Jaw closure feature for end effector of surgical instrument

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9839421-B2
Application number	US-201313780120-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 28, 2013
Priority date	Feb 28, 2013
Publication date	Dec 12, 2017
Grant date	Dec 12, 2017

Abstract

An end effector for use with a surgical instrument includes a first jaw, a second jaw, and a closure ring. The second jaw is pivotable relative to the first jaw. The second jaw has a proximal end with a first ramped surface and a second ramped surface distal of the first ramped surface. The closure ring is coupled with the second jaw to engage the first and second ramped surfaces of the second jaw. The closure ring translates from a proximal position to a distal position to engage the first ramped surface of the second jaw and then the second ramped surface of the second jaw. The camming engagement of the closure ring with the first and second ramped surfaces of the second jaw pivots the second jaw toward the first jaw. The closure ring may also provide camming engagement to pivot the second jaw away from the first jaw.

First claim

We claim:

1. An end effector for use with a surgical instrument, the end effector comprising:
(a) a first jaw;
(b) a second jaw pivotable relative to the first jaw, wherein the second jaw comprises a proximal end, wherein the proximal end comprises:
(i) a first engagement feature having a first ramped surface on a central portion of the proximal end of the second jaw,
(ii) a second engagement feature having a second ramped surface on at least one side portion of the proximal end of the second jaw, wherein the second engagement feature is distal to the first engagement feature, and
(iii) a third engagement feature, wherein the third engagement feature comprises a wall extending upwardly from a distal end of the first ramped surface; and

(c) a closure ring coupled with the second jaw, wherein the closure ring is translatable relative to the first jaw, wherein the closure ring is configured to first engage the first engagement feature and then engage the second engagement feature of the second jaw as the closure ring translates distally relative to the first jaw to thereby pivot the second jaw relative to the first jaw.

2. The end effector of claim 1 , wherein the proximal end of the second jaw has a first side portion and a second side portion, wherein the second side portion is opposed to the first side portion, wherein the second ramped surface is positioned on the first side portion of the proximal end of the second jaw, wherein the second engagement feature further comprises a third ramped surface, wherein the third ramped surface is positioned on the second side portion of the proximal end of the second jaw.

3. The end effector of claim 1 , wherein the closure ring is configured to transfer a mechanical load from the first engagement feature to the second engagement feature when the closure ring translates distally.

4. The end effector of claim 1 , wherein the wall comprises a curved profile.

5. The end effector of claim 1 , wherein a distal end of the closure ring comprises a wall, wherein the wall of the closure ring is configured to engage the third engagement feature of the second jaw after the closure ring has engaged the first engagement feature and the second engagement feature.

6. The end effector of claim 5 , wherein the closure ring is configured to transfer a mechanical load from the second engagement feature to the third engagement feature when the closure ring translates distally.

7. The end effector of claim 1 , wherein the second ramped surface slopes proximally downwardly.

8. The end effector of claim 7 , wherein the closure ring comprises a protrusion, wherein the second jaw comprises a third ramped surface extending downwardly in a proximal direction, wherein the protrusion extends upwardly such that the protrusion is configured to engage the third ramped surface of the second jaw.

9. The end effector of claim 8 , wherein the protrusion of the closure ring is configured to translate along the third ramped surface of the second jaw when the closure ring is translated from a distal position to a proximal position, wherein the closure ring is operable to pivot the second jaw away from the first jaw when the closure ring is translated from the distal position to the proximal position.

10. The end effector of claim 9 , wherein the surgical instrument comprises a shaft, wherein the end effector is coupled to the shaft, wherein the shaft comprises an articulation feature operable to translate the end effector from a first position where the end effector and shaft are longitudinally aligned to a second position where a longitudinal axis of the end effector is obliquely oriented relative to a longitudinal axis of the shaft.

11. The end effector of claim 10 , wherein the surgical instrument comprises a handle portion, wherein the handle portion is coupled to the shaft, wherein the handle portion comprises an actuator operable to translate the closure ring.

12. The end effector of claim 1 , wherein the end effector is operable to staple tissue between the first and second jaws.

13. A method for closing an end effector, wherein the end effector comprises a first jaw, a second jaw pivotable relative to the first jaw, and a closure ring, wherein a proximal end of the second jaw comprises a first ramped surface and a second ramped surface, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) translating the closure ring relative to the first jaw in a distal direction such that the closure ring engages the first ramped surface to pivot the second jaw toward the first jaw;
(b) further translating the closure ring relative to the first jaw in the distal direction such that the closure ring engages the second ramped surface after the closure ring engages the first ramped surface, wherein the closure ring engaging the second ramp surface pivots the second jaw toward the first jaw, wherein the second ramped surface is laterally offset from the first ramped surface; and
(c) further translating the closure ring relative to the first jaw in the distal direction such that the closure ring engages a wall extending upwardly from the first ramped surface such that the closure ring maintains the second jaw in a closed position.

14. An end effector for use with a surgical instrument, the end effector comprising:
(a) a first jaw;
(b) a second jaw pivotable relative to the first jaw, wherein the second jaw comprises a proximal end, wherein the proximal end comprises:
(i) a central portion,
(ii) a first side portion,
(iii) a second side portion, wherein the second side portion is opposed to the first side portion,
(iv) a first engagement feature located on the central portion,
(v) a second engagement feature located on one or both of the first side portion and the second side portion, and
(vi) a third engagement feature located on the central portion distally relative to the first engagement feature, wherein the third engagement feature comprises a vertical wall having a curved profile located distally from the first engagement feature;

(c) a closure ring coupled with the second jaw, wherein the closure ring is translatable to the first jaw, wherein the closure ring is configured to translate a first range of motion and a second range of motion relative to the first jaw to thereby pivot the second jaw relative to the first jaw, wherein the closure ring is configured to engage the first engagement feature without engaging the second engagement feature while traveling the first range of motion, wherein the closure ring is configured to engage the second engagement feature while traveling the second range of motion; wherein the closure ring is configured to abut against the third engagement feature when the closure ring reaches the end of the second range of motion.

15. The end effector of claim 14 , wherein the first engagement feature comprises a first sloped surface.

16. The end effector of claim 15 , wherein the second engagement feature comprises a second sloped surface located on the first side portion and a third sloped surface located on the second side portion.

17. The end effector of claim 14 , wherein the third engagement feature is configured to laterally align the second jaw relative to the first jaw.

Assignees

• Ethicon Endo Surgery Inc
• Ethicon Llc

Inventors

• Zerkle Jason E
• Simms Robert J
• Hoffman Douglas B
• Dunki-Jacobs Adam R

Classifications

• A61B2017/2927

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

• A61B17/07207 Primary

  the staples being applied sequentially · CPC title

• A61B2017/2936

  Pins in guiding slots · CPC title

• A61B17/068 Primary

  Surgical staplers {, e.g. containing multiple staples or clamps}({staplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105;} for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; {staplers in general B25C5/00}) · CPC title

• A61B2017/07257

  characterised by its anvil · CPC title