Electroactive polymer-based articulation mechanism for circular stapler

• US 8,317,074 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2005
• Issued: 11/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Ortiz, Mark, Shelton, Frederick IV, Hueil, Joseph, Swayze, Jeffrey
• Primary Examiner(s): EREZO, DARWIN P
• Application Number:
  US11/162,989
• Publication Number:
  US 20060047307A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,615 Days
• Field of Search: 2271751-1821, 606/139, 606/219, 604/95.01, 604/95.04, 604/95.05, 600/114
• US Class Current: 227/176.1
• 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 17/115 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 17/29 Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/003 Steerable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00309 Cut-outs or slits
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00871 polymeric
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2946 Locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320052 Guides for cutting instruments by marking A61B2090/395

Abstract

Methods and devices are provided for actuating and/or articulating a circular stapler. In one exemplary embodiment, a circular stapler is provided having an elongate shaft with a stapling apparatus coupled thereto. 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 apparatus 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 stapling apparatus, thereby driving one or more staples, preferably in a substantially curved pattern, into tissue. The actuator can alternatively or additionally drive a blade distally to cut tissue being stapled.

Claims

1. A circular stapling device, comprising:

an elongate shaft;

an end effector movably coupled to a distal end of the elongate shaft by an articulation joint, the end effector being adapted to deliver staples into tissue in a substantially curved pattern; and

an electroactive polymer actuator coupled to the articulation joint and adapted to move the end effector about the articulation joint relative to the elongate shaft when energy is delivered to the electroactive polymer actuator, wherein the elongate shaft includes a slide bar extending therethrough and having a distal end coupled to the articulation joint, the electroactive polymer actuator being configured to move the slide bar laterally to effect movement of the end effector.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a staple advancing assembly disposed through the elongate shaft and adapted to simultaneously advance a plurality of staples in a substantially circular pattern through the end effector.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the electroactive polymer actuator comprises first and second electroactive polymer actuators disposed on opposed sides of the slide bar.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the slide bar includes gears formed on a distal end thereof and adapted to engage corresponding gears formed in the articulation joint.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the articulation joint comprises a pivot joint, and the electroactive polymer actuator comprises a first electroactive polymer actuator extending between a first side of the end effector and a first side of the elongate shaft, and a second electroactive polymer actuator extending between a second opposed side of the end effector and a second opposed side of the elongate shaft.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the articulation joint comprises a flexible portion formed between the elongate shaft and the end effector.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the electroactive polymer actuator comprises a plurality of electroactive polymer actuators coupled to the flexible portion at distinct locations, each of the plurality of electroactive polymer actuators being configured to change orientations when energy is selectively delivered thereto to flex the flexible portion.