Dampening device for endoscopic surgical stapler

• US 8,267,300 B2
• Filed: 12/30/2009
• Issued: 09/18/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Boudreaux, Chad P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Low, Lindsay
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tecco, Andrew M
• Application Number:
  US12/650,334
• Publication Number:
  US 20110155780A1
• Time in Patent Office: 993 Days
• Field of Search: 2271751-1821, 227/19
• US Class Current: 227/175.1
• 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 17/28 Surgical forceps for holding suture needles or materials A61B17/0483; for removing or smashing calculi A61B17/221; surgical scissors A61B17/3201 ; obstetrical forceps A61B17/44; for inserting intraocular lenses A61F2/1662; hand-held gripping tools in general B25B7/00 ]
• 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

Abstract

A surgical instrument including a shaft and an end effector. The end effector may comprise a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw may be movable relative to the second jaw between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The surgical instrument may comprise a closure assembly which may be operably engaged with the first jaw. The closure assembly may comprise a closure trigger and a dampening system. The closure trigger may be configured to be actuated from a first position to a second position to close the first jaw. The dampening system may be configured to retard the opening of the closure trigger. The dampening system may comprise an aperture configured to receive the projection at a first end of the aperture and a seal configured to form a fluid seal between said projection and said aperture sidewall.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument having a handle portion that is operably coupled to an end effector that has an end effector portion that is selectively movable between an open position and a closed position, said surgical instrument comprising:

a closure system operably interfacing with said end effector portion to selectively transmit opening and closing motions thereto;

a closure trigger movably coupled to said handle portion and being selectively movable between first and second positions, said closure trigger interacting with said closure system such that movement of said closure trigger from said first position to said second position causes said closure system to apply said closing motions to said movable end effector portion and wherein movement of said closure trigger from said second position to said first position causes said closure system to apply said opening motion to said movable end effector portion; and

a dampening system supported by said handle portion and interacting with said closure trigger to retard movement of said closure trigger from said second position to said first position, wherein said dampening system comprises;

a passage formed in said handle portion and having a first end with a first opening therein and a second end with a second opening therein;

a protrusion on said closure trigger extending into said passage through said opening in said first end, said protrusion sized relative to said passage to establish a substantially fluid tight sliding seal therewith as said closure trigger is moved from said first position to said second position;

a movable valve member mounted within said passage and movable between a first valve position wherein said movable valve member blocks said second opening when said closure trigger moves from said second position to said first position and a second valve position exposing said second opening when said closure trigger is moved from said first position to said second position; and

a third opening in said valve member that is smaller than said second opening.

2. A surgical instrument having a handle portion that is operably coupled to an end effector that has an end effector portion that is selectively movable between an open position and a closed position, said surgical instrument comprising:

a closure system operably interfacing with said end effector portion to selectively transmit opening and closing motions thereto;

a closure trigger movably coupled to said handle portion and being selectively movable between unactuated and actuated positions, said closure trigger interacting with said closure system such that movement of said closure trigger from said unactuated position to said actuated position causes said closure system to apply said closing motions to said movable end effector portion and wherein movement of said closure trigger from said actuated position to said unactuated position causes said closure system to apply said opening motion to said movable end effector portion;

a dampening system supported by said handle portion and interacting with said closure trigger to retard movement of said closure trigger from said actuated position to said unactuated position;

a first biasing member in said housing for applying a first biasing force to said closure trigger to bias said closure trigger from said actuated position to said unactuated position upon discontinuing an application of an actuation force thereto and wherein said dampening system further comprises;

a passage formed in said handle portion and having a first end with a first opening therein and a closed second end;

a protrusion on said closure trigger extending into said passage through said first opening in said first end; and

a second biasing member in said passage between said protrusion and said closed second end, said second biasing member applying a second biasing force to said protrusion opposing the first biasing force wherein said second biasing force is less than said first biasing force.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 2 wherein said second biasing member comprises a spring.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 2 wherein said second biasing member comprises a bladder.

5. The surgical instrument of claim 2 further comprising a trigger lock on said handle portion for selectively locking said closure trigger in at least one of said unactuated and actuated positions.

