US 2012/0239010 A1Published application

Modular surgical tool systems

AssigneeEthicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.

InventorsFrederick E. Shelton, IV, Jerome R. Morgan, Taylor W. Aronhalt, Gregory W. Johnson, Chester O. Baxter, III, Joseph E. Young, Barry C. Worrell, Christopher J. Schall, Mark S. Ortiz, Jason K. Rupert, Steven G. Hall, Daniel J. Mumaw, Aron O. Zingman, Katherine J. Schmid, Jacob S. Gee, Richard W. Timm

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Abstract

Modular surgical instruments are disclosed. In various embodiments, a modular surgical instrument t is disclosed for use with a plurality of interchangeable surgical tool heads that are configured to perform different surgical actions. The instrument is configured to apply a plurality of different rotary drive motions and axial drive motions depending upon the type of surgical tool head attached thereto.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A modular circular surgical instrument comprising:

an actuator for generating an actuation motion;
an actuation system configured to generate a plurality of discrete rotary drive motions in response to an application of said actuation motion thereto;
and
an elongated shaft assembly operably interfacing with said actuation system and configured to be interchangeably attached to a plurality of different surgical tool heads such that upon attachment of a first one of said surgical tool heads thereto, said elongated shaft assembly is caused to interact with said actuation system to impart a first one of said discrete rotary drive motions to said first surgical tool head upon said application of said actuation motion to said actuation system and when a second one of said surgical tool heads is attached to said elongated shaft assembly, said elongated shaft assembly is caused to interact with said actuation system to impart a second one of said discrete rotary drive motions to said second surgical tool head upon said application of an actuation motion to said actuation system.

1 more element

A modular surgical instrument system, comprising:

a handle assembly;
a manually-actuatable actuator trigger operably supported on said handle assembly and configured to generate an actuation motion;
an actuation system operably supported within said handle assembly and configured to generate a plurality of discrete drive motions in response to an application of said actuation motion thereto;
an elongated shaft assembly, comprising:
an outer shaft casing having a distal end;
and
a rotary drive shaft operably supported within said outer shaft casing and oriented for selective operable interaction with said actuation system and wherein said modular surgical instrument system further comprises:
a first surgical tool head configured for interchangeable attachment to said distal end of said outer shaft casing such that upon attachment thereto, said first surgical tool head moves said rotary drive shaft to a first drive position wherein upon said application of said actuation motion to said actuation system, said rotary drive shaft imparts a first rotary drive motion to said first surgical tool head to cause said first surgical tool head to perform a first surgical action;
a second surgical tool head configured for interchangeable attachment to said distal end of said outer shaft casing such that upon attachment thereto, said second surgical tool head moves said rotary drive shaft to a second drive position wherein upon said application of said actuation motion to said actuation system, said rotary drive shaft imparts a second rotary drive motion to said second surgical tool head to cause said second surgical tool head to perform a second surgical action that differs from said first surgical action;
and
a third surgical tool head configured for interchangeable attachment to said distal end of said outer shaft casing such that upon attachment thereto, said third surgical tool head moves said rotary drive shaft to a third drive position wherein upon said application of said actuation motion to said actuation system, said rotary drive shaft imparts a third rotary drive motion to said third surgical tool head to cause said third surgical tool head to perform a third surgical action.

8 more elements

A method of performing colorectal surgery comprising:

providing a modular surgical instrument having an elongated shaft assembly with a distal end and being configured to generate a plurality of discrete drive motions upon application of actuation motions thereto;
coupling a first surgical tool head configured to perform a first surgical procedure to the distal end of the elongated shaft assembly;
inserting the surgical instrument into the colon to bring the first surgical tool head into operable engagement with a target tissue;
applying a first actuation motion to the surgical instrument to cause the first surgical tool head to perform the first surgical action on the target tissue;
withdrawing the surgical instrument from the colon;
detaching the first surgical tool head from the surgical instrument;
coupling a second surgical tool head configured to perform a second surgical procedure that differs from the first surgical procedure to the distal end of the elongated shaft assembly;
reinserting the surgical instrument into the colon to position the second surgical tool head in a second position therein;
applying a second actuation motion to the surgical instrument to cause the second surgical tool head to perform the second surgical action;
and
withdrawing the surgical instrument from the colon.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 13/181,798Filed 13 Jul 2011
Priority: 14 Mar 2011
Published: 20 Sep 2012
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification18 codes

A61B 17/0293
For holding wounds open, e.g. retractors; Tractors: with ring member to support retractor elements
A61B 17/00234
Surgical instruments, devices or methods: for minimally invasive surgery
A61B 17/0218
For holding wounds open, e.g. retractors; Tractors: for minimally invasive surgery
A61B 17/068
Surgical instruments, devices or methods: surgical staplers , e.g. containing multiple staples or clamps