Articulating joint for surgical instruments

• US 9,986,985 B2
• Filed: 09/13/2013
• Issued: 06/05/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Viola, Frank J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Desai, Hemant M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ferrero, Eduardo R
• Application Number:
  US14/025,860
• Publication Number:
  US 20140018826A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,726 Days
• Field of Search: 606142, 2271751
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• 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 17/072 for applying a row of staples in a single action , e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/10 for applying or removing wound clamps, e.g. containing only one clamp or staple A61B17/076 takes precedence; containing multiple wound clamps A61B17/068; Wound clamp magazines containers, packaging elements or packages specially adapted for particular articles or with special means for dispensing contents B65D83/00, B65D85/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/003 Steerable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2903 transferring rotary motion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft

Abstract

A surgical apparatus is disclosed. An actuation mechanism is operable from a proximal portion of the surgical apparatus and a tool assembly is pivotally positioned on a distal portion of the surgical apparatus. The tool assembly is movable between a first position in which the tool assembly is substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the surgical apparatus, and a second position in which the tool assembly is pivoted away from the longitudinal axis of the surgical apparatus. An articulation mechanism is positionable to move the tool assembly between the first and second positions. A drive mechanism includes a first shaft operably engaged with a second shaft at an articulation joint. The drive mechanism is configured to transfer rotational motion from the first shaft to the second shaft.

Claims

1. A surgical apparatus comprising:

a handle assembly;

an elongated body extending from the handle assembly and including a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an articulation joint disposed between the proximal portion and the distal portion;

an articulation mechanism disposed within the elongated body configured to move the distal portion about the articulation joint from a first position in axial alignment with the proximal portion to a second position offset from the proximal portion; and

a drive assembly extending through the elongated body, the drive assembly including a first drive shaft extending from the handle assembly to the articulation joint and a second drive shaft extending from the articulation joint to a tool assembly, wherein the first drive shaft includes an extension mechanism for maintaining the first drive shaft in direct engagement with the second drive shaft during articulation of the distal portion of the elongated body about the articulation joint, and rotation of the first drive shaft in relation to a longitudinal axis of the proximal portion of the elongated body in a first direction causes rotation of the second drive shaft in the first direction in relation to a longitudinal axis of the distal portion of the elongated body when the distal portion is in any of the first or second positions.

2. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the extension mechanism is configured to extend and contract a length of the first drive shaft.

3. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the extension mechanism includes a receiving end slidably disposed relative to an insertion end.

4. The surgical apparatus of claim 3, wherein the extension mechanism further includes a spring disposed between the receiving end and the insertion end configured to bias the receiving end distally.

5. The surgical apparatus of claim 3, wherein the receiving end includes a raised portion configured for engagement with a groove defined by the insertion end.

6. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first drive shaft includes a first gear having a first plurality of teeth.

7. The surgical apparatus of claim 6, wherein the second drive shaft includes a second gear having a second plurality of teeth.

8. The surgical apparatus of claim 7, wherein the extension mechanism is configured to maintain at least one of the first plurality of teeth of the first gear in engagement with at least one of the second plurality of teeth of the second gear during articulation of the distal portion of the elongated body about the articulation joint.

9. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a tool assembly including one of a clip applier, vessel sealer, and forceps.

10. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a tool assembly including a stapling assembly.

11. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handle assembly includes an actuation mechanism including a movable handle and a gear attached to the first drive shaft configured to rotate the first drive shaft.

12. The surgical stapler of claim 1, wherein rotation of the first drive shaft in relation to the longitudinal axis of the proximal portion of the elongated body in a clockwise direction cause rotation of the second drive shaft in relation to the longitudinal axis of the distal portion of the elongated body in a clockwise direction.

13. The surgical stapler of claim 1, wherein in the first direction is clockwise.

14. A surgical apparatus comprising:

a handle assembly;

an elongated body extending from the handle assembly and including a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an articulation joint disposed between the proximal portion and the distal portion, the proximal portion defining a first longitudinal axis and the distal portion defining a second longitudinal axis;

an articulation mechanism disposed within the elongated body configured to move the distal portion about the articulation joint from a first position in axial alignment with the proximal portion to a second position offset from the proximal portion; and

a drive assembly extending through the elongated body, the drive assembly including a first drive shaft extending from the handle assembly to the articulation joint and a second drive shaft extending from the articulation joint to a tool assembly, wherein the first drive shaft includes an extension mechanism for maintaining the first drive shaft in direct engagement with the second drive shaft during articulation of the distal portion of the elongated body about the articulation joint, and rotation of the first drive shaft in a first direction relative to the first longitudinal axis causes rotation of the second drive shaft relative to the second longitudinal axis in the first direction when the distal portion is in the second position.

15. The surgical apparatus of claim 14, wherein the extension mechanism is configured to extend and contract a length of the first drive shaft.

16. The surgical apparatus of claim 14, wherein the extension mechanism includes a receiving end slidably disposed relative to an insertion end.

17. The surgical apparatus of claim 16, wherein the extension mechanism further includes a spring disposed between the receiving end and the insertion end configured to bias the receiving end distally.

18. The surgical apparatus of claim 16, wherein the receiving end includes a raised portion configured for engagement with a groove defined by the insertion end.

19. The surgical apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first drive shaft includes a first gear having a first plurality of teeth.

20. The surgical apparatus of claim 19, wherein the second drive shaft includes a second gear having a second plurality of teeth.

21. The surgical apparatus of claim 20, wherein the extension mechanism is configured to maintain at least one of the first plurality of teeth of the first gear in engagement with at least one of the second plurality of teeth of the second gear during articulation of the distal portion of the elongated body about the articulation joint.