6. The surgical instrument of claim 2 wherein said surgical instrument further comprises:

a firing member movably supported within said end effector;

a firing system supported by said handle portion and interacting with said firing member to supply a firing motion thereto;

a firing trigger movably supported by said handle portion between a fired position and an unfired position and interacting with said firing system to cause said firing system to supply said firing motion to said firing member upon application of an actuation motion to said firing trigger; and

a trigger lock operably supported on said handle portion and interacting with said closure trigger and said firing trigger to retain said firing trigger in said unfired position when said closure trigger is not retained in said actuated position.

7. The surgical instrument of claim 6 wherein said trigger lock is configured to selectively retain said closure trigger in said actuated position.

8. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a handle portion;

an elongate shaft coupled to said handle portion;

an end effector coupled to said elongate shaft, said end effector comprising;

a first jaw; and

a second jaw, wherein the first jaw is movable relative to said second jaw between an open position and a closed position upon application of opening and closing motions thereto by a closure tube portion of said elongate shaft, said surgical instrument further comprising;

a closure system supported by said handle portion and operably interfacing with said closure tube portion to selectively transmit opening and closing motions thereto;

a closure trigger movably coupled to said handle portion and being selectively movable between first and second positions, said closure trigger interacting with said closure system such that movement of said closure trigger from said first position to said second position causes said closure trigger to apply said closing motions to said closure tube portion and wherein movement of said closure trigger from said second position to said first position causes said closure system to apply said opening motion to said closure tube portion; and

a dampening system supported by said handle portion and interacting with said closure trigger to retard movement of said closure trigger from said second position to said first position, wherein said dampening system comprises;

a passage formed in said handle portion and having a first end with a first opening therein and a second end with a second opening therein;

a protrusion on said closure trigger extending into said passage through said opening in said first end, said protrusion sized relative to said passage to establish a substantially fluid tight sliding seal therewith as said closure trigger is moved from said first position to said second position; and

a movable valve member mounted within said passage and movable between a first valve position wherein said movable valve member blocks said second opening when said closure trigger moves from said second position to said first position and a second valve position exposing said second opening when said closure trigger is moved from said first position to said second position; and

a third opening in said valve member that is smaller than said second opening.

9. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a handle portion;

an elongate shaft coupled to said handle portion;

an end effector coupled to said elongate shaft, said end effector comprising;

a first jaw; and

a second jaw, wherein the first jaw is movable relative to said second jaw between an open position and a closed position upon application of opening and closing motions thereto by a closure tube portion of said elongate shaft, said surgical instrument further comprising;

a closure system supported by said handle portion and operably interfacing with said closure tube portion to selectively transmit opening and closing motions thereto;

a closure trigger movably coupled to said handle portion and being selectively movable between unactuated and actuated positions, said closure trigger interacting with said closure system such that movement of said closure trigger from said unactuated position to said actuated position causes said closure trigger to apply said closing motions to said closure tube portion and wherein movement of said closure trigger from said actuated position to said unactuated position causes said closure system to apply said opening motion to said closure tube portion; and

a dampening system supported by said handle portion and interacting with said closure trigger to retard movement of said closure trigger from said actuated position to said unactuated position;

a first biasing member in said housing for applying a first biasing force to said closure trigger to bias said closure trigger from said actuated position to said unactuated position upon discontinuing an application of an actuation force thereto and wherein said dampening system further comprises;

a passage formed in said handle portion and having a first end with a first opening therein and a closed second end;

a protrusion on said closure trigger extending into said passage through said first opening in said first end; and

a second biasing member in said passage between said protrusion and said closed second end, said second biasing member applying a second biasing force to said protrusion opposing the first biasing force wherein said second biasing force is less than said first biasing force.

10. The surgical instrument of claim 9 wherein said second biasing member comprises a spring.

11. The surgical instrument of claim 9 wherein said second biasing member comprises a bladder.

12. The surgical instrument of claim 9 further comprising a trigger lock on said handle portion for selectively locking said closure trigger in at least one of said unactuated and actuated positions.

