# US 10,945,783 B2 · Surgical instrument with modular shaft and end effector

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- Number: US 10,945,783 B2
- Document ID: US10945783B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/530,009
- Filed: 2019-08-02
- Published: 2020-03-12
- Granted: 2021-03-16
- Earliest claimed: 2010-11-05
- Assignees: Ethicon, Inc.
- Applicants: Ethicon LLC
- Inventors: Kevin L. Houser; Cory G. Kimball; Gavin M. Monson; Richard W. Timm
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10945783B2

## CPC

- A61B 17/320092: {with additional movable means for clamping or cutting tissue, e.g. with a pivoting jaw}
- A61B 17/00234: {for minimally invasive surgery (A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence)}
- A61B 17/2812: {with a single pivotal connection (A61B17/29 takes precedence)}
- A61B 17/320068: {using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic (A61B17/22012 takes precedence; dental tooth drilling devices operated by vibration A61C3/03; removing intra-ocular material using mechanical vibrations A61F9/00745)}
- A61B 18/00: Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body (eye surgery A61F9/007; ear surgery A61F11/00)
- A61B 18/04: by heating (by applying electromagnetic radiation A61B18/18)
- A61B 18/12: by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
- A61B 18/1206: {Generators therefor}
- A61B 18/14: Probes or electrodes therefor
- A61B 18/1442: {Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps}
- A61B 18/1445: {at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod}
- A61B 34/25: {User interfaces for surgical systems}
- A61B 46/10: specially adapted for instruments{, e.g. microscopes}
- A61B 90/08: {Accessories or related features not otherwise provided for}
- A61B 90/40: Apparatus fixed or close to patients specially adapted for providing an aseptic surgical environment
- A61B 90/90: Identification means for patients or instruments, e.g. tags
- A61B 90/98: using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders
- A61N 7/00: Ultrasound therapy (lithotripsy A61B17/22, A61B17/225; massage using supersonic vibration A61H23/00 {; using ultrasound for introducing media into the body A61M37/0092})
- G16H 20/40: relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
- G16H 40/63: for local operation
- H01M 10/46: Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus (circuits for charging H02J7/00)
- H01M 10/48: Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte (constructional details of current conducting connections for detecting conditions inside cells or batteries, e.g. details of voltage sensing terminals, H01M50/569)
- H02J 7/731: {specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries (H02J7/751 takes precedence)}
- H02J 7/751: {concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries}
- H02J 50/10: using inductive coupling
- A61B 17/064: Surgical staples, {i.e. penetrating the tissue}
- A61B 17/285: combined with cutting implements
- A61B 18/1233: {with circuits for assuring patient safety}
- A61B 2017/00017: {Electrical control of surgical instruments}
- A61B 2017/00084: {Temperature}
- A61B 2017/00398: {using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids}
- A61B 2017/0046: {with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable}
- A61B 2017/00473: {Distal part, e.g. tip or head (A61B2017/00464 takes precedence)}
- A61B 2017/00477: {Coupling (A61B2017/0046 takes precedence)}
- A61B 2017/00482: {with a code}
- A61B 2017/00734: {battery operated}
- A61B 2017/0084: {low friction (A61B2017/00853 takes precedence)}
- A61B 2017/291: {the position of the handle being adjustable with respect to the shaft}
- A61B 2017/2929: {with a head rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft}
- A61B 2017/293: {with means preventing relative rotation between the shaft and the actuating rod}
- A61B 2017/2931: {with releasable head}
- A61B 2017/2933: {camming or guiding means}
- A61B 2017/294: {Connection of actuating rod to jaw, e.g. releasable}
- A61B 2017/320069: {for ablating tissue}
- A61B 2017/320071: {with articulating means for working tip}
- A61B 2017/320094: {additional movable means performing clamping operation}
- A61B 2017/320095: {with sealing or cauterizing means}
- A61B 2018/00172: {Connectors and adapters therefor}
- A61B 2018/00178: {Electrical connectors}
- A61B 2018/0019: {vibrating}
- A61B 2018/00589: {Coagulation}
- A61B 2018/00595: {Cauterization}
- A61B 2018/00601: {Cutting}
- A61B 2018/00607: {Coagulation and cutting with the same instrument}
- A61B 2018/0063: {Sealing}
- A61B 2018/00791: {Temperature}
