Threaded trocar for adapter assembly

Abstract

The present invention discloses a threaded trocar for an adapter assembly. A trocar assembly for releasably engaging with an adapter assembly of a surgical stapler comprises: a housing having a first end cap and a second end cap; a trocar component rotatably supported by the housing and movable between a retracted position and an advanced position; and a drive component rotatably supported within the housing. The trocar component comprises a threaded body and defines a longitudinal passage. The drive component comprises a drive portion received within the longitudinal passage of the trocar component. Rotation of the drive component causes the trocar component to move longitudinally.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 661,266, filed on April 23, 2018, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to circular staplers. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a threaded trocar for an adapter assembly of a circular stapler. Background Art

[0004] Surgical instruments for applying nails, clips or other fasteners to tissues are well known. Typically, an endoscopic stapler comprises an actuation unit, that is, a handle assembly for actuating the instrument, an elongated shaft for entering and exiting a body cavity, and a tool assembly disposed at the distal end of the elongated shaft.

[0005] The adapter assembly for the circular anastomosis tool assembly includes a trocar assembly for selectively positioning the anvil assembly relative to the cartridge assembly. To facilitate sterilization and reuse of the adapter assembly, many adapter assemblies include a detachable trocar assembly. Summary of the invention

[0006] A trocar assembly for releasably engaging an adapter assembly of a surgical stapler is provided. The trocar assembly includes: a housing having a first end cap and a second end cap; a trocar member rotatably supported by the housing and movable between a retracted position and an advanced position; and a drive member rotatably supported within the housing. The trocar member includes a threaded body and defines a longitudinal passage. The drive member includes a drive portion received within the longitudinal passage of the trocar member. Rotation of the drive member causes the trocar member to move longitudinally.

[0007] In an embodiment, the second end cap includes a threaded hole. The threaded body of the trocar component can be received by the threaded hole of the second end cap to allow the trocar component to move longitudinally during rotation of the drive component. The first end cap can include a hole, and the drive component can include an engagement portion received by the hole. The drive component and the trocar component can be longitudinally fixed relative to each other. Rotation of the drive component in a first direction can cause the trocar component to rotate and advance. Rotation of the drive component in a second direction can cause the trocar component to retract.

[0008] In some embodiments, the second end cap is configured to retain the trocar component within the housing. The housing may define at least one slot for attachment of the trocar assembly within the adapter assembly. The distal end of the trocar component may be configured for operably engaging by the anvil assembly. The distal end of the trocar component may include a tapered end. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the general description of the present disclosure given above and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure, in which:

[0010] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a surgical stapler including a trocar assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0011] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of an adapter assembly of a surgical stapler is shown;

[0012] Figure 3 According to the embodiment of the present disclosure Figure 1 A perspective view of a proximal portion of an adapter assembly and a trocar assembly is shown;

[0013] Figure 4 The components are separated Figure 3 A perspective view of the trocar assembly is shown;

[0014] Figure 5 Where the trocar component is in the retracted position Figure 3 A cross-sectional side view of the trocar assembly is shown;

[0015] Figure 6 It is along Figure 5 A cross-sectional end view taken along line 6-6 is shown; and

[0016] Figure 7 is one in which the trocar component is in the advanced position Figure 3 A cross-sectional side view of a trocar assembly is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Embodiments of the disclosed detachable trocar assembly will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. As is common in the art, the term "proximal" refers to that part or component that is closer to a user or operator (i.e., a surgeon or clinician), while the term "distal" refers to that part or component that is farther from the user.

[0018] First reference Figure 1, an adapter assembly suitable for a detachable trocar assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is generally shown as an adapter assembly 20, which is a component of a surgical stapler 10. The surgical stapler 10 further includes a power handle assembly 30, a loading unit 40, and an anvil assembly 50. Although shown and described with reference to the surgical stapler 10, aspects of the present disclosure may be modified for use with surgical staplers having alternative configurations. For a detailed description of an exemplary powered surgical stapler, reference is made to commonly owned U.S. Patent Nos. 9,023,014 ("the '014 patent") and 9,055,943 ("the '943 patent"), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0019] The adapter assembly 20 of the surgical stapler 10 will be described only to the extent necessary to fully disclose aspects of the present disclosure. For a detailed description of an exemplary adapter assembly, reference is made to commonly owned U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2016 / 0106406 ("the '406 Publication") and 2017 / 0086879 ("the '879 Publication"), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0020] refer to Figure 2 , the adapter assembly 20 includes a handle assembly 30 ( Figure 1 ) and a proximal portion 22 operably connected to a loading unit 40 ( Figure 1 ) is operably connected to the distal portion 24. Although shown and described as forming an integral unit, it is contemplated that the proximal portion 22 and the distal portion 24 can be formed as separate units that are releasably secured to each other.

[0021] Steering Figure 3 , a removable trocar assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is generally shown as a trocar assembly 100, which extends distally from the distal portion 24 of the adapter assembly 20 of the surgical stapler 10. The trocar assembly 100 is releasably secured within the distal portion 24 of the adapter assembly 20. For a detailed description of an exemplary locking mechanism for securing the trocar assembly 100 within the distal portion 24 of the adapter assembly 20, reference is made to the '879 publication, the contents of which were previously incorporated herein by reference.

[0022] Now special reference Figures 4 to 6 , the adapter assembly 100 of the surgical stