SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING LOCKABLE SYSTEMS

• US 20160174969A1
• Filed: 12/18/2014
• Published: 06/23/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Kerr, Wendy A., Lytle, Thomas W. IV, Overmyer, Mark D., Swensgard, Brett E., Sackett, Kevin D., Leimbach, Richard L., Houser, Kevin L., Morgan, Jerome R., Shelton, Frederick E. IV
• Granted Patent: US 10,188,385 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 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 2017/00309 Cut-outs or slits
• 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 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable for prosthetic joint-implanting tools A61F2/4603
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• 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 2017/2946 Locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0807 Indication means

Abstract

A surgical stapling apparatus is disclosed which comprises a shaft, an end effector, and an articulation joint, wherein the end effector is rotatable relative to the shaft about the articulation joint. The stapling apparatus further comprises a firing drive responsive to an input, an articulation drive, and a switch assembly configured to selectively couple the articulation drive to the input. In various instances, the switch assembly is configured to lock the articulation drive in position when the articulation drive is not coupled to the input.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument system, comprising:

a handle; and

a shaft assembly removably attached to said handle, said shaft assembly comprising;

an end effector;

a release actuator comprising a lock, wherein said release actuator is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein said lock is engaged with said handle when said release actuator is in said first position, and wherein said lock is disengaged from said handle when said release actuator is in said second position; and

a catch configured to engage said handle as said shaft assembly is being detached from said handle, wherein said catch is disengaged from said handle upon an additional manipulation of said release actuator.

2. The surgical instrument system of claim 1, wherein said handle comprises a handle frame, wherein said handle frame comprises a recess, and wherein said catch is configured to engage said recess when said shaft assembly is being removed from said handle.

3. The surgical instrument system of claim 2, further comprising a biasing member configured to bias said release actuator into said first position.

4. The surgical instrument system of claim 1, wherein said end effector comprises a staple cartridge, and wherein said staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body and a plurality of staples removably stored therein.

5. A surgical instrument system, comprising:

a handle comprising a first release actuator; and

a shaft assembly removably attached to said handle, said shaft assembly comprising;

an end effector;

a second release actuator comprising a lock, wherein said second release actuator is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein said lock is engaged with said handle when said second release actuator is in said first position, and wherein said lock is disengaged from said handle when said second release actuator is in said second position; and

a lock stop configured to prevent said second release actuator from being moved from said first position to said second position unless said first release actuator on said handle and said second release actuator on said shaft assembly are actuated simultaneously.

6. The surgical instrument system of claim 5, further comprising a lock stop actuator positioned in said shaft assembly, wherein said lock stop actuator is configured to move said lock stop between an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein said lock stop is engaged with said second release actuator when said lock stop is in said engaged position, and wherein said lock stop is disengaged from said second release actuator when said lock stop is in said disengaged position.

7. The surgical instrument system of claim 6, wherein said lock stop actuator comprises a solenoid.

8. The surgical instrument system of claim 5, wherein said end effector comprises a staple cartridge, and wherein said staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body and a plurality of staples removably stored therein.

9. A surgical instrument system, comprising:

an end effector;

a shaft;

an articulation joint, wherein said end effector is rotatable relative to said shaft about said articulation joint; and

a handle, comprising;

a first output;

a second output;

an electric motor;

a transmission, comprising;

a transmission input operably coupled to said electric motor; and

a transmission output selectively engageable with said first output and said second output; and

a trigger system configured to shift said transmission to operably disengage said transmission output from said first output and operably engage said transmission output with said second output, wherein said trigger system is configured to lock said first output in position when said transmission output is operably engaged with said second output.

10. The surgical instrument system of claim 9, wherein said first output comprises an articulation drive, wherein said electric motor is configured to move said first output and articulate said end effector when said transmission output is operably engaged with said first output.

11. The surgical instrument system of claim 10, wherein said end effector comprises a staple cartridge, wherein said staple cartridge includes a cartridge body and staples removably stored in said cartridge body.

12. The surgical instrument system of claim 11, wherein said second output comprises a firing drive, wherein said electric motor is configured to move said second output and eject said staples from said staple cartridge when said transmission output is operably engaged with said second output.

13. The surgical instrument system of claim 11, wherein said first output is releasably engageable with said second output.

14. A surgical instrument system, comprising:

a handle, comprising;

a housing; and

a handle contact; and

a shaft assembly attachable to said handle, said shaft assembly comprising;

an end effector;

an articulation joint, wherein said end effector is rotatable about said articulation joint;

an articulation actuator operably connected to said end effector;

an electric motor configured to drive said articulation actuator;

a control system configured to operate said electric motor to articulate said end effector; and

a shaft contact configured to engage said handle contact when said shaft assembly is assembled to said handle, wherein said control system is configured to detect whether said shaft contact is engaged with said handle contact and prevent the articulation of said end effector prior to said shaft contact engaging said handle contact.

15. The surgical instrument system of claim 14, wherein said control system is configured to prevent the operation of said electrical motor prior to said shaft contact being engaged with said handle contact.

16. The surgical instrument system of claim 14, wherein said shaft assembly comprises a power source, wherein said control system is configured to supply electrical power to said electric motor from said power source prior to said shaft assembly being assembled to said handle, and wherein said control system is configured to operate said electric motor to maintain said end effector in an unarticulated configuration.

17. The surgical instrument system of claim 14, further comprising a power source, wherein said control system is configured to supply electrical power to said electric motor from said power source, and wherein said control system is configured to operate said electric motor to maintain said end effector in a desired articulated configuration.

18. The surgical instrument system of claim 14, wherein said end effector comprises a staple cartridge, wherein said staple cartridge includes a cartridge body and staples removably stored in said cartridge body.

19. A surgical instrument system, comprising:

a handle, comprising;

a housing;

an electric motor comprising an output shaft; and

a worm gear mounted to said output shaft; and

a shaft assembly attachable to said handle, said shaft assembly comprising;

an end effector;

an articulation joint, wherein said end effector is rotatable about said articulation joint;

an articulation actuator operably connected to said end effector, wherein said articulation actuator comprises a rack engageable with said worm gear when said shaft assembly is attached to said handle.

20. The surgical instrument system of claim 19, wherein said shaft assembly comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis extending between said proximal end and said distal end, and wherein said shaft assembly is assembled to said handle in a direction which is transverse to said longitudinal axis and said worm gear.