Robotically-controlled disposable motor-driven loading unit

• US 8,752,749 B2
• Filed: 05/27/2011
• Issued: 06/17/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Moore, Kyle P., Shelton, Frederick E. IV, Weisenburgh, William B. II, Morgan, Jerome R., Ransick, Mark H., Timperman, Eugene L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Scott A.
• Application Number:
  US13/118,210
• Publication Number:
  US 20110290855A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,117 Days
• Field of Search: 227/19, 227/175.1, 227/176.1, 227/175.2, 227/178.1, 227/180.1, 606/139, 606/219
• US Class Current: 227/176.1
• 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 17/0686 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 17/076 for removing surgical staples or wound clamps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/105 Wound clamp magazines for packaging sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/115 Staplers for performing anastomosis in a single operation
• 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 17/3209 Incision instruments
• 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 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00415 having power generation near the working tip of the tool
• 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 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0688 Packages or dispensers for surgical staplers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07228 Arrangement of the staples
• 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 2017/2917 : with flexible part
• 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 2017/320052 : Guides for cutting instruments by marking A61B2090/395
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320093 : additional movable means performing cutting operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320094 : additional movable means performing clamping operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320095 : with sealing or cauterizing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320097 : with stapling means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0063 : Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/30 : Surgical robots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/37 : Master-slave robots A61B34/35 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/70 : Manipulators specially adapted for use in surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/20 : Holders specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments drapes with means to hold surgical instruments A61B46/23; for catheters A61M25/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/24 : Stands Mayo stands A61B50/15
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/26 : floor-based
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/36 : for collecting or disposing of used articles

Abstract

A self contained motor-powered disposable loading unit for use with a robotic system configured to generate control systems therefor. The disposable loading unit may contain a battery that is retained in a disconnected position when the disposable loading unit is not in use and is moved to a connected position when the disposable loading unit is coupled to the robotic system to permit the motor to be selectively powered thereby. Indicators may be supported on the disposable loading unit to indicate when the axial drive assembly thereof is in a starting position and an ending position. Another indicator may be provided to indicate when the anvil assembly is in a closed position.

Claims

1. A disposable loading unit for use with a remotely controllable system, said disposable loading unit comprising:

a cartridge assembly;

an elongated housing coupled to said cartridge assembly and configured for operable attachment to an elongated shaft assembly for transmitting control motions from a control portion of the remotely controllable system;

an axial drive assembly supported for selective axial travel through said cartridge assembly from a start position to an end position upon application of a rotary control motion thereto from said elongated shaft assembly;

a motor supported within said housing and operably interfacing with said axial drive assembly to selectively apply said rotary control motion thereto; and

a power source axially movable within said housing from a disconnected position wherein said power source is disconnected from said motor to at least one connected position wherein said power source provides power to said motor, said axially movable power source being configured for attachment to an axially movable control member of the remotely controllable system such that said power source is axially moved from said disconnected position to one of said at least one connected positions upon attachment to the control member.

2. The disposable loading unit of claim 1 wherein said cartridge assembly further comprises an anvil assembly selectively movable between an open position and a closed position upon application of a closing motion thereto from said axial drive assembly.

3. The disposable loading unit of claim 2 wherein said disposable loading unit further comprises:

a first contact arrangement in said housing, said first contact arrangement communicating with said motor and configured for contact with said power source when said power source is in a first one of said at least one connected positions; and

a second contact arrangement in said housing, said second contact arrangement communicating with said motor and configured for contact with said power source when said power source is in a second one of said at least one connected positions.

4. The disposable loading unit of claim 3 wherein when said power source is in said first connected position, said power source is axially movable to said second connected position upon application of an actuation motion to said axially movable control member.

5. The disposable loading unit of claim 4 wherein when said power source is in said second connected position, said motor powers said axial drive assembly to apply said closing motion to said anvil assembly.

