# US 10,945,752 B2 · Tissue resecting instrument including a rotation lock feature > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,945,752 B2 - Document ID: US10945752B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/359,484 - Filed: 2019-03-20 - Published: 2020-09-24 - Granted: 2021-03-16 - Earliest claimed: 2019-03-20 - Assignees: Covidien LP - Applicants: Covidien LP - Inventors: Timothy J. Wood; Peter F. Marshall - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10945752B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/32002: {with continuously rotating, oscillating or reciprocating cutting instruments} - A61B 17/320783: {through side-hole, e.g. sliding or rotating cutter inside catheter} - A61B 2017/0046: {with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable} - A61B 2017/00477: {Coupling (A61B2017/0046 takes precedence)} - A61B 2017/320024: {Morcellators, e.g. having a hollow cutting tube with an annular cutter for morcellating and removing tissue} - A61B 2017/320032: {Details of the rotating or oscillating shaft, e.g. using a flexible shaft} - A61B 2017/4216: {Operations on uterus, e.g. endometrium} - A61B 2090/035: {preventing further rotation} - A61B 2217/005: with suction drainage system - A61B 2217/007: with irrigation system - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A tissue resecting instrument includes an end effector assembly having a proximal hub housing, a retainer cap extending proximally therefrom, an elongated outer shaft extending distally from the proximal hub housing, an inner cutting shaft rotatably disposed within the elongated outer shaft, and an inner core drive assembly that includes a proximal driver and a distal driver. The distal driver is coupled to the inner cutting shaft such that rotation of the distal driver rotates the inner cutting shaft relative to the elongated outer shaft. The proximal driver is slidable relative to the distal drive between a more-proximal position wherein the proximal driver is engaged with the retainer cap to rotationally fix the proximal driver, thereby rotationally locking the inner cutting shaft, and a more-distal position wherein the proximal driver is disengaged from the retainer cap permitting rotation thereof thereby permitting rotation of the inner cutting shaft. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An end effector assembly of a tissue resecting instrument, the end effector assembly comprising: a proximal hub housing; a retainer cap fixed relative to and extending proximally from the proximal hub housing; an elongated outer shaft fixed relative to and extending distally from the proximal hub housing; an inner cutting shaft extending within and rotatable relative to the elongated outer shaft; and an inner core drive assembly extending at least partially through the retainer cap and the proximal hub housing, the inner core drive assembly including: a proximal driver configured to receive a rotational input; and a distal driver rotationally fixed and slidable relative to the proximal driver, the distal driver coupled to the inner cutting shaft such that rotation of the distal driver rotates the inner cutting shaft relative to the elongated outer shaft, wherein the proximal driver is slidable relative to the distal driver between a more-proximal position wherein the proximal driver is engaged with the retainer cap to rotationally fix the proximal driver relative to the retainer cap, thereby rotationally locking the inner cutting shaft relative to the elongated outer shaft, and a more-distal position wherein the proximal driver is disengaged from the retainer cap to permit rotation of the proximal driver relative to the retainer cap, thereby permitting rotation of the inner cutting shaft relative to the elongated outer shaft. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The end effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the inner core drive assembly further includes a biasing member configured to bias the proximal driver towards the more-proximal position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The end effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the proximal driver includes a proximally-facing cavity configured to receive and rotationally engage a driver rotor configured to provide the rotational input. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The end effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the proximal driver and the distal driver cooperate to define an outflow path disposed in fluid communication with an interior of the inner cutting shaft. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The end effector assembly according to claim 4, wherein the proximal hub housing defines an outflow opening in fluid communication with the outflow path. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The end effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein, in the more-proximal position, a tab of the proximal driver is engaged within a notch of the retainer cap to rotationally fix the proximal driver relative to the retainer cap. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The end effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the elongated outer shaft defines a window at a distal end portion thereof. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The end effector assembly according to claim 7, wherein, in the more-proximal position of the proximal driver, the inner cutting shaft is locked in a closed position relative to the elongated outer shaft wherein the inner cutting shaft blocks the window of the elongated outer shaft. ### Claim 9 A tissue resecting instrument, comprising: a handpiece assembly including a handle housing, a motor disposed within the handle housing, and a drive rotor operably coupled to and extending from the motor; and an end effector assembly configured to releasably engage the handpiece assembly, the end effector assembly including: a proximal hub housing; a retainer cap fixed relative to and extending proximally from the proximal hub housing; an elongated outer shaft fixed relative to and extending distally from the proximal hub housing; an inner cutting shaft extending within and rotatable relative to the elongated outer shaft; and an inner core drive assembly extending at least partially through the retainer cap and the proximal hub housing, the inner core drive assembly including a proximal driver and a distal driver rotationally fixed and slidable relative to the proximal driver, the distal driver coupled to the inner cutting shaft such that rotation of the distal driver rotates the inner cutting shaft relative to the elongated outer shaft, the proximal driver initially disposed in a more-proximal position relative to the distal driver wherein the proximal driver is engaged with the retainer cap to rotationally fix the proximal driver relative to the retainer cap, thereby rotationally locking the inner cutting shaft relative to the elongated outer shaft, wherein, during engagement of the end effector assembly with the handpiece assembly, the drive rotor is operably engaged with the proximal driver and urges the proximal driver to a more-distal position relative to the distal driver wherein the proximal driver is disengaged from the retainer cap to permit rotation of the proximal driver relative to the retainer cap, thereby permitting rotation of the inner cutting shaft relative to the elongated outer shaft. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The tissue resecting instrument according to claim 9, wherein the inner core drive assembly further includes a biasing member configured to bias the proximal driver towards the more-proximal position and wherein, during engagement of the end effector assembly with the handpiece assembly, the drive rotor urges the proximal driver to the more-distal position against the bias of the biasing member. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The tissue resecting instrument according to claim 9, wherein the end effector assembly includes an engagement lever extending from the proximal hub housing, the engagement lever configured to mechanically engage the handle housing of the handpiece assembly to engage the end effector assembly with the handpiece assembly. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The tissue resecting instrument according to claim 9, wherein the proximal driver includes a proximally-facing cavity configured to receive and rotationally engage the driver rotor therein. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The tissue resecting instrument according to claim 12, wherein the drive rotor is configured to bottom-out with the proximally-facing cavity and thereafter urge the proximal driver to the more-distal position during engagement of the end effector assembly with the handpiece assembly. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The tissue resecting instrument according to claim 9, wherein the proximal driver and the distal driver cooperate to define an outflow path disposed in fluid communication with an interior of the inner cutting shaft. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The tissue resecting instrument according to claim 14, wherein the proximal hub housing defines an outflow opening and the handle housing defines an outflow port, the outflow opening and the outflow port disposed in fluid communication with the outflow path. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The tissue resecting instrument according to claim 9, wherein, in the more-proximal position, a tab of the proximal driver is engaged within a notch of the retainer cap to rotationally fix the proximal driver relative to the retainer cap. ### Claim 17 (depends on 9) The tissue resecting instrument according to claim 9, wherein the elongated outer shaft defines a window at a distal end portion thereof. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The tissue resecting instrument according to claim 17, wherein, in the more-proximal position of the proximal driver, the inner cutting shaft is locked in a closed position relative to the elongated outer shaft wherein the inner cutting shaft blocks the window of the elongated outer shaft. ### Claim 19 (depends on 9) The tissue resecting instrument according to claim 9, wherein, with the end effector assembly engaged with the handpiece assembly and the motor activated, the motor is configured to drive rotation of the drive rotor to thereby drive rotation of the proximal and distal drivers and, thus, the inner cutting shaft. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The tissue resecting instrument according to claim 19, wherein, upon subsequent deactivation, the motor is configured to further drive rotation of the drive rotor to thereby drive rotation of the proximal and distal drivers and the inner cutting shaft back to initial positions thereof.