Surgical instrument shaft with resiliently biased coupling to handpiece

• US 9,421,062 B2
• Filed: 10/12/2011
• Issued: 08/23/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Houser, Kevin L., Weizman, Patrick A., Strobl, Geoffrey S., Shelton, Frederick E. IV
• Primary Examiner(s): Thomson, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): LIPITZ, JEFFREY BRIAN
• Application Number:
  US13/271,364
• Publication Number:
  US 20120116389A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,777 Days
• Field of Search: 606/1, 606/130, 227/175.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/2812 with a single pivotal connection A61B17/29 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/285 combined with cutting implements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320068 using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic A61B17/22012 takes precedence; dental tooth drilling devices operated by vibration A61C3/03; removing intra-ocular material using mechanical vibrations A61F9/00745
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320092 with additional movable means for clamping or cutting tissue, e.g. with a pivoting jaw
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/00 Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body eye surgery A61F9/007; ear surgery A61F11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/04 by heating by applying electromagnetic radiation A61B18/18; hyperthermia using electric or magnetic fields, radiation or ultrasound A61N
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/12 by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1206 Generators therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1233 with circuits for assuring patient safety
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1442 Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1445 at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00473 Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00482 : with a code
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 : battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0084 : low friction A61B2017/00853 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2825 : Inserts of different material in jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/291 : the position of the handle 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 2017/293 : with means preventing relative rotation between the shaft and the actuating rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2931 : with releasable head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2933 : camming or guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/294 : Connection of actuating rod to jaw, e.g. releasable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320069 : for ablating tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320071 : with articulating means for working tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320094 : additional movable means performing clamping operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320095 : with sealing or cauterizing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00178 : Electrical connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0019 : vibrating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00589 : Coagulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00595 : Cauterization
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00601 : Cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00607 : Coagulation and cutting with the same instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00702 : Power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00988 : Means for storing information, e.g. calibration constants, or for preventing excessive use, e.g. usage, service life counter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1226 : powered by a battery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1253 : monopolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/126 : bipolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1412 : Blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1455 : having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/005 : with a lid or cover
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/0065 : Peelable cover
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/0067 : Types of closures or fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/0076 : having additional locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/008 : Pegs inserted, e.g. forced, into openings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/3007 : Stackable casings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/3008 : having multiple compartments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0803 : Counting the number of times an instrument is used
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0813 : Accessories designed for easy sterilising, i.e. re-usable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0814 : Preventing re-use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/25 : User interfaces for surgical systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 46/10 : specially adapted for instruments, e.g. microscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/30 : Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments for wound clamps A61B17/10; for ligaturing clips A61B17/122; packages or dispensers for surgical gloves or finger-stalls A61B42/40
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/08 : Accessories or related features not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/40 : Apparatus fixed or close to patients specially adapted for providing an aseptic surgical environment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/00 : Ultrasound therapy lithotripsy A61B17/22, A61B17/225; massage using supersonic vibration A61H23/00 ; using ultrasound for introducing media into the body A61M37/0092
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/40 : relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/425 : Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing printed circuits H05K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/46 : Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/48 : Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte constructional details of current conducting connections for detecting conditions inside cells or batteries, e.g. details of voltage sensing terminals, H01M50/569
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/30 : Batteries in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/247 : specially adapted for portable devices, e.g. mobile phones, computers, hand tools or pacemakers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/531 : Electrode connections inside a battery casing
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/23 : The load being a medical device, a medical implant, or a life supporting device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 : specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 : concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 : Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 : Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49005 : Acoustic transducer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49895 : Associating parts by use of aligning means [e.g., use of a drift pin or a "fixture"]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53913 : Aligner or center

Abstract

An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a reusable handle assembly and a removable and disposable shaft assembly. The handle assembly includes a trigger, a housing having a distal aperture formed in a distal end of the housing, and a drive member in communication with the trigger to actuate the drive member. The shaft assembly includes a proximal shaft portion, a rotator knob having a coupling feature, a transmission assembly extending distally from the proximal shaft portion, and an end effector coupled to the distal end of the transmission assembly. The drive member of the handle assembly is removably coupled to the proximal shaft portion of the shaft assembly. Another version includes a drive member of the handle assembly configured to removably engage a proximal shaft portion of the shaft assembly via a biasing member. Another version includes a waveguide of the transmission assembly non-threadably coupled to a transducer.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument comprising:

(a) a handle assembly comprising;

i. a trigger,

ii. a housing having a distal aperture formed in a distal end of the housing, and

iv. a drive member in communication with the trigger such that actuation of the trigger is configured to actuate the drive member in a first direction; and

(b) a transmission assembly comprising;

i. a proximal shaft portion received within the distal aperture,

ii. a rotator knob, the rotator knob having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion received within the distal aperture, and the distal portion projecting distally from distal end of the housing, the proximal portion having a coupling feature configured to removably couple the rotator knob relative to the housing, wherein the coupling feature is further configured to uncouple the rotator knob relative to the housing such that the proximal portion of the rotator knob is configured to be removed distally from the distal aperture of the housing,

iii. a distal shaft assembly extending distally relative to the rotator knob, and

iv. an end effector coupled to a distal end of the distal shaft assembly;

wherein the drive member of the handle assembly is removably coupled to the proximal shaft portion of the transmission assembly, and wherein the proximal shaft portion of the transmission assembly is configured to be removed distally from the distal aperture of the housing.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the coupling feature on the proximal portion of the rotator knob includes tabs configured to abut ledges defining a portion of the distal aperture of the housing when the transmission assembly is removably coupled to the handle assembly.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 2, wherein the tabs are resiliently biased to abut the ledges.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the proximal shaft includes a spring disposed on the proximal shaft portion.

