US 8,752,749 B2Granted

Robotically-controlled disposable motor-driven loading unit

AssigneeEthicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.

InventorsKyle P. Moore, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Jerome R. Morgan, Mark H. Ransick, Eugene L. Timperman

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Abstract

A self contained motor-powered disposable loading unit for use with a robotic system configured to generate control systems therefor. The disposable loading unit may contain a battery that is retained in a disconnected position when the disposable loading unit is not in use and is moved to a connected position when the disposable loading unit is coupled to the robotic system to permit the motor to be selectively powered thereby. Indicators may be supported on the disposable loading unit to indicate when the axial drive assembly thereof is in a starting position and an ending position. Another indicator may be provided to indicate when the anvil assembly is in a closed position.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A disposable loading unit for use with a remotely controllable system, said disposable loading unit comprising:

a cartridge assembly;
an elongated housing coupled to said cartridge assembly and configured for operable attachment to an elongated shaft assembly for transmitting control motions from a control portion of the remotely controllable system;
an axial drive assembly supported for selective axial travel through said cartridge assembly from a start position to an end position upon application of a rotary control motion thereto from said elongated shaft assembly;
a motor supported within said housing and operably interfacing with said axial drive assembly to selectively apply said rotary control motion thereto;
and
a power source axially movable within said housing from a disconnected position wherein said power source is disconnected from said motor to at least one connected position wherein said power source provides power to said motor, said axially movable power source being configured for attachment to an axially movable control member of the remotely controllable system such that said power source is axially moved from said disconnected position to one of said at least one connected positions upon attachment to the control member.

3 more elements

A surgical instrument comprising:

a tool drive portion configured for operable attachment to a portion of a robotic system for receiving control motions therefrom;
an elongated shaft coupled to said tool drive portion;
an axially movable control member operably supported within said elongated shaft and being axially movable in response to actuation motions applied thereto from said robotic system;
and
a disposable loading unit comprising:
a housing assembly coupled to said elongated shaft;
a cartridge assembly supported by said housing assembly;
an axial drive assembly supported for selective axial travel through said cartridge assembly from a start position to an end position upon application of a rotary motion thereto;
a motor supported within said housing assembly and operably interfacing with said axial drive assembly to selectively apply said rotary motion thereto;
and
a power source axially movable within said housing assembly from a disconnected position wherein said power source is disconnected from said motor to a first connected position wherein said power source provides power to said motor upon attachment to the control member.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 13/118,210Filed 27 May 2011 · continuation in part
Priority: 14 Feb 2008
Published: US 2011/0290855 A11 Dec 2011
Granted: 17 Jun 2014
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification38 codes

A61B 17/105
For applying or removing wound clamps , e.g. containing only one clamp or staple ; Wound clamp magazines: wound clamp magazines
A61B 17/068
Surgical instruments, devices or methods: surgical staplers , e.g. containing multiple staples or clamps
A61B 17/0686
For applying U-shaped staples or clamps, e.g. without a forming anvil: having a forming anvil staying below the tissue during stapling
A61B 17/072
Surgical staplers , e.g. containing multiple staples or clamps: for applying a row of staples in a single action, e.g. the staples being applied…

Family

Application12/031,628Parent of this continuation · filed 14 Feb 2008
Application12/856,099Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 13 Aug 2010
US 2011/0290855 A1Pre-grant publication · published 1 Dec 2011
US 8,196,795 B2Parent of this continuation-in-part
US 7,793,812 B2Parent of this continuation
Application12/856,099Parent of this continuation
US 2009/0206136 A1Published application
US 2010/0301096 A1Published application
US 8,752,749 B2This patent

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