Interchangeable clip applier
AssigneeEthicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
InventorsFrederick E. Shelton, IV, Chester O. Baxter, III
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A surgical device for clipping tissue can include an actuator, such as a handle or a robotic arm, for example, and a replaceable end effector including a plurality of clips contained therein. After the replaceable end effector has been used, the end effector can be detached from the actuator and a new end effector can be operably coupled with the actuator. Each replaceable end effector can include a firing drive for advancing clips into a receiver of the end effector and a crimping drive configured to deform a clip positioned within the receiver.
Claims21
A clip applier loading unit, comprising:
- a shaft, comprising:
- a distal end;
- a proximal end;
- and
- a frame comprising a frame connector configured to be releasably attached to a frame of an actuator;
- a plurality of clips;
- an end effector extending from said distal end of said shaft, wherein said end effector comprises:
- a first jaw;
- a movable second jaw;
- and
- a receiver defined between said first jaw and said second jaw, wherein said receiver is configured to receive a said clip, and wherein said second jaw is movable toward said first jaw to deform a said clip positioned in said receiver;
- and
- a firing drive, comprising:
- a distal portion configured to advance a said clip into said receiver;
- and
- a proximal portion comprising a drive connector configured to be releasably attached to a driver of the actuator.
A clip applier loading unit, comprising:
- a shaft, comprising:
- a distal end;
- a proximal end;
- a frame comprising a frame connector configured to be releasably attachable to and detachable from a frame of an actuator unit;
- and
- a bearing;
- a plurality of clips;
- an end effector extending from said distal end of said shaft, wherein said end effector comprises:
- a first jaw;
- a second jaw movable relative to said first jaw;
- and
- a receiver defined between said first jaw and said second jaw, wherein said receiver is configured to receive a said clip;
- a reciprocating rotary firing drive, comprising:
- a rotatable driver comprising a thread, wherein said rotatable driver is rotatably supported by said bearing;
- and
- a firing nut threadably engaged with said thread of said rotatable driver, wherein said firing nut is advanceable toward said distal end when said driver is rotated in a first direction, wherein said firing nut is retractable away from said distal end when said driver is rotated in a second direction opposite said first direction, and wherein said firing nut is configured to advance a said clip into said receiver when said firing nut is advanced toward said distal end.
A clip applier loading unit, comprising:
- a shaft, comprising:
- a distal end;
- a proximal end;
- a frame;
- and
- connection means for releasably attaching said frame to an actuator;
- a plurality of clips;
- an end effector extending from said distal end of said shaft, wherein said end effector comprises:
- a first jaw;
- a movable second jaw;
- and
- a receiver defined between said first jaw and said second jaw, wherein said receiver is configured to receive a said clip, and wherein said second jaw is movable toward said first jaw to deform a said clip positioned in said receiver;
- and
- firing means for advancing a said clip into said receiver.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.