Method of assembling a spring-loaded mechanism of a surgical instrument

• US 9,592,089 B2
• Filed: 09/18/2015
• Issued: 03/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Lyons, Michael B., Sims, Grant T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Afzali, Sarang
• Application Number:
  US14/858,397
• Publication Number:
  US 20160008056A1
• Time in Patent Office: 543 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/2812 with a single pivotal connection A61B17/29 takes precedence
• 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 18/1482 having a long rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously in minimal invasive surgery, e.g. laparoscopy
• 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 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable for prosthetic joint-implanting tools A61F2/4603
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00526 Methods of manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2902 characterized by features of the actuating rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/292 connection of actuating rod to handle, e.g. ball end in recess
• 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 2017/2936 Pins in guiding slots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2946 Locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00601 Cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00607 Coagulation and cutting with the same instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00619 Welding
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0063 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00952 rotatable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1455 having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/031 torque limiting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/033 : Abutting means, stops, e.g. abutting on tissue or skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/034 : abutting on parts of the device itself
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/03 : Automatic limiting or abutting means, e.g. for safety
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 : Electrical device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 : Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32549 : including limit means

Abstract

A method of assembling a surgical instrument includes inserting a knife into a knife guide and positioning the knife and the knife guide within an inner shaft. The method also includes moving a drive collar stop along a longitudinal axis defined through the inner shaft, engaging a pair of opposing projections of the drive collar stop within a corresponding first pair of opposing apertures defined in the inner shaft, and moving a drive collar along the inner shaft. The method also includes moving a spring along the inner shaft, compressing the spring, moving an inner shaft stop transverse to the longitudinal axis defined through the inner shaft, and engaging a pair of opposing projections of the inner shaft stop within a corresponding second pair of opposing apertures defined in the inner shaft proximal to the first pair of opposing apertures.

Claims

1. A method of assembling a surgical instrument, comprising:

inserting a knife into a knife guide;

positioning the knife and the knife guide within an inner shaft;

moving a drive collar stop having a pair of opposing projections along a longitudinal axis defined through the inner shaft;

engaging the pair of opposing projections of the drive collar stop within a corresponding first pair of opposing apertures defined in the inner shaft;

moving a drive collar having a cylindrical member and a proximal rim disposed at a proximal end of the cylindrical member along the inner shaft to abut a free distal end of the cylindrical member with the drive collar stop and limit distal movement of the drive collar along the inner shaft;

moving a spring along the inner shaft to engage the drive collar and limit distal movement of the spring;

compressing the spring;

moving an inner shaft stop having a pair of opposing projections transverse to the longitudinal axis defined through the inner shaft; and

engaging the pair of opposing projections of the inner shaft stop within a corresponding second pair of opposing apertures defined in the inner shaft proximal to the first pair of opposing apertures to limit proximal movement of the inner shaft and retain the spring between the inner shaft stop and the drive collar in a compressed condition.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising operably coupling the knife guide to the inner shaft.

3. A method of assembling a surgical instrument, comprising:

inserting a knife into a knife guide;

positioning the knife and the knife guide within an inner shaft;

moving a drive collar stop having a pair of opposing projections along a longitudinal axis defined through the inner shaft;

moving the drive collar stop transverse to the longitudinal axis to engage the pair of opposing projections of the drive collar stop within a proximal section of each of a corresponding first pair of opposing slots defined in the inner shaft;

moving the drive collar stop distally within the first pair of opposing slots to engage the opposing pair of projections of the drive collar stop within a distal section of each of the corresponding pair of opposing slots and limit further longitudinal movement of the drive collar stop;

moving a drive collar having a cylindrical member and a proximal rim disposed at a proximal end of the cylindrical member along the inner shaft to abut a free distal end of the cylindrical member with the drive collar stop and limit distal movement of the drive collar along the inner shaft;

moving a spring along the inner shaft to engage the drive collar and limit distal movement of the spring;

compressing the spring;

moving an inner shaft stop having a pair of opposing projections transverse to the longitudinal axis defined through the inner shaft to engage the pair of opposing projections of the inner shaft stop within a distal section of each of a corresponding second pair of opposing slots defined in the inner shaft proximal to the first pair of opposing slots; and

moving the inner shaft stop proximally within the second pair of opposing slots to engage the pair of opposing projections of the inner shaft stop within a proximal section of each of the corresponding second pair of opposing slots to limit proximal movement of the inner shaft stop and retain the spring between the inner shaft stop and the drive collar in a compressed condition.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising operably coupling the knife guide to the inner shaft.