- A61B 2018/00988: {Means for storing information, e.g. calibration constants, or for preventing excessive use, e.g. usage, service life counter}
- A61B 2018/00994: {combining two or more different kinds of non-mechanical energy or combining one or more non-mechanical energies with ultrasound}
- A61B 2018/1226: {powered by a battery}
- A61B 2018/1412: {Blade}
- A61B 2018/1455: {having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws}
- A61B 2090/0803: {Counting the number of times an instrument is used}
- A61B 2090/0813: {Accessories designed for easy sterilising, i.e. re-usable}
- A61B 2090/0814: {Preventing re-use}
- H01M 2220/30: Batteries in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
- H02J 7/82: Control of state of charge [SOC]
- H02J 2105/46: Medical devices, medical implants or life supporting devices
- Y02E 60/10: Energy storage using batteries
- Y10T 29/49005: Acoustic transducer
- Y10T 29/49895: Associating parts by use of aligning means [e.g., use of a drift pin or a "fixture"]
- Y10T 29/53913: Aligner or center
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B)
- G16H: HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA
- H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A surgical instrument operable to sever tissue includes a body assembly and a selectively coupleable end effector assembly. The end effector assembly may include a transmission assembly, an end effector, and a rotational knob operable to rotate the transmission assembly and the end effector. The body assembly includes a trigger and a casing having a distal aperture configured to receive a portion of the end effector assembly. First and second coupling mechanism portions cooperatively couple the end effector assembly to the body assembly for use. The coupling may mechanically and/or electrically couple the end effector assembly to the body assembly via various coupling mechanisms. For instance, a threaded slip nut may couple to threads within the body assembly. In one configuration, the end effector assembly may have locking tabs that rotate into rotational recesses in the body assembly. The locking tabs may include electrical contacts and/or optically perceivable indicators.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A surgical instrument comprising:
(a) a body assembly including:
(i) an aperture disposed at a distal end of the body assembly, and
(ii) a first electrical contact; and
(b) an end effector assembly configured to releasably couple with the body assembly, wherein the end effector assembly includes:
(i) a proximal shaft portion configured to be received through the aperture of the body assembly, wherein the proximal shaft portion includes a second electrical contact configured to electrically and releasably couple with the first electrical contact,
(ii) an energy transmission assembly extending distally from the body assembly, wherein the energy transmission assembly is configured to transmit RF energy distally via the electrical coupling between the first and second electrical contacts, and
(iii) an end effector at a distal end of the energy transmission assembly, wherein the end effector is operable to treat patient tissue with RF energy received from the energy transmission assembly,
wherein the end effector assembly is selectively rotatable relative to the body assembly,
wherein the first and second electrical contacts are configured to remain electrically coupled throughout rotation of the end effector assembly relative to the body assembly.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first electrical contact or the second electrical contact is resiliently biased toward the other of the first electrical contact or the second electrical contact.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The surgical instrument of claim 2, wherein the body assembly further includes a compression spring configured to resiliently bias the first electrical contact toward the second electrical contact.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact define a slip ring electrical connection.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the second electrical contact includes an annular electrical contact.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The surgical instrument of claim 5, wherein the proximal shaft portion includes an annular recess that defines the annular electrical contact.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The surgical instrument of claim 5, wherein the annular electrical contact extends circumferentially about the proximal shaft portion, wherein the first electrical contact extends radially inwardly toward the proximal shaft portion to engage the annular electrical contact.

