Surgical stapling apparatus with powered articulation

• US 9,700,314 B2
• Filed: 11/17/2015
• Issued: 07/11/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Marczyk, Stanislaw
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Scott A.
• Application Number:
  US14/943,528
• Publication Number:
  US 20160066905A1
• Time in Patent Office: 602 Days
• Field of Search: 227 19, 2271751, 2271761, 2271752, 2271801, 606139, 606219
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0643 with separate closing member, e.g. for interlocking with staple
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0644 penetrating the tissue, deformable to closed position
• 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 17/0682 for applying U-shaped staples or clamps, e.g. without a forming anvil
• 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 17/07292 Reinforcements for staple line, e.g. pledgets
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/105 Wound clamp magazines for packaging sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1114 of the digestive tract, e.g. bowels or oesophagus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/115 Staplers for performing anastomosis in a single operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1155 Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/135 inflatable for measuring blood pressure A61B5/022; inflatable pressure pads A61F5/34
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00115 with audible or visual output with imaging means A61B90/37, A61B34/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00473 Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00526 Methods of manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00818 : Treatment of the gastro-intestinal system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00893 : pharmaceutically effective
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00898 : expandable upon contact with fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07228 : Arrangement of the staples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07257 : characterised by its anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07264 : characterised by its staple forming cavities, e.g. geometry or material
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2905 : flexible
• 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 2017/320052 : Guides for cutting instruments by marking A61B2090/395
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/031 : torque limiting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/037 : with a frangible part, e.g. by reduced diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 : Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0086 : using clamps, folding means or the like
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 227/902 : Surgical clips or staples

Abstract

The surgical stapling apparatus includes a handle assembly, an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly, and an articulation mechanism for articulating a tool assembly. The articulation mechanism includes a first gear rotatably mounted on a transmission shaft and configured to engage a second gear, a clutch interconnecting the second gear and a main shaft; and a yoke shaft coupled to the main shaft and adapted to linearly advance a J-channel, the J-channel operatively connected to an articulation link. A motor assembly may rotate the transmission shaft of the articulation mechanism. Alternatively, the articulation mechanism may include an articulation knob. Users may manually rotate the articulation knob to articulate the tool assembly of the surgical stapling apparatus.

Claims

1. A method of manipulating a tool assembly of a surgical device, the method comprising:

rotating a knob to rotate a transmission shaft of the surgical device; and

rotating the knob to disengage a clutch of the surgical device to prevent back driving from a motor assembly of the surgical device.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising rotating the knob to articulate the tool assembly.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein rotating the knob to rotate a transmission shaft of the surgical device includes manually rotating the knob to rotate the transmission shaft.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising interconnecting the motor assembly and the transmission shaft.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising reducing a rotation speed of the motor assembly using a first gear and a second gear.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising transferring rotation of the second gear to a main shaft of the surgical device.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising engaging the clutch to transfer rotation of the second gear to the main shaft.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising biasing at least one of the first gear and the second gear into engagement with one another.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising rotating a main shaft of the surgical device to rotate a yoke shaft of the surgical device.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising rotating the yoke shaft to linearly advance an articulation link of the surgical device.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising rotating the yoke shaft to linearly advance a frame of the surgical device.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising moving a pin within a slot in the frame.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein movement of the pin within the slot causes linear translation of a J-channel of the frame.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein linear translation of the J-channel causes advancement of an articulation link of the surgical device.