Surgical stapling apparatus with powered articulation

• US 8,240,537 B2
• Filed: 12/07/2011
• Issued: 08/14/2012
• 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:
  US13/313,451
• Publication Number:
  US 20120074197A1
• Time in Patent Office: 251 Days
• Field of Search: 227/19, 227/176.1, 227/175.1, 227/178.1, 227/180.1, 227/175.2, 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. A surgical apparatus, comprising:

a handle assembly;

an elongate body extending from the handle assembly and defining a longitudinal axis;

a tool assembly releasably secured to a distal end of the elongate body, the tool assembly being articulatable to an axis disposed at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis upon axial displacement of an articulation link; and

a motor assembly having a rotatable shaft, and

a force converting assembly interconnecting the rotatable shaft of the motor assembly to the articulation link, wherein the force converting assembly converts a rotation of the rotation shaft of the motor assembly into an axial translation of the articulation link to articulate the tool assembly relative to the elongate body.

2. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the force converting assembly includes a yoke shaft, a pin, and a J-channel with an elongated slot defined therein.

3. The surgical apparatus of claim 2, wherein a rotation of the yoke shaft rotates the pin through the elongated slot in the j-channel and the movement of the pin causes a linear translation of the j-channel.

4. The surgical apparatus of claim 3, wherein the linear translation of the J-channel causes longitudinal movement of the tool assembly along the longitudinal axis.

5. The surgical apparatus of claim 2, wherein a rotation of the rotatable shaft of the motor assembly causes movement of the yolk shaft.

6. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the motor assembly is connected to the rotatable shaft via a speed reducing mechanism.

7. The surgical apparatus of claim 6, wherein the speed reducing mechanism includes a first and second gear.

8. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an articulation knob configured to allow a user to manually move the tool assembly.

9. The surgical apparatus of claim 8, wherein movement of the articulation knob disengages a slip clutch to prevent back driving of the motor assembly.