Surgical Jaw Coupling Methods and Devices

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016270807-A1
Application number	US-201514659107-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 16, 2015
Priority date	Mar 16, 2015
Publication date	Sep 22, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A surgical end effector is provided having upper and lower jaws pivotally coupled to one another by at least one connecting member that is configured to allow a gap between the jaws to be set at a desired height. In one embodiment, the connecting member can be pivotably coupled to the upper jaw and fixed within a slot in the lower jaw. The connecting member can be fixed within the slot in one of multiple positions so as to position first and second tissue contacting surfaces of the upper and lower jaws at a predetermined distance from one another when the first and second jaws are in the closed position. The connecting member can include a pin formed thereon that extends into a bore formed in the upper jaw. Alternatively, the upper jaw can include a pin formed thereon that extends into a bore formed in the connecting member.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A surgical end effector, comprising:
first and second jaws pivotally coupled to one another, each jaw having a tissue contacting surface, and the first and second jaws being movable between an open position in which the tissue contacting surfaces are spaced apart and a closed position in which the tissue contacting surfaces are configured to engage tissue therebetween; a connecting member pivotally coupled to the first jaw and disposed within a slot formed in the second jaw, the connecting member being fixed within the slot at one of a plurality of positions so as to position the first and second tissue contacting surfaces at a predetermined distance from one another when the first and second jaws are in the closed position, the connecting member allowing pivotal movement of the jaws between the open and closed positions.

2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the connecting member includes a pin formed thereon that extends into a bore formed in the first jaw.

3 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the first jaw includes a pin formed thereon that extends into a bore formed in the connecting member.

4 . The device of claim 1 , wherein, prior to being fixed to the second jaw, the connecting member is configured to slide within the slot in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first and second jaws.

5 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the connecting member comprises a first connecting member, the slot comprises a first slot, and the device further includes a second connecting member pivotally coupled to the first jaw and disposed within a second slot formed in the second jaw, the connecting member being fixed within the second slot at one of a plurality of positions so as to position the first and second tissue contacting surfaces at a predetermined distance from one another when the first and second jaws are in the closed position, the first and second connecting members allowing pivotal movement of the jaws between the open and closed positions.

6 . The device of claim 5 , wherein the first and second slots are formed in opposite sides of the second jaw.

7 . The device of claim 5 , further comprising a bridge extending between the first and second connecting members.

8 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the second jaw is a stationary jaw and the first jaw is a movable jaw that is configured to pivot relative to the second jaw.

9 . A method of manufacturing an end effector, comprising:
positioning a tissue contacting surface of a first jaw in facing relation with a tissue contacting surface of a second jaw; coupling a connecting member to each of the first and second jaws; adjusting a gap between the tissue contact surfaces of the first and second jaws, the connecting member sliding within a slot in the second jaw during adjustment of the gap; and fixedly mating the connecting member to the second jaw to prevent sliding of the connecting member within the slot and to thereby set the gap between the tissue contacting surfaces of the first and second jaws, the connecting member allowing the first and second jaws to pivotally move between open and closed positions when the connecting member is fixedly mated to the second jaw.

10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the connecting member comprises a first connecting member that is coupled to a first side of each of the first and second jaws, and the method further comprises coupling a second connecting member to a second side, opposite to the first side, of each of the first and second jaws, and fixedly mating the second connecting member to the second jaw to prevent sliding of the second connecting member within the slot and to thereby set the gap between the tissue contacting surfaces of the first and second jaws.

11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein coupling the connecting member to each of the first and second jaws comprises inserting a pin formed on the connecting member into a bore formed in the first jaw, and sliding the connecting member into a slot formed in the second jaw.

12 . The method of claim 9 , wherein coupling the connecting member to each of the first and second jaws comprises inserting a pin formed on the first jaw into a bore formed in the connecting member, and sliding the connecting member into a slot formed in the second jaw.

13 . The method of claim 9 , wherein coupling the connecting member to the first and second jaws comprises coupling a first end of the connecting member to a first side of each of the first and second jaws, and coupling a second end of the connecting member to a second side of the first and second jaws that is opposite to the first side, wherein a bridge extends between the first and second ends of the connecting member.

14 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising inserting a spacer between the tissue contacting surfaces of the first and second jaws to adjust a vertical position of the connecting member within the slot.

15 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the connecting member is fixedly mated to the second jaw by at least one of welding, application of an adhesive, or application of thermoplastic overmold.

16 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the tissue contacting surfaces of the first and second jaws are maintained in a substantially parallel orientation relative to one another when the gap is adjusted.

17 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the connecting member is prevented from sliding within the slot prior to positioning the tissue contacting surfaces of the first and second jaws in facing relation with each other.

Assignees

• Ethicon Endo Surgery Llc

Inventors

• Worrell Barry Christian
• Kallenberger Kris
• Stewart Randolph Charles
• Lesko Jason R
• Shaw William Doug

Classifications

• A61B2018/1455

  having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws · CPC title

• A61B2017/00526

  Methods of manufacturing · CPC title

• A61B17/282

  Jaws · CPC title

• A61B2017/2939

  Details of linkages or pivot points · CPC title

• A61B17/2816 Primary

  Pivots · CPC title