US 5,626,587 AGranted

Method for operating a surgical instrument

AssigneeEthicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.

InventorsGregory D. Bishop, Sean P. Conlon, Jorge Gutierrez, John A. Hibner, Michel A. Paul, Livyn O. Okorocha, Narinderjit Sambi, Edward Rhad

Life of this patent

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Abstract

Various mechanisms, and a method of operating them, 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 means of 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. The distal end of the instrument can be articulated, and a helical gear operator is provided for effecting the articulation. The helical gear pitch decreases in a direction such that the mechanical advantage is increased as the articulation angle increases.

Claims5

Dependent claims

A method for operating a surgical instrument wherein said instrument has (1) a frame having a pistol handle grip which is fixed relative to said frame and which is adapted to be held in the palm of the hand while the fingers of the hand extend around one side of the grip and the thumb of the hand extends around another side of the grip, (2) an elongated shaft mounted to said frame for rotation relative thereto, (3) a rotatable first knob on said shaft located adjacent said frame;

(4) a support defining a longitudinal axis and movably mounted to said shaft for movement to an angled orientation relative to said shaft, (5) a rotatable second knob on said frame spaced proximally of said first knob and operatively engaged with said support for effecting pivoting of said support, (6) an end effector mounted to said support for rotation about said longitudinal axis, (7) a rotatable third knob on said frame operatively engaged with said end effector for effecting rotation of said end effector on said support, and (8) a trigger lever mounted distally of said handle grip on said frame for pivotal movement toward and away from said handle grip and operatively engaged with said end effector for effecting operation of said end effector, said method comprising the steps of:
(A) engaging said first knob with a digit of said hand to turn said first knob and rotate said shaft to a selected orientation;
(B) moving a digit of said hand to engage said second knob without extending said digit to and adjacent said first knob, and turning said second knob with said digit to move said support to a selected orientation while said digit is free of engagement with said first knob;
(C) engaging said third knob with a digit of said hand to turn said third knob and rotate said end effector to a selected orientation;
and
(D) after performing steps (A), (B), and (C) in any desired sequence, pulling said trigger lever proximally toward said handle grip with a digit of said hand to operate said end effector.

3 more elements

A method for operating a surgical instrument wherein said instrument has (1) a frame having a pistol handle grip which is fixed relative to said frame and which is adapted to be held in the palm of the hand while the fingers of the hand extend around one side of the grip and the thumb of the hand extends around another side of the grip, (2) an elongated shaft mounted to said frame for rotation relative thereto, (3) a first knob on said shaft located adjacent said frame and rotatable about a longitudinal axis;

(4) a support extending along said longitudinal axis and movably mounted to said shaft for movement to an angled orientation relative to said shaft, (5) a second knob on said frame spaced proximally of said first knob and engaged operatively with said support for effecting pivoting of said support, said second knob being rotatable about a transverse axis perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, (6) an end effector mounted to said support for rotation about said longitudinal axis, (7) a rotatable third knob on said frame spaced proximally of said second knob and operatively engaged with said end effector for effecting rotation of said end effector on said support, and (8) a trigger lever mounted distally of said handle grip on said frame for pivotal movement toward and away from said handle grip and operatively engaged with said end effector for effecting operation of said end effector, said method comprising the steps of:
(A) engaging said first knob with a digit of said hand and turning said first knob about said longitudinal axis to rotate said shaft to a selected orientation;
(B) moving a digit of said hand to engage said second knob with said digit of said hand and turning said second knob about said transverse axis to move said support to a selected orientation;
(C) engaging said third knob with a digit of said hand and turning said third knob about said longitudinal axis to rotate said end effector to a selected orientation;
and
(D) after performing steps (A), (B), and (C) in any desired sequence, pulling said trigger lever proximally toward said handle grip with a digit of said hand to operate said end effector.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/442,783Filed 17 May 1995 · continuation in part
Priority: 9 Oct 1992
Granted: 6 May 1997
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

Family

Serial959,184Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 9 Oct 1992
Serial259,322Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 10 Jun 1994
US 5,381,943 AParent of this continuation-in-part · filed 17 Jan 1995
US 5,601,224 AParent of this continuation-in-part · filed 11 Feb 1997
US 5,626,587 AThis patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.