Surgical instrument

• US 8,573,460 B2
• Filed: 03/07/2013
• Issued: 11/05/2013
• 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:
  US13/788,579
• Publication Number:
  US 20130181032A1
• Time in Patent Office: 243 Days
• Field of Search: 227/19, 227/175.1, 227/176.1, 227/178.1, 227/180.1, 227/175.2, 606/139, 606/219
• US Class Current: 227/175.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 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. A surgical instrument comprising:

a handle assembly;

a body extending distally from the handle assembly;

a tool assembly pivotably supported at a distal end of the body; and

an articulation mechanism including;

a rotatable main shaft;

a fixed lower clutch;

an upper clutch slidably positioned with respect to the main shaft and rotatably fixed to the main shaft;

the lower clutch having a plurality of serrations, the upper clutch having a plurality of projections for engaging the serrations; and

a biasing member for biasing the upper clutch toward the lower clutch.

2. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, further comprising an articulation link attached to the main shaft.

3. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, further comprising a receptacle for housing the articulation mechanism.

4. The surgical instrument according to claim 3, wherein the receptacle is disposed at a proximal end of the body.

5. The surgical instrument according to claim 3, wherein the lower clutch is fixedly supported in the receptacle.

6. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, further comprising an articulation lever.

7. The surgical instrument according to claim 6, wherein the articulation lever is attached to the main shaft, manipulation of the articulation lever resulting in movement of the main shaft.

8. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein movement of the main shaft pivots the tool assembly with respect to the body.

9. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the tool assembly includes an anvil assembly.

10. The surgical instrument according to claim 9, wherein the tool assembly includes a staple cartridge.