Articulation section for shaft assembly of surgical instrument

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12133672-B2
Application number	US-202117164027-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 1, 2021
Priority date	Aug 25, 2017
Publication date	Nov 5, 2024
Grant date	Nov 5, 2024

Abstract

An apparatus includes a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector, and an articulation section. The articulation section is longitudinally interposed between a distal end of the shaft assembly and a proximal end of the end effector. The articulation section is configured to flex to thereby provide deflection of the end effector away from the longitudinal axis of the shaft assembly. The articulation section includes a first frame member, a second frame member, and a sleeve. The proximal end of the second frame member is proximal to the proximal end of the first frame member. The sleeve is disposed about the first and second frame members.

First claim

We claim:

1. An apparatus, comprising:
(a) a shaft assembly defining a longitudinal axis;
(b) an end effector located distally relative to the shaft assembly;
(c) an articulation drive assembly configured to actuate relative to the shaft assembly; and
(d) an articulation section interposed between the shaft assembly and the end effector, wherein the articulation section is configured to flex in response to actuation of the articulation drive assembly relative to the shaft assembly, wherein the articulation section comprises:
(i) a first frame member comprising a first alignment feature,
(ii) a second frame member comprising a second alignment feature, wherein the first frame member and the second frame member are fixedly attached to each other such that the first alignment feature and the second alignment feature are secured together, and
(iii) a sleeve disposed about the first frame member and the second frame member, wherein the sleeve comprises a complementary alignment feature configured to directly engage both the first alignment feature and the second alignment feature to rotationally and longitudinally align the sleeve with the first frame member and the second frame member.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first frame member comprises a first proximal end, wherein the second frame member comprises a second proximal end, wherein the first proximal end is distal relative to the second proximal end.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the first frame member comprises a first distal end, wherein the second frame member comprises a second distal end, wherein the first distal end and the second distal end are located at the same longitudinal position.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the complementary alignment feature comprises a notch dimensioned to house the first alignment feature and the second alignment feature.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the notch comprises an arched profile.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the first alignment feature and the second alignment feature together form a complementary profile as compared to the arched profile of the notch.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a body, wherein the shaft assembly extends distally from the body.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw, wherein the second jaw is configured to pivot relative to the first jaw between an open configuration and a closed configuration.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the end effector is configured to transmit RF energy to tissue.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the end effector further comprises a translating blade.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sleeve comprises a longitudinally extending spine and a plurality of ribs extending from the longitudinally extending spine.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein adjacent ribs of the plurality of ribs and the longitudinally extending spine define a respective widened lobe.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of ribs further defines a concave bend on an exterior surface of the sleeve.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a handle assembly, wherein the shaft assembly extends distally from the handle assembly.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the shaft assembly comprises an outer sheath, wherein the outer sheath comprises a distal end, wherein a proximal end of the second frame member is configured to mate with the distal end of the outer sheath to rotationally align the articulation drive assembly with the shaft assembly.

16. An apparatus comprising:
(a) a shaft assembly defining a longitudinal axis;
(b) an end effector located distally relative to the shaft assembly;
(c) an articulation drive assembly configured to actuate relative to the shaft assembly; and
(d) an articulation section longitudinally interposed between a distal end of the shaft assembly and a proximal end of the end effector, wherein the articulation section is configured to flex between a straight configuration and an articulated configuration in response to actuation of the articulation drive assembly relative to the shaft assembly, wherein the articulation section comprises:
(i) a first frame member having a first distal end fixed to a portion of the end effector and a first proximal end fixed to a portion of the shaft assembly,
(ii) a second frame member having a second distal end fixed to the portion of the end effector and a second proximal end, wherein the first and second frame members are both configured to flex at a first proximal-most longitudinal position of flexure, wherein the first frame member and the second frame member are fixedly attached to each other with the longitudinal axis disposed directly therebetween while the articulation section is in the straight configuration, and
(iii) a sleeve disposed about the first and second frame members, wherein the sleeve defines an array of slits, wherein each slit of the array of slits is located at a different longitudinal location, wherein the array of slits comprises a proximal-most slit, wherein the sleeve is configured to flex at a second proximal-most longitudinal position of flexure located at the proximal-most slit, wherein the first and second proximal-most longitudinal positions of flexure are longitudinally offset from each other.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein each slit of the array of slits terminates at a widened lobe.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the first proximal-most longitudinal position of flexure comprises a first wall associated with the first frame member and a second wall associated with the second frame member.

19. An apparatus comprising:
(a) a shaft assembly defining a longitudinal axis;
(b) an end effector located distally relative to the shaft assembly; and
(c) an articulation section longitudinally interposed between a distal end of the shaft assembly and a proximal end of the end effector, wherein the articulation section is configured to flex to thereby provide deflection of the end effector away from the longitudinal axis of the shaft assembly, wherein the articulation section comprises:
(i) a first frame member having a distal end fixed to a portion of the end effector and a proximal end fixed to a portion of the shaft assembly,
(ii) a second frame member having a distal end fixed to the portion of the end effector and a proximal end, wherein the second frame member comprises a laterally presented side that faces an interior of the first frame member and the longitudinal axis while the articulation section is in a straight configuration, wherein the first frame member and the second frame member are fixedly secured to each other, and
(iii) a plate fixedly secured to the laterally presented side of the second frame member such that the plate is between the first frame member and the second frame member.

Assignees

• Cilag Gmbh Int

Inventors

• Otrembiak Candice
• Boudreaux Chad P
• Worrell Barry C
• Cummings Nathan
• Kallenberger Kris E
• Lamping Michael R

Classifications

• A61B2018/0063

  Sealing · CPC title

• A61B2018/00619

  Welding · CPC title

• A61B2018/00601

  Cutting · CPC title

• A61B17/3205

  Excision instruments · CPC title

• A61B2017/2927

  the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft · CPC title