13. The surgical instrument of claim 9 wherein said surgical instrument further comprises:

a firing member movably supported within said end effector;

a firing system supported by said handle portion and interacting with said firing member to supply a firing motion thereto;

a firing trigger movably supported by said handle portion between a fired position and an unfired position and interacting with said firing system to cause said firing system to supply said firing motion to said firing member upon application of an actuation motion to said firing trigger; and

a trigger lock operably supported on said handle portion and interacting with said closure trigger and said firing trigger to retain said firing trigger in said unfired position when said closure trigger is not retained in said actuated position.

14. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a handle portion;

an elongate shaft coupled to said handle portion;

an end effector coupled to said elongate shaft, said end effector comprising;

a first jaw; and

a second jaw, wherein the first jaw is movable relative to said second jaw between an open position and a closed position upon application of opening and closing motions thereto by a closure tube portion of said elongate shaft, said surgical instrument further comprising;

a closure system supported by said handle portion and operably interfacing with said closure tube portion to selectively transmit opening and closing motions thereto;

a closure trigger movably coupled to said handle portion and being selectively movable between first and second positions, said closure trigger interacting with said closure system such that movement of said closure trigger from said first position to said second position causes said closure trigger to apply said closing motions to said closure tube portion and wherein movement of said closure trigger from said second position to said first position causes said closure system to apply said opening motion to said closure tube portion; and

a dampening system supported by said handle portion and interacting with said closure trigger to retard movement of said closure trigger from said second position to said first position upon application of an actuation force thereto, said dampening system comprising a passage formed in said handle portion having a first end with a first opening therein and a second end, said dampening system comprising a projection on said closure trigger extending into said passage through said opening in said first end, wherein said dampening system comprises;

said second end of said passage having a second opening therein;

said projection sized relative to said passage to establish a substantially fluid tight sliding seal therewith as said closure trigger is moved from said first position to said second position; and

a movable valve member mounted within said passage and moveable between a first valve position wherein said moveable valve member blocks said second opening when said closure trigger moves from said second position to said first position and a second valve position exposing said second opening when said closure trigger is moved from said first position to said second position; and

a third opening in said valve member that is smaller than said second opening.

15. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a handle portion;

an elongate shaft coupled to said handle portion;

an end effector coupled to said elongate shaft, said end effector comprising;

a first jaw; and

a second jaw, wherein the first jaw is movable relative to said second jaw between an open position and a closed position upon application of opening and closing motions thereto by a closure tube portion of said elongate shaft, said surgical instrument further comprising;

a closure system supported by said handle portion and operably interfacing with said closure tube portion to selectively transmit opening and closing motions thereto;

a closure trigger movably coupled to said handle portion and being selectively movable between unactuated and actuated positions, said closure trigger interacting with said closure system such that movement of said closure trigger from said unactuated position to said actuated position causes said closure trigger to apply said closing motions to said closure tube portion and wherein movement of said closure trigger from said actuated position to said unactuated position causes said closure system to apply said opening motion to said closure tube portion; and

a dampening system supported by said handle portion and interacting with said closure trigger to retard movement of said closure trigger from said actuated position to said unactuated position, said dampening system comprising a passage formed in said handle portion having a first end with a first opening therein and a second end, said dampening system comprising a projection on said closure trigger extending into said passage through said first opening in said first end;

a first biasing member in said housing for applying a first biasing force to said closure trigger to bias said closure trigger from said actuated position to said unactuated position upon discontinuing said application of said actuation force thereto and wherein said dampening system further comprises;

a second biasing member in said passage between said projection and said second end, said second biasing member applying a second biasing force to said projection opposing the first biasing force wherein said second biasing force is less than said first biasing force.

16. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a handle portion;

an end effector, the end effector comprising a movable portion that is selectively movable between an open position and a closed position;

a closure trigger movably coupled to said handle portion and being selectively movable between an unactuated position and an actuated position, said closure trigger operably engageable with said end effector such that movement of said closure trigger from said unactuated position to said actuated position causes a closing motion of the movable portion of the end effector; and

a dampening system supported by said handle portion and interacting with said closure trigger to retard motion of said closure trigger in a direction from said actuated position toward said unactuated position, wherein said dampening system comprises;

a passage formed in said handle portion, wherein said passage comprises a first end with a first opening therein and a second end with a second opening therein;

a protrusion extending from said closure trigger and extending into said passage through said first opening;

a sliding seal between the passage and the protrusion restricting fluid from passing therethrough when said closure trigger moves in a direction from said actuated position toward said unactuated position; and

a movable valve mounted relative to said passage, wherein said valve is movable between;

a first valve position in which said movable valve at least partially blocks said second opening when said closure trigger is moved from said actuated position to said unactuated position; and

a second valve position in which said movable valve at least partially exposes said second opening when said closure trigger is moved from said unactuated position to said actuated position.

17. The surgical instrument of claim 16, wherein said valve member comprises a third aperture defined therein, and wherein said third aperture is smaller than said second opening.

18. The surgical instrument of claim 16, wherein the end effector comprises a first jaw comprising a staple cartridge and a second jaw comprising an anvil.

19. The surgical instrument of claim 16, wherein said valve member comprises a flapper valve, and wherein a portion of said flapper valve is mounted to said handle portion.

20. The surgical instrument of claim 16, wherein said passage comprises a cylinder, and wherein said projection comprises a plunger slidably positioned within said cylinder.

21. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a handle portion;

an end effector, the end effector comprising a movable portion that is selectively movable between an open position and a closed position;

a closure trigger movably coupled to said handle portion and being selectively movable between an unactuated position and an actuated position, said closure trigger operably engageable with said end effector such that movement of said closure trigger from said unactuated position to said actuated position causes a closing motion of the movable portion of the end effector; and

dampening means for applying a first retarding force to said closure trigger when said closure trigger moves in a direction from said unactuated position to said actuated position and for applying a second retarding force to said closure trigger when said closure trigger moves in a direction from said actuated position to said unactuated position, wherein said second retarding force is greater than said first retarding force.

22. The surgical instrument of claim 21, wherein the end effector comprises a first jaw comprising a staple cartridge and a second jaw comprising an anvil.

23. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a handle portion;

an end effector, the end effector comprising a movable portion that is selectively movable between an open position and a closed position;

a closure system configured to selectively transmit a closing motion to the movable portion;

a closure trigger movably coupled to said handle portion and being selectively movable between an unactuated position and an actuated position, said closure trigger operably engageable with said end effector such that movement of said closure trigger from said unactuated position to said actuated position causes a closing motion of the movable portion of the end effector;

a dampening system supported by said handle portion and retarding motion of said closure trigger by selectively drawing a fluid into the dampening system when said closure trigger moves in a direction from said unactuated position to said actuated position and by selectively pushing the fluid out of the dampening system when said closure trigger moves in a direction from said actuated position to said unactuated position; and

flow control means for controlling a first flow rate at which the fluid is drawn into the dampening system and for controlling a second flow rate at which the fluid is pushed out of the dampening system, wherein the second flow rate is larger than the first flow rate.

24. The surgical instrument of claim 23, wherein the end effector comprises a first jaw comprising a staple cartridge and a second jaw comprising an anvil.

25. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a handle portion;

an end effector, the end effector comprising a movable portion that is selectively movable between an open position and a closed position;

a closure trigger movable coupled to said handle portion and being selectively movable between an unactuated position and an actuated position, said closure trigger operably engageable with said end effector such that movement of said closure trigger from said unactuated position to said actuated position causes a closing motion of the movable portion of the end effector;

a first biasing member in said housing applying a first biasing force to said closure trigger to bias said closure trigger from said actuated position to said unactuated position; and

a second biasing member in said housing applying a second biasing force opposing said first biasing force to said closure trigger, wherein the second biasing force is less than the first biasing force wherein said second biasing member comprises a spring.

26. The surgical instrument of claim 25 further comprising a passage formed in said handle portion and having a first end with a first opening therein and a closed second end;

a protrusion on said closure trigger extending into said passage through said opening in said first end; and

wherein said second biasing member is in said passage between said protrusion and said second end.

27. The surgical instrument of claim 25 wherein said second biasing member comprises a bladder.