Hand-held surgical instruments
18 claims: 7 independent, 11 dependent
- 1ハンドヘルド外科手術器具であって、 内部に空洞を画定するハンドルハウジングと、前記ハンドルハウジングに対して遠位に延在するように構成され ている 細長いシャフト部分と、前記シャフト部分の遠位端部分に 結合されるように構成されている外科用エンドエフェクタであって、前記外科用エンドエフェクタは、 前記シャフト部分に対して関節運動するように構成され ている、 外科用エンドエフェクタと、駆動器に駆動 結合される ように構成され ている 近位端部分 と 前記外科用エンドエフェクタの被駆動要素に作動可能に 結合される ように構成され ている 遠位端部分 と を有する発射シャフトと、前記外科用エンドエフェクタに作動可能に 結合されている 関節ネジと、前記関節ネジの周りに配置され ている関節ナットであって、前記関節ナットは、 前記関節ネジに作動可能に 結合されており、 前記関節ネジ は、 前記関節ナットの回転に応答して並進するように構成され ており、これ により、前記関節ネジ は、 前記シャフト部分に対して平行な向きと前記シャフト部分に対して非平行な向きとの間で前記外科用エンドエフェクタを関節運動させる、関節ナットと、 前記発射シャフトにねじ結合されている発射ナットであって、前記発射ナットは、前記発射シャフトの回転に応答して並進することにより、前記外科用エンドエフェクタのステープル機能を実現するように構成されている、発射ナットと、 前記ハンドルハウジングに対して軸方向に拘束されているチューブハウジングであって、前記発射ナットは、前記チューブハウジング内に配置されており、かつ、前記チューブハウジングに締結されることにより、前記発射ナットと前記チューブハウジングとの間の相対回転に抵抗する、チューブハウジングと を備え る ハンドヘルド外科手術器具。
- 2前記関節ナット は、 前記ハンドルハウジングに軸方向に拘束され ており、 かつ 、 前記ハンドルハウジングに回転可能に支持され ており、 前記関節ネジ は、 前記関節ナット内に受容され てい る、請求項1に記載のハンドヘルド外科手術器具。
- 3前記関節ナット は、 前記関節ネジの外面にねじ 結合されており、 前記関節ナットを第1の回転方向に回転させる ことは、 遠位または近位 のうちの一方 に前記関節ネジ を 並進 させ、 前記関節ナットを第2の反対の回転方向に回転させる ことは、 遠位または近位のうちの他方に前記関節ネジ を 並進 させる、 請求項1に記載のハンドヘルド外科手術器具。
- 4前記関節ネジおよび関節ナットの それぞれは、 管状 の 構成を有する、請求項1に記載のハンドヘルド外科手術器具。
- 5前記関節ネジおよび前記関節ナット は、前記 発射シャフトの周りに同心円状に配置されている、請求項4に記載のハンドヘルド外科手術器具。
- 6前記ハンドヘルド外科手術器具は、 前記関節ナットの周りに配置され ている 関節ノブ をさらに備え、前記関節ノブは、 前記関節ノブの手動回転が前記関節ナットを回転させるように 、 前記関節ナットに回転固定され てい る 、 請求項1に記載のハンドヘルド外科手術器具。
- 7前記関節ノブ は、前記 関節ナットに接続されているか、または 、 前記関節ナットと一体的に形成されている、請求項6に記載のハンドヘルド外科手術器具。
- 8前記ハンドヘルド外科手術器具は、 関節リンクをさらに備え 、前記関節リンクは、 前記関節ネジに軸方向に固定され ている 近位端部分と、前記外科用エンドエフェクタに作動可能に 結合される ように構成され ている 遠位端部分とを有する 、 請求項1に記載のハンドヘルド外科手術器具。
- 9前記関節リンク は、 前記関節リンクの前記近位端部分から横方向に外側に延在するピンを有し、前記ピン は、 前記関節ネジの遠位端部分に固定されている、請求項8に記載のハンドヘルド外科手術器具。
- 10前記ハンドヘルド外科手術器具は、 前記シャフト部分を通って延在 する 発射ロッドをさらに備え 、前記発射ロッドは、 前記発射ナットに固定され ている 近位端部分と、前記外科用エンドエフェクタの前記被駆動要素に 結合されている 遠位端部分とを有する 、 請求項 1 に記載のハンドヘルド外科手術器具。
- 11前記ハンドヘルド外科手術器具は、 前記ハンドルハウジングの前記空洞内で受容するように構成され ている 器具モジュール を さらに備え 、 前記器具モジュールは、 モータと、 前記モータに作動可能に結合されている 前記駆動器であって、 前記駆動器は、 前記駆動器の回転が前記発射シャフトの回転をもたらすように、前記発射シャフトの前記近位端部分に作動可能に 結合する ように構成され ている、 駆動器 と を含む 、 請求項1に記載のハンドヘルド外科手術器具。
