Articulatable surgical instrument comprising a firing drive

• US 9,687,230 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2013
• Issued: 06/27/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon, LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Lytle, IV, Thomas W., Montgomery, Kevin M., Overmyer, Mark D., Swensgard, Brett E., Leimbach, Richard L., Kerr, Wendy A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Long, Robert
• Assistant Examiner(s): Madison, Xavier A
• Application Number:
  US13/803,097
• Publication Number:
  US 20140263542A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,566 Days
• Field of Search: 2271752
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• 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 17/0686 having a forming anvil staying below the tissue during stapling
• 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 17/32 Surgical cutting instruments A61B18/042 takes precedence; suture cutters A61B17/0467; instruments for ligaturing or cutting A61B17/128; instruments for rupturing the amniotic membrane A61B17/4208; specially adapted knives for eye surgery A61F9/0133
• 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 2017/00119 alarm; indicating an abnormal situation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00123 and automatic shutdown
• 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 2017/00389 Button or wheel for performing multiple functions, e.g. rotation of shaft and end effector
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00393 with means for switching between functions
• 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 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 2017/00716 simulating physical properties
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 : battery operated
• 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 2017/2903 : transferring rotary motion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2913 : cams or guiding means
• 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 2017/2931 : with releasable head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2943 : Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00172 : Connectors and adapters therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00297 : Means for providing haptic feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00303 : active, e.g. with a motor creating vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1455 : having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2059 : Mechanical position encoders
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/064 : for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/067 : for measuring angles
• 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 34/30 : Surgical robots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/76 : Manipulators having means for providing feel, e.g. force or tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/145 : influenced by the relative movement between the Hall device and magnetic fields see G01R33/06

Abstract

A surgical instrument can comprise a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, and an end effector rotatably coupled to the shaft by an articulation joint. The surgical instrument can further include a staple cartridge positioned within the end effector and a firing drive operably coupled with a trigger wherein the operation of the trigger can advance and/or retract a firing member of the firing drive relative to the end effector. The surgical instrument can further comprise an articulation drive which is selectively engageable with the firing drive. When the articulation drive is engaged with the firing drive, the operation of the firing drive can operate the articulation drive and articulate the end effector. When the articulation drive is not engaged with the firing drive, the firing drive can be operated independently of the articulation drive.

Claims

1. A shaft assembly for use with a surgical instrument, said shaft assembly comprising:

a shaft;

an end effector;

an articulation joint connecting said end effector to said shaft;

a firing driver movable relative to said end effector;

an articulation driver configured to articulate said end effector about said articulation joint; and

a clutch collar configured to selectively engage said articulation driver to said firing driver to impart the movement of said firing driver to said articulation driver.

2. The shaft assembly of claim 1, wherein said clutch collar extends around said firing driver, wherein said clutch collar is rotatable about said firing driver between an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein said clutch collar operably couples said firing driver and said articulation driver when said clutch collar is in said engaged position, and wherein said articulation driver is not operably coupled with said firing driver when said clutch collar is in said disengaged position.

3. The shaft assembly of claim 2, wherein said end effector is movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein said surgical instrument further comprises a closure driver configured to impart a closing motion to said end effector, and wherein said closure driver is configured to move said clutch collar from said engaged position to said disengaged position during said closing motion.

4. The shaft assembly of claim 3, wherein said closure driver comprises a window, wherein said clutch collar comprises a cam follower extending through said window, and wherein said window comprises a camming sidewall configured to engage said cam follower and move said clutch collar from said engaged position to said disengaged position.

5. The shaft assembly of claim 2, further comprising a biasing member configured to bias said clutch collar toward said engaged position.

6. The shaft assembly of claim 2, wherein said clutch collar comprises:

a first lock member that is selectively engageable with said firing driver when said clutch collar is in said engaged position; and

a second lock member engaged with said articulation driver when said clutch collar is in said engaged position and said disengaged position.

7. The shaft assembly of claim 6, wherein said firing driver comprises a longitudinal recess configured to slidably receive said first lock member therein when said clutch collar is in said disengaged position.

