Hydraulically and electrically actuated articulation joints for surgical instruments

Abstract

Articulation joints for use in connection with a surgical instrument that has a portion that must be passed through a trocar or similar structure and then articulated relative to another portion of the instrument received within the trocar. Various embodiments of the articulation joint include at least one fluid-actuated cylinder or flexible driven member to articulate the surgical implement relative to the handle assembly of the instrument.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates in general to surgical instruments that are suitable for endoscopically inserting an end effector (e.g., endocutter, grasper, cutter, staplers clip applier, access device, drug / gene therapy delivery device, an energy device using ultrasound, RF, laser, etc.) and, more particularly, to endocutters with articulating end effectors. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Endoscopic surgical instruments are often preferred over traditional open surgical devices since a smaller incision tends to reduce the post-operative recovery time and complications. Generally, these endoscopic surgical instruments include an “end effector”, a handle assembly and a long shaft that extends between the end effector and the handle assembly. The end effector is the portion of the instrument configured to engage the tissue in various ways to achieve a desired diagnostic or therapeutic effect (e.g., endocutter, grasper, cutter, staplers, clip applier, a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0075] The various non-limiting embodiments of the present invention provide a host of advantages over prior art articulated surgical instruments. In particular, the various embodiments of the subject invention enable the portions of the tube member that attach a surgical implement to a handle to be inserted through a trocar or similar device and then be selectively articulated within the patient. While the various embodiments have been described herein in connection with use with a hydraulically operated endocutter, those of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that the various embodiments of the subject invention could be employed with electrically powered endocutters and with a host of other types of surgical implements, regardless of whether they are electrically or hydraulically powered.

Problems solved by technology

Approaches to articulating a surgical stapling and severing instrument tend to be complicated by integrating control of the articulation along with the control of closing the end effector to clamp tissue and fire the end effector (i.e., stapling and severing) within the small diameter constraints of an endoscopic instrument.

Due to the types end effector firing systems commonly employed, the actuator arrangements for articulating the end effector must often generate high amounts of torque to bend the firing structure.

This problem is exacerbated by the lack of available space for accommodating actuating devices that are large enough to generated those required forces.

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