- 12前記ハンドヘルド外科手術器具は、 前記ハンドルハウジングに 結合されている ボタンと、プリント回路基板であって、前記ボタンは、前記ボタンの作動が前記モータを起動させるように前記プリント回路基板に関連付けられている、プリント回路基板 と をさらに備える、請求項 11 に記載のハンドヘルド外科手術器具。
- 13ハンドヘルド外科手術器具の使い捨てハンドルアセンブリであって、前記使い捨てハンドルアセンブリは、 内部に空洞を画定する細長いハンドルハウジングと、前記ハンドルハウジングの遠位端部分によって回転可能に支持され ている 関節ナットと、前記関節ナット内に受容され ている関節ネジであって、前記関節ネジは、 前記関節ナットにねじ 結合されている、 関節ネジと、前記関節ナットの周りに配置され ている 関節ノブであって、 前記関節ノブは、 前記関節ノブの手動回転が前記関節ナットを回転させ ることにより、 前記関節ネジを前記関節ナットに対して並進させるように 、 前記関節ナットに回転固定され てい る 、 関節ノブ と、 前記ハンドルアセンブブリの前記空洞内に受容されている近位端部分と外科用エンドエフェクタの被駆動要素に作動可能に結合されるように構成されている遠位端部分とを有する発射シャフトと、 前記発射シャフトにねじ結合されている発射ナットであって、前記発射ナットは、前記発射シャフトの回転に応答して並進することにより、前記外科用エンドエフェクタのステープル機能を実現するように構成されている、発射ナットと、 前記ハンドルハウジングに対して軸方向に拘束されているチューブハウジングであって、前記発射ナットは、前記チューブハウジング内に配置されており、かつ、前記チューブハウジングに締結されることにより、前記発射ナットと前記チューブハウジングとの間の相対回転に抵抗する、チューブハウジングと を備える 、 使い捨てハンドルアセンブリ。
- 14前記関節ネジ は、 前記関節ネジを通る細長い通路を画定する、請求項 13 に記載の使い捨てハンドルアセンブリ。
- 15前記使い捨てハンドルアセンブリは、 近位端部分を有する関節リンクをさらに備え 、前記近位端部分は、 前記通路内に配置され ており、かつ、 前記関節ネジに軸方向に固定され ている、 請求項 14 に記載の使い捨てハンドルアセンブリ。
- 16前記関節リンク は、 前記関節リンクの前記近位端部分から横方向に外側に延在するピンを有し、前記ピン は、 前記関節ネジの遠位端部分に固定されている、請求項 15 に記載の使い捨てハンドルアセンブリ。
- 17前 記関節ネジおよび前記関節ナット は、 前記発射シャフトの周りに同心円状に配置されている、請求項 13 に記載の使い捨てハンドルアセンブリ。
- 18前記関節ノブ は、 関節ナットに接続されているか、または 、 前記関節ナットと一体的に形成されている、請求項 13 に記載の使い捨てハンドルアセンブリ。
Independent claims18
31 paragraphs, as filed
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/084,656, filed September 29, 2020, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Numerous handle assembly manufacturers have developed product lines having proprietary drive systems for operating and/or manipulating electromechanical surgical instruments. Often, the electromechanical surgical instruments include a reusable handle assembly and a disposable loading unit and/or a single-use loading unit, such as, for example, a surgical end effector that is selectively connected to the handle assembly prior to use and then disconnected from the handle assembly after use for disposal and/or sterilization for reuse.
