Conductor arrangements for electrically powered surgical instruments with rotatable end effectors

• US 9,510,828 B2
• Filed: 08/23/2013
• Issued: 12/06/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Yates, David C., Hall, Steven G., Schellin, Emily A., Shelton, Frederick E. IV
• Primary Examiner(s): Chukwurah, Nathaniel
• Application Number:
  US13/974,174
• Publication Number:
  US 20150053745A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,201 Days
• Field of Search: 227/19, 227/177.1, 227/178.1, 227/179.1, 227/180.1, 606/139, 606/219
• 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 17/068 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 17/072 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 17/105 Wound clamp magazines for packaging sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00115 with audible or visual output with imaging means A61B90/37, A61B34/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00119 alarm; indicating an abnormal situation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00123 and automatic shutdown
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00137 Details of operation mode
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00154 pulsed
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0019 Means for setting or varying the pulse width
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00199 with a console, e.g. a control panel with a display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00221 with wireless transmission of data, e.g. by infrared radiation or radiowaves
• 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 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00402 Piezo electric actuators
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00407 Ratchet means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable for prosthetic joint-implanting tools A61F2/4603
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00464 : for use with different instruments with hole for different instruments A61B2017/22072
• 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 2017/00486 : Adaptors for coupling parts with incompatible geometries
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 : battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 : Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07228 : Arrangement of the staples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07257 : characterised by its anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07271 : characterised by its cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07278 : characterised by its sled or its staple holder
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07285 : characterised by its cutter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2901 : Details of shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/291 : the position of the handle being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2923 : Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• 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 2017/2941 : Toggle linkages
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2946 : Locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/252 : indicating steps of a surgical procedure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/254 : being adapted depending on the stage of the surgical procedure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/256 : having a database of accessory information, e.g. including context sensitive help or scientific articles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/035 : preventing further rotation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/037 : with a frangible part, e.g. by reduced diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0803 : Counting the number of times an instrument is used
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0804 : Counting number of instruments used; Instrument detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0807 : Indication means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0808 : for indicating correct assembly of components, e.g. of the surgical apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0811 : for the position of a particular part of an instrument with respect to the rest of the instrument, e.g. position of the anvil of a stapling instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0814 : Preventing re-use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/372 : Details of monitor hardware
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0214 : of power generation or supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/10 : Computer-aided planning, simulation or modelling of surgical operations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/25 : User interfaces for surgical systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/30 : Surgical robots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/74 : Manipulators with manual electric input means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/76 : Manipulators having means for providing feel, e.g. force or tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/03 : Automatic limiting or abutting means, e.g. for safety
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/37 : Surgical systems with images on a monitor during operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/90 : Identification means for patients or instruments, e.g. tags
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/96 : using barcodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 : using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/60 : Protecting data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 : Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0416 : Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 : using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 : Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04845 : for image manipulation, e.g. dragging, rotation, expansion or change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 : using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/60 : Editing figures and text; Combining figures or text
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/14 : Display of multiple viewports
• 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: G16Z 99/00 : Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass
• 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 10/48 : 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: H02J 2310/23 : The load being a medical device, a medical implant, or a life supporting device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 : Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0068 : Battery or charger load switching, e.g. concurrent charging and load supply H02J7/0013 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/342 : The other DC source being a battery actively interacting with the first one, i.e. battery to battery charging with circuits for polarity protection H02J7/0034
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/061 : for DC powered loads
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/96062 : with tactile or haptic feedback
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 : Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A surgical instrument that includes a housing that has an elongated shaft assembly attached thereto that is configured to be rotated relative to the housing. The surgical instrument further includes a conductor arrangement that facilitates transfer of electrical power or current from a power source which may be located in the housing or external to the housing to a distal portion of the elongated shaft assembly or to a surgical end effector coupled thereto. The surgical instrument may further include a travel limiting arrangement for limiting the amount of rotary travel of the elongated shaft assembly relative to the housing to a predetermined range of rotary travel.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument comprising:

