Surgical instruments with improved closure arrangements

• US 10,004,501 B2
• Filed: 12/18/2014
• Issued: 06/26/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon, LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Shelton, IV, Frederick E., Morgan, Jerome R., Baxter, III, Chester O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chukwurah, Nathaniel
• Application Number:
  US14/575,143
• Publication Number:
  US 20160174983A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,286 Days
• Field of Search: 2271761, 2271751
• 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 17/072 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 2017/00309 Cut-outs or slits
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00314 Separate linked members
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00327 with actuating members moving in opposite directions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07257 characterised by its anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07278 characterised by its sled or its staple holder
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07285 characterised by its cutter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2902 characterized by features of the actuating rod
• 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 2017/2933 camming or guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2937 with flexible part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/302 specifically adapted for manipulations within body cavities, e.g. within abdominal or thoracic cavities
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/30 : Surgical robots

Abstract

A surgical instrument that includes jaw members, at least one of which may be moved to closed positions relative to the other jaw member upon actuation of a closure actuator. Actuation of the closure actuator causes an axially moveable closure member to apply closure motions to at least one of the jaw members. In at least one form, the closure actuator includes a first actuator portion that is configured to move through a first range of axial travel upon actuation of the closure actuator. A second actuator portion interfaces with the axially movable closure member such that upon actuation of said closure actuator, the second actuator portion moves the axially movable closure member through a second range of axial travel that is greater than the first range of axial travel.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a surgical end effector comprising first and second jaw members wherein application of a closure motion to at least one of said first and second jaw members results in the movement of the at least one of said first and second iaw members to a closed position relative to the other of said first and second iaw members; and

a closure system comprising;

an axially movable closure member configured to apply said closure motion to said at least one of said first and second iaw members;

a closure actuator including a first actuator portion configured to move axially through a first range of axial travel upon actuation of said closure actuator; and

a closure transmission interfacing with said first actuator portion and comprising a second actuator portion interfacing with said axially movable closure member such that upon actuation of said closure actuator, said second actuator portion moves said axially movable closure member through a second range of axial travel that is greater than said first range of axial travel, wherein said closure transmission further comprises;

a transfer member axially movable between said first actuator portion and said second actuator portion, said transfer member in operable engagement with said first actuator portion such that axial movement of said first actuator portion results in axial movement of said transfer member; and

a multiplier member in operable engagement with said transfer member and said second actuator portion such that axial movement of said transfer member results in axial movement of said second actuator portion.

2. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a surgical end effector comprising first and second jaw members wherein application of a closure motion to at least one of said first and second jaw members results in the movement of the at least one of said first and second iaw members to a closed position relative to the other of said first and second iaw members; and

a closure system comprising;

an axially movable closure member configured to apply said closure motion to said at least one of said first and second iaw members;

a closure actuator including a first actuator portion configured to move axially through a first range of axial travel upon actuation of said closure actuator; and

a closure transmission interfacing with said first actuator portion and comprising a second actuator portion interfacing with said axially movable closure member such that upon actuation of said closure actuator, said second actuator portion moves said axially movable closure member through a second range of axial travel that is greater than said first range of axial travel, wherein said first actuator portion comprises a first axially movable closure rack, and wherein said second actuator portion comprises a second axially movable closure rack in operable engagement with said first axially movable closure rack.

3. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a surgical end effector comprising first and second iaw members wherein application of a closure motion to at least one of said first and second jaw members results in the movement of the at least one of said first and second jaw members to a closed position relative to the other of said first and second iaw members; and

a closure system comprising;

an axially movable closure member configured to apply said closure motion to said at least one of said first and second jaw members;

a closure actuator including a first actuator portion configured to move axially through a first range of axial travel upon actuation of said closure actuator; and

a closure transmission interfacing with said first actuator portion and comprising a second actuator portion interfacing with said axially movable closure member such that upon actuation of said closure actuator, said second actuator portion moves said axially movable closure member through a second range of axial travel that is greater than said first range of axial travel, wherein said first actuator portion comprises a first axially movable closure rack, wherein said second actuator portion comprises a second axially movable closure rack in operable engagement with said first axially movable closure rack, and wherein said closure transmission further comprises;

a transfer rack axially movable between said first axially movable closure rack and said second axially movable closure rack;

a closure pinion gear supported in operable meshing engagement with said first closure rack and said transfer rack;

a transfer pinion gear supported in operable meshing engagement with said transfer rack; and

a multiplier pinion gear coupled to said transfer pinion gear and in operable meshing engagement with said second axially movable closure rack.

4. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a surgical end effector comprising first and second iaw members wherein application of a closure motion to at least one of said first and second jaw members results in the movement of the at least one of said first and second jaw members to a closed position relative to the other of said first and second iaw members;

a closure system comprising;

an axially movable closure member configured to apply said closure motion to said at least one of said first and second jaw members;

a closure actuator including a first actuator portion configured to move axially through a first range of axial travel upon actuation of said closure actuator; and

a closure transmission interfacing with said first actuator portion and comprising a second actuator portion interfacing with said axially movable closure member such that upon actuation of said closure actuator, said second actuator portion moves said axially movable closure member through a second range of axial travel that is greater than said first range of axial travel;

a housing operably supporting said closure actuator; and

a shaft assembly operably coupled to said housing and said surgical end effector, said shaft assembly comprising said axially movable closure member, wherein said shaft assembly is configured for removable operable attachment to said housing, and wherein said shaft assembly further comprises a chassis configured for operable removable attachment to said housing, said chassis operably supporting said closure transmission.

5. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a surgical end effector comprising first and second jaw members wherein application of a closure motion to at least one of said first and second jaw members results in the movement of the at least one of said first and second jaw members to a closed position relative to the other of said first and second jaw members; and

a closure system comprising;

an axially movable closure member configured to apply said closure motion to said at least one of said first and second jaw members;

a closure actuator including an actuator portion configured to move axially through a first range of axial travel upon an actuation of said closure actuator; and

means for moving the axially movable closure member through a second range of axial travel that is greater than said first range of axial travel upon said actuation of said closure actuator.

6. The surgical instrument of claim 5 wherein one of said first and second jaw members comprises a surgical staple cartridge.

7. The surgical instrument of claim 5 wherein said closure actuator comprises a closure trigger support on a housing, and wherein said closure trigger support is operably coupled to said end effector by a shaft assembly.

8. A surgical instrument, comprising:

an end effector, comprising;

a first jaw; and

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

a closure system, comprising;

a closure member configured to move said second jaw from said open position to said closed position during a closure stroke;

a first closure actuator portion configured to move through a first range of axial travel during said closure stroke;

a second closure actuator portion configured to move through a second range of axial travel during said closure stroke, wherein said second range is greater than said first range, and wherein said second closure actuator portion is configured to interface with said closure member to move said closure member through said closure stroke; and

a closure transmission operably interfacing with said first closure actuator portion and said second closure actuator portion, wherein said closure transmission comprises;

a transfer member in operable engagement with said first closure actuator portion such that said axial travel of said first closure actuator portion results in axial movement of said transfer member; and

a multiplier member in operable engagement with said transfer member and said second closure actuator portion such that said axial movement of said transfer member results in said axial travel of said second actuator portion.

9. A surgical instrument, comprising:

an end effector, comprising;

a first jaw; and

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

a closure system, comprising;

a closure member configured to move said second jaw from said open position to said closed position during a closure stroke;

a first closure rack configured to move through a first range of axial travel during said closure stroke; and

a second closure rack configured to move through a second range of axial travel during said closure stroke, wherein said second range is greater than said first range, wherein said first closure rack is operably engaged with said second closure rack, and wherein said second closure rack is configured to interface with said closure member to move said closure member through said closure stroke.

10. A surgical instrument, comprising:

an end effector, comprising;

a first jaw; and

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

a closure system, comprising;

a closure member configured to move said second jaw from said open position to said closed position during a closure stroke;

a first closure actuator configured to move through a first range of axial travel during said closure stroke;

a second closure actuator configured to move through a second range of axial travel during said closure stroke, wherein said second range is greater than said first range, and wherein said second closure actuator is configured to interface with said closure member to move said closure member through said closure stroke;

an axially movable transfer rack;

a closure pinion gear operably engaged with said first closure actuator and said transfer rack;

a transfer pinion gear operable engaged with said transfer rack; and

a multiplier pinion gear operably coupled to said transfer pinion gear and operably engaged with said second closure actuator.

11. A surgical instrument, comprising:

an end effector, comprising;

a first jaw; and

a second jaw movable relative to said first jaw between an open position and a closed position during a closure stroke; and

a closure system, comprising;

an axially movable closure member configured to apply a closure motion to said second jaw during said closure stroke;

a first closure actuator configured to move through a first range of axial travel during said closure stroke; and

a closure transmission comprising a second closure actuator configured to move through a second range of axial travel during said closure stroke, wherein said second range is greater than said first range, and wherein said second closure actuator is configured to interface with said closure member to move said closure member through said closure stroke;

a housing operably supporting said first closure actuator; and

a shaft assembly operably coupled to said surgical end effector, wherein said shaft assembly operably supports said axially movable closure member, wherein said shaft assembly comprises a chassis removably coupled to said housing, and wherein said chassis operably supports said closure transmission.