<p>In one aspect of the present disclosure, a handheld surgical instrument is provided including a handle housing defining a cavity therein, an elongated shaft portion configured to extend distally relative to the handle housing, a surgical end effector coupled to a distal end portion of the shaft portion and configured to articulate relative to the shaft portion, a firing shaft, an articulation screw, and an articulation nut. The firing shaft has a proximal end portion configured to be drivingly coupled to a driver and a distal end portion configured to be operably coupled to a driven element of the surgical end effector. The articulation screw is operably coupled to the surgical end effector, and the articulation nut is disposed about and operably coupled to the articulation screw. The articulation screw is configured to translate in response to rotation of the articulation nut, whereby the articulation screw articulates the surgical end effector between an orientation parallel to the shaft portion and an orientation non-parallel to the shaft portion.</p><p>In one aspect, the articulation nut may be axially constrained and rotatably supported relative to the handle housing. The articulation screw may be received within the articulation nut.</p><p>In one aspect, the articulation nut may be threadably coupled to an outer surface of the articulation screw, such that rotation of the articulation nut in a first rotational direction translates the articulation screw either distally or proximally, and rotation of the articulation nut in a second, opposite rotational direction translates the articulation screw the other of the distal and proximal directions.</p><p>In one aspect, each of the articulation screw and the articulation nut may have a tubular configuration.</p><p>In one aspect, the articulation screw and articulation nut may be concentrically disposed about the firing shaft.</p><p>In one aspect, the handheld surgical instrument may further include an articulation knob disposed about the articulation nut and rotationally fixed to the articulation nut such that manual rotation of the articulation knob may rotate the articulation nut.</p><p>In one aspect, the articulation knob may be connected to or integrally formed with the articulation nut.</p><p>In one aspect, the handheld surgical instrument can further include an articulation link having a proximal end portion axially secured to the articulation screw. The articulation link can have a distal end portion configured to be operably coupled to a surgical end effector.</p><p>In one aspect, the articulation link can have a pin extending laterally outward from a proximal end portion of the articulation link, the pin can be secured to a distal end portion of the articulation screw.</p><p>In one aspect, the handheld surgical instrument can further include a firing nut threadably coupled to the firing screw and configured to translate in response to rotation of the firing screw to effectuate the stapling function of the surgical end effector.</p><p>In one aspect, the handheld surgical instrument can further include a firing rod extending through the shaft portion. The firing rod can have a proximal end portion secured to the firing nut and a distal end portion coupled to a driven element of the surgical end effector.</p><p>In one aspect, the handheld surgical instrument can further include a tube housing axially constrained relative to the handle housing. A firing nut can be disposed within the tube housing and fastened to the tube housing to resist relative rotation between the firing nut and the tube housing.</p><p>In one aspect, the handheld surgical instrument can further include an instrument module configured to be received within the cavity of the handle housing. The instrument module can include a motor and a driver. The driver can be operably coupled to the motor and configured to operably couple to a proximal end portion of the firing shaft such that rotation of the driver effects rotation of the firing shaft.</p><p>In one aspect, the handheld surgical instrument can further include a button coupled to the handle housing and a printed circuit board. The button can be associated with the printed circuit board such that actuation of the button activates the motor.</p><p>According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, a disposable handle assembly for a handheld surgical instrument is provided including an elongated handle housing defining a cavity therein, a articulation nut rotatably supported by a distal end portion of the handle housing, a articulation screw received within and threadedly connected to the articulation nut, and a articulation knob disposed about the articulation nut and rotationally fixed to the articulation nut such that manual rotation of the articulation knob rotates the articulation nut to translate the articulation screw relative to the articulation nut.</p><p>In one aspect, the joint screw may define an elongated passageway therethrough.</p><p>In one aspect, the disposable handle assembly may further include an articulation link disposed within the passageway and having a proximal end portion axially secured to the articulation screw.</p><p>In one aspect, the articulation link can have a pin extending laterally outward from a proximal end portion of the articulation link, the pin can be secured to a distal end portion of the articulation screw.</p><p>In one aspect, the disposable handle assembly can further include a firing shaft having a proximal end portion received within the cavity of the handle housing. The articulation screw and the articulation nut can be concentrically disposed about the firing shaft.</p><p>In one aspect, the articulation knob may be connected to or integrally formed with the articulation nut.</p><p>As used herein, the terms parallel and perpendicular are understood to include relative configurations that are approximately parallel and approximately perpendicular, up to about + or -10 degrees from true parallel and true perpendicular.</p><p>For example, the present application provides the following:</p><p>1. A surgical instrument comprising: a handle housing defining a cavity therein; an elongated shaft portion configured to extend distally relative to the handle housing; a surgical end effector coupled to a distal end portion of the shaft portion and configured to articulate relative to the shaft portion; a firing shaft having a proximal end portion configured to be drivingly coupled to a driver and a distal end portion configured to be operably coupled to a driven element of the surgical end effector; and a joint screw operably coupled to the surgical end effector, wherein the joint screw is configured to translate in response to rotation of the joint nut, whereby the joint screw articulates the surgical end effector between an orientation parallel to the shaft portion and an orientation non-parallel to the shaft portion.</p><p>(Item 2) A handheld surgical instrument as described in the above item, wherein the articulation nut is axially constrained and rotatably supported in the handle housing, and the articulation screw is received within the articulation nut.