INTERCHANGEABLE SHAFT ASSEMBLIES FOR USE WITH A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT

• US 20140263564A1
• Filed: 03/14/2013
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Leimbach, Richard L., Lytle, Thomas W. IV, Kerr, Wendy A., Swensgard, Brett E., Sackett, Kevin D., Overmyer, Mark D.
• Granted Patent: US 9,883,860 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 227/180.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• 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 17/105 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 18/1445 at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00119 alarm; indicating an abnormal situation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00123 and automatic shutdown
• 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 2017/00389 Button or wheel for performing multiple functions, e.g. rotation of shaft and end effector
• 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 for prosthetic joint-implanting tools A61F2/4603
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00464 for use with different instruments with hole for different instruments A61B2017/22072
• 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 2017/00716 simulating physical properties
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 : battery operated
• 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 2017/2903 : transferring rotary motion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2913 : cams or guiding means
• 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 2017/2931 : with releasable head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2943 : Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00172 : Connectors and adapters therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00297 : Means for providing haptic feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00303 : active, e.g. with a motor creating vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1455 : having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2059 : Mechanical position encoders
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/064 : for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/067 : for measuring angles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0808 : for indicating correct assembly of components, e.g. of the surgical apparatus
• 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 2090/0814 : Preventing re-use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/30 : Surgical robots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/76 : Manipulators having means for providing feel, e.g. force or tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/145 : influenced by the relative movement between the Hall device and magnetic fields see G01R33/06

Abstract

An interchangeable shaft assembly for use with a surgical instrument. The surgical instrument may include a frame that operably supports a plurality of drive systems and defines an actuation axis. The shaft assembly may comprise a first shaft that is configured to apply first actuation motions to a surgical end effector that is operably coupled thereto. A proximal end of the first shaft is configured to be operably releasably coupled to a first one of the drive systems supported by the frame in a direction that is substantially transverse to the actuation axis.

Claims

1. An interchangeable shaft assembly for use with a surgical instrument, the surgical instrument including a frame that operably supports a plurality of drive systems and defines an actuation axis, the shaft assembly comprising a first shaft configured to apply first actuation motions to a surgical end effector operably coupled thereto, wherein a proximal end of the first shaft is configured to be operably releasably coupled to a first one of the drive systems supported by the frame in a direction that is substantially transverse to the actuation axis.

2. The interchangeable shaft assembly of claim 1 further comprising a second shaft assembly configured to apply second actuation motions to the end effector and wherein a proximal end of the second shaft assembly is configured to be operably releasably coupled to a second one of the drive systems supported by the frame in the direction that is substantially transverse to the actuation axis.

3. The interchangeable shaft assembly of claim 1 wherein the frame comprises a portion of handle of a handheld surgical instrument.

4. The interchangeable shaft assembly of claim 1 wherein the frame comprises a portion of a robotic system.

5. The interchangeable shaft assembly of claim 2 wherein the frame comprises:

a first frame portion operably supporting a proximal end of the first shaft therein in operable engagement with the first drive system and the proximal end of the second shaft assembly in operable engagement with the second drive system; and

a second frame portion configured for removable operable attachment to the first frame portion in a direction that is substantially transverse to the actuation axis.

6. The interchangeable shaft assembly of claim 5 wherein the second frame portion is pivotally supported on the first frame portion.

7. The interchangeable shaft assembly of claim 2 further comprising a shaft attachment module on the proximal end of the first shaft, the shaft attachment module configured to releasably engage a portion of the frame when the proximal end of the first shaft is in operable engagement with the first drive system and the proximal end of the second shaft assembly is in operable engagement with the second drive system.

8. The interchangeable shaft assembly of claim 7 wherein the shaft attachment module is configured to be removably pivotally supported on a portion of the frame to facilitate pivotal travel of the proximal end of the first shaft and the proximal end of the second shaft assembly relative to the frame about a pivot axis that is substantially transverse to the actuation axis.

