Stapler with composite cardan and screw drive

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12359696-B2
Application number	US-202117176986-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 16, 2021
Priority date	Nov 13, 2015
Publication date	Jul 15, 2025
Grant date	Jul 15, 2025

Abstract

A universal double joint is provided comprising: a drive rotatable bearing having a first spherical surface formed of a plastic material; a proximal metal cross pin configured to receive an imparted drive force and to impart the imparted drive force to the first rotatable bearing; a driven rotatable bearing having a second spherical surface formed of a plastic material; and a distal metal cross pin configured to receive the imparted drive force and to impart the imparted drive force to the second rotatable bearing.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A universal double joint comprising:
a drive rotatable bearing having a first surface and comprising a proximal transverse bore;
a proximal cross pin configured to receive an imparted drive force and to impart the imparted drive force to the drive rotatable bearing, wherein the proximal cross pin extends within the proximal transverse bore such that the drive rotatable bearing is rotatably mounted thereon;
a drive shaft configured to receive the imparted force and including a drive clevis;
a driven rotatable bearing having a second spherical surface and comprising a distal transverse bore;
a distal metal cross pin configured to receive the imparted drive force and to impart the imparted drive force to the driven rotatable bearing, wherein the distal cross pin extends within the distal transverse bore such that the driven rotatable bearing is rotatably mounted thereon; and
a driven shaft including a driven clevis.

2. The universal double joint of claim 1 ,
wherein the drive rotatable bearing includes a first axial engagement structure;
wherein the driven rotatable bearing includes a second axial engagement structure; and
wherein the first and second axial engagement structures are configured to engage each other.

3. The universal double joint of claim 2 ,
wherein the first axial engagement structure includes a first spherical gear structure; and
wherein the second axial engagement structure includes a second spherical gear structure.

4. A surgical stapling instrument comprising the universal double joint of claim 1 .

5. A universal double joint comprising:
a sleeve member defining a proximal end opening and a distal end opening;
a drive rotatable bearing including a first partially spherical outer surface portion sized to fit within the proximal end opening for smooth partial rotation therein and including a first axial engagement structure and a proximal transverse bore;
a proximal cross pin configured to receive an imparted drive force and to impart the imparted drive force to the sleeve member, and to the drive rotatable bearing, wherein the proximal cross pin extends within the proximal transverse bore such that the drive rotatable bearing is rotatably mounted thereon;
a drive shaft configured to receive the imparted force and including a drive clevis;
a driven rotatable bearing formed of a plastic material and including a partially second spherical outer surface portion sized to fit within the distal end opening for smooth partial rotation therein and including a second engagement structure and a distal transverse bore;
a distal cross pin configured to receive the imparted drive force and to impart the imparted drive force to the sleeve member and to the driven rotatable bearing, wherein the distal cross pin extends within the distal transverse bore such that the driven rotatable bearing is rotatably mounted thereon; and
a driven shaft including a driven clevis;
wherein the first and second axial engagement structures are configured to engage each other.

6. The universal double joint of claim 5 ,
wherein the first axial engagement structure includes a first gear teeth; and
wherein the second axial engagement structure includes second gear teeth.

7. The universal double joint of claim 5 ,
wherein the first axial engagement structure includes a first spherical gear structure; and
wherein the second axial engagement structure includes a second spherical gear structure.

8. The universal double joint of claim 5 ,
wherein the drive rotatable bearing is formed of injection molded plastic material; and
wherein the driven rotatable bearing is formed of injection molded plastic material.

9. The universal double joint of claim 5 ,
wherein the first axial engagement structure includes a first gear teeth;
wherein the second axial engagement structure includes second gear teeth;
wherein the drive rotatable bearing is formed of injection molded plastic material; and
wherein the driven rotatable bearing is formed of injection molded plastic material.

10. The universal double joint of claim 5 ,
wherein the first axial engagement structure includes a first spherical gear structure;
wherein the second axial engagement structure includes a second gear structure;
wherein the drive rotatable bearing is formed of injection molded plastic material; and
wherein the driven rotatable bearing is formed of injection molded plastic material.

11. The universal double joint of claim 5 ,
wherein the proximal cross pin is configured to receive the imparted drive force from the drive shaft and to impart the imparted drive force to the sleeve member, and to the drive rotatable bearing; and
wherein the distal pin cross is configured to receive the imparted drive force from the drive shaft and to impart the imparted drive force to the sleeve member, to the driven rotatable bearing and to the driven shaft.

12. The universal double joint of claim 11 ,
wherein the first axial engagement structure includes a first gear teeth;
wherein the second axial engagement structure includes second gear teeth;
wherein the first gear teeth and the second gear teeth are spherically oriented to eliminate rotational speed differences between the drive shaft and the driven shaft.

13. The universal double joint of claim 5
wherein the proximal cross pin defines a proximal cross pin bore;
wherein the distal cross pin defines a distal cross pin bore; further including:
wherein the proximal cross pin is mounted between opposed arms of a proximal clevis;
wherein the distal cross pin is mounted between opposed arms of the distal clevis;
wherein the drive rotatable bearing is mounted for rotation about the proximal cross pin; and
wherein the driven rotatable bearing is mounted for rotation about the distal cross pin;
a proximal metal coupling pin extending through the proximal cross pin bore and having opposite ends abutting the sleeve member adjacent to the proximal opening; and
a distal metal coupling pin extending through the distal cross pin bore and having opposite ends abutting the sleeve member adjacent to the distal opening.

14. The universal double joint of claim 13 ,
wherein the drive rotatable bearing defines a slot sized to permit passage of the proximal metal coupling pin during rotation of the drive rotatable bearing about the proximal cross pin;
wherein the driven rotatable bearing defines a slot sized to permit passage of the distal metal coupling pin during rotation of the driven rotatable bearing about the distal metal cross pin.

15. A universal double joint comprising:
a first rotatable bearing having a first surface;
a proximal cross pin configured to receive an imparted drive force and to impart the imparted drive force to the first rotatable bearing;
a first shaft configured to receive the imparted force and including a first clevis;
a second rotatable bearing having a second surface;
a distal cross pin configured to receive the imparted drive force and to impart the imparted drive force to the second rotatable bearing, wherein the distal cross pin is mounted between opposed arms of the second clevis and the first rotatable bearing is mounted for rotation about the proximal cross pin; and
a second shaft including a second clevis.

16. The universal double joint of claim 15 ,
wherein the proximal cross pin defines a proximal cross pin bore; and
wherein the distal cross pin defines a distal cross pin bore.

17. The universal double joint of claim 15 , wherein the first and second rotatable bearings comp

Assignees

• Intuitive Surgical Operations

Inventors

• Wixey Matthew A

Classifications

• A61B2017/0069

  with universal joint, cardan joint · CPC title

• A61B2017/07285

  characterised by its cutter · CPC title

• A61B2017/2933

  camming or guiding means · CPC title

• A61B2017/2927

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

• A61B2017/2903

  transferring rotary motion · CPC title