Control features for motorized surgical stapling instrument

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9907552-B2
Application number	US-201314033751-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 23, 2013
Priority date	Sep 23, 2013
Publication date	Mar 6, 2018
Grant date	Mar 6, 2018

Abstract

An apparatus includes a body, a motorized end effector, and a control system. The end effector extends distally from the body and comprises a stapling assembly operable to drive staples into tissue. The control system is in communication with the end effector. The control system comprises a motor, a firing trigger, a switch assembly, and a movable member in communication with the firing trigger. A resilient member is engaged with the movable member. The firing trigger and the resilient member are configured to cooperate to move the movable member into engagement with the switch to thereby activate the motor. The switch assembly is configured to couple a power source with the motor to thereby activate the motor in response to actuation of the firing trigger.

First claim

We claim:

1. A surgical apparatus, comprising:
(a) a body;
(b) an end effector extending distally from the body, wherein the end effector comprises a stapling assembly operable to drive staples into tissue; and
(c) a control system in communication with the end effector, wherein the control system comprises:
(i) a motor operable to drive the stapling assembly,
(ii) a firing trigger,
(iii) a switch assembly comprising a switch in communication with the motor,
(iv) a movable member, wherein the movable member is rotatable about an axis, and
(v) a resilient member engaged with the movable member, wherein the resilient member is configured to urge the movable member in a direction toward and into engagement with the switch to thereby activate the motor,
wherein the firing trigger is operable to drive the movable member through a first range of angular motion,
wherein the resilient member is operable to drive the movable member through a second range of angular motion,
wherein the first range and the second range are contiguous.

2. The surgical apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the movable member is configured to disengage the firing trigger while traveling through the second range of angular motion.

3. The surgical apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the resilient member comprises a leaf spring configured to bear against the movable member.

4. The surgical apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the resilient member includes an imaginary center line extending transversely through resilient member, wherein a portion of the movable member abuts the resilient member under or at the center line of the resilient member through the first range of angular motion, wherein the portion of the movable member abuts the resilient member over or at the center line of the resilient member through the second range of angular motion.

5. The surgical apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the movable member is configured to engage the switch while traveling through the second range of angular motion.

6. The surgical apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a safety trigger configured to selectively cover the firing trigger.

7. The surgical apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the firing trigger is movable in a first direction to move the movable member to actuate the switch assembly in a first actuation, wherein the movable member is configured to prevent the firing trigger from actuating the switch assembly subsequent to the first actuation.

8. The surgical apparatus of claim 1 , the control system further comprising a battery.

9. The surgical apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the control system further comprises a power sink configured to discharge the battery, wherein the power sink comprises a resistor or a light.

10. The surgical apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the stapling assembly is operable to drive staples in an annular array.

11. The surgical apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a rotary drive member coupling the motor with the stapling assembly, wherein the rotary drive member and the stapling assembly are configured to complete a full actuation stroke based on a single revolution of the rotary drive member.

12. The surgical apparatus of claim 1 , the control system further comprising a battery positioned in the body, wherein the switch assembly is operable to selectively couple the motor with the battery.

13. The surgical apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the switch assembly comprises a first switch and a second switch, wherein the first switch and the second switch are switchable between a set of states including a pre-firing state, a firing state, and an exhausted state.

14. A surgical apparatus, comprising:
(a) a body;
(b) an end effector extending distally from the body, wherein the end effector comprises a stapling assembly operable to drive staples into tissue; and
(c) a control system in communication with the end effector, wherein the control system comprises:
(i) a motor operable to drive the stapling assembly,
(ii) a firing trigger,
(iii) a switch assembly comprising a switch in communication with the motor,
(iv) a movable member, and
(v) a resilient member engaged with the movable member;
wherein the movable member is configured to move in a direction through a first stage of movement, and in the same direction through a second stage of movement to engage the switch and thereby activate the motor,
wherein the firing trigger is configured to move the movable member through the first stage, wherein the resilient member is configured to move the movable member through the second stage.

15. The surgical apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the movable member includes an engagement fin configured to abut the resilient member as the movable member moves through the first stage and the second stage.

16. The surgical apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the movable member includes an actuating arm configured to engage the switch and thereby activate the motor as the movable member moves through the second stage.

17. The surgical apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the firing trigger is configured to be disabled in the second stage.

18. A surgical apparatus, comprising:
(a) a body;
(b) an end effector extending distally from the body, wherein the end effector comprises a stapling assembly operable to drive staples into tissue; and
(c) a control system in communication with the end effector, wherein the control system comprises:
(i) a motor operable to drive the stapling assembly,
(ii) a firing trigger,
(iii) a switch assembly comprising a switch in communication with the motor,
(iv) a movable member having an engagement fin, and
(v) a resilient member abutting the engagement fin of the movable member;
wherein the engagement fin is configured to move through a first stage and a second stage to engage the switch and thereby activate the motor,
wherein the firing trigger is movable to an actuated position to couple with and move the engagement fin through the first stage,
wherein the resilient member is configured to move the engagement fin through the second stage,
wherein the engagement fin is configured to decouple from the firing trigger during the second stage while the firing trigger remains in the actuated position.

19. The surgical apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the movable member is rotatable about an axis through at least the first stage.

20. The surgical apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the movable member further includes a cam pin positioned to contact the firing trigger in the actuated position to thereby rotate the movable member through the first stage.

Assignees

• Ethicon Endo Surgery Inc
• Ethicon Llc

Inventors

• Measamer John P
• Leimbach Richard L

Classifications

• A61B2090/0814

  Preventing re-use · 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

• A61B2090/08021

  of the patient or his organs · CPC title

• A61B2017/00734

  battery operated · CPC title

• A61B2090/0811

  for the position of a particular part of an instrument with respect to the rest of the instrument, e.g. position of the anvil of a stapling instrument · CPC title