Surgical instrument

• US 8,413,868 B2
• Filed: 07/06/2012
• Issued: 04/09/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Cappola, Kenneth
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Scott A.
• Application Number:
  US13/542,690
• Publication Number:
  US 20120271284A1
• Time in Patent Office: 277 Days
• Field of Search: 227/19, 227/176.1, 227/175.1, 227/178.1, 227/180.1, 606/139, 606/219
• US Class Current: 227/175
• 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 17/0682 for applying U-shaped staples or clamps, e.g. without a forming anvil
• 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 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 2017/00473 Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07285 characterised by its cutter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft

Abstract

A surgical instrument comprising a handle assembly, a body, a tool assembly and an articulation assembly is disclosed. The articulation mechanism includes a receptacle, and a main shaft. A lower clutch is fixedly positioned within the receptacle and has a serrated portion including a plurality of serrations. An upper clutch includes at least one projection positioned to engage the serrations of the lower clutch to releasably retain the main shaft at a rotatably fixed position. An angle between a first pair of adjacent serrations is defined as a first angle, an angle between a second pair of adjacent serrations is defined as a second angle, and an angle between a third pair of adjacent serrations is defined as a third angle. The first angle, the second angle, and the third angle are each different from one another.

Claims

1. An articulation mechanism for a surgical instrument having a tool assembly pivotable between a non-articulated position to an articulated position, comprising:

an articulation mechanism including an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion including a plurality of serrations and being positioned in juxtaposed relation with the upper portion, the upper portion including at least one projection positioned to engage the serrations of the lower portion, the lower portion being fixedly positioned, and the upper portion being slidable and rotatable with respect to the lower portion,

a first angle being defined between a first pair of adjacent serrations, and a second angle being defined between a different pair of adjacent serrations, the first angle and the second angle are different in value from one another.

2. The articulation mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising:

(a) a receptacle; and

(b) a main shaft rotatably supported within the receptacle the upper portion being slidably positioned about the main shaft and rotatably fixed to the main shaft.

3. The articulation mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the receptacle is positioned adjacent the handle assembly of the surgical instrument.

4. The articulation mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the main shaft has a base portion, and further comprising an articulation link having a proximal end operatively connected to the base portion of the main shaft and a distal end operatively connected to the tool assembly, wherein the main shaft is rotatable to move the articulation link to effect movement of the tool assembly between the non-articulated position and the at least one articulated position.

5. The articulation mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a biasing member positioned to urge the upper portion into the lower portion.

6. The articulation mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of serrations includes a deep serration and the at least one projection is positioned to be received in the deep serration when the tool assembly is in the non-articulated position.

7. The articulation mechanism according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of serrations includes a plurality of shallow serrations.

8. A surgical instrument comprising:

(a) a handle assembly;

(b) a body extending distally from the handle assembly; and

(c) an articulation mechanism including an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion including a plurality of serrations and being positioned in juxtaposed relation with the upper portion, the upper portion including at least one projection positioned to engage the serrations of the lower portion, the lower portion being fixedly positioned, and the upper portion being slidable and rotatable with respect to the lower portion,

a first angle being defined between a first pair of adjacent serrations, and a second angle being defined between a different pair of adjacent serrations, the first angle and the second angle are different in value from one another.

9. The surgical instrument according to claim 8, wherein the body is elongate and defines a longitudinal axis.