# US 2017/0281165 A1 · Surgical instrument handle assembly with reconfigurable grip portion

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- Number: US 2017/0281165 A1
- Document ID: US20170281165A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/089,263
- Filed: 2016-04-01
- Published: 2017-10-05
- Earliest claimed: 2016-04-01
- Assignees: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
- Applicants: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLC
- Inventors: Jason L. Harris; Frederick E. Shelton, IV
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170281165A1

## CPC

- A61B 17/072: for applying a row of staples in a single action, e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously
- A61B 17/0686: {having a forming anvil staying below the tissue during stapling}
- A61B 17/07207: {the staples being applied sequentially}
- A61B 2017/00017: {Electrical control of surgical instruments}
- A61B 2017/00115: {with audible or visual output}
- A61B 2017/00123: {and automatic shutdown}
- A61B 2017/00367: {Details of actuation of instruments, e.g. relations between pushing buttons, or the like, and activation of the tool, working tip, or the like}
- A61B 2017/00398: {using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids}
- A61B 2017/00407: {Ratchet means}
- A61B 2017/0042: {with special provisions for gripping}
- A61B 2017/00424: {ergonomic, e.g. fitting in fist}
- A61B 2017/0046: {with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable}
- A61B 2017/00464: {for use with different instruments}
- A61B 2017/00734: {battery operated}
- A61B 2017/07228: {Arrangement of the staples}
- A61B 2017/07257: {characterised by its anvil}
- A61B 2017/07271: {characterised by its cartridge}
- A61B 2017/07278: {characterised by its sled or its staple holder}
- A61B 2017/07285: {characterised by its cutter}
- A61B 2017/291: {the position of the handle being adjustable with respect to the shaft}
- A61B 2017/2912: {transmission of forces to actuating rod or piston}
- A61B 2017/2922: {toggle linkages}
- A61B 2017/2923: {Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion}
- A61B 2017/2925: {Pistol grips}
- A61B 2017/2927: {the angular position of the head 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 2017/2932: {Transmission of forces to jaw members}
- A61B 2090/034: {abutting on parts of the device itself}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

A handle assembly for a surgical instrument is disclosed. In at least one form, the handle assembly comprises a primary housing portion that is configured to be operably coupled to a portion of a surgical tool assembly. At least one drive system is operably supported by the handle assembly and is configured to selectively apply at least one drive motion to the surgical tool assembly that is coupled thereto. A grip portion is movably coupled to the primary housing portion and is selectively movable to a plurality of grip positions relative to the primary housing portion. A grip locking system interfaces with the primary housing portion and the grip portion to selectively releasably retain the grip portion in any one of the plurality of grip positions.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A handle assembly for a surgical instrument, said handle assembly comprising:
a primary housing portion configured to be operably coupled to a portion of a surgical tool assembly;
at least one drive system operably supported by said handle assembly and configured to selectively apply at least one drive motion to the surgical tool assembly coupled thereto;
a grip portion movably coupled to said primary housing portion and being selectively movable to a plurality of grip positions relative to said primary housing portion; and
a grip locking member for interfacing with said primary housing portion and said grip portion to selectively restrain said grip portion from moving in any one of said plurality of grip positions.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The handle assembly of claim 1, wherein said primary housing portion defines a handle axis and wherein said grip portion defines a grip axis and wherein when said grip portion is in one of said plurality of grip positions, said grip axis is perpendicular to said handle axis and when said grip portion is in another one of said plurality of grip positions, said grip axis is oriented at an acute angle with respect to said handle axis.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The handle assembly of claim 1, wherein said grip portion comprises a plurality of locking grooves, wherein each of said locking grooves corresponds to one of said plurality of grip positions and wherein said grip locking member comprises a locking button supported on said primary housing portion and configured for retaining engagement with any one of said locking grooves.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The handle assembly of claim 3, further comprising a biasing member for biasing said locking button into retaining engagement with a corresponding one of said locking grooves.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The handle assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of said at least one drive systems comprises a rotary drive system configured to apply a rotary drive motion to a corresponding portion of the surgical tool assembly operably coupled to said primary housing portion.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The handle assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least one drive system is powered by a motor assembly and wherein at least a portion of said motor assembly is supported in said grip portion.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The handle assembly of claim 6, wherein said motor assembly comprises:
an output drive shaft; and
a drive bevel gear coupled to said output drive shaft and in operable meshing engagement with a drive gear on said at least one drive system.