6. The disposable loading unit of claim 5 further comprising a third contact arrangement in said housing, said third contact arrangement communicating with said motor and configured for contact with said power source when said power source is in a third one of said at least one connected positions.

7. The disposable loading unit of claim 6 wherein when said power source is in said third connected position, said motor drives said axial drive assembly distally to said end position within said cartridge assembly.

8. The disposable loading unit of claim 7 wherein said axial drive assembly comprises:

a drive beam operably coupled to said motor; and

a tissue cutting edge on said drive beam.

9. The disposable loading unit of claim 7 further comprising means for stopping said motor from driving said axial drive assembly in said distal direction when said axial drive assembly encounters resistance that exceeds a predetermined amount of resistance.

10. A surgical instrument comprising:

a tool drive portion configured for operable attachment to a portion of a robotic system for receiving control motions therefrom;

an elongated shaft coupled to said tool drive portion;

an axially movable control member operably supported within said elongated shaft and being axially movable in response to actuation motions applied thereto from said robotic system; and

a disposable loading unit comprising;

a housing assembly coupled to said elongated shaft;

a cartridge assembly supported by said housing assembly;

an axial drive assembly supported for selective axial travel through said cartridge assembly from a start position to an end position upon application of a rotary motion thereto;

a motor supported within said housing assembly and operably interfacing with said axial drive assembly to selectively apply said rotary motion thereto; and

a power source axially movable within said housing assembly from a disconnected position wherein said power source is disconnected from said motor to a first connected position wherein said power source provides power to said motor upon attachment to the control member.

11. The surgical instrument of claim 10 wherein said cartridge assembly further comprises an anvil assembly that is selectively movable between an open position and a closed position upon application of a closing motion thereto from said axial drive assembly.

12. The surgical instrument of claim 11 wherein said disposable loading unit further comprises:

a first contact arrangement in said housing assembly, said first contact arrangement communicating with said motor and configured for contact with said power source when said power source is said first connected position; and

a second contact arrangement in said housing assembly, said second contact arrangement communicating with said motor and configured for contact with said power source when said power source is in a second connected position such that said motor powers said axial drive assembly to apply said closing motion to said anvil assembly.

13. The surgical instrument of claim 12 further comprising a third contact arrangement in said housing assembly communicating with said motor and configured for contact with said power source when said power source is in a third connected position.

14. The surgical instrument of claim 13 wherein when said power source is in said third connected position, said motor drives said axial drive assembly distally to said end position within said cartridge assembly.

15. The surgical instrument of claim 10 wherein said disposable loading unit further comprises:

a first contact arrangement in said housing assembly, said first contact arrangement communicating with said motor and configured for contact with said power source when said power source is said first connected position; and

a second contact arrangement in said housing assembly, said second contact arrangement communicating with said motor and configured for contact with said power source when said power source is in a second connected position.

16. The surgical instrument of claim 15 wherein when said power source is in said first connected position, said power source is axially movable to said second connected position upon application of an actuation motion to said axially movable control member.

17. A surgical instrument comprising:

a tool drive portion configured for operable attachment to a portion of a robotic system for receiving control motions therefrom;

an elongated shaft coupled to said tool drive portion;

an axially movable control member operably supported within said elongated shaft and being axially movable in response to actuation motions applied thereto from said robotic system; and

a disposable loading unit comprising;

a housing assembly coupled to said elongated shaft;

a cartridge assembly supported by said housing assembly;

an axial drive assembly supported for selective axial travel through said cartridge assembly from a start position to an end position upon application of a rotary motion thereto;

a motor supported within said housing assembly and operably interfacing with said axial drive assembly to selectively apply said rotary motion thereto;

a movable battery holder coupleable to said control member and being axially movable within said housing assembly in response to motions applied thereto by a control rod; and

a battery supported within said battery holder and configured for selective axial communication with a series of axially spaced contact arrangements in said housing assembly for controlling supply of power from said battery to said motor.