</p><p>(Item 3) The handheld surgical instrument of any one of the preceding items, wherein the articulation nut is threadedly connected to an outer surface of the articulation screw, and wherein rotating the articulation nut in a first rotational direction translates the articulation screw either distally or proximally, and rotating the articulation nut in a second, opposite rotational direction translates the articulation screw either distally or proximally.</p><p>(Item 4) A handheld surgical instrument according to any one of the preceding items, wherein each of the joint screws and the joint nuts has a tubular configuration.</p><p>(Item 5) A handheld surgical instrument according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the articulation screw and the articulation nut are concentrically arranged around the firing shaft.</p><p>(Item 6) The handheld surgical instrument of any one of the preceding items, further comprising a joint knob disposed around the joint nut and rotationally fixed to the joint nut such that manual rotation of the joint knob rotates the joint nut.</p><p>(Item 7) A handheld surgical instrument according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the articulation knob is connected to or integrally formed with the articulation nut.</p><p>(Item 8) A handheld surgical instrument according to any one of the preceding items, further comprising an articulation link having a proximal end portion axially fixed to the articulation screw and a distal end portion configured to be operably connected to the surgical end effector.</p><p>(Item 9) A handheld surgical instrument according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the articulation link has a pin extending laterally outward from the proximal end portion of the articulation link, the pin being fixed to a distal end portion of the articulation screw.</p><p>(Item 10) A handheld surgical instrument described in any one of the above items, further comprising a firing nut threadedly connected to the firing screw and configured to translate in response to rotation of the firing screw to achieve a stapling function of the surgical end effector.</p><p>(Item 11) The handheld surgical instrument of any one of the above items, further comprising a firing rod extending through the shaft portion and having a proximal end portion secured to the firing nut and a distal end portion connected to the driven element of the surgical end effector.</p><p>(Item 12) The handheld surgical instrument of any one of the above items, further comprising a tube housing axially restrained relative to the handle housing, the firing nut being disposed within the tube housing and fastened to the tube housing to resist relative rotation between the firing nut and the tube housing.</p><p>(Item 13) A handheld surgical instrument according to any one of the above items, further comprising an instrument module configured to be received within the cavity of the handle housing, the instrument module including a motor and a driver operably connected to the motor and configured to be operably connected to the proximal end portion of the firing shaft such that rotation of the driver results in rotation of the firing shaft.</p><p>(Item 14) A handheld surgical instrument according to any one of the preceding items, further comprising a button coupled to the handle housing, the button being associated with the printed circuit board such that actuation of the button activates the motor.</p><p>(Item 15) A disposable handle assembly for a handheld surgical instrument comprising: an elongated handle housing defining a cavity therein; a joint nut rotatably supported by a distal end portion of the handle housing; a joint screw received within and threadedly connected to the joint nut; and a joint knob disposed about the joint nut, the joint knob being rotationally fixed to the joint nut such that manual rotation of the joint knob rotates the joint nut to translate the joint screw relative to the joint nut.</p><p>(Item 16) The disposable handle assembly of the preceding item, wherein the joint screw defines an elongated passage through the joint screw.</p><p>(Item 17) The disposable handle assembly of any one of the above items, further comprising an articulation link disposed within the passage and having a proximal end portion axially fixed to the articulation screw.</p><p>(Item 18) A disposable handle assembly according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the articulation link has a pin extending laterally outward from the proximal end portion of the articulation link, the pin being fixed to a distal end portion of the articulation screw.</p><p>(Item 19) A disposable handle assembly described in any one of the above items, further comprising a firing shaft having a proximal end portion received within the cavity of the handle housing, the articulation screw and the articulation nut being concentrically arranged around the firing shaft.</p><p>(Item 20) A disposable handle assembly according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the articulation knob is connected to or integrally formed with the articulation nut.</p><p>SUMMARY A handheld surgical instrument includes a handle housing, an elongated shaft portion configured to extend distally relative to the handle housing, and a surgical end effector configured to be coupled to a distal end portion of the shaft portion. An articulation screw is operably coupled to the surgical end effector, and an articulation nut is disposed about and operably coupled to the articulation screw. The articulation screw is configured to translate in response to rotation of the articulation nut, whereby the articulation screw articulates the surgical end effector between an orientation parallel to the shaft portion and an orientation non-parallel to the shaft portion.</p>
Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
<figref num="1A">FIG. 1 is a side perspective view illustrating a handheld electro-mechanical surgical instrument including a handle assembly, a shaft portion coupled to the handle assembly, and a surgical end effector coupled to the shaft portion.</figref><figref num="1B">FIG. 1B is a side perspective view of the handheld electromechanical surgical instrument of FIG. 1A, showing the power assembly separated from the handle assembly.</figref><figref num="2">FIG. 1B is a perspective view, with parts separated, showing the surgical instrument of FIG. 1A.</figref><figref num="3">FIG. 1B is an enlarged perspective view showing components of the surgical instrument of FIG. 1A, including an articulation knob, a firing shaft, and a PCB connection.</figref><figref num="4">1B is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the surgical instrument of FIG. 1A. </figref><figref num="5">1B is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the surgical instrument of FIG. 1A including a manually operated joint assembly and a motor-powered firing assembly disposed within the joint assembly.</figref>
An embodiment of the presently disclosed surgical instrument including its handle assembly is described in detail with reference to the drawings in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. As used herein, the term "distal" refers to that portion of the surgical instrument or component thereof that is further from the user, while the term "proximal" refers to that portion of the surgical instrument or component thereof that is closer to the user.