### Claim 8 (depends on 5)

The handle assembly of claim 5, wherein another one of said at least one drive systems comprises another drive system configured to apply another drive motion to another corresponding portion of the surgical tool assembly operably coupled to said primary housing portion.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The handle assembly of claim 8, wherein a third one of said at least one drive systems comprises an axial drive system configured to apply an axial drive motion to a third corresponding portion of the surgical tool assembly operably coupled to said primary housing portion.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The handle assembly of claim 1 wherein said primary housing portion is configured to be selectively operably coupled to:
a first surgical tool assembly; and
a second surgical tool assembly and wherein said grip portion is configured to be positioned in a first grip position when said first surgical tool assembly is operably coupled to said primary housing portion and wherein said grip portion is configured to be positioned in a second grip position that differs from said first grip position when said second surgical tool assembly is operably coupled to said primary housing portion.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The handle assembly of claim 10 wherein said first surgical tool assembly comprises an endocutter and wherein said second surgical tool assembly comprises a circular surgical stapler.

### Claim 12

A handle assembly for a surgical instrument, said handle assembly comprising:
a primary housing portion configured to be operably coupled to a portion of a surgical tool assembly;
a plurality of drive systems operably supported by said handle assembly and configured to selectively apply a plurality of drive motions to the surgical tool assembly coupled thereto;
a grip portion movably coupled to said primary housing portion and being selectively movable to a plurality of grip positions relative to said primary housing portion;
means for applying actuation motions to at least two of said plurality of drive systems, said means for applying actuation motions operably supported in said grip portion; and
means for selectively releasably locking said grip portion in any one of said plurality of grip positions.

### Claim 13

A surgical instrument, comprising:
a surgical tool assembly configured to perform at least one surgical procedure;
a handle assembly, comprising:
a primary housing portion configured to be operably coupled to a portion of said surgical tool assembly;
at least one handle drive system operably supported by said handle assembly and configured to selectively apply at least one drive motion to said surgical tool assembly when coupled to said handle assembly;
a grip portion movably coupled to said primary housing portion and being selectively movable to a plurality of grip positions relative to said primary housing portion; and
a grip locking system interfacing with said primary housing portion and said grip portion to selectively releasably retain said grip portion in any one of said plurality of grip positions.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The surgical instrument of claim 13, wherein said surgical tool assembly comprises at least two tool drive systems and wherein said at least one handle drive system comprises:
a first handle drive system configured to apply a first one of said drive motions to a corresponding one of said at least two tool drive systems; and
a second handle drive system configured to apply a second one of said drive motions to another corresponding one of said at least two tool drive systems.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The surgical instrument of claim 14, wherein said first handle drive system is configured to generate a first rotary drive motion and wherein said second handle drive system is configured to generate a second rotary drive motion.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The surgical instrument of claim 15, further comprising a motor assembly supported in said grip portion and operably interfacing with said first and second handle drive systems for selectively applying rotary control motions thereto.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The surgical instrument of claim 16, further comprising:
a system drive shaft configured for selective meshing engagement with said first and second handle drive systems;
a driven bevel gear attached to said system drive shaft;
a pivot bevel gear operably supported in said primary housing portion in meshing engagement with said driven bevel gear and wherein said motor assembly comprises:
an output drive shaft; and
a drive bevel gear coupled to said output drive shaft and supported for operable meshing engagement with said pivot bevel gear to facilitate transfer of said rotary control motions from said motor assembly to said first and second handle drive systems when said primary housing portion is in any of said grip positions.

### Claim 18 (depends on 13)

The surgical instrument of claim 13, wherein one of said primary housing portion and said grip portion comprises a plurality of locking locations, wherein each of said locking locations corresponds to one of said plurality of grip positions and wherein said grip locking system comprises a locking member supported on the other one of said primary housing portion and said grip portion and being configured for retaining engagement with any one of said locking locations.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The surgical instrument of claim 18, further comprising a biasing member for biasing said locking member into retaining engagement with a corresponding one of said locking locations.

### Claim 20 (depends on 15)

The surgical instrument of claim 15 further comprising a third handle drive system for applying an axial control motion to a corresponding portion of said surgical tool assembly.