuator gear, a second distinct position where the drive gear is engagable with a ring gear, and a third distinct position where the drive gear is engagable with the articulation gear.

10. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a housing;

an endoscopic portion extending distally from the housing and defining a longitudinal axis;

a drive tube rotatable about a drive tube axis extending therethrough;

a drive motor disposed at least partially within the housing, the drive motor being movable into engagement with the drive tube;

a rod disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive tube, at least a portion of the rod being translatable with respect to the drive tube; and

an end effector disposed adjacent a distal portion of the endoscopic portion, the end effector being arranged to be actuated by the rod so that the rod drives a surgical function of the end effector.

11. The surgical instrument according to claim 10, further including a clutch disposed between the drive motor and the drive tube, the clutch including a clutch plate and a spring.

12. The surgical instrument according to claim 11, wherein the clutch plate is arranged to mate with an interface at a proximal end of the drive tube.

13. The surgical instrument according to claim 10, wherein the end effector is rotatable about the first longitudinal axis with respect to the housing.

14. The surgical instrument according to claim 10, further comprising a user interface including at least one switch that controls the translation of the rod.

15. The surgical instrument according to claim 10, wherein at least a portion of the rod is disposed at least partially within the drive tube.

16. The surgical instrument according to claim 10, wherein the drive tube includes a threaded portion on an interior surface thereof.

17. The surgical instrument according to claim 16, wherein the rod includes a threaded portion thereon, the threaded portion of the firing rod being engagable with the threaded portion of the drive tube.

18. The surgical instrument according to claim 10, wherein at least a portion of the rod extends through an aperture of a plate, the aperture including a non-round cross-section for preventing rotation of the firing rod with respect to the plate.

19. The surgical instrument according to claim 10, further comprising a power source disposed at least partially within the housing and arranged to provide power to the drive motor.

20. The surgical instrument according to claim 10, wherein the end effector is part of a disposable loading unit.