Articulating clip applier
First Claim
1. An end effector for operative connection to a surgical handle assembly including an axially reciprocatable drive assembly having a flexible drive cable operatively connected to the end effector, the end effector comprising:
- a distal housing portion defining a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis;
a knuckle portion extending proximally from the proximal end of the distal housing portion, the knuckle portion being bifurcated into a first geared portion and a second geared portion, the distal housing portion being rotatably mounted to the knuckle portion to allow the distal housing portion to rotate about the longitudinal axis with respect to the knuckle portion;
a proximal housing pivotably connected to the knuckle portion;
a gear train supported in the proximal housing, and wherein the flexible drive cable extends between the distal housing portion and the proximal housing portion and extends along the gear train;
a jaw assembly supported on the distal housing portion, the jaw assembly including a first jaw and a second jaw extending distally from the distal housing portion and being movable between a spaced apart position and an approximated position;
a plurality of surgical clips loaded in the distal housing portion in a partially stacked fashion; and
a jaw closure mechanism disposed in the distal housing portion and operatively associated with the jaw assembly and the plurality of surgical clips,wherein the jaw closure mechanism is connected to a distal end of the flexible drive so as to receive an operative force from the drive assembly when the longitudinal axis of the distal housing portion is either axially aligned of angled with respect to a longitudinal axis of the proximal housing portion; and
wherein the jaw closure mechanism feeds a clip into the jaw assembly and forms the fed clip upon a single complete stroke of the flexible drive cable.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical apparatus for application of surgical clips to body tissue is provided. The surgical apparatus includes a housing, a drive assembly, a trigger, and a shaft assembly. The trigger is operatively connected with the drive assembly. The drive assembly is at least partially positioned within the housing. The shaft assembly extends distally from the housing and has a first tubular member pivotally connected with a second tubular member located distally from the first tubular member. An articulation mechanism is operatively connected between the first and second tubular members, and includes a gear rack, at least one gear, and a gear segment, respectfully connected with each other to pivot the second tubular member about the pivot axis. The gear rack and at least one gear are located within the first tubular member. The gear segment extends proximally from the second tubular member.
1145 Citations
28 Claims
-
1. An end effector for operative connection to a surgical handle assembly including an axially reciprocatable drive assembly having a flexible drive cable operatively connected to the end effector, the end effector comprising:
-
a distal housing portion defining a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis; a knuckle portion extending proximally from the proximal end of the distal housing portion, the knuckle portion being bifurcated into a first geared portion and a second geared portion, the distal housing portion being rotatably mounted to the knuckle portion to allow the distal housing portion to rotate about the longitudinal axis with respect to the knuckle portion; a proximal housing pivotably connected to the knuckle portion; a gear train supported in the proximal housing, and wherein the flexible drive cable extends between the distal housing portion and the proximal housing portion and extends along the gear train; a jaw assembly supported on the distal housing portion, the jaw assembly including a first jaw and a second jaw extending distally from the distal housing portion and being movable between a spaced apart position and an approximated position; a plurality of surgical clips loaded in the distal housing portion in a partially stacked fashion; and a jaw closure mechanism disposed in the distal housing portion and operatively associated with the jaw assembly and the plurality of surgical clips, wherein the jaw closure mechanism is connected to a distal end of the flexible drive so as to receive an operative force from the drive assembly when the longitudinal axis of the distal housing portion is either axially aligned of angled with respect to a longitudinal axis of the proximal housing portion; and wherein the jaw closure mechanism feeds a clip into the jaw assembly and forms the fed clip upon a single complete stroke of the flexible drive cable. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. An articulating surgical clip applier, comprising:
-
a handle assembly having a housing and a trigger, the handle assembly including an axially reciprocatable drive assembly having a flexible drive cable operatively connected to and actuatable by the trigger; and an end effector operatively connected to the handle assembly, the end effector comprising; a distal housing portion defining a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis; a knuckle portion extending proximally from the proximal end of the distal housing portion, the knuckle portion being bifurcated into a first geared portion and a second geared portion, the distal housing portion being rotatably mounted to the knuckle portion to allow the distal housing portion to rotate about the longitudinal axis with respect to the knuckle portion; a proximal housing pivotably connected to the knuckle portion; a gear train supported in the proximal housing, and wherein the flexible drive cable extends between the distal housing portion and the proximal housing portion and extends along the gear train; a jaw assembly supported on the distal housing portion, the jaw assembly including a first jaw and a second jaw extending distally from the distal housing portion and being movable between a spaced apart position and an approximated position; a plurality of surgical clips loaded in the distal housing portion in a partially stacked fashion; and a jaw closure mechanism disposed in the distal housing portion and operatively associated with the jaw assembly and the plurality of surgical clips, wherein the jaw closure mechanism is connected to a distal end of the flexible drive so as to receive an operative force from the drive assembly when the longitudinal axis of the distal housing portion is either axially aligned or angled with respect to a longitudinal axis of the proximal housing portion; and wherein the jaw closure mechanism feeds a clip into the jaw assembly and forms the fed clip upon a single complete stroke of the flexible cable drive. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
-
Specification