As described in detail below, a handheld surgical instrument handle assembly is provided having an ergonomic, disposable handle housing, a reusable power assembly (e.g., an instrument module housed within a sterile or non-sterile outer casing), a shaft portion extending distally from the handle housing, and a surgical end effector pivotally coupled to a distal end of the shaft portion. All components of the surgical instrument other than the power assembly are intended to be disposable.
The surgical instrument has a manual articulation knob disposed between the handle housing and the shaft portion and configured to rotate relative to the surgical instrument. The articulation knob is rotationally fixed about an articulation nut that is threadably connected to the articulation screw. The articulation screw supports an axially translatable articulation link that operatively couples to the surgical end effector for articulating the surgical end effector relative to the shaft portion in response to manual rotation of the articulation knob. A firing assembly configured to provide opening, closing and stapling functions for the surgical end effector extends coaxially through the articulation assembly and is actuated by the power assembly. Other features and advantages of the disclosed surgical instrument are described in further detail below.
1A, 1B, 2 and 3, a surgical instrument according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is generally designated as 10 and is in the form of a powered, handheld, electro-mechanical surgical instrument for actuating and manipulating a surgical end effector 200. The handheld, electro-mechanical surgical instrument 10 includes a handle assembly 12, an articulation knob housing 14 coupled to the handle assembly 12, and a shaft portion 16 extending distally from the articulation knob housing 14 and having the end effector 200 attached thereto.
The handle assembly 12 includes a disposable, sterile, elongated handle housing 18 and a hinged door 20 pivotally connected to a proximal end portion 18a of the handle housing 18. The door 20 is selectively opened and closed to allow for the insertion or removal of a non-sterile, reusable instrument module or power assembly 22. The handle housing 18 and door 20 each have an inner periphery that collectively define an interior cavity 17 for the instrument module 22 when the door 120 is closed. In one aspect, the proximal end portion 18a or handle housing 18 may have a transparent window (not shown) at any suitable location to allow for the viewing of a display (e.g., liquid crystal, not shown).
The handle assembly 12 has a fire/close switch 24a and an open switch 24b. The firing switch 24a is configured and adapted to close the jaw members 206, 208 of the end effector 200, ultimately performing the stapling function of the end effector 200. The open switch 24b is configured to open the jaw members 206, 208 of the end effector 200. The switches 24a, 24b may be constructed as buttons movably coupled to the handle housing 18 at a location proximal and adjacent to the articulation knob housing 14. Activation of the firing switch 24a activates the motor 25 of the instrument module 22, which advances or retracts the firing rod 44 (FIGS. 4 and 5) of the surgical instrument 10, depending on whether switch 24a or switch 24b is actuated. The firing rod 44 is coupled to driven elements (not explicitly shown) of the end effector 200 (including a knife rod and an actuation sled) such that advancement of the firing rod 44 advances the driven elements of the end effector 200. This causes the jaw members 206, 208 of the end effector 200 to close and fire the end effector 200 when the safety switch 28 is in an actuated state.
