Surgical end effectors with jaw stiffener arrangements configured to permit monitoring of firing member

• US 10,743,875 B2
• Filed: 12/15/2017
• Issued: 08/18/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon, LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Shelton, IV, Frederick E., Harris, Jason L., Morgan, Jerome R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chukwurah, Nathaniel C
• Application Number:
  US15/843,528
• Publication Number:
  US 20190183497A1
• Time in Patent Office: 977 Days
• Field of Search: 2271751-1801
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00115 with audible or visual output with imaging means A61B90/37, A61B34/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0023 disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00407 Ratchet means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable for prosthetic joint-implanting tools A61F2/4603
• 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 2017/00725 Calibration or performance testing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• 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 2017/07257 characterised by its anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07271 characterised by its cartridge
• 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 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0063 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00642 with feedback, i.e. closed loop control
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/034 abutting on parts of the device itself
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/064 : for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• 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 2090/0813 : Accessories designed for easy sterilising, i.e. re-usable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0261 : Strain gauges
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/425 : Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing printed circuits H05K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2010/4271 : Battery management systems including electronic circuits, e.g. control of current or voltage to keep battery in healthy state, cell balancing
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/30 : Batteries in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 : Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

An end effector for use with a surgical instrument. The end effector includes first and second jaws that are pivotally interconnected and moved between open and closed positions by a firing member. One or both of the jaws are configured with jaw stiffener features that are adapted to permit a user to monitor movement of the firing member during use.

Claims

1. An end effector for use with a surgical instrument, comprising:

a first jaw defining a first jaw longitudinal axis between a first jaw proximal end and a first jaw distal end thereof and comprising a plurality of first jaw stiffener features longitudinally offset from each other to define first jaw openings therebetween;

a second jaw movably coupled to said first jaw such that said first jaw and said second jaw are movable relative to each other between a fully open and a fully closed position, said second jaw comprising a plurality of second jaw stiffener features longitudinally offset from each other to define second jaw openings therebetween and wherein, when said first and second jaws are in said fully closed position, each said first jaw stiffener feature is in vertical registration with a corresponding one of said second jaw openings and each said second jaw stiffener feature is in vertical registration with a corresponding one of said first jaw openings; and

means for selectively moving said first and second jaws between said fully open and said fully closed positions.

2. The end effector of claim 1, wherein said plurality of first jaw stiffener features comprises:

a proximal first jaw stiffener that is spaced from a proximal end of said first jaw to define a proximal first jaw opening therebetween;

a central first jaw stiffener that is distally spaced from said proximal first jaw stiffener to define a central first jaw opening therebetween; and

a distal first jaw stiffener spaced distally from said central first jaw stiffener to define a distal first jaw opening therebetween and wherein said plurality of second jaw stiffener features comprises;

a proximal second jaw stiffener in vertical registration with said proximal first jaw opening when said first and second jaws are in said fully closed position;

a central second jaw stiffener spaced distally from said proximal second jaw stiffener to define a proximal second jaw opening therebetween that is in vertical registration with said proximal first jaw stiffener when said first and second jaws are in said fully closed position; and

a distal second jaw stiffener spaced distally from said central second jaw stiffener to define a central second jaw opening therebetween that is in vertical registration with said central first jaw stiffener when said first and second jaws are in said fully closed position, said distal second jaw stiffener being spaced proximally from a distal end of said second jaw to define a distal second jaw opening therebetween that is in vertical registration with said distal first jaw stiffener when said first and second jaws are in said fully closed position.

3. The end effector of claim 1, wherein said first jaw comprises a first jaw body that comprises a first lateral side and a second lateral side that is laterally spaced from said first lateral side and wherein each of said plurality of first jaw stiffener features extend between said first lateral side and said second lateral side and wherein said second jaw comprises a second jaw body defining a second jaw longitudinal axis between a second jaw distal end and a second jaw proximal end and wherein said second jaw further comprises a primary lateral side and a secondary lateral side that is spaced from said primary lateral side and wherein each of said plurality of second jaw stiffener features extend between said primary lateral side and said secondary lateral side.

4. The end effector of claim 3, wherein each said first jaw stiffener feature is transverse to said first jaw longitudinal axis and wherein each said second jaw stiffener feature is transverse to said second jaw longitudinal axis.