9. The interchangeable shaft assembly of claim 7 wherein the shaft attachment module is configured to slidably engage a dovetail slot in the portion of the frame in the first direction.

10. The interchangeable shaft assembly of claim 2 wherein the end effector comprises:

a first portion movable between open and closed positions in response to opening and closing motions applied thereto by the first shaft; and

a firing member movable between starting and ending positions upon application of firing and retraction motions thereto by the second shaft assembly.

11. An interchangeable shaft assembly for use with a surgical instrument, the surgical instrument including a frame that defines an actuation axis and operably supports a plurality of drive systems, the shaft assembly comprising:

a shaft frame;

a shaft attachment module on a proximal end of the shaft frame and configured to be releasably coupled to a portion of the frame in a direction that is substantially transverse to the actuation axis;

an end effector operably coupled to a distal end of the shaft frame, the end effector comprising;

a surgical staple cartridge; and

an anvil movably supported relative to the surgical staple cartridge and wherein the end effector shaft assembly further comprises;

an outer shaft assembly including a distal end configured to apply control motions to the anvil, the outer shaft assembly including a proximal end configured to be operably releasably coupled to a first one of the drive systems supported by the frame in a direction that is substantially transverse to the actuation axis; and

a firing shaft assembly including a distal cutting portion configured to move between a starting position and an ending position within the end effector, the firing shaft assembly including a proximal end that is configured to be operably releasably coupled to a firing drive system supported by the frame in the direction that is substantially transverse to the actuation axis.

12. The interchangeable shaft assembly of claim 11 wherein the frame comprises a portion of a hand-held handle assembly.

13. The interchangeable shaft assembly of claim 11 wherein the frame comprises a portion of a robotic system.

14. The interchangeable shaft assembly of claim 12 wherein said first drive system comprises a closure trigger movably supported by said hand-held handle assembly.

15. The interchangeable shaft assembly of claim 11 wherein said second drive system comprises a motor.

16. The interchangeable shaft assembly of claim 15 wherein said outer shaft assembly further comprises an articulation joint wherein a distal portion of said articulation joint is coupled to said end effector to facilitate articulation of the end effector relative to a proximal portion of said articulation joint in response to articulation motions applied thereto.

17. The interchangeable shaft assembly of claim 16 further comprising an articulation member operably coupled with said end effector, wherein said articulation member is selectively engageable with said firing shaft assembly such that said articulation member is operably engaged with said firing shaft assembly in an engaged configuration and such that said articulation member is operably disengaged from said firing shaft assembly in a disengaged configuration, and wherein said firing shaft assembly is configured to apply articulation control motions to said articulation member to rotate said end effector about said articulation joint when said articulation member and said firing shaft assembly are in said engaged configuration.

18. The interchangeable shaft assembly of claim 11 wherein the shaft attachment module is configured to be removably pivotally supported on the portion of the frame to facilitate pivotal travel of the end effector shaft assembly relative to the frame about a pivot axis that is substantially transverse to the actuation axis.

19. The interchangeable shaft assembly of claim 11 wherein the shaft attachment module is configured to slidably engage a dovetail slot in the portion of the frame in the first direction.

20. A surgical system, comprising:

a frame supporting a plurality of drive systems and defining an actuation axis; and

a plurality of interchangeable shaft assemblies wherein each said interchangeable shaft assembly comprises;

an elongate shaft configured to apply first actuation motions to a surgical end effector operably coupled thereto, wherein a proximal end of the elongate shaft is configured to be operably releasably coupled to a first one of the drive systems supported by the frame in a direction that is substantially transverse to the actuation axis; and

a control shaft assembly operably supported within the elongate shaft and being configured to apply control motions to the end effector and wherein a proximal end of the control shaft assembly is configured to be operably releasably coupled to a second one of the drive systems supported by the frame in the direction that is substantially transverse to the actuation axis and wherein at least one of the surgical end effectors differs from another one of the surgical end effectors.