Articulatable surgical instruments with conductive pathways for signal communication

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017007255-A1
Application number	US-201615274971-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Sep 23, 2016
Priority date	Mar 1, 2013
Publication date	Jan 12, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

A cover for an articulation joint that is supported in an elongate shaft assembly of a surgical instrument that is operably coupled to a surgical end effector that includes at least one end effector conductor therein. The cover includes at least one electrically conductive pathway that extends from the distal end of the cover to form an electrically conductive pathway from the end effector conductor to a shaft conductor on the elongate shaft assembly while facilitating operation of the articulation joint. Various conductor arrangements facilitating the passage of electrical current between an end effector to a control system across the articulation joint are also disclosed.

First claim

1 - 20 . (canceled)

21 . A surgical instrument, comprising:
a handle assembly comprising a plurality of electric motors; a shaft module releasably connected to the handle assembly, wherein the shaft module comprises a plurality of shaft members corresponding to the plurality of electric motors, wherein each electric motor is coupled to a separate shaft member, and wherein at least two of the electric motors are simultaneously coupled to corresponding shaft members as the shaft module is connected to the handle assembly; an end effector connected to the shaft module; a battery positionable within the handle assembly and configured to supply power to the electric motors; and a control system positioned within the handle assembly and configured to control operation of the electric motors.

22 . The surgical instrument of claim 21 , wherein the handle assembly is slidingly engaged with the shaft module.

23 . The surgical instrument of claim 22 , wherein the handle assembly and the shaft module collectively define a slidable axis.

24 . The surgical instrument of claim 23 , wherein:
the handle assembly further comprises a motor mount; the electric motors comprise corresponding motor shafts positioned in the handle assembly, wherein the motor shafts are parallel to the slidable axis; and the motor shafts are supported by the motor mount.

25 . The surgical instrument of claim 21 , wherein the plurality of shaft members comprise at least two of the following:
a first shaft member configured to articulate the shaft module; and a second shaft member configured to rotate the shaft module.

26 . The surgical instrument of claim 21 , wherein the shaft module comprises an articulation joint.

27 . The surgical instrument of claim 26 , wherein the end effector is rotatable.

28 . The surgical instrument of claim 21 , wherein the control system is further configured to operate multiple of the shaft members concurrently.

29 . A surgical instrument, comprising:
a handle assembly comprising:
a plurality of electric motors;
a battery configured to supply power to the electric motors; and
a control system configured to control operation of the electric motors;
a shaft assembly detachably connected to the handle assembly, wherein the shaft assembly comprises a plurality of shaft members corresponding to the plurality of electric motors, wherein each electric motor is coupled to a different shaft member, and wherein at least two of the electric motors are simultaneously coupled to corresponding shaft members as the shaft assembly is connected to the handle assembly; and an end effector connected to the shaft assembly.

30 . The surgical instrument of claim 29 , wherein the handle assembly is slidingly engaged with the shaft assembly.

31 . The surgical instrument of claim 29 , wherein:
the handle assembly further comprises a motor mount; the electric motors comprise corresponding motor shafts which are parallel to a slidable axis collectively defined by the handle assembly and the shaft assembly; and the motor shafts are supported by the motor mount.

32 . The surgical instrument of claim 29 , wherein the plurality of shaft members comprise at least two of the following:
a first shaft member configured to articulate the shaft assembly; and a second shaft member configured to rotate the shaft assembly.

33 . The surgical instrument of claim 29 , wherein the control system is further configured to operate multiple of the shaft members concurrently.

34 . The surgical instrument of claim 29 , wherein:
the shaft assembly is articulable; and the end effector is rotatable.

35 . A surgical instrument, comprising:
a plurality of electric motors; a modular shaft assembly comprising a plurality of shaft members releasably coupled to the plurality of electric motors, wherein each electric motor is coupled to a different shaft member, and wherein at least two of the electric motors are simultaneously coupled to corresponding shaft members as the plurality of electric motors are coupled to the plurality of shaft members; an end effector connected to the modular shaft assembly; a power source configured to supply power to the electric motors; and a control system positioned within the surgical instrument and configured to control operation of the electric motors.

36 . The surgical instrument of claim 35 , wherein the plurality of shaft members comprise at least two of the following:
a first shaft member configured to articulate the modular shaft assembly; and a second shaft member configured to rotate the modular shaft assembly.

37 . The surgical instrument of claim 35 , wherein the power source comprises a battery positioned within the surgical instrument.

38 . The surgical instrument of claim 35 , wherein the control system is further configured to operate at least two of the shaft members concurrently.

Assignees

• Ethicon Endo Surgery Llc

Inventors

• Jaworek Gary S
• Koch Jr Robert L
• Auld Michael D

Classifications

• A61B2017/00106

  ultrasonic · CPC title

• A61B2017/00123

  and automatic shutdown · CPC title

• A61B90/98

  using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders · CPC title

• A61B17/07207 Primary

  the staples being applied sequentially · CPC title

• A61B2017/00734

  battery operated · CPC title