Method for operating a surgical stapling and cutting device

Abstract

A method for operating a surgical end effector, includes articulatingly connecting a control handle to the end effector and positioning an articulation joint actuator of the handle to selectively connect with an articulation lock of the end effector such that, when unactuated, the articulation joint actuator automatically connects with the articulation lock to lock the articulation lock and temporarily prevent further articulating motion of the end effector and, when actuated, the articulation joint actuator is removed from the articulation lock to unlock the articulation lock and, thereby, permit articulating motion of the end effector dependent upon external forces acting upon the end effector. The articulation joint actuator is actuated to unlock the articulation lock and the end effector is contacted with the environment to passively articulate the end effector into a desired articulated position. Removal of actuation locks the articulation lock and retains the end effector in the desired articulated position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 119, of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 60 / 760,000 and 60 / 811,950, filed Jan. 18, 2006, and Jun. 8, 2006, respectively, and is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 491,626, filed Jul. 24, 2006, which parent application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 702,643 filed Jul. 26, 2005, and application Nos. 60 / 760,000 and 60 / 811,950, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] n / a FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0003] The present invention lies in the field of medical devices, in particular, in the field of surgical stapling instruments that are capable of applying lines of staples to tissue while cutting the tissue between those staple lines and, more particularly, to improvements relating to stapler instruments and imp...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0022] Another advantage of the present invention is that the movable distal end effector is center-biased. This means that the distal end is, first, freed from a stable position and is, then, passively moved into its new position by pressing the end effector against a feature of the environment, such as surrounding tissue. When the actuator that frees the end effector from the stable position is released, the distal end effector returns to its center position under the urging of a center-biasing device, preferably, at least one biasing spring, in particular, two biasing springs imparting a biasing force in opposing and, therefore, centering directions. Alternatively, the center-biasing device can be a set of spring-loaded plungers disposed on either side of the end effector at the clevis to urge the end effector independently towards a center position.

[0023] The trigger that controls the passive movement is normally locked. This lock is released by pulling in the trigger. Once the distal end effector is in a desired position, the user releases the trigger, thereby locking distal end effector in the new position.

[0024] The device according to the invention is a surgical stapler and cutter or other endoscopic device that can be used, in particular, to staple sections of tissue together and cut tissue when desired. In one embodiment of the end effector, measures for carrying out both the stapling and cutting functions can be entirely contained within the distal end effector of the device.

[0025] Again, another advantage of the present invention is that the handle is electronically controlled, universal, and motorized. The handle includes a microprocessor that is programmed for multiple product configurations. For example, in the case of a stapler, the handle is programmed for a 30 mm, a 45 mm, or a 60 mm staple cartridge. The distal shaft of the stapler has a proximal end that plugs into the universal handle. The distal shaft includes an array of electrical contacts that make corresponding contact with a mating array in the handle at the connection location. The contacts are unique for each of the different distal shafts and the handle “recognizes” the shaft and runs the appropriate program for it. The handle is programmed to include logic for safety lockouts, speed of stapler delivery, distance of stroke, and the like. Such modularity allows manufacture of one handle with multiple end effectors to mate thereto.

[0026] Actuation of the device is accomplished using an electric motor. The device may also be actuated by multiple electric motors, by hydraulics or pneumatics, or by the transmission of energy through a flexible drive shaft in any way such that the actuation assembly can be contained primarily or entirely in the distal portion of the device.

[0027] The work accomplished by any of these measures can be converted into desirable motions through any single or combination of screw drive, gear drive, wedge, toggle, cam, belt, pulley, cable, bearing, or the like push rod. In particular, a screw drive is used to transmit the work of the electric motor into linear motion. In one embodiment, the motor for the screw drive resides in the handle. A flexible rotating cable is connected from the motor to a threaded shaft. Thus, when the motor turns in either direction, the rotation of the flexible cable is transmitted to the threaded drive shaft and, because the stapling actuator and cutting slide is disposed on the drive shaft, both functions are carried out by distal movement of the slide. In a second embodiment, the motor resides entirely in the end effector and has a shaft connected to the slide drive shaft, either directly or through transmission gears. In such a case, all that is needed in the handle is the on / off and drive shaft direction actuators, the former for turning the motor on and off and the latter determining which direction the motor will spin.

Problems solved by technology

The U.S. Surgical Corp. stapler, however, is limited by the predetermined angles that it can achieve and by the limited side to side pivoting (−45 degrees to +45 degrees) that requires two hands for operation.

One common problem with these surgical instruments is control of the firing bar through the articulation joint.

Increased friction when articulated would be inconvenient and distracting to the clinician if required to exert a varying amount of firing force.

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