For a detailed discussion of the structure and operation of the surgical end effector 200, reference may be made to U.S. Pat. No. 7,819,896, entitled "TOOL ASSEMBLY FOR A SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICE," filed August 31, 2009; U.S. Pat. No. 8,066,166, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICE WITH DISSECTING TIP," filed April 5, 2007; and U.S. Pat. No. 9,820,741, entitled "REPLACEABLE STAPLE CARTRIDGE," filed May 12, 2011, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The safety switch 28 is constructed as a tactile switch that extends laterally through the handle housing 18. The safety switch 28 has opposing ends exposed from the exterior surface of the handle housing 18, allowing the clinician to slide the safety switch 28 between a fire disable position and a fire enable position. In the fire disable position, the safety switch 28 either contacts or disengages a contact switch 30 (FIG. 3) on a printed circuit board 32 (FIG. 3) of the handle assembly 12, thereby signaling a processor (not explicitly shown) of the instrument module 22 to prevent activation of the motor 25 despite activation of the fire switch 24a. In the fire enable position, the safety switch 28 contacts or disengages the contact switch 30, thereby signaling the processor to allow activation of the motor 25 upon activation of the fire switch 24a. In one aspect, the safety switch 28 can have a light therein configured to flash or remain steady to indicate the position of the safety switch 28.
In some embodiments, the switches 24a, 24b, 28 of the handle assembly 12 can be assigned to activate different functions performed by different surgical end effectors. It is contemplated that the switches 24a, 24b, 28 can be configured in a variety of ways, such as, for example, as a switch, a rocker, a flap, a latch, a lever, a dial, a button, or a touch screen.
The reusable tool module or power assembly 22 of the handle assembly 12 includes a motor 25, such as, for example, an electric drive motor, which is drivingly coupled to an output 27, such as, for example, a socket and/or a pinion gear. The motor 25 is electrically or wirelessly connected to a motor controller or processor and a battery (not explicitly shown). In one embodiment, the battery may include a boost circuit and may be rechargeable (e.g., wirelessly). The battery has a card edge connector (not explicitly shown) configured for removable reception of a card edge header 34 of the printed circuit board 32 to enable communication from the switches 24a, 24b and the safety switch 28 to the battery. The processor may include a USB charging connector to enable the battery to be recharged with a USB charger or wirelessly (e.g., via induction).
Further details regarding the instrument module 22 can be found in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/064,977, filed August 13, 2020, which is incorporated by reference above.
2-5, the surgical instrument 10 further includes a firing assembly 40 for driving the opening and closing and stapling functions of the surgical end effector 200, and an articulation assembly 50 for driving the articulation of the surgical end effector 200. The firing assembly 40 generally includes a firing shaft 42, such as, for example, a lead screw, a firing nut 43, and a firing rod 44. The firing shaft 42 extends distally from the handle housing 18, through the articulation knob housing 14, and into the proximal end portion 16a of the shaft portion 16. The firing shaft 42 has a proximal end portion 42a that proximally projects into the cavity 17 of the handle housing 18 for non-rotatably connecting to the output portion 27 (FIG. 1B) of the instrument module 22 when the instrument module 22 is received in the cavity 17. The proximal end portion 42a of the firing shaft 42 can have a tri-lobe configuration, and the output portion 27 can have a correspondingly shaped socket for forming a non-rotatable connection therebetween. Other types of non-rotatable connections are also contemplated, such as a bayonet-type connection. A thrust bearing and seal may be provided between the proximal end portion 42a of the firing shaft 42 and the distal end portion 18b of the handle housing 18.
Firing nut 43 is disposed about firing shaft 42 and threadedly coupled to firing shaft 42 such that firing nut 43 translates either proximally or distally depending on the direction of rotation of firing shaft 42. Firing nut 43 is elongated in shape and has a non-circular cross-sectional configuration, such as, for example, a D-shaped configuration. Other cross-sectional configurations are contemplated for firing nut 43, such as, for example, rectangular, triangular, etc.
The firing nut 43 is fastened to a correspondingly shaped inner surface 46 of the tubular housing 48 to prevent rotation of the firing nut 43 within the tubular housing 48 or by the firing shaft 42 as the firing shaft 42 rotates. The tubular housing 48 has a proximal end portion 48a (FIG. 5) that is axially and rotationally restrained within a pocket 49 defined in the distal end portion 18b of the handle housing 18. The tubular housing 48 has a distal end portion 48b supported between the proximal end portion 16a of the shaft portion 16 and the distal end portion of the knob housing 14.
Firing rod 44 has a proximal end portion 44a that is secured to a distal end portion 43b of firing nut 43. Firing rod 44 extends distally through shaft portion 16, which terminates in a distal end portion (not explicitly shown) that is coupled to a driven element of surgical end effector 200.
