US 2018/0008298 A1Published application

Cutting mechanisms for surgical end effector assemblies, instruments, and systems

AssigneeCovidien LP

InventorsTHOMAS E. DROCHNER, JAMES D. ALLEN, IV, GARY M. COUTURE, WILLIAM H. NAU, JR., ROBERT M. SHARP, DAVID J. VAN TOL

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Abstract

A surgical system includes an attaching device having an end effector disposed at the distal end thereof. The end effector includes a support member, a wrist pivot pivotably coupling the end effector to the attaching device, and first and second jaw members pivotably coupled to one another and the support member. A first cable is operably coupled to the wrist pivot and configured to articulate the end effector relative to the attaching device. Second and third cables are operably coupled to the jaw members and configured to pivot the jaw members relative to the support member. A first actuation of the second and third cables collectively pivots the first and second jaw members relative to the support member. A second actuation of the second and third cables pivots the first and second jaw members relative to one another and the support member between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A surgical system, comprising:

first, second, and third cables;
an attaching device defining a distal end;
and
an end effector assembly disposed at the distal end of the attaching device, the end effector assembly including:
a support member defining a proximal end and a distal end;
a wrist pivot disposed proximate the proximal end of the support member, the wrist pivot pivotably coupling the end effector assembly to the attaching device;
and
first and second jaw members disposed at the distal end of the support member, the first and second jaw members pivotably coupled to one another and the support member,
wherein the first cable is operably coupled to the wrist pivot and configured to articulate the end effector assembly relative to the attaching device in first and second directions,
wherein the second and third cables are operably coupled to the first and second jaw members, respectively, and configured to pivot the first and second jaw members, respectively, relative to the support member in third and fourth directions perpendicular to the first and second directions,
wherein a first actuation of the second and third cables collectively pivots the first and second jaw members relative to the support member while maintaining the first and second jaw members in fixed position relative to one another, and
wherein a second actuation of the second and third cables pivots the first and second jaw members relative to one another and the support member between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position.

9 more elements

An end effector assembly configured for use with a surgical instrument or surgical system, the end effector assembly comprising:

first and second jaw members each including an outer jaw housing and a tissue-treating plate, at least the second jaw member defining a longitudinally-extending channel therethrough, at least one of the first or second jaw members pivotable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position;
and
a cutting mechanism disposed within the second jaw member, the cutting mechanism including:
a knife disposed at least partially within the longitudinally-extending channel of the second jaw member and defining a cutting surface, the knife pivotable relative to the second jaw member from a storage position, wherein the knife is fully disposed within the longitudinally-extending channel of the second jaw member and the cutting surface is oriented towards the first jaw member, and a use position, wherein the knife extends between the first and second jaw members and the cutting surface is oriented in a proximally-facing direction;
and
a pull-wire extending through the second jaw member and coupled to the knife proximate a distal end of the pull-wire, the pull-wire configured for proximal pulling relative to the second jaw member to initially pivot the knife from the storage position to the use position and to subsequently translate the knife through the longitudinally-extending channel of the second jaw member in a distal-to-proximal direction led by the cutting surface thereof.

3 more elements

An end effector assembly configured for use with a surgical instrument or surgical system, the end effector assembly comprising:

first and second jaw members each including an outer jaw housing and a tissue-treating plate, at least the second jaw member defining a longitudinally-extending channel therethrough, at least one of the first or second jaw members pivotable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position;
and
a cutting mechanism disposed within the second jaw member, the cutting mechanism including:
an actuation shaft slidably disposed within the second jaw member;
a support base disposed within the longitudinally-extending channel of the second jaw member and configured to move at least partially towards and away from the first jaw member;
a knife defining a longitudinally-extending cutting edge mounted on the support base;
and
a plurality of linkages operably coupled between the actuation shaft and the support base such that longitudinally sliding the actuation shaft through the second jaw member moves the support base to thereby move the knife between a retracted position, wherein the knife is fully disposed within the longitudinally-extending channel of the second jaw member, and an extended position, wherein the knife extends between the first and second jaw members.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.