Jaw closure arrangements for surgical instruments

• US 8,978,956 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2010
• Issued: 03/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Schall, Christopher J., Shelton, Frederick E. IV
• Primary Examiner(s): Tecco, Andrew M
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHUKWURAH, NATHANIEL C
• Application Number:
  US12/894,327
• Publication Number:
  US 20120080499A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,629 Days
• Field of Search: 227/19, 227/175.1, 227/176.1, 227/178.1, 227/180.1, 606/219
• US Class Current: 227/178.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00064 Constructional details of the endoscope body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0051 with controlled bending of insertion part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/008 Articulations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00491 Surgical glue applicators surgical adhesives A61L24/00; two-component delivery syringes A61M5/19
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0642 for bones, e.g. for osteosynthesis or connecting tendon to bone
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0643 with separate closing member, e.g. for interlocking with staple
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0644 penetrating the tissue, deformable to closed position
• 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 17/07292 Reinforcements for staple line, e.g. pledgets
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/08 Wound clamps or clips, i.e. not or only partly penetrating the tissue suture bridges A61B17/0466; Devices for bringing together the edges of a wound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1155 Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/29 Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/2909 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/295 combined with cutting implements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/003 Steerable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00314 : Separate linked members
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00323 : Cables or rods
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00327 : with actuating members moving in opposite directions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00526 : Methods of manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0053 : Loading magazines or sutures into applying tools
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00884 : enhancing wound closure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00946 : malleable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 : Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07221 : curved
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07228 : Arrangement of the staples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07235 : containing different staples, e.g. staples of different shapes, sizes or materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07242 : achieving different staple heights during the same shot, e.g. using an anvil anvil having different heights or staples of different sizes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0725 : with settable gap between anvil and cartridge, e.g. for different staple heights at different shots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07257 : characterised by its anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07264 : characterised by its staple forming cavities, e.g. geometry or material
• 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 2017/07285 : characterised by its cutter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2902 : characterized by features of the actuating rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2905 : flexible
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2908 : Multiple segments connected by articulations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/291 : the position of the handle being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2919 : details of linkages or pivot points
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/292 : connection of actuating rod to handle, e.g. ball end in recess
• 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 2017/2933 : camming or guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2936 : Pins in guiding slots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2946 : Locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/92 : coded with colour
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49863 : with prestressing of part

Abstract

A surgical instrument having a handle assembly and an elongated shaft configured for use with end effectors that support a staple cartridge therein. The end effectors have an anvil portion that is movable relative to the staple cartridge upon application of firing motions thereto. Various embodiments of the surgical instrument include movable closure tube arrangements that are configured to apply firing motions to the anvil upon application of a pulling motion to the closure tube from a firing system operably supported in the handle assembly.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument comprising:

a handle assembly;

a spine assembly operably coupled to said handle assembly and protruding therefrom to define a longitudinal axis;

a closure tube assembly movably received on said spine assembly for selective axial travel thereon in a distal direction away from said handle assembly and in a proximal direction towards said handle assembly, said closure tube assembly comprising;

a closure tube comprising an interior cam surface;

a firing system operably supported by said handle assembly and interfacing with said closure tube assembly to selectively cause said closure tube assembly to move in said distal and proximal directions; and

an end effector coupled to said spine assembly and having first and second jaw members movable relative to each other from an open position to closed positions, said first jaw member configured to support a staple cartridge therein, said first and second jaw members configured for actuatable engagement with said interior cam surface of said closure tube such that said first and second jaw members are each moved toward each other to said closed positions by non-rotating axial movement of said closure tube assembly in said proximal direction.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein said first and second jaw members are pivotally coupled to said spine assembly.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 2 wherein said first jaw member has an upwardly curved first actuator tip configured for engagement with said closure tube assembly when said closure tube assembly is moved in said proximal direction and wherein said second jaw member has a downwardly curved second actuator tip configured for engagement with said closure tube assembly when said closure tube assembly is moved in said proximal direction.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein said spine assembly comprises:

a proximal spine segment operably supported by said handle assembly; and

a distal spine segment pivotally coupled to said first and second jaw members of said end effector and removably coupled to said proximal spine segment.

5. The surgical instrument of claim 4 wherein said closure tube assembly comprises:

a proximal closure tube movably received on said proximal spine segment and interfacing with said firing system; and

a distal closure tube segment movably received on said distal spine segment and removably couplable to said proximal closure tube.

6. The surgical instrument of claim 1 further comprising a knife member having a tissue cutting edge formed on a distal end thereof, said knife member movably supported by said spine assembly and interfacing with a knife advancement system operably supported by said handle assembly for selectively applying a knife advancement motion to said knife member such that the distal end thereof is moved axially within said end effector.

7. The surgical instrument of claim 6 wherein said first jaw member operably supports at least one staple driver therein that is configured to be driven within said end effector by a portion of said knife member as said advancement motion is applied to said knife member by said knife advancement system.

8. The surgical instrument of claim 1 further comprising a firing trigger pivotally supported by said handle assembly and interfacing with said firing system such that pivotal travel of said firing trigger in a first direction causes said firing system to move said closure tube assembly in said proximal direction.

9. The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein said spine assembly is selectively rotatable relative to said handle assembly.

10. An end effector for attachment to a spine member of a surgical instrument that has a closure tube supported thereon that is movable in proximal and distal directions in response to firing motions applied thereto, said end effector comprising:

a distal spine segment removably couplable to the spine member of the surgical instrument;

an elongated channel pivotally coupled to said distal spine segment;

an anvil movably supported relative to said elongated channel and being movable from an open position to closed positions relative to said elongated channel; and

a distal closure tube segment comprising an interior cam surface, said distal closure tube segment movably supported on said distal spine segment and removably attachable to the closure tube of the surgical instrument, said interior cam surface of said distal closure tube segment configured to interact with portions of said elongated channel and said anvil such that said distal closure tube segment causes said anvil to move toward said elongate channel from said open position to said closed positions during pulling of said distal closure tube segment in the proximal direction by the non-rotating axial movement of the closure tube of the surgical instrument.