2, 4, and 5, the articulation assembly 50 of the handle assembly 12 is configured to actuate the articulation of the end effector 200 (e.g., move the end effector 200 along a horizontal plane between a position coaxial with the shaft portion 16 and a plurality of positions out of alignment with the shaft portion 16). The articulation assembly 50 includes a knob housing 14, an articulation nut 52, and an articulation screw 54. The articulation knob or knob housing 14 is rotatably coupled at a proximal end 14a to the handle housing 18 and at a distal end 14b to the shaft portion 16.
The articulation nut 52 has a proximal end portion 52a received in the distal end portion 18b of the handle housing 18. The proximal end portion 52a of the articulation nut 52 is rotatably supported while being axially constrained by the distal end portion 18b of the handle housing 18. The articulation knob 14 is disposed about the articulation nut 52 and is rotationally fixed to the articulation nut 52 such that manual rotation of the articulation knob 14 rotates the articulation nut 52. In one aspect, the articulation knob 14 may be connected to, integrally formed with, or otherwise coupled to the articulation nut 52.
The articulation screw 54 is received within the articulation nut 52 and has a proximal end portion 54a threadedly connected to a threaded inner surface 56 of the articulation nut 52. The articulation screw 54 is configured to translate either proximally or distally relative to the articulation nut 52 depending on the direction of rotation of the articulation nut 52. The articulation screw 54 defines an elongated passage 56 ( FIG. 2 ) therethrough. The firing assembly 40 is concentrically disposed within the passage 56 of the articulation screw 54, and the articulation screw 54 is concentrically disposed within the articulation nut 52, thereby providing a compact assembly of these components.
The joint assembly 50 further includes an articulation link 58 having a proximal end portion 58a disposed within the passage 56 of the articulation screw 54 within a space 60 ( FIG. 5 ) defined between the inner surface 46 of the tubular housing 48 and the outer surface of the firing nut 43. The proximal end portion 58a of the articulation link 58 has a pin 62 extending laterally outwardly therefrom. The pin 62 extends through a lateral opening 64 in the tubular housing 48 and is secured to a distal end portion 54b of the articulation screw 54, thereby axially securing the articulation link 58 to the articulation screw 54. The distal end portion 54b of the articulation screw 54 may be non-rotatably secured to the tubular housing 48 via a fastener 66 to resist rotation of the articulation screw 54 during rotation of the articulation nut 52.
The articulation link 58 has a distal end portion (not explicitly shown) coupled to a pivotable link (not explicitly shown) pivotally supported at the distal end portion 16b of the shaft portion 16. The pivotable link pivotally couples the articulation link 58 and the surgical end effector 200 to one another such that distal translation of the articulation link 58 causes the pivotable link to articulate the surgical end effector 200 in a first direction relative to the shaft portion 16. Proximal translation of the articulation link 58 causes the pivotable link to articulate the surgical end effector 200 relative to the shaft portion 16 in an opposite second direction.
For further details regarding the mechanism for pivotally connecting the surgical end effector to the shaft portion, reference may be made to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/695,380, filed Nov. 26, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
In operation, the instrument module 22 is inserted into the handle housing 18 and the door 20 is closed, thereby sealing the sterile, reusable instrument module 22 into the sterile handle housing 18. The card edge head 34 of the printed circuit board 32 of the handle assembly 12 is connected to the card edge connector of the instrument module 22. Upon proper insertion of the instrument module 22, the output 27 (FIG. 1B) of the instrument module 22 is drivingly coupled to the proximal end portion 42a of the firing shaft 42.
To operate the surgical end effector 200, button 24a can be actuated, causing a battery in the instrument module 22 to power a motor 25 that drives rotation of the output 27. As the output 27 rotates in a first direction, the firing shaft 42 rotates to drive translation of the drive nut 43 and attached firing rod 44. Translation of the firing rod 44 closes the jaw members 206, 208. To open the jaw members 206, 208, button 24b can be actuated instead. To fire staples from the surgical end effector 200 with the jaw members 206, 208 closed, the safety switch 28 can be actuated and then button 24a can be actuated, causing a driven element (e.g., staple sled) of the surgical end effector 200 to translate through the jaw members 208 (e.g., cartridge assembly) and fire staples into tissue.