8. The shaft assembly of claim 1, further comprising a frame, wherein said clutch collar comprises:

a first portion engaged with said articulation driver, wherein said first portion is configured to translate with said articulation driver; and

a second portion slidably engaged with said first portion, wherein said second portion is rotatably engaged with said frame, wherein said second portion is configured to rotate said first portion, and wherein said first portion is configured to translate relative to said second portion.

9. The shaft assembly of claim 8, wherein said first portion comprises a longitudinal recess, wherein said second portion comprises a collar driver slidably positioned in said longitudinal recess, and wherein said collar driver is configured to slide within said longitudinal recess when said first portion translates relative to said second portion.

10. The shaft assembly of claim 9, further comprising a detent defined in said longitudinal recess configured to releasably hold said clutch collar in a neutral position, wherein said neutral position is associated with an unarticulated position of said end effector.

11. The shaft assembly of claim 1, wherein said end effector comprises a staple cartridge including a plurality of staples removably stored therein.

12. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a handle;

an electric motor positioned in said handle;

a shaft attachable to said handle;

an end effector;

an articulation joint connecting said end effector to said shaft;

a firing driver movable toward said end effector, wherein said electric motor is configured to impart a firing motion to said firing driver;

an articulation driver configured to articulate said end effector about said articulation joint; and

a rotatable clutch configured to selectively engage said articulation driver to said firing driver to impart said firing motion to said articulation driver.

13. The surgical instrument of claim 12, wherein said clutch extends around said firing driver, wherein said clutch is rotatable about said firing driver between an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein said clutch operably couples said firing driver and said articulation driver when said clutch is in said engaged position, and wherein said articulation driver is not operably coupled with said firing driver when said clutch is in said disengaged position.

14. The surgical instrument of claim 13, wherein said end effector is movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein said surgical instrument further comprises a closure driver configured to impart a closing motion to said end effector, and wherein said closure driver is configured to move said clutch from said engaged position to said disengaged position during said closing motion.

15. The surgical instrument of claim 14, wherein said closure driver comprises a window, wherein said clutch comprises a cam follower extending through said window, and wherein said window comprises a camming sidewall configured to engage said cam follower and move said clutch from said engaged position to said disengaged position.

16. The surgical instrument of claim 13, further comprising a biasing member configured to bias said clutch toward said engaged position.

17. The surgical instrument of claim 13, wherein said clutch comprises:

a first lock member that is selectively engageable with said firing driver when said clutch is in said engaged position; and

a second lock member engaged with said articulation driver when said clutch is in said engaged position and said disengaged position.

18. The surgical instrument of claim 17, wherein said firing driver comprises a longitudinal recess configured to slidably receive said first lock member therein when said clutch is in said disengaged position.

19. The surgical instrument of claim 12, further comprising a frame, wherein said clutch comprises:

a first portion engaged with said articulation driver, wherein said first portion is configured to translate with said articulation driver; and

a second portion slidably engaged with said first portion, wherein said second portion is rotatably engaged with said frame, wherein said second portion is configured to rotate said first portion, and wherein said first portion is configured to translate relative to said second portion.

20. The surgical instrument of claim 19, wherein said first portion comprises a longitudinal recess, wherein said second portion comprises a collar driver slidably positioned in said longitudinal recess, and wherein said collar driver is configured to slide within said longitudinal recess when said first portion translates relative to said second portion.

21. The surgical instrument of claim 20, further comprising a detent defined in said longitudinal recess configured to releasably hold said clutch in a neutral position, wherein said neutral position is associated with an unarticulated position of said end effector.

22. The surgical instrument of claim 12, wherein said end effector comprises a staple cartridge including a plurality of staples removably stored therein.

23. A shaft assembly for use with a surgical instrument, said shaft assembly comprising:

a shaft;

an end effector;

an articulation joint connecting said end effector to said shaft;

a firing driver movable relative to said end effector;

an articulation driver configured to articulate said end effector about said articulation joint; and

a longitudinal clutch configured to selectively engage said articulation driver to said firing driver to impart the movement of said firing driver to said articulation driver.