5. The end effector of claim 1, wherein the means for selectively moving comprises an axially movable dynamic clamping assembly that is selectively movable between a starting position corresponding to said fully open position of said first and second jaws and an ending position, said axially movable dynamic clamping assembly comprising:

a vertically extending body portion;

at least one first jaw engagement feature configured to slidably engage said first jaw; and

at least one second jaw engagement feature configured to slidably engage said second jaw.

6. The end effector of claim 5, wherein said at least one first jaw engagement feature is viewable through at least one of said first jaw openings in said first jaw from one of first and second lateral sides of said first jaw or said at least one second jaw engagement feature is viewable through at least one of said second jaw openings in said second jaw from one of primary and secondary lateral sides of said second jaw as said axially movable dynamic clamping assembly is axially moved within said end effector.

7. The end effector of claim 5, wherein said at least one first jaw engagement feature is viewable through at least one of said first jaw openings in said first jaw or said at least one second jaw engagement feature is viewable through at least one of said second jaw openings in said second jaw as said axially movable dynamic clamping assembly is axially moved within said end effector.

8. The end effector of claim 5, wherein said first jaw comprises a channel configured to support a surgical staple cartridge therein and wherein said second jaw comprises an anvil.

9. The end effector of claim 8, wherein said vertically extending body portion comprises a tissue cutting surface.

10. An end effector for use with a surgical instrument, comprising:

a first jaw;

a second jaw pivotally coupled to said first jaw such that said first and second jaws are movable relative to each other between a fully open and a fully closed position; and

a dynamic clamping assembly configured to engage said first and second jaws as said dynamic clamping assembly is axially moved from a starting position to an ending position to apply closing motions to said first and second jaws and wherein at least one of said first and second jaws comprises stiffener features that are longitudinally spaced from each other by openings configured to permit viewing of the dynamic clamping assembly therethrough as said dynamic clamping assembly moves between said starting position and said ending position;

wherein said first jaw comprises a channel comprising;

a channel body that comprises a first lateral channel side and a second lateral channel side that is laterally spaced from said first lateral channel side; and

a plurality of channel stiffener bridges axially spaced from each other by channel openings and spanning between said first lateral channel side and said second lateral channel side;

wherein said second jaw comprises an anvil comprising;

an anvil plate supported in confronting relationship with a cartridge supported in said channel; and

an anvil cover coupled to said anvil plate and comprising;

a first lateral anvil side; and

a second lateral anvil side spaced from said first lateral anvil side and connected thereto by a plurality of anvil stiffener bridges axially spaced from each other by anvil openings and spanning between said first lateral anvil side and said second lateral anvil side;

wherein a portion of said dynamic clamping assembly is viewable through at least one of said channel openings in said channel from one of said first lateral channel side and said second lateral channel side or at least another portion of said dynamic clamping assembly is viewable through at least one of said anvil openings from one of said first anvil lateral side and said second anvil lateral side as said dynamic clamping assembly is axially moved within said end effector.

11. The end effector of claim 10, wherein said dynamic clamping assembly comprises:

a vertically extending body portion;

at least one first jaw engagement feature configured to slidably engage said first jaw; and

at least one second jaw engagement feature configured to slidably engage said second jaw.

12. The end effector of claim 11, wherein said vertically extending body portion comprises a tissue cutting surface.

13. The end effector of claim 10, wherein each said channel stiffener bridge is transverse to a first longitudinal axis and wherein said anvil defines a second longitudinal axis between a proximal anvil end and a distal anvil end and wherein each said anvil stiffener bridge is transverse to said second longitudinal axis.

14. A surgical loading unit for use with a motor driven surgical instrument, comprising:

a housing configured to operably interface with a portion of the motor driven surgical instrument;

a tool assembly operably coupled to said housing and comprising;

a channel supporting a staple cartridge body therein, said channel defining a first longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a distal end thereof, said channel

comprising a segmented bottom portion defining a plurality of channel stiffener bridges and channel openings therebetween;

an anvil pivotally coupled to said channel such that said channel and said anvil are movable relative to each other between a fully open and a fully closed position, said anvil comprising a segmented top portion defining a plurality of anvil stiffener bridges and anvil openings therebetween; and

a dynamic clamping assembly configured to engage said channel and said anvil as said dynamic clamping assembly is axially moved from a starting position to an ending position to apply closing motions to said channel and said anvil and viewable through said channel openings or said anvil openings as said dynamic clamping assembly moves between said starting position and said ending position

