US 5,577,654 AGranted

Surgical instrument

AssigneeEthicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.

InventorGregory D. Bishop

Life of this patent

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Abstract

Various mechanisms are provided for use in a surgical instrument. A shaft and an engaged lost motion operating knob are provided for rotation relative to a handle portion. A latch system prevents rotation of the shaft unless the shaft is rotated by the knob. A cartridge is provided for rotation at the distal end of the shaft. Engaging structures are provided for preventing rotation of the cartridge relative to the shaft when axial forces are applied to the cartridge. A loading tool is provided for engaging the cartridge to install the cartridge on the instrument. The cartridge includes a washer for engaging a carrier on which the cartridge is mounted so as to prevent rotation of the washer. The washer is adapted to engage a fastener advancing member in a first angular orientation and is disengaged when the cartridge is rotated to establish a second relative angular orientation. In the first angular orientation, the fastener advancing member is restrained against longitudinal movement to assist in installation of the cartridge onto the instrument.

Claims2

Dependent claims

In a surgical instrument having a shaft carried in a frame and rotatable about a longitudinal axis relative to said frame, a shaft rotation mechanism comprising:

a plurality of circumferentially spaced teeth defined in said frame around said longitudinal axis;
first and second arms extending outwardly from said shaft, each said arm having a deflection surface and an engaging surface, said deflection and engaging surfaces of said first arm being oriented oppositely relative to the deflection and engaging surfaces of said second arm, said engaging surface of said first arm being configured for engaging said teeth to prevent rotation of said shaft relative to said frame in a first direction, said engaging surface of said second arm being configured for engaging said teeth to prevent rotation of said shaft relative to said frame in a second, opposite direction;
and
a knob mounted on said frame for rotation relative to said frame about said longitudinal axis, said knob receiving a proximal portion of said shaft and engaged with said shaft to permit a predetermined lost motion angular displacement relative to said shaft in each of said first and second directions of rotation, said knob including first and second circumferentially spaced cam surfaces for engaging and deflecting said first arm away from said teeth with said first cam surface when said knob is rotated in said first direction to the end of the range of said lost motion and for engaging and deflecting said second arm away from said teeth with said second cam surface when said knob is rotated in said second direction to the end of the range of said lost motion.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/651,463Filed 23 May 1996 · division
Priority: 9 Oct 1992
Granted: 26 Nov 1996
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

A61B 17/0682
Surgical staplers , e.g. containing multiple staples or clamps: for applying U-shaped staples or clamps, e.g. without a forming anvil
A61B 17/0684
For applying U-shaped staples or clamps, e.g. without a forming anvil: having a forming anvil staying above the tissue during stapling
A61B 17/3421
Details of tips or shafts, e.g. grooves, expandable, bendable; Multiple coaxial sliding cannulas, e.g. for dilating: cannulas
A61B 2017/2903
Characterized by features of the actuating rod: transferring rotary motion