To articulate the surgical end effector 200 to the right (from the clinician's perspective), the articulation knob housing 14 is manually rotated clockwise (from the clinician's perspective), which transmits rotational motion from the knob housing 14 to the articulation nut 52. Rotation of the articulation nut 52 drives proximal translation of the articulation screw 54 relative to the articulation nut 52, which in turn drives the articulation link 58 proximally to articulate the surgical end effector 200. Similarly, to articulate the surgical end effector 200 to the left, the articulation knob housing 14 can be manually rotated counterclockwise. Thus, manual actuation of the articulation knob housing 14 moves the surgical end effector 200 from a first position corresponding to a non-articulated orientation of the surgical end effector 200 (i.e., the surgical end effector 200 is coaxial with the shaft portion 16) to a second position corresponding to an articulated orientation of the surgical end effector 200 (i.e., the surgical end effector 200 is pivoted to a non-parallel angle relative to the shaft portion 16). In one aspect, rotation of the knob housing 14 can be accomplished electronically or robotically.
Any of the components described herein may be manufactured from any of metals, plastics, resins, composite materials, etc., taking into consideration strength, durability, wear resistance, weight, corrosion resistance, ease of manufacture, manufacturing costs, etc. Any of the gears disclosed herein may be configured as any suitable gear, such as bevel gears, spur gears, spiral gears, worm gears, etc.
It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiments of the presently disclosed surgical instruments including the switch assembly. Thus, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.
6 sheets
Sheet 1 Sheet 2 Sheet 3 Sheet 4 Sheet 5 Sheet 6
Every citation, both ways
| Document | Relation | Office |
|---|---|---|
| JP2004255080A | Cites | Japan |
| JP2015529142A | Cites | Japan |
| JP2016518913A | Cites | Japan |
| JP2014158694A | Cites | Japan |
| JP2001517474A | Cites | Japan |
| US20190261981A1 | Cites | United States of America |
40 members in 4 offices
Priority claims4
| Document | Office | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 202063084656 | United States of America | P | |
| 63084656 | United States of America | – | |
| 17089827 | United States of America | – | |
| 202017089827 | United States of America | A |
Members40
| Document | Office | Kind | |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP3626182A1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A1 | |
| US2020093492A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| CN110934619A | China | A | |
| US2021045740A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| US2021068823A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| CN112914643A | China | A | |
| EP3831313A2 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A2 | |
| EP3831315A2 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A2 | |
| US2021169476A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| US2021169487A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| JP2021090739A | Japan | A | |
| JP2021090740A | Japan | A | |
| CN113017743A | China | A | |
| EP3831315A3 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A3 | |
| EP3831313A3 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A3 | |
| US11234701B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| EP3954304A1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A1 | |
| CN114073555A | China | A | |
| JP2022032917A | Japan | A | |
| EP3973889A1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A1 | |
| US2022096079A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| EP3977940A1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A1 | |
| JP2022056288A | Japan | A | |
| CN114343759A | China | A | |
| JP2022060988A | Japan | A | |
| CN114376635A | China | A | |
| US2022133324A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| US11389159B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| US11395655B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| US2022338868A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| US11510669B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| US11871924B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| EP3626182B1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | B1 | |
| US2024138831A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| JP7590859B2 | Japan | B2 | |
| JP7595445B2This record | Japan | B2 | |
| CN110934619B | China | B | |
| JP2025020425A | Japan | A | |
| JP7636162B2 | Japan | B2 | |
| US12274439B2 | United States of America | B2 |
8 legal events, as the office reported them to INPADOC
Over the term
Point at a mark for the eventEvents
| Event | Code | |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of patent or registration of utility modelJAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R150R150 | R150 | |
| First payment of annual fees (during grant procedure)JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A61A61 | A61 | |
| Written decision to grant a patent or to grant a registration (utility model)JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A01A01 | A01 | |
| Decision of grant or rejection writtenTRDD | TRDD | |
| Request for written amendment filedJAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A523A521 | A521 | |
| Notification of reasons for refusalJAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A131A131 | A131 | |
| Report on retrievalJAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A971007A977 | A977 | |
| Written request for application examinationJAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A621A621 | A621 |
Numbers
- Publication
- 7595445
- Application
- 200804
Titles2
- Japanese
- ハンドヘルド外科手術器具
- English
- Handheld Surgical Instruments
Classification
- CPC, 20
- A61B17/07207
- A61B17/0686
- A61B2017/0023
- A61B2017/00734
- A61B2017/00115
- A61B2017/00398
- A61B2017/2927
- A61B2017/2946
- A61B2017/00017
- A61B2017/00424
- A61B2017/00367
- A61B2017/07214
- A61B34/30
- A61B17/068
- A61B2090/0811
- A61B34/76
- A61B2017/07271
- A61B17/32002
- A61B2017/00473
- A61B17/072
- IPC, 1
- A61B17 072