wherein said plurality of said channel stiffener bridges comprises;

a proximal channel stiffener bridge spaced from a proximal end of said channel to define a proximal channel opening therebetween;

a central channel stiffener bridge distally spaced from said proximal channel stiffener bridge to define a central channel opening therebetween; and

a distal channel stiffener bridge spaced distally from said central channel stiffener bridge to define a distal channel opening therebetween and wherein said plurality of anvil stiffener bridges comprises;

a proximal anvil stiffener bridge in vertical registration with said proximal channel opening when said channel and anvil are in said fully closed position;

a central anvil stiffener bridge spaced distally from said proximal anvil stiffener bridge to define a proximal anvil opening therebetween that is in vertical registration with said proximal channel stiffener bridge when said channel and anvil are in said fully closed position; and

a distal anvil stiffener bridge spaced distally from said central anvil stiffener bridge to define a central anvil opening therebetween that is in vertical registration with said central channel stiffener bridge when said channel and said anvil are in said fully closed position, said distal anvil stiffener bridge spaced proximally from a distal end of said anvil to define a distal anvil opening therebetween that is in vertical registration with said distal channel stiffener bridge when said anvil and said channel are in said fully closed position.

15. The surgical loading unit of claim 14, wherein said tool assembly is pivotally coupled to said housing for selective pivotal travel relative thereto.

16. The surgical loading unit of claim 15, wherein said housing is configured to be removably coupled to an adapter configured to be removably coupled to the motor driven surgical instrument.

17. An end effector for use with a surgical instrument, comprising:

a first jaw, comprising;

a plurality of first jaw stiffener features; and

a plurality of first jaw openings; and

a second jaw, wherein said first jaw and said second jaw are configurable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein said second jaw comprises;

a plurality of second jaw stiffener features; and

a plurality of second jaw openings;

wherein in said closed configuration, each said first jaw stiffener feature is in vertical registration with a second jaw opening and each said second jaw stiffener feature is in vertical registration with a first jaw opening.

18. The end effector of claim 17, further comprising a dynamic clamping assembly movable between a starting position and an ending position.

19. The end effector of claim 18, wherein said first jaw comprises:

a first lateral side; and

a second lateral side, wherein each of said plurality of first jaw stiffener features extend between said first lateral side and said second lateral side, and wherein said second jaw comprises;

a primary lateral side; and

a secondary lateral side, wherein each of said plurality of second jaw stiffener features extend between said primary lateral side and said secondary lateral side.

20. The end effector of claim 19, wherein a portion of said dynamic clamping assembly is viewable through:

at least one of said first jaw openings from one of said first lateral side and said second lateral side as said dynamic clamping assembly is moved between said starting position and said ending position;

or

at least one of said second jaw openings from one of said primary lateral side and said secondary lateral side as said dynamic clamping assembly is moved between said starting position and said ending position.

21. The end effector of claim 18, wherein said dynamic clamping assembly comprises:

a vertically extending body portion;

at least one first jaw engagement feature configured to slidably engage said first jaw; and

at least one second jaw engagement feature configured to slidably engage said second jaw.

22. The end effector of claim 21, wherein said vertically extending body portion comprises a tissue cutting surface.

23. The end effector of claim 17, wherein said first jaw comprises a channel configured to support a surgical staple cartridge therein, and wherein said second jaw comprises an anvil.

24. An end effector for use with a surgical instrument, comprising:

a channel, comprising;

a first lateral channel side;

a second lateral channel side;

a plurality of channel stiffener bridges; and

a plurality of channel openings;

an anvil, wherein said channel and said anvil are configurable between an open position and a closed position, wherein said anvil comprises;

a first lateral anvil side;

a second lateral anvil side;

a plurality of anvil stiffener bridges; and

a plurality of anvil openings; and

a dynamic clamping assembly movable within said end effector between a starting position and an ending position;

wherein a portion of said dynamic clamping assembly is viewable through at least one of;

at least one of said channel openings from one of said first lateral channel side and said second lateral channel side as said dynamic clamping assembly is axially moved within said end effector; and

at least one of said anvil openings from one of said first anvil lateral side and said second anvil lateral side as said dynamic clamping assembly is axially moved within said end effector.