### Claim 8 (depends on 5)

The surgical instrument of claim 5, wherein the annular electrical contact is disposed on a proximal face of the proximal shaft portion coaxially with a central axis of the proximal shaft portion, wherein the first electrical contact extends distally toward the proximal face to engage the annular electrical contact, wherein the first electrical contact is radially offset from the central axis.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The surgical instrument of claim 8, wherein end effector assembly further includes an additional second electrical contact disposed on the proximal face of the proximal shaft portion, wherein the body assembly further includes an additional first electrical contact that extends distally toward the proximal face to engage the additional second electrical contact.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The surgical instrument of claim 9, wherein the additional second electrical contact is arranged coaxially with a central axis of the proximal shaft portion, wherein the first electrical contact extends coaxially with the central axis.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the second electrical contact is provided on a proximal-most face of the proximal shaft portion.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the body assembly includes a pair of first electrical contacts and the end effector assembly includes a pair of second electrical contacts configured to electrically couple with the first electrical contacts, wherein each of the first electrical contacts is configured to align coaxially with a respective one of the second electrical contacts.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the first electrical contact is configured to threadedly engage the second electrical contact.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the end effector includes a pair of electrodes configured to deliver RF energy to tissue, wherein the body assembly includes a pair of first electrical contacts and the end effector assembly includes a pair of second electrical contacts configured to electrically couple with the first electrical contacts, wherein each of the second electrical contacts is electrically coupled with a respective one of the electrodes.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the body assembly further includes a user input feature, wherein the end effector is configured to deliver RF energy to the patient tissue in response to actuation of the user input feature.

### Claim 16

A surgical instrument comprising:
(a) a handle assembly including:
(i) an aperture disposed at a distal end of the handle assembly, and
(ii) a first electrical contact; and
(b) an end effector assembly configured to releasably couple with the handle assembly, wherein the end effector assembly includes:
(i) a proximal shaft portion configured to be received through the aperture of the handle assembly, wherein the proximal shaft portion includes an annular second electrical contact configured to electrically and releasably couple with the first electrical contact,
(ii) an energy transmission assembly extending distally from the handle assembly, wherein the energy transmission assembly is configured to transmit RF energy distally via the electrical coupling between the first and second electrical contacts, and
(iii) an end effector at a distal end of the energy transmission assembly, wherein the end effector is operable to treat patient tissue with RF energy received from the energy transmission assembly,
wherein the end effector assembly is selectively rotatable relative to the handle assembly,
wherein the first and second electrical contacts are configured to remain electrically coupled throughout rotation of the end effector assembly relative to the handle assembly.

### Claim 17 (depends on 6)

The surgical instrument of claim 6, wherein the first electrical contact is resiliently biased into engagement with the annular second electrical contact.

### Claim 18 (depends on 6)

The surgical instrument of claim 6, wherein the annular second electrical contact is defined by an annular recess formed in the proximal shaft portion.

### Claim 19

A surgical instrument comprising:
(a) a handle assembly including:
(i) an aperture disposed at a distal end of the handle assembly, and
(ii) a pair of first electrical contacts; and
(b) an end effector assembly configured to releasably couple with the handle assembly, wherein the end effector assembly includes:
(i) a proximal shaft portion configured to be received through the aperture of the handle assembly, wherein the proximal shaft portion includes a pair of second electrical contacts configured to electrically and releasably couple with the first electrical contacts, wherein each of the first electrical contacts is configured to align coaxially with a respective one of the second electrical contacts,
(ii) an energy transmission assembly extending distally from the handle assembly, wherein the energy transmission assembly is configured to transmit RF energy distally via the electrical coupling between the first electrical contacts and the second electrical contacts, and
(iii) an end effector at a distal end of the energy transmission assembly, wherein the end effector is operable to treat patient tissue with RF energy received from the energy transmission assembly,
wherein the end effector assembly is selectively rotatable relative to the handle assembly,
wherein the first electrical contacts and the second electrical contacts are configured to remain electrically coupled throughout rotation of the end effector assembly relative to the handle assembly.

### Claim 20 (depends on 9)

The surgical instrument of claim 9, wherein the handle assembly includes a first threaded member and a first cylindrical member that are arranged coaxially and provide the pair of first electrical contacts, wherein the proximal shaft portion includes a second threaded member and a second cylindrical member that are arranged coaxially and provide the pair of second electrical contacts, wherein the first and second threaded members are configured to threadedly engage to define a first electrical connection, wherein the first and second cylindrical members are configured to engage to define a second electrical connection.