Modular motor driven surgical instruments with status indication arrangements

• US 9,814,460 B2
• Filed: 04/09/2014
• Issued: 11/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon, LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Kimsey, John S., Nalagatla, Anil K., Shelton, IV, Frederick E., Houser, Kevin L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Scott A.
• Application Number:
  US14/248,607
• Publication Number:
  US 20140305992A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,315 Days
• Field of Search: 227 19, 2271751, 2271761, 2271752, 2271801, 606139, 606153, 606219
• 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 17/115 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 17/282 Jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00115 with audible or visual output
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00199 with a console, e.g. a control panel with a display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0023 disposable
• 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 2017/00393 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00464 for use with different instruments
• 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 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0688 Packages or dispensers for surgical staplers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 : Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07221 : curved
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07235 : containing different staples, e.g. staples of different shapes, sizes or materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07242 : achieving different staple heights during the same shot, e.g. using an anvil anvil having different heights or staples of different sizes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0725 : with settable gap between anvil and cartridge, e.g. for different staple heights at different shots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2902 : characterized by features of the actuating rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2903 : transferring rotary motion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2912 : transmission of forces to actuating rod or piston
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2922 : toggle linkages
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2923 : Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2932 : Transmission of forces to jaw members
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2933 : camming or guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2936 : Pins in guiding slots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2943 : Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2946 : Locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/038 : during shipment
• 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 34/30 : Surgical robots
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/10 : Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation

Abstract

A surgical end effector for use in connection with a surgical instrument. In one form the end effector includes an end effector housing that is configured for operable attachment to the surgical instrument. A first end effector drive system is configured to linearly move a first end effector actuator between a first linear position and a second linear position in response to first rotary motions applied thereto by the surgical instrument. A second end effector drive system is configured to linearly move a second end effector actuator between a beginning and ending position in response to second rotary motions applied thereto by the surgical instrument. The instrument further includes a status assembly arrangement for provide an indication on the end effector housing of a linear location of at least one of the first and second end effector actuators.

Claims

1. A surgical end effector for use in connection with a surgical instrument, the surgical end effector comprising:

an end effector housing configured for operable attachment to the surgical instrument;

a first end effector drive system operably supported by the end effector housing and configured to linearly move a first end effector actuator between a first linear position and a second linear position in response to first rotary motions applied thereto by the surgical instrument;

a second end effector drive system operably supported by the end effector housing and configured to linearly move a second end effector actuator between a beginning and ending position in response to second rotary motions applied thereto by the surgical instrument;

a first status assembly operably interfacing with the first end effector drive system and end effector housing to provide a first indication on the end effector housing of a linear location of the first end effector actuator; and

a second status assembly operably interfacing with the second end effector drive system and end effector housing to provide a second indication on the end effector housing of a linear location of the second end effector actuator, wherein said second indication is adjacent said first indication, and wherein said first indication and said second indication are observable at the same time.

2. The surgical end effector of claim 1 wherein the first end effector drive system comprises a first end effector drive shaft rotatably supported by the end effector housing and defining a first shaft axis, the first end effector drive shaft including a first coupler configured for removable operable attachment to a portion of a first rotary drive system of the surgical instrument.

3. The surgical end effector of claim 2 wherein the first end effector drive shaft is threaded and wherein the first end effector drive system further comprises a first nut in threaded engagement with the first end effector drive shaft, the first nut operably coupled to the first end effector actuator.

4. The surgical end effector of claim 3 wherein the first status assembly comprises a first indicator member on the first nut that is viewable through a first indicator window in the end effector housing.

5. The surgical end effector of claim 4 further comprising:

first and second indicia on the end effector housing adjacent to the first indicator window; and

a first indicator mark on the first indicator member such that a position of the first indicator mark relative to the first and second indicia is indicative of another position of the first end effector actuator between the first linear position and the second linear position.

6. The surgical end effector of claim 2 wherein the second end effector drive system comprises a second end effector drive shaft rotatably supported by the end effector housing and defining a second shaft axis that is parallel to the first shaft axis, the second end effector drive shaft including a second coupler configured for removable operable attachment to a portion of a second rotary drive system of the surgical instrument.

7. The surgical end effector of claim 6 wherein the second end effector drive shaft is threaded and wherein the second end effector drive system further comprises a second nut in threaded engagement with the second end effector drive shaft, the second nut operably coupled to the second end effector actuator.

