Surgical stapling apparatus with powered articulation

• US 8,419,768 B2
• Filed: 07/10/2012
• Issued: 04/16/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Marczyk, Stanislaw
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Scott A.
• Application Number:
  US13/545,278
• Publication Number:
  US 20120298718A1
• Time in Patent Office: 280 Days
• Field of Search: 227/19, 227/175.1, 227/176.1, 227/178.1, 227/180.1, 606/139, 606/219
• US Class Current: 606/219
• 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 method of manipulating a tool assembly of a surgical apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:

rotating an articulation knob to disengage a clutch and rotate a main shaft;

transferring rotation of the main shaft to a yoke shaft;

moving a pin within a slot on a frame to cause translation of the frame due to the rotation of the yoke shaft; and

advancing an articulation link axially to articulate the tool assembly from the translation of the frame.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

alerting a user that the clutch is disengaged.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the clutch is disengaged to prevent back driving of a motor assembly.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the frame defines a J-channel.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of rotating the articulation knob allows a user to use the tool assembly in a manual mode.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

rotating the articulation knob to engage the clutch and operate in a powered mode, wherein a motor assembly rotates the main shaft via a first gear and a second gear.

7. A method of manipulating a tool assembly of a surgical apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:

operating the tool assembly in a manual mode by rotating an articulation knob to disengage a clutch and rotate a main shaft; and

operating the tool assembly in a powered mode, wherein a motor assembly rotates the main shaft.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the main shaft is rotated by the motor assembly when the motor assembly rotates a first gear and a second gear with the second gear attached to the clutch and main shaft.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of:

rotating a transmission shaft to articulate the tool assembly, wherein the first gear is rotatably mounted on the transmission shaft and is configured to engage the motor assembly.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein a rotational speed of the main shaft is reduced using the second gear interposed between the motor assembly and the first gear.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of:

transferring rotation of the second gear to the main shaft.

12. The method of claim 7, further comprising the steps of:

transferring rotation of the main shaft to a yoke shaft;

moving a pin within a slot on a frame to cause translation of the frame due to the rotation of the yoke shaft; and

advancing an articulation link axially to articulate the tool assembly from the translation of the frame.

13. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of:

alerting a user that the clutch is disengaged.

14. The method of claim 7, wherein the clutch is disengaged to prevent back driving of a motor assembly.

15. The method of claim 7, wherein the frame defines a J-channel.