SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A LOCKABLE ARTICULATION SYSTEM

• US 20160174971A1
• 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: Baxter, Chester O. III, Dunki-Jacobs, Adam R., Swayze, Jeffrey S., Baber, Daniel L., Shelton, Frederick E. IV
• Granted Patent: US 10,117,649 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 17/072 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 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• 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 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2937 with flexible part

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. 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 shaft assembly for use with a surgical instrument, said shaft assembly comprising:

an end effector, comprising;

a proximal end;

a distal end; and

a closable jaw;

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

an input actuator movable in a proximal direction and a distal direction;

a closure system comprising a closing member movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration to close said jaw;

a firing system comprising a firing member configured to actuate said end effector;

an articulation system comprising an articulation actuator configured to articulate said end effector; and

a switching system configured to;

operably couple said articulation system to said input actuator when said closure system is in said open configuration;

operably decouple said articulation system from said input actuator when said closure system is in said closed configuration; and

lock said articulation system in its articulated position when said closure system is in said closed configuration.

2. The shaft assembly of claim 1, wherein said end effector further comprises a staple cartridge including staples removably stored therein.

3. The shaft assembly of claim 2, wherein said staple cartridge is readily removable from said end effector.

4. The shaft assembly of claim 2, wherein said movable jaw comprises an anvil configured to deform said staples.

5. The shaft assembly of claim 1, wherein said articulation actuator comprises a first articulation actuator, wherein said articulation system further comprises:

a second articulation actuator configured to rotate said end effector;

a rotatable articulation driver comprising a first actuator slot and a second actuator slot, wherein said first articulation actuator is operably engaged with said first actuator slot, wherein said second articulation actuator is operably engaged with said second actuator slot, wherein said articulation driver is rotatable in a first direction to push said first articulation actuator distally and pull said second articulation actuator proximally, and wherein said articulation driver is rotatable in a second direction to pull said first articulation actuator proximally and push said second articulation actuator distally.

6. The shaft assembly of claim 5, wherein said rotatable articulation driver comprises a longitudinal aperture, wherein said input actuator extends through said longitudinal aperture, wherein said input actuator rotates said articulation driver in said first direction when said input actuator is moved in said proximal direction, and wherein said input actuator rotates said articulation driver in said second direction when said input actuator is moved in said distal direction.

7. The shaft assembly of claim 1, wherein said articulation actuator comprises a first articulation actuator, wherein said articulation system further comprises a second articulation actuator configured to rotate said end effector, wherein said input actuator comprises a rack of teeth, wherein said switching system comprises a rotatable pinion gear movable between a first position in which the pinion gear is operably engaged with said first articulation actuator, said second articulation actuator, and said rack of teeth and a second position in which the pinion gear is operably disengaged from said first articulation actuator and said second articulation actuator.

8. The shaft assembly of claim 7, wherein said pinion gear is rotatably mounted to a rotatable switch, wherein said rotatable switch comprises a lock configured to prevent the movement of said first articulation actuator and said second articulation actuator when said rotatable pinion gear is in said second position.

9. A shaft assembly for use with a surgical instrument, said shaft assembly comprising:

an end effector, comprising;

a proximal end;

a distal end; and

a closable jaw;

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

an input actuator movable in a proximal direction and a distal direction;

a closure system comprising a closing member movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration to close said jaw;

a firing system comprising a firing member configured to actuate said end effector;

an articulation system comprising an articulation actuator configured to articulate said end effector; and

a switching system configured to;

operably couple said articulation system to said input actuator when said closure system is in said open configuration;

operably decouple said articulation system from said input actuator when said closure system is in said closed configuration; and

wherein said switching system comprises a brake configured to hold said articulation system in its articulated position when said closure system is in said closed configuration.

10. The shaft assembly of claim 9, wherein said end effector further comprises a staple cartridge including staples removably stored therein.

11. A shaft assembly for use with a surgical instrument, said shaft assembly comprising:

an end effector, comprising;

a proximal end;

a distal end; and

a closable jaw;

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

an input actuator movable in a proximal direction and a distal direction;

a closure system comprising a closing member movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration to close said jaw;

a firing system comprising a firing member configured to actuate said end effector;

an articulation system, comprising;

a first articulation member configured to articulate said end effector in a first direction; and

a second articulation member configured to articulate said end effector in a second direction;

a switching system configured to;

operably couple said articulation system to said input actuator when said closure system is in said open configuration; and

operably decouple said articulation system from said input actuator when said closure system is in said closed configuration; and

locking means for locking said articulation system in its articulated position when said closure system is in said closed configuration.

12. The shaft assembly of claim 11, wherein said end effector further comprises a staple cartridge including staples removably stored therein.

13. A shaft assembly for use with a surgical instrument, said shaft assembly comprising:

an end effector, comprising;

a proximal end;

a distal end; and

a closable jaw;

an articulation joint, wherein said end effector is rotatable about said articulation joint in a first direction and a second direction, and wherein said articulation joint comprises;

a plurality of discs, wherein each said disc comprises a first lateral aperture and a second lateral aperture;

a first cable actuator extending through said first lateral apertures, wherein said first cable actuator comprises;

a first distal end mounted to said end effector; and

a first proximal end; and

a second cable actuator extending through said second lateral apertures, wherein said second cable actuator comprises;

a second distal end mounted to said end effector; and

a second proximal end; and

a locking system configured to hold said first proximal end and said second proximal end in position.

14. The shaft assembly of claim 13, wherein said end effector further comprises a staple cartridge including staples removably stored therein.

15. The shaft assembly of claim 14, wherein said staple cartridge is readily removable from said end effector.

16. The shaft assembly of claim 14, wherein said movable jaw comprises an anvil configured to deform said staples.

17. The shaft assembly of claim 13, wherein said locking system comprises a clamp configured to engage said first cable actuator and said second cable actuator and hold said first cable actuator and said second cable actuator in position.

18. The shaft assembly of claim 17, wherein said clamp is configured to engage and release said first cable actuator and said second cable actuator simultaneously.

19. The shaft assembly of claim 17, wherein said first cable actuator is configured to push said end effector to articulate said end effector in said first direction and pull said end effector to articulate said end effector in said second direction.

20. The shaft assembly of claim 19, wherein said second cable actuator is configured to pull said end effector to articulate said end effector in said first direction and push said end effector to articulate said end effector in said second direction.