Electrically self-powered surgical instrument with manual release

Abstract

A surgical instrument comprising a surgical end effector having an actuation assembly operable to effect a surgical procedure when actuated, a part of the actuation assembly being movable between a first position and second position, and a handle connected to the end effector for actuating the actuation assembly, the handle having a power supply disposed within the handle, a motor disposed within the handle and electrically powered by the power supply, a transmission connecting the motor to the moving part and operational to displace the moving part anywhere between the first and second positions when the motor is operated, and a manual release mechanism that selectively interrupts the transmission and, during interruption, displaces the moving part towards the first position independent of operation of the motor.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is:[0002]a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 089,041, filed on Apr. 18, 2011; and[0003]a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 245,017, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,959,050, filed on Oct. 3, 2008 (which application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 977,489, filed on Oct. 4, 2007);[0004]is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 034,320, filed Feb. 20, 2008;[0005]is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 847,971, filed on Mar. 20, 2013;[0006]is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 798,369, filed on Mar. 13, 2013;[0007]is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 743,179, filed on Jan. 16, 2013;[0008]is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 622,819, filed on Sep. 19, 2012;[0009]is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 611,881, filed ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0033]The invention overcomes the above-noted and other deficiencies of the prior art by providing a electrically self-powered surgical device that uses the self-power to effect a medical procedure. For example, in a linear endocutter, the electric on-board power can position an anvil and stapler cartridge with respect to one another about tissue to be stapled and / or cut, and, after closing the anvil and stapler cartridge with respect to one another, firing and securing the staples at the tissue (and / or cutting the tissue). Further, the electrically self-powered surgical device can indicate to the user a user-pre-defined level of compressive force being imparted upon the tissue prior to firing the staples. The present invention also provides methods for operating the electric surgical stapling device to staple when optimal tissue compression (OTC) exists. Further provided is a manual release device that allows recovery from a partial actuation or a jam.

[0034]An offset-axis configuration for the two anvil and staple firing sub-assemblies creates a device that can be sized to comfortably fit into a user's hand. It also decreases manufacturing difficulty by removing previously required nested (co-axial) hollow shafts. With the axis of the anvil sub-assembly being offset from the staple firing sub-assembly, the length of the threaded rod for extending and retracting the anvil can be decreased by approximately two inches, thereby saving in manufacturing cost and generating a shorter longitudinal profile.

Problems solved by technology

It also decreases manufacturing difficulty by removing previously required nested (co-axial) hollow shafts.

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