Electrosurgical device with disposable shaft having rack and pinion drive

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017367702-A1
Application number	US-201715642840-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 6, 2017
Priority date	Mar 13, 2013
Publication date	Dec 28, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

An apparatus comprises an end effector, a shaft assembly, and an interface assembly. The end effector is coupled with the shaft assembly. The shaft assembly comprises a translating member extending through the shaft assembly. The interface assembly is operable to engage the shaft assembly and comprises a plurality of drive shafts and a rack. One of the drive shafts is operable to drive the rack along a path that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft assembly. A plurality of racks may be used to rotate the shaft assembly, articulate the shaft assembly, and/or drive the translating member through the shaft assembly to thereby actuate the end effector.

First claim

1 - 20 . (canceled)

21 . An apparatus for operating on tissue, the apparatus comprising:
(a) a surgical end effector; (b) a shaft assembly, wherein the surgical end effector is coupled with the shaft assembly, wherein the shaft assembly defines a longitudinal axis, wherein the shaft assembly comprises a translating member extending through the shaft assembly, wherein the translating member is movable parallel to the longitudinal axis; and (c) an interface assembly structured and positioned to engage the shaft assembly, wherein the interface assembly comprises:
(i) an elongate beam in communication with the translating member,
(ii) a drive shaft, wherein the drive shaft is rotatable about a drive shaft axis, and
(iii) a spur gear in communication with the drive shaft, wherein the spur gear is further in communication with the elongate beam, wherein the spur gear is structured and positioned to drive the elongate beam along a path that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft assembly.

22 . The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the shaft assembly comprises a tube, wherein the tube defines a slot therein, wherein the elongate beam is structured and positioned to communicate with the translating member through the slot.

23 . The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the interface assembly comprises a ring extending around the tube, wherein the elongate beam is secured to the ring.

24 . The apparatus of claim 23 , wherein the ring comprises a ring block extending into the slot, wherein the ring block is secured to the translating member.

25 . The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the interface assembly comprises a rack secured to the elongate beam, wherein the spur gear is in communication with the rack.

26 . The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the shaft assembly comprises an articulation section, wherein the elongate beam is structured and positioned to deflect the surgical end effector from the longitudinal axis at the articulation section.

27 . The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the interface assembly comprises a base portion and a housing portion, wherein the drive shaft is integral with the base portion, wherein the elongate beam is integral with the housing portion.

28 . The apparatus of claim 27 , wherein the shaft assembly is integral with the housing portion.

29 . The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the drive shaft is secured to a drive disc having at least one coupling pin, wherein the at least one coupling pin is configured to couple with a dock of a robotic drive system.

30 . The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the drive shaft is positioned on one lateral side of the shaft assembly.

31 . The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the drive shaft and the spur gear are coaxial.

32 . The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the elongate beam includes a longitudinal beam axis, wherein the drive shaft axis and the longitudinal beam axis are orthogonal.

33 . The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the spur gear is rotatable about the drive shaft axis.

34 . The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the elongate beam is a first elongate beam, wherein the interface assembly comprises a second elongate beam, wherein the spur gear is in communication with the second elongate beam.

35 . The apparatus of claim 34 , wherein the spur gear is structured and positioned to simultaneously drive the first elongate beam in a first direction and the second elongate beam in a second direction.

36 . A method comprising:
(a) rotating a drive shaft about a drive shaft axis; (b) in response to rotating the drive shaft about the drive shaft axis, rotating spur gear in communication with the drive shaft; (c) in response to rotating the spur gear, driving an elongate beam along a path that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of a shaft assembly; (d) in response to driving the elongate beam along the path, moving a translating member of the shaft assembly parallel to the longitudinal axis; and (e) in response to moving the translating member of the shaft assembly parallel to the longitudinal axis, deflecting a surgical end effector from the longitudinal axis.

37 . The method of claim 36 , further comprising deflecting the surgical end effector from the longitudinal axis at an articulation section of the shaft assembly.

38 . The method of claim 36 , further comprising:
(a) coupling the drive shaft with a dock of a robotic drive system; and (b) actuating the robotic drive system to rotate of the drive shaft.

39 . The method of claim 36 , further comprising rotating the spur gear about the drive shaft axis.

40 . An apparatus for operating on tissue, the apparatus comprising:
(a) a surgical end effector; (b) a shaft assembly, wherein the surgical end effector is coupled with the shaft assembly, wherein the shaft assembly defines a longitudinal axis, wherein the shaft assembly comprises a translating member extending through the shaft assembly, wherein the translating member is movable parallel to the longitudinal axis; and (c) an interface assembly structured and positioned to engage the shaft assembly, wherein the interface assembly comprises:
(i) a drive shaft, wherein the drive shaft is rotatable about a drive shaft axis, and
(ii) a rack in communication with the drive shaft, wherein the rack is further in communication with the shaft assembly, wherein the drive shaft is structured and positioned to drive the rack along a path that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft assembly.

Assignees

• Ethicon Llc

Inventors

• Parihar Shailendra K
• Worrell Barry C
• Martin David T
• White William J
• Johnson Gregory W

Classifications

• A61B17/320092

  with additional movable means for clamping or cutting tissue, e.g. with a pivoting jaw · CPC title

• A61B2017/320093

  additional movable means performing cutting operation · CPC title

• A61B17/07207 Primary

  the staples being applied sequentially · CPC title

• A61B2017/00477

  Coupling (A61B2017/0046 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A61B2017/2903

  transferring rotary motion · CPC title