# US 2016/0256152 A1 · Surgical stapling loading unit having articulating jaws > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2016/0256152 A1 - Document ID: US20160256152A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/638,482 - Filed: 2015-03-04 - Published: 2016-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2015-03-04 - Assignees: Covidien LP - Applicants: Covidien LP - Inventors: STANISLAW KOSTRZEWSKI - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160256152A1 ## CPC - A61B 17/068: 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}) - A61B 17/00234: {for minimally invasive surgery (A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence)} - A61B 17/07207: {the staples being applied sequentially} - A61B 17/42: Gynaecological or obstetrical instruments or methods {(ligaturing clamps or clips for the umbilical cord A61B17/122; curettage A61B17/320708)} - B25J 15/0019: {End effectors other than grippers} - B25J 15/0028: {with movable, e.g. pivoting gripping jaw surfaces} - A61B 2017/00296: {mounted on an endoscope} - 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 2017/07228: {Arrangement of the staples} - A61B 2017/07271: {characterised by its cartridge} - A61B 2017/2927: {the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft} - A61B 2017/2931: {with releasable head} - A61B 2017/2932: {Transmission of forces to jaw members} - A61B 2017/2933: {camming or guiding means} - A61B 2017/2941: {Toggle linkages} - A61B 2017/2944: {Translation of jaw members} - A61B 2017/2946: {Locking means} - A61B 2017/4216: {Operations on uterus, e.g. endometrium} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - B25J: MANIPULATORS; CHAMBERS PROVIDED WITH MANIPULATION DEVICES ({manipulators specially adapted for use in surgery A61B34/70; manipulators used in cleaning hollow articles B08B9/04}; manipulators associated with rolling mills B21B39/20; manipulators associated with forging machines B21J13/10; {manipulators associated with picking-up and placing mechanisms B23P19/007}; means for holding wheels or parts thereof B60B30/00; {vehicles with ground-engaging propulsion means, e.g. walking members B62D57/02, B62D57/032; devices for picking-up and depositing articles or materials between conveyors B65G47/90, B65G47/91; manipulators with gripping or holding means for transferring packages B65H67/065}; cranes B66C; {manipulators used in the protection or supervision of pipe-line installations F17D5/00; walking equipment adapted for nuclear steam-generators F22B37/006}; manipulators specially adapted for, or associated with, nuclear reactors G21C; {apparatus used for handling wafers during manufacture or treatment of semiconductor H10P72/50}) ## Abstract An end effector includes first and second jaw members that are pivotable relative to one another between open and clamped configurations about a pivot axis. The first and second jaw members each define a pivot hole which defines the pivot axis. The first and second jaw members also each define an articulation axis that is orthogonal to the pivot axis and position distal of the pivot axis. The first and second jaw members are articulatable about the articulation axis between straight and fully articulated configurations. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An end effector comprising: a first jaw member including: a first camming member defining a first rotation hole and a first pivot hole; a first body having a first proximal tab defining a first rotation opening and a first articulation opening; and a first coupling member having a first rotation post and a first articulation post, the first rotation post inserted in the first rotation hole and the first rotation opening, the first articulation post positioned within the first articulation opening; a second jaw member including: a second camming member defining a second rotation hole and a second pivot hole; a second body having a second proximal tab defining a second rotation opening and a second articulation opening; and a second coupling member having a second rotation post and a second articulation post, the second rotation post inserted in the second rotation hole and the second rotation opening, the second articulation post positioned within the second articulation opening; and a pivot pin positioned in the first and second pivot holes, the first and second jaw members pivotable relative to one another between an open configuration and a clamped configuration about the pivot pin in a substantially parallel manner, the first and second bodies articulatable relative to the first and second camming members about the first and second articulation posts. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The end effector according to claim 1, wherein the first and second rotation holes are distal of the first and second pivot holes. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The end effector according to claim 1, wherein the first rotation hole is orthogonal to the first pivot hole and the second rotation hole is orthogonal to the second pivot hole. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The end effector according to claim 1, wherein first camming member includes first sidewalls that define the first pivot hole and the second camming member includes second sidewalls that define the second pivot hole. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The end effector according to claim 4, wherein the second sidewalls define a channel, the first sidewalls inserted in the channel to axially align the first and second pivot holes. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The end effector according to claim 4, wherein the first camming member includes a first support arm extending distally from the first sidewalls which defines the first rotation hole, and wherein the second camming member includes a second support arm extending distally from the second sidewalls which defines the second rotation hole. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The end effector according to claim 1, wherein first body includes a distally extending locking finger and the second body includes a locking member rotatably coupled to a distal end thereof, the locking member rotatable over the locking finger when the first and second jaw members are in the clamped configuration to maintain the first and second jaw members in the clamped configuration. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The end effector according to claim 1, wherein in the first and second bodies are articulatable between a straight configuration such that the first and second bodies are longitudinally aligned with the first and second camming members and a fully articulated configuration such that the first and second bodies define an angle with the first and second camming members. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The end effector according to claim 8, wherein the fully articulated configuration is defined by the first and second bodies being articulated in a range of 75° to 105° from the first and second camming members. ### Claim 10 A loading unit comprising: an end effector including: a first jaw member having: a first camming member defining a first rotation hole and a first pivot hole, the first rotation hole orthogonal to and distal of the first pivot hole; a first body having a first proximal tab defining a first rotation opening and a first articulation opening; and a first coupling member having a first rotation post and a first articulation post, the first rotation post inserted in the first rotation hole and the first rotation opening, the first articulation post positioned within the first articulation opening; a second jaw member having: a second camming member defining a second rotation hole and a second pivot hole, the second rotation hole orthogonal to and distal of the second pivot hole; a second body having a second proximal tab defining a second rotation opening and a second articulation opening; and a second coupling member having a second rotation post and a second articulation post, the second rotation post passing through the second rotation hole and the second rotation opening, the second articulation post positioned within the second articulation opening; and a pivot pin positioned in the first and second pivot holes; and a housing including: a connector positioned at a proximal end of the housing, the connector configured to couple the loading unit to a surgical instrument, the housing defining a longitudinal axis; a clamping mechanism operatively associated with the first and second camming members to pivot the first and second jaw members relative to one another about the pivot pin between an open configuration and a clamped configuration; and an articulation mechanism operatively associated with the first and second coupling members to articulate the first and second bodies about the first and second articulation posts between a straight configuration and a fully articulated configuration. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The loading unit according to claim 10, wherein the articulation mechanism includes first and second articulation rods, a distal end of the first articulation rod coupled to the first articulation post and a distal end of the second articulation rod coupled to the second articulation post. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The loading unit according to claim 11, wherein the articulation mechanism includes an articulation pivot arm having a first pivot, a second pivot, and a third pivot, the first pivot is positioned at a first end of the articulation pivot arm and is rotatably supported within the housing, the third pivot is positioned at a second end of the articulation pivot arm and is coupled to proximal ends of the first and second articulation rods, the second pivot positioned between the first and second ends of the articulation pivot arm. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The loading unit according to claim 12, wherein the articulation mechanism includes an articulation shaft having a distal end coupled to the second pivot and a proximal end positioned adjacent the connector of the housing, the first and second bodies adapted to articulate between the straight and articulated configurations in response to longitudinal translation of the articulation shaft. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The loading unit according to claim 13, wherein the articulation shaft has a proximal flag adjacent the connector of the housing which is configured to be engaged by a surgical instrument. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The loading unit according to claim 10, wherein the clamping mechanism moves the first and second bodies towards the clamped configuration in a substantially parallel manner when the first and second jaw members are in the fully articulated configuration. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The loading unit according to claim 10, wherein the first and second camming members each include a camming surface, and wherein the clamping mechanism includes a clamping sleeve having a distal end, the clamping sleeve positioned about the first and second camming members, the clamping sleeve longitudinally translatable between a proximal position and a distal position, the clamping sleeve engaging the camming surfaces of the first and second camming members as the clamping sleeve is translated towards the distal position to pivot the first and second jaw members towards the clamped position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The loading unit according to claim 16, wherein the first and second camming members each include a clamp stop at a distal end of the camming surfaces, the clamping sleeve abutting the clamp stop when the clamping sleeve is in the distal position. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The loading unit according to claim 17, wherein the clamp stops are positioned proximal to the first and second pivot holes. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The loading unit according to claim 17, wherein the clamp stops are positioned proximal to the first and second rotation posts. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The loading unit according to claim 17, wherein the clamp stops are positioned proximal to the pivot pin. ### Claim 21 (depends on 16) The loading unit according to claim 16, wherein portions of the camming surfaces of the first and second camming members extend proximally of the first and second pivot holes. ### Claim 22 (depends on 16) The loading unit according to claim 16, wherein portions of the camming surfaces of the first and second camming members extend proximally of the first and second rotation posts. ### Claim 23 (depends on 16) The loading unit according to claim 16, wherein portions of the camming surfaces of the first and second camming members extend proximally of the pivot pin. ### Claim 24 (depends on 16) The loading unit according to claim 16, wherein the clamping mechanism includes: a clamping pivot arm having a first end rotatably supported within the housing, a second end, and a cam follower positioned between the first and second ends; a clamping rod having a distal end operatively coupled to the clamping sleeve and a proximal end coupled to the second end of the clamping pivot arm; and a clamping shaft having a clamping hook positioned at a distal end of the clamping shaft, the clamping hook engaging the cam follower of the clamping pivot arm to rotate the clamping pivot arm about its first end to move the clamping sleeve between the proximal and distal positions in response to longitudinal translation of the clamping shaft, the clamping shaft having a proximal end positioned adjacent the connector of the housing and configured to be engaged by the surgical instrument.