5. The surgical instrument of claim 4, wherein when the drive member is removably coupled to the proximal shaft portion, wherein the trigger is operable to move the drive member distally from a first position to a second position to compress the spring in the second position.

6. The surgical instrument of claim 5, wherein the trigger is further operable to release the spring, releasing a biasing force to move the drive member proximally back to the first position.

7. The surgical instrument of claim 1, further comprising a spring disposed on the proximal shaft portion and a retention ring configured to be disposed within a groove defined in the proximal shaft portion.

8. The surgical instrument of claim 7, wherein the drive member includes a recessed groove defined within internal walls defining a recessed space.

9. The surgical instrument of claim 8, wherein the proximal shaft portion is configured to be received in the recessed space of the drive member.

10. The surgical instrument of claim 9, wherein when the proximal shaft portion is received in the recessed space of the drive member, wherein the retention ring is configured to compress against the internal walls defining the recessed space until eventual receipt into the recessed groove.

11. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the proximal shaft portion includes a spring disposed on the proximal shaft portion and a resiliently biased clamping component.

12. The surgical instrument of claim 11, wherein the resiliently biased clamping component includes retention arms having end wedges configured to be disposed within a groove defined the drive member.

13. The surgical instrument of claim 12, wherein the end wedges are resiliently biased outward.

14. The surgical instrument of claim 12, wherein when the rotator knob is directed proximally into the distal aperture, wherein the proximal portion of the rotator knob is configured to grip the retention arms of the clamping component and compress the retention arms inwardly until the end wedges of the retention arms are disposed within the groove of the drive member.

15. The surgical instrument of claim 14, wherein the rotator is removable and is configured to be directed distally when the end wedges are disposed within the groove of the drive member such that the proximal portion of the rotator releases the retention arms of the clamping component to allow the retention arms to return to a resiliently biased outward position.

16. A surgical instrument comprising:

(a) a handle assembly comprising;

i. a trigger,

ii. a housing having a distal aperture formed in a distal end of the housing,

iii. a drive member disposed within the housing, wherein the drive member is in communication with the trigger, and

iv. a biasing member; and

(b) a transmission assembly comprising;

i. a proximal shaft portion received within the distal aperture,

ii. a distal shaft assembly extending distally from the proximal shaft portion, the distal shaft assembly comprising an inner tube; and

iii. an end effector coupled to a distal end of the distal shaft assembly;

wherein the drive member is configured to removably engage the proximal shaft portion of the transmission assembly via the biasing member, and wherein the proximal shaft portion of the transmission assembly is configured to be removed distally from the distal aperture of the housing.

17. The surgical instrument of claim 16,

wherein the biasing member comprises spring loaded ball bearings disposed on a yoke communicating with the drive member and the trigger, and wherein the spring loaded ball bearings are configured for attachment to a notch in the proximal shaft portion;

and

wherein a standoff yoke surface is disposed within the yoke, wherein the standoff yoke surface defines an aperture, wherein the aperture is sized to receive a waveguide of the transmission assembly, wherein the standoff yoke surface is disposed to sit flush against a proximal end of the transmission assembly from which the waveguide extends when the drive member is engaged to the transmission assembly such that the standoff yoke surface provides for a high distal pushing force and a corresponding low proximal pulling force against the engaged transmission assembly.

18. The surgical instrument of claim 16, wherein the proximal shaft portion comprises a portion of an inner tube of the transmission assembly, wherein the biasing member comprises ball bearings disposed on the drive member, and wherein the ball bearings are configured for attachment to respective notches in the inner tube.

19. A surgical instrument comprising:

(a) a handle assembly comprising;

i. a trigger,

ii. a housing having a distal aperture formed in a distal end of the housing, and

iv. a drive member in communication with the trigger such that actuation of the trigger is configured to actuate the drive member in a first direction; and

(b) a transmission assembly comprising;

i. a proximal shaft portion,

ii. a rotator knob, the rotator knob having a proximal portion, the proximal portion having a coupling feature,

iii. a distal shaft assembly extending distally relative to the rotator knob, and

iv. an end effector coupled to a distal end of the distal shaft assembly;

wherein the drive member of the handle assembly is removably coupled to the proximal shaft portion of the transmission assembly,

wherein the coupling feature on the proximal portion of the rotator knob includes tabs configured to abut ledges defining a portion of the distal aperture of the housing when the transmission assembly is removably coupled to the handle assembly.

20. The surgical instrument of claim 19, wherein the tabs are resiliently biased to abut the ledges.