Motor-driven surgical cutting and fastening instrument

• US 10,278,722 B2
• Filed: 04/08/2016
• Issued: 05/07/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon, LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Shelton, IV, Frederick E., Timperman, Eugene L., Swayze, Jeffrey S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chukwurah, Nathaniel C
• Application Number:
  US15/094,174
• Publication Number:
  US 20160220268A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,124 Days
• Field of Search: 2271751, 2271801, 227 19
• 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 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/105 Wound clamp magazines for packaging sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32 Surgical cutting instruments A61B18/042 takes precedence; suture cutters A61B17/0467; instruments for ligaturing or cutting A61B17/128; instruments for rupturing the amniotic membrane A61B17/4208; specially adapted knives for eye surgery A61F9/0133
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320016 Endoscopic cutting instruments, e.g. arthroscopes, resectoscopes A61B10/0233, A61B17/29, A61B17/3207 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/76 Manipulators having means for providing feel, e.g. force or tactile feedback

Abstract

A stapling assembly comprising an end effector, a lockout circuit, a firing member, and a drive system is disclosed. The end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw. The second jaw is movable relative to the first jaw between an unclamped position and a clamped position. The lockout circuit is configured to detect if a staple cartridge is in the end effector. The firing member is movable between an unfired position and a fired position during a firing stroke. The drive system is configured to clamp the second jaw and advance the firing member through the firing stroke. The drive system comprises an electric motor, a selectively operable first planetary gear train, a selectively operable second planetary gear train, and a switching mechanism configured to switch between the operation of the first planetary gear train and the second planetary gear train.

Claims

1. A stapling assembly, comprising:

an end effector, comprising;

a first jaw; and

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

a lockout circuit configured to detect if a staple cartridge is in said end effector;

a firing member movable between an unfired position and a fired position during a firing stroke; and

a drive system configured to clamp said second jaw and advance said firing member through said firing stroke, wherein said drive system comprises;

an electric motor;

a selectively operable first planetary gear train;

a selectively operable second planetary gear train; and

a switching mechanism configured to switch between the operation of said first planetary gear train and said second planetary gear train.

2. The stapling assembly of claim 1, wherein said end effector further comprises said staple cartridge.

3. The stapling assembly of claim 1, wherein said first planetary gear train and said second planetary gear train are not operable at the same time.

4. The stapling assembly of claim 1, wherein said firing member comprises a first cam configured to engage said first jaw and a second cam configured to engage said second jaw.

5. A stapling assembly, comprising:

an end effector, comprising;

a first jaw; and

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

a lockout circuit configured to detect if a staple cartridge is in said end effector;

a firing member movable between an unfired position and a fired position during a firing stroke; and

a motor-driven drive system configured to clamp said second jaw and advance said firing member through said firing stroke, wherein said motor-driven drive system comprises;

a selectively operable first planetary gear train comprising a first rotatable output;

a selectively operable second planetary gear train comprising a second rotatable output; and

a switching system configured to switch between the operation of said first planetary gear train and said second planetary gear train.

6. The stapling assembly of claim 5, wherein said end effector further comprises said staple cartridge.

7. The stapling assembly of claim 5, wherein said first planetary gear train and said second planetary gear train are not operable at the same time.

8. The stapling assembly of claim 5, wherein said firing member comprises a first cam configured to engage said first jaw and a second cam configured to engage said second jaw.

9. A stapling assembly, comprising:

an end effector, comprising;

a first jaw; and

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

a lockout circuit configured to detect if a staple cartridge is in said end effector;

a firing member movable between an unfired position and a fired position during a firing stroke; and

a motor-driven drive system configured to close said second jaw and advance said firing member through said firing stroke, wherein said motor-driven drive system comprises;

a rotatable input;

a selectively operable first planetary gear train comprising a first rotatable output;

a selectively operable second planetary gear train comprising a second rotatable output; and

means for switching between the operation of said first planetary gear train and said second planetary gear train.

10. The stapling assembly of claim 9, wherein said end effector further comprises said staple cartridge.

11. The stapling assembly of claim 9, wherein said first planetary gear train and said second planetary gear train are not operable at the same time.

12. The stapling assembly of claim 9, wherein said firing member comprises a first cam configured to engage said first jaw and a second cam configured to engage said second jaw.