11. The end effector of claim 10 further comprising a staple cartridge in said elongated channel.

12. The end effector of claim 11 wherein said staple cartridge comprises an implantable cartridge body that operably supports a plurality of unformed staples therein.

13. The end effector of claim 11 further comprising at least one staple driver movably supported within said elongated channel and configured to be axially driven therein upon driving contact by an advancement member movably supported within said distal closure tube segment.

14. The end effector of claim 13 wherein said advancement member has a tissue cutting edge formed on a distal end thereof.

15. The end effector of claim 14 wherein said advancement member is axially movable within said distal closure tube segment in response to driving contact with a cutting advancement portion of the surgical instrument.

16. The end effector of claim 10 wherein said distal spine segment has at least one trunnion formed on a portion thereof configured to be received within a corresponding trunnion cradle formed in a distal end of the spine member of the surgical instrument.

17. The end effector of claim 16 wherein said at least one trunnion is formed on a nut member that is rotatably coupled to said distal spine segment for rotation relative thereto.

18. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a handle assembly;

a spine member defining a longitudinal axis and coupled to said handle assembly for selective rotation about the longitudinal axis relative to said handle assembly;

a closure tube supported on said spine member for axial travel thereon in a proximal direction and a distal direction in response to firing motions applied thereto by a firing system operably supported by said handle assembly, said closure tube also configured for rotational travel about said longitudinal axis relative to said handle assembly; and

an end effector comprising;

a distal spine segment removably couplable to a distal end of said spine member;

a distal closure tube segment movably supported on said distal spine segment and removably couplable to a distal end of said closure tube;

an elongated channel movably coupled to said distal spine segment and configured to support a staple cartridge therein, said elongated channel having a channel actuation portion configured for actuation engagement with said distal closure tube segment; and

an anvil movably supported relative to said elongated channel and having an anvil actuation portion configured for actuation engagement with said distal closure tube segment such that during movement of said distal closure tube segment in a proximal direction causes said anvil and said elongated channel to move toward each other.

19. The surgical instrument of claim 18 further comprising:

a knife member having a tissue cutting edge formed on a distal end thereof, said knife member movably supported within said distal closure tube segment; and

a knife advancement member movably supported within said closure tube and interfacing with a tissue cutting control system operably supported by said handle assembly for selectively applying a knife advancement motion to said knife member such that the distal end thereof is moved axially within said end effector.

20. The surgical instrument of claim 18 further comprising a staple cartridge supported within said elongated channel.

21. A surgical instrument comprising:

a handle assembly;

a spine assembly operably coupled to said handle assembly and protruding therefrom to define a longitudinal axis;

a closure tube assembly movably received on said spine assembly for selective axial travel thereon in a distal direction away from said handle assembly and in a proximal direction towards said handle assembly;

a firing system operably supported by said handle assembly and interfacing with said closure tube assembly to selectively cause said closure tube assembly to move in said distal and proximal directions; and

an end effector coupled to said spine assembly and having first and second jaw members movable relative to each other from an open position to closed positions, said first jaw member configured to support a staple cartridge therein, said first and second jaw members being pivotally coupled to said spine assembly and wherein said first jaw member has an upwardly curved first actuator tip configured for engagement with said closure tube assembly when said closure tube assembly is moved in said proximal direction and wherein said second jaw member has a downwardly curved second actuator tip configured for engagement with said closure tube assembly when said closure tube assembly is moved in said proximal direction.

22. The surgical instrument of claim 21 further comprising a knife member having a tissue cutting edge formed on a distal end thereof, said knife member movably supported by said spine assembly and interfacing with a knife advancement system operably supported by said handle assembly for selectively applying a knife advancement motion to said knife member such that the distal end thereof is moved axially within said end effector.

23. The surgical instrument of claim 22 wherein said first jaw member operably supports at least one staple driver therein that is configured to be driven within said end effector by a portion of said knife member as said advancement motion is applied to said knife member by said knife advancement system.

24. The surgical instrument of claim 21 further comprising a firing trigger pivotally supported by said handle assembly and interfacing with said firing system such that pivotal travel of said firing trigger in a first direction causes said firing system to move said closure tube assembly in said proximal direction.

25. The surgical instrument of claim 21 wherein said spine assembly is selectively rotatable relative to said handle assembly.

26. An end effector for attachment to a spine member of a surgical instrument that has a closure tube supported thereon that is movable in proximal and distal directions in response to firing motions applied thereto, said end effector comprising:

a distal spine segment comprising at least one trunnion formed on a portion thereof configured to be received within a corresponding trunnion cradle formed in a distal end of the spine member of the surgical instrument;

an elongated channel pivotally coupled to said distal spine segment;

an anvil movably supported relative to said elongated channel and being movable from an open position to closed positions relative to said elongated channel; and

a distal closure tube segment movably supported on said distal spine segment and removably attachable to the closure tube of the surgical instrument, said distal closure tube configured to interact with portions of said elongated channel and said anvil such that said distal closure tube segment causes said anvil to move from said open position to said closed positions during pulling of said distal closure tube segment in the proximal direction by the closure tube of the surgical instrument.

27. The end effector of claim 26 wherein said at least one trunnion is formed on a nut member that is rotatably coupled to said distal spine segment for rotation relative thereto.