a housing;

a rotatable member supported on a mounting portion of the housing for rotation therearound through a range of rotation;

an elongated shaft assembly defining a longitudinal tool axis and being operably coupled to the rotatable member for rotational travel therewith about the longitudinal tool axis;

a source of electrical power; and

a conductor management system comprising;

a spool conductor assembly including a first conductor end fixed to the mounting portion of the housing and a second conductor end fixed to the rotatable member for rotation therewith through the range of rotation;

a primary conductor supported within the housing and configured to transmit electrical power from the source of electrical power to the spool conductor assembly, wherein the primary conductor is coupled to the spool conductor assembly; and

a shaft conductor coupled to the spool conductor assembly for transmitting electrical power to a distal end of the elongated shaft assembly.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1 further comprising a surgical end effector operably coupled to the distal end of the elongated shaft assembly and being configured to receive electrical power therefrom.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the primary conductor is removably coupled to the first conductor end by a detachable connector assembly.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 1 further comprising a surgical end effector operably coupled to the distal end of the elongated shaft assembly and being configured to receive electrical power therefrom.

5. The surgical instrument of claim 1 further comprising means for limiting the range of rotation to a predetermined number of revolutions.

6. The surgical instrument of claim 5 wherein the means for limiting comprises:

a distal travel-limiting portion on the rotatable member;

a proximal travel-limiting portion on the rotatable member, the proximal travel-limiting portion being axially spaced from the distal travel-limiting portion a travel distance; and

a limiter member movably supported on the rotatable member for axial travel between the distal travel-limiting portion and the proximal travel-limiting portion and being in threaded engagement with the mounting portion of the housing such that as the rotatable member is rotated relative to the mounting portion in a first rotary direction, the limiter member is axially driven towards the distal travel-limiting portion until contact therewith to thereby prevent further rotation of the rotatable member in the first rotary direction and when the rotatable member is rotated relative to the mounting portion in a second rotary direction, the limiter member is axially driven towards the proximal travel-limiting portion until contact therewith to thereby prevent further rotation of the rotatable member in the second rotary direction.

7. The surgical instrument of claim 6 wherein the travel distance has a magnitude that facilitates rotatable travel of the rotatable member for at least one full revolution about the mounting portion and not more than three full revolutions about the mounting portion in the first and second rotary directions.

8. The surgical instrument of claim 6 wherein the means for limiting is configured to limit the range of the rotatable member to a first number of revolutions in the first rotary direction and a second number of revolutions in the second rotary direction.

9. The surgical instrument of claim 8 wherein the first number of revolutions is equal to the second number of revolutions.

10. The surgical instrument of claim 9 wherein the limiter member is biased into a central position between the distal travel-limiting portion and the proximal travel-limiting portion by a biasing arrangement such that when application of rotary forces to the rotatable member in either of the first and second rotary directions is discontinued, the biasing arrangement returns the limiter member to the central position.

11. A surgical instrument comprising:

a housing including a mounting portion;

a rotatable member supported on the mounting portion of the housing for rotation therearound;

an elongated shaft assembly including a distal end and being operably coupled to the rotatable member for rotational travel therewith relative to the housing;

a surgical end effector operably coupled to the distal end of the elongated shaft assembly;

a source of electrical power; and

a conductor management system comprising;

a windable conductor assembly including a first conductor end fixed to the mounting portion of the housing and a second conductor end fixed to the rotatable member for rotation therewith;

a primary conductor supported within the housing and configured to transmit electrical power from the source of electrical power to the windable conductor assembly; and

a shaft conductor coupled to the windable conductor assembly for transmitting electrical power to the surgical end effector.

12. The surgical instrument of claim 11 further comprising means for limiting a range of rotation to a predetermined number of revolutions.

