Locking articulation mechanism

• US 8,573,463 B2
• Filed: 03/31/2011
• Issued: 11/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Scirica, Paul, Cappola, Kenneth M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Long, Robert
• Application Number:
  US13/076,592
• Publication Number:
  US 20120168484A1
• Time in Patent Office: 950 Days
• Field of Search: 2271751-1821, 227/19, 606/219, 606/253, 606/256
• US Class Current: 227/179.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00 Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets A61B18/00 takes precedence; contraceptive devices, pessaries, or applicators therefor A61F6/00; eye surgery A61F9/007; ear surgery A61F11/00
• 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 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/2909 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00327 with actuating members moving in opposite directions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00473 Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00982 General structural features
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft

Abstract

A surgical device including a handle assembly, an elongated body extending from the handle assembly, and an articulation mechanism connected to the handle assembly and configured to selectively articulate and lock an articulable tool assembly in one or more positions is provided. The articulation mechanism includes a main shaft member mounted for rotation and connected to an articulation linkage, a locking member configured to be received about the shaft portion of the main shaft member, the locking member defining a plurality of notches, an articulation handle fixedly secured to shaft portion of the main shaft member and configured for rotation relative to the locking member, and a lug member operatively mounted on the articulation handle and including a locking tab configured to be selectively received within a notch of the plurality of notches formed in the locking member.

Claims

1. A surgical device comprising:

a handle assembly;

an elongated body extending from the handle assembly; and

an articulation mechanism operably connected to the handle assembly and configured to selectively articulate and lock an articulatable tool assembly in one or more positions, the articulation mechanism including;

a main shaft member mounted for rotation and connected to an articulation linkage;

a locking member configured to be received about the main shaft member and rotationally fixed relative to the elongated body, the locking member defining a plurality of notches;

an articulation handle fixedly secured to the main shaft member and configured for rotation relative to the locking member; and

a lug member mounted on the articulation handle being configured to rotate with the articulation handle, at least a portion of the lug member being mounted for being selectively received within a notch of the plurality of notches when in a first position, and for being disposed radially outward of the plurality of notches when in a second position, the lug being inwardly biased toward the first position.

2. The surgical device of claim 1, further including an articulatable tool assembly mounted on a distal end of the elongated body.

3. The surgical device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of notches are evenly spaced.

4. The surgical device of claim 1, where the plurality of notches includes a central notch for reception of the lug member when the surgical device is in a non-articulated position.

5. The surgical device of claim 1, wherein the articulation handle includes a flange configured to be received within a cutout in the locking member to limit rotation of the articulation handle.

6. The surgical device of claim 1, further including a yoke attached to the main shaft member and the articulation linkage.

7. The surgical device of claim 1, further including a locking mechanism for selectively locking the lug member relative to the articulation handle.

8. The surgical device of claim 2, wherein the tool assembly includes an anvil and a staple cartridge assembly.

9. The surgical device of claim 1, further comprising a retainer rotationally fixed with respect to the handle assembly.

10. The surgical device of claim 9, wherein the retainer has an opening for receiving the main shaft member.

11. The surgical device of claim 1, wherein the lug member defines a recess configured to receive a portion of the articulation handle.

12. The surgical device of claim 11, wherein the lug member is biased in a direction toward the locking member.

13. The surgical device of claim 1, further comprising a sensor cap having a portion thereof receivable in a slot of the main shaft.

14. The surgical device of claim 13, further comprising a loading unit having the articulatable tool assembly, the loading unit being configured to displace the sensor cap so that the portion of the sensor cap moves away from the main shaft.

15. The surgical device of claim 1, wherein the lug member includes an engagement portion configured for operable engagement by a user.

16. The surgical device of claim 1, wherein the articulation mechanism further includes a spring for biasing the lug member radially inward towards the locking member.

17. The surgical device of claim 1, wherein the lug member extends distally from the handle assembly.

19. The surgical device of claim 1, wherein the lug member being finger-operable by a user.

18. A surgical device comprising:

a handle assembly;

an elongated body extending from the handle assembly; and

an articulation mechanism operably connected to the handle assembly and configured to selectively articulate and lock an articulatable tool assembly in one or more positions, the articulation mechanism including;

a main shaft member mounted for rotation and connected to an articulation linkage;

a locking member configured to be received about the main shaft member and rotationally fixed relative to the elongated body, the locking member defining a plurality of notches;

an articulation handle fixedly secured to the main shaft member and configured for rotation relative to the locking member; and

a lug member mounted on the articulation handle being configured to rotate with the articulation handle including an engagement portion for operable engagement by a user, at least a portion of the lug member being mounted for being selectively received within a notch of the plurality of notches formed in the locking member.

20. The surgical device of claim 18, wherein the lug member being finger-operable by a user.