Surgical instrument with modular end effector

• US 8,998,939 B2
• Filed: 10/17/2011
• Issued: 04/07/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Price, Daniel W., Timm, Richard W., Moore, Kyle P., Johnson, Gregory W., Schulte, John B., Mumaw, Daniel J., Houser, Kevin L.
• Primary Examiner(s): SHI, KATHERINE MENGLIN
• Application Number:
  US13/274,805
• Publication Number:
  US 20120116396A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,268 Days
• Field of Search: 606/39, 606/45, 606169-185, 601/2
• US Class Current: 606/169
• 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 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/2812 with a single pivotal connection A61B17/29 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/285 combined with cutting implements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320068 using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic A61B17/22012 takes precedence; dental tooth drilling devices operated by vibration A61C3/03; removing intra-ocular material using mechanical vibrations A61F9/00745
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320092 with additional movable means for clamping or cutting tissue, e.g. with a pivoting jaw
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/00 Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body eye surgery A61F9/007; ear surgery A61F11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/04 by heating by applying electromagnetic radiation A61B18/18; hyperthermia using electric or magnetic fields, radiation or ultrasound A61N
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/12 by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1206 Generators therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1233 with circuits for assuring patient safety
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1442 Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps
• 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 2017/00084 Temperature
• 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 2017/00473 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 2017/00482 : with a code
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 : battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0084 : low friction A61B2017/00853 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/291 : the position of the handle being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2929 : with a head rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/293 : with means preventing relative rotation between the shaft and the actuating rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2931 : with releasable head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2933 : camming or guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/294 : Connection of actuating rod to jaw, e.g. releasable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320069 : for ablating tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320071 : with articulating means for working tip
• 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 2018/00172 : Connectors and adapters therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00178 : Electrical connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0019 : vibrating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00589 : Coagulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00595 : Cauterization
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00601 : Cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00607 : Coagulation and cutting with the same instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0063 : Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00988 : Means for storing information, e.g. calibration constants, or for preventing excessive use, e.g. usage, service life counter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00994 : combining two or more different kinds of non-mechanical energy or combining one or more non-mechanical energies with ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1226 : powered by a battery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1412 : Blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1455 : having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0803 : Counting the number of times an instrument is used
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0813 : Accessories designed for easy sterilising, i.e. re-usable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0814 : Preventing re-use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/25 : User interfaces for surgical systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 46/10 : specially adapted for instruments, e.g. microscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/08 : Accessories or related features not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/40 : Apparatus fixed or close to patients specially adapted for providing an aseptic surgical environment
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/90 : Identification means for patients or instruments, e.g. tags
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 : using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/00 : Ultrasound therapy lithotripsy A61B17/22, A61B17/225; massage using supersonic vibration A61H23/00 ; using ultrasound for introducing media into the body A61M37/0092
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/40 : relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/46 : Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/48 : Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte constructional details of current conducting connections for detecting conditions inside cells or batteries, e.g. details of voltage sensing terminals, H01M50/569
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/30 : Batteries in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/23 : The load being a medical device, a medical implant, or a life supporting device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 : using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 : specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 : concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 : Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 : Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49005 : Acoustic transducer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49895 : Associating parts by use of aligning means [e.g., use of a drift pin or a "fixture"]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53913 : Aligner or center

Abstract

A surgical instrument may include a reusable body assembly, a reusable transducer and blade assembly, and a disposable end effector. The transducer and blade assembly may be latched into the body assembly. One version may include an electrical connector on the latch member to electrically couple the body assembly to the transducer. The end effector may include an outer sheath portion coupleable to an outer sheath of the body assembly via a bayonet connection and a clamp arm pivotably coupled to the outer sheath portion. In some versions, an inner tubular member of the body assembly may also couple to an inner tube portion via a bayonet connection. The inner tubular member may include a key to align with a slot on the transducer and blade assembly to align the clamp arm with the blade. The end effector may alternatively couple via threading or ratcheting teeth having a slip feature.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument comprising:

(a) a body assembly comprising;

i. a casing,

ii. a first elongate member extending distally from the casing,

iii. a second elongate member extending distally from the casing, wherein the second elongate member is operable to translate relative to the first elongate member, and

iv. a transducer engagement feature movably coupled with the casing, wherein at least a portion of the transducer engagement feature extends from the casing, wherein the transducer engagement feature comprises an electrical connector; and

(b) a transducer and blade assembly comprising;

i. a transducer, wherein the transducer engagement feature is movable relative to the casing to selectively restrain the transducer within the casing, wherein the transducer comprises a notch having a ring connector disposed therein, and

ii. a blade assembly acoustically coupled to and extending distally from the transducer, wherein the blade assembly is operable to sever tissue.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the transducer engagement feature is operable to axially restrain the transducer and blade assembly within the casing.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the body assembly comprises a trigger pivotably coupled to the casing and operable to actuate the second elongate member longitudinally relative to the casing.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the body assembly further comprises a slip feature disposed between the first and second elongate members, wherein the slip feature is operable to selectively permit the second elongate member to rotate relative to the first elongate member.

5. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the transducer engagement feature comprises a latch.

6. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the blade assembly is removably coupled with the transducer.

7. The surgical instrument of claim 1 further comprising a removable distal end assembly comprising:

i. a first member configured to selectively couple with a distal portion of the first elongate member, and

ii. a second member configured to selectively couple with a distal portion of the second elongate member.

8. The surgical instrument of claim 7 wherein the second member is insertable into the second elongate member.

9. The surgical instrument of claim 8 wherein the second member comprises a first bayonet pin, wherein the second elongate member comprises a first slot, and wherein the first bayonet pin and first slot form a bayonet connection.

10. The surgical instrument of claim 9 wherein the first slot comprises a retention feature to selectively retain the first bayonet pin therein

11. The surgical instrument of claim 9 wherein the first slot is an L-shaped slot.

12. The surgical instrument of claim 7 wherein the first elongate member comprises an inner tubular actuation member rotatable relative to the body assembly and disposed within the second elongate member.

13. The surgical instrument of claim 12 wherein the inner tubular actuation member comprises a key extending proximally from a proximal end of the inner tubular actuation member and wherein the transducer comprises a keyed member having a complementary longitudinal slot configured to receive the key.

14. The surgical instrument of claim 12, further comprising a clamp arm, wherein the clamp arm is operable to clamp tissue against a distal end of the blade assembly, wherein the second member is operable to selectively pivot the clamp arm relative to the first member upon translation of the second elongate member relative to the first elongate member, wherein the first member comprises an inner tube portion that is insertable into the inner tubular actuation member, wherein the clamp arm is pivotably coupled to the inner tube portion, wherein the inner tube portion comprises a second bayonet pin, wherein the inner tubular actuation member comprises a second slot, and wherein the second bayonet pin and second slot form a bayonet connection.

15. The surgical instrument of claim 14 wherein the second slot comprises a retention feature to selectively retain the second bayonet pin therein.

16. The surgical instrument of claim 14 wherein the clamp arm comprises a curved arm, wherein the blade assembly comprises a curved blade, wherein a key and longitudinal slot align the curved arm with the curved blade when the key is inserted into the longitudinal slot.

17. The surgical instrument of claim 7 wherein the removable distal end assembly is threadably coupleable to a distal end of the first elongate member.

18. A surgical instrument comprising:

(a) a body assembly comprising;

i. a casing,

ii. a proximal outer sheath extending distally from the casing,

iii. a proximal inner tubular member disposed within the proximal outer sheath,

iv. a waveguide disposed within the proximal inner tubular member, and

v. a slip feature; and

(b) an end effector comprising;

i. a distal outer sheath, wherein the distal outer sheath is selectively coupleable to the proximal outer sheath,

ii. a distal inner tubular member disposed within the distal outer sheath, wherein the distal inner tubular member is selectively coupleable to the proximal inner tubular member, and

iii. a blade disposed within the distal inner tubular member, wherein the blade is selectively coupleable to the waveguide;

wherein the entire end effector is operable to be coupled or decoupled from the proximal outer sheath, the proximal inner tubular member, and the waveguide as an assembly, wherein the slip feature is configured to limit the force applied to the proximal inner tubular member when the end effector is coupled to the proximal outer sheath, the proximal inner tubular member, and the waveguide.

19. The surgical instrument of claim 18, wherein the slip feature is disposed between the proximal outer sheath and the proximal inner tubular member.

20. A surgical instrument comprising:

(a) a body assembly comprising;

i. a casing,

ii. a shaft extending distally from the casing,

iii. an ultrasonic transducer at least partially disposed within the casing, and

iv. a pivoting member, wherein the pivoting member is pivotably coupled to the casing, wherein a first end of the pivoting member comprises an electrical connector, wherein a second end of the pivoting member extends from the casing, wherein the pivoting member is configured to selectively electrically connect with the ultrasonic transducer and to further selectively prevent longitudinal translation of the ultrasonic transducer relative to the casing; and

(b) an acoustic transmission assembly configured to removably couple with the transducer.