13. The surgical instrument of claim 12 wherein the means for limiting comprises:

a distal travel-limiting portion on the rotatable member;

a proximal travel-limiting portion on the rotatable member, the proximal travel-limiting portion being axially spaced from the distal travel-limiting portion a travel distance; and

a limiter member movably supported on the rotatable member for axial travel between the distal travel-limiting portion and the proximal travel-limiting portion and being in threaded engagement with the mounting portion of the housing such that as the rotatable member is rotated relative to the mounting portion in a first rotary direction, the limiter member is axially driven towards the distal travel-limiting portion until contact therewith to thereby prevent further rotation of the rotatable member in the first rotary direction and when the rotatable member is rotated relative to the mounting portion in a second rotary direction, the limiter member is axially driven towards the proximal travel-limiting portion until contact therewith to thereby prevent further rotation of the rotatable member in the second rotary direction.

14. The surgical instrument of claim 13 wherein the travel distance has a magnitude that facilitates rotatable travel of the rotatable member of at least one full revolution about the mounting portion and not more than three revolutions about the mounting portion in the first and second rotary directions.

15. The surgical instrument of claim 13 wherein the means for limiting is configured to limit a range of rotation of the rotatable member to a first number of revolutions in the first rotary direction about the mounting portion and a second number of revolutions about the mounting portion in the second rotary direction.

16. The surgical instrument of claim 15 wherein the first number of revolutions is equal to the second number of revolutions.

17. The surgical instrument of claim 16 wherein the limiter member is biased into a central position between the distal travel-limiting portion and the proximal travel-limiting portion by a biasing arrangement such that when application of rotary forces to the rotatable member in either of the first and second rotary directions is discontinued, the biasing arrangement returns the limiter member to the central position.

18. The surgical instrument of claim 11 wherein the source of electrical power is supported by the housing.

19. The surgical instrument of claim 18 wherein the housing comprises a handle and wherein the source of electrical power comprises at least one battery supported in the handle.

20. A surgical instrument comprising:

a housing;

a rotatable member supported on a mounting portion of the housing;

an elongated shaft assembly defining a longitudinal tool axis and being operably coupled to the rotatable member for rotational travel therewith about the longitudinal tool axis;

a source of electrical power;

means for transferring power from the source of electrical power through a conductor extending through the elongated shaft assembly; and

means for limiting an amount of rotary travel of the rotatable member about the mounting portion to a range of rotary travel comprising at least one full revolution and not more than three full revolutions about the mounting portion.

21. The surgical instrument of claim 20, wherein the means for transferring power comprises a conductive wire.

22. A surgical instrument comprising:

a housing;

a rotatable member supported on a mounting portion of the housing for rotation therearound through a range of rotation;

an elongated shaft assembly defining a longitudinal tool axis and being operably coupled to the rotatable member for rotational travel therewith about the longitudinal tool axis;

a source of electrical power; and

a conductor management system comprising;

a spool conductor assembly including a first conductor end fixed to the mounting portion of the housing and a second conductor end fixed to the rotatable member for rotation therewith through the range of rotation;

a primary conductor supported within the housing and configured to transmit electrical power from the source of electrical power to the spool conductor assembly, wherein the primary conductor is removably coupled to the first conductor end by a detachable connector assembly; and

a shaft conductor coupled to the spool conductor assembly for transmitting electrical power to a distal end of the elongated shaft assembly.

23. A surgical instrument comprising:

a housing;

a rotatable member supported on a mounting portion of the housing for rotation therearound through a range of rotation;

an elongated shaft assembly defining a longitudinal tool axis and being operably coupled to the rotatable member for rotational travel therewith about the longitudinal tool axis;

a source of electrical power;

means for limiting the range of rotation to a predetermined number of revolutions; and

a conductor management system comprising;

a spool conductor assembly including a first conductor end fixed to the mounting portion of the housing and a second conductor end fixed to the rotatable member for rotation therewith through the range of rotation;

a primary conductor supported within the housing and configured to transmit electrical power from the source of electrical power to the spool conductor assembly; and

a shaft conductor coupled to the spool conductor assembly for transmitting electrical power to a distal end of the elongated shaft assembly.