Locking articulation mechanism

• US 9,027,818 B2
• Filed: 10/24/2013
• Issued: 05/12/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Scirica, Paul A., Cappola, Kenneth M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Long, Robert
• Application Number:
  US14/062,114
• Publication Number:
  US 20140048581A1
• Time in Patent Office: 565 Days
• Field of Search: 2271751-1821, 227/19, 227/219, 606/219, 606/253, 606/25
• 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;

a surgical tool assembly at the distal end of the elongated body; and

an articulation mechanism operably connected to the handle assembly and configured to selectively articulate the surgical tool assembly to at least one predetermined position of a plurality of predetermined positions, the articulation mechanism including;

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

a circular 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 around an outer periphery of the locking member; and

an articulation handle rotationally fixed to the main shaft member and rotatable relative to the locking member, the articulation handle including a movable member receivable within the plurality of notches of the locking member.

2. The surgical device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of notches are equally spaced.

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

4. 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.

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

6. The surgical device of claim 1, wherein the movable member is spring biased toward the plurality of notches.

7. The surgical device of claim 1, wherein the tool assembly includes an anvil and a staple cartridge assembly.

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

9. The surgical device of claim 8, wherein the retainer has an opening for receiving the main shaft member.

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

11. The surgical device of claim 10, wherein the surgical tool assembly includes a loading unit selectively securable to the elongated body, the loading unit is configured to displace the sensor cap when the loading unit is secured to the elongated body so that the portion of the sensor cap receivable in the slot of the main shaft moves away from the main shaft.