Interchangeable end effector coupling arrangement

• US 9,028,494 B2
• Filed: 06/28/2012
• Issued: 05/12/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Shelton, Frederick E. IV, Baxter, Chester O. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Wieland, Robert N
• Application Number:
  US13/536,303
• Publication Number:
  US 20140005661A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,048 Days
• Field of Search: 606/51
• US Class Current: 606/51
• 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 2017/003 Steerable
• 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 2017/00473 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 2017/2903 transferring rotary motion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2931 with releasable head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320044 Blunt dissectors blunt suture needles A61B2017/06085
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00172 Connectors and adapters therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1455 having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1495 Electrodes being detachable from a support structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/306 Wrists with multiple vertebrae
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/30 Surgical robots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/37 Master-slave robots A61B34/35 takes precedence

Abstract

A surgical tool can comprise an interchangeable end effector, a handle assembly, and a shaft assembly. The interchangeable end effector may comprise a first jaw member including a first electrode, and a second jaw member including a second electrode. The first jaw member may be moveable relative to the second jaw member between a first position and a second position. The handle assembly may be proximal to the surgical end effector. The shaft assembly may extend between said handle assembly and the interchangeable end effector. The shaft assembly may comprise a rotary drive shaft configured to transmit rotary motions. The rotary drive shaft may be selectively axially moveable relative to the shaft assembly between a plurality of discrete positions. A coupling arrangement may be for releasably attaching the interchangeable end effector to the shaft assembly.

Claims

1. A surgical tool comprising:

an interchangeable end effector comprising;

a first jaw member including a first electrode; and

a second jaw member including a second electrode, wherein the first jaw member is moveable relative to the second jaw member between a first position and a second position;

a handle assembly proximal to said interchangeable end effector;

a shaft assembly extending between said handle assembly and said interchangeable end effector, the shaft assembly comprising;

a rotary drive shaft configured to transmit rotary motions, wherein the rotary drive shaft is selectively axially moveable relative to the shaft assembly between a plurality of discrete positions; and

a coupling arrangement for releasably attaching the interchangeable end effector to the shaft assembly.

2. The surgical tool of claim 1, wherein the coupling arrangement includes an electric coupling for transmitting electric energy to the first electrode, wherein the electric coupling includes a first contact extending from the first electrode, and a second contact extending from the handle assembly, and wherein the first contact is in contact with the second contact when the interchangeable end effector is attached to the shaft assembly.

3. The surgical tool of claim 1, wherein the coupling arrangement includes a first rotary coupling at a distal portion of the rotary drive shaft, and a second rotary coupling at a proximal portion of the interchangeable end effector, and wherein the first rotary coupling is configured to releasably engage and transmit rotary motions to the second rotary coupling.

4. The surgical tool of claim 1, wherein the shaft assembly includes an articulation joint at a distal portion thereof.

5. The surgical tool of claim 4, wherein the articulation joint is situated proximal to the coupling arrangement.

6. The surgical tool of claim 1, wherein the coupling arrangement includes a tapered portion at a proximal end of the interchangeable end effector, and a funneling portion at a distal end of the shaft assembly, and wherein the tapered portion is configured to be received by the funneling portion.

7. The surgical tool of claim 6, wherein the coupling arrangement includes an alignment mechanism for aligning the interchangeable end effector with the shaft assembly.

8. The surgical tool of claim 7, wherein the alignment mechanism includes a slot at a distal portion of the shaft assembly, and a key at a proximal portion of the interchangeable end effector, and wherein the slot is configured to receive the key.

9. The surgical tool of claim 1, further comprising a drive motor operably supported by the handle, wherein the drive motor generates the rotary motions in the handle, and wherein the drive shaft is configured to operably interface with the drive motor.

10. A surgical tool comprising:

an interchangeable end effector, comprising;

a first jaw member including a first electrode;

a second jaw member including a second electrode;

a closure mechanism configured to move the first jaw member relative to the second jaw member between a first position and a second position; and

an actuation driver configured to drive the closure mechanism;

a shaft assembly extending proximal to the interchangeable end effector, the shaft assembly comprising;

a rotary drive shaft configured to transmit rotary motions to the actuation driver; and

a coupling arrangement for releasably attaching the interchangeable end effector to the shaft assembly.

11. The surgical tool of claim 10, wherein the coupling arrangement includes an electric coupling for transmitting electric energy to the first electrode, wherein the electric coupling includes a first contact extending from the first electrode, and a second contact extending from the handle assembly, and wherein the first contact is in contact with the second contact when the interchangeable end effector is attached to the shaft assembly.

12. The surgical tool of claim 10, wherein the coupling arrangement includes a first rotary coupling at a distal portion of the rotary drive shaft, and a second rotary coupling at a proximal portion of the interchangeable end effector, and wherein the first rotary coupling is configured to releasably engage and transmit the rotary motions to the second rotary coupling.

13. The surgical tool of claim 10, wherein the shaft assembly includes an articulation joint at a distal portion thereof.

14. The surgical tool of claim 13, wherein the articulation joint is situated proximal to the coupling arrangement.

15. The surgical tool of claim 10, wherein the coupling arrangement includes a tapered portion at a proximal end of the interchangeable end effector, and a funneling portion at a distal end of the shaft assembly, and wherein the tapered portion is configured to be received by the funneling portion.

16. The surgical tool of claim 15, wherein the coupling arrangement includes an alignment mechanism for aligning the interchangeable end effector with the shaft assembly.

17. The surgical tool of claim 16, wherein the alignment mechanism includes a slot at a distal portion of the shaft assembly, and a key at a proximal portion of the interchangeable end effector, and wherein the slot is configured to receive the key.

18. A surgical tool comprising:

an interchangeable end effector comprising;

a first jaw member including a first electrode;

a second jaw member including a second electrode;

a closure mechanism configured to move the first jaw member relative to the second jaw member between a first position and a second position; and

an actuation driver configured to drive the closure mechanism;

a shaft assembly extending proximal to the interchangeable end effector, the shaft assembly comprising;

a rotary drive shaft configured to transmit rotary motions; and

wherein the interchangeable end effector is releasably attached to the shaft assembly, and wherein the rotary drive shaft is selectively extendable axially to operably engage and transmit the rotary motions to the actuation driver.

19. The surgical tool of claim 18, further comprising an electric coupling for transmitting electric energy to the first electrode, wherein the electric coupling includes a first lead extending from the first electrode, and a second lead extending from the shaft assembly, and wherein the first lead is in contact with the second lead when the interchangeable end effector is attached to the shaft assembly.

20. The surgical tool of claim 18, wherein the interchangeable end effector includes a tapered portion at a proximal end thereof, wherein the shaft assembly includes a funneling portion at a distal end of, and wherein the tapered portion is configured to be received by the funneling portion when the interchangeable end effector is attached to the shaft assembly.