8. The surgical end effector of claim 7 wherein the second status assembly comprises a second indicator member on the second nut that is viewable through a second indicator window in the end effector housing.

9. The surgical end effector of claim 8 further comprising third and fourth indicia on the end effector housing adjacent to the second indicator window and a second indicator mark on the second indicator member such that a position of the second indicator mark relative to the third and fourth indicia is indicative of another position of the second end effector actuator between the beginning and ending position.

10. The surgical end effector of claim 1 wherein the first end effector actuator comprises an elongated first portion protruding from the end effector housing and wherein the second end effector actuator comprises an elongated second portion protruding from the end effector housing and wherein the first and second indications are provided on the end effector housing and not on the elongated first and second portions.

11. A shaft assembly, comprising:

a housing configured to be attached to a surgical instrument system;

an end effector, comprising;

a first jaw;

a second jaw, wherein said first jaw is movable relative to said second jaw between an open position and a closed position; and

a staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples removably stored therein;

a closure system, comprising;

a rotatable closure shaft;

a closure nut threadably engaged with said closure shaft, wherein said closure nut is configured to translate along said closure shaft to perform a closing stroke to close said first jaw; and

a closure indicator extending from said closure nut;

a firing system, comprising;

a rotatable firing shaft, wherein said firing shaft and said closure shaft are independently rotatable;

a firing nut threadably engaged with said firing shaft, wherein said firing nut is configured to translate along said firing shaft to perform a firing stroke to eject said staples from said staple cartridge; and

a firing indicator extending from said firing nut;

a closure slot defined in said housing, wherein said closure indicator is observable by way of said closure slot; and

a firing slot defined in said housing, wherein said firing slot is parallel to said closure slot, wherein said firing indicator is observable by way of said firing slot, and wherein said closure slot is adjacent said firing slot such that the position of said closure indicator and the position of said firing indicator are observable at the same time.

12. A shaft assembly, comprising:

a housing configured to be attached to a surgical instrument system;

a closure system, comprising;

a rotatable closure shaft;

a closure nut threadably engaged with said closure shaft, wherein said closure nut is configured to translate along said closure shaft; and

a closure indicator extending from said closure nut;

a firing system comprising;

a rotatable firing shaft;

a firing nut threadably engaged with said firing shaft, wherein said firing nut is configured to translate along said firing shaft; and

a firing indicator extending from said firing nut;

a closure slot defined in said housing, wherein said closure indicator is observable via said closure slot; and

a firing slot defined in said housing, wherein said firing indicator is observable via said firing slot, and wherein said closure slot is adjacent said firing slot such that the position of said closure indicator and said firing indicator are observable at the same time.

13. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a first jaw;

a second jaw, wherein said first jaw is movable relative to said second jaw between an open position and a clamped position;

a cartridge body comprising staples removably stored therein;

a closure system, comprising;

a closure driver configured to move said first jaw into said clamped position during a closure stroke; and

a closure indicator extending from said closure driver;

a firing system, comprising;

a firing driver configured to perform a firing stroke to eject said staples from said cartridge body; and

a firing indicator extending from said firing driver;

a first opening, wherein said closure indicator is observable by way of said first opening; and

a second opening, wherein said firing indicator is observable by way of said second opening, and wherein said second opening is adjacent said first opening such that the position of said closure indicator and the position of said firing indicator are observable at the same time.

14. The surgical instrument of claim 13 wherein said cartridge body is replaceable.

15. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a handle;

a housing extending from said handle;

a first jaw;

a second jaw, wherein said first jaw is movable relative to said second jaw between an open position and a clamped position;

a cartridge body comprising fasteners removably stored therein;

a closure system comprising a closure driver configured to move said first jaw into said clamped position during a closure stroke;

a closure indicator configured to indicate the position of said closure driver;

a firing system comprising a firing driver configured to perform a firing stroke to eject said fasteners from said cartridge body; and

a firing indicator configured to indicate the position of said firing driver, wherein said firing indicator and said closure indicator are viewable via first and second openings on said housing, and wherein said firing indicator is positioned adjacent to said closure indicator such that the state of said closure stroke and the state of said firing stroke are viewable at the same time.

16. The surgical instrument of claim 15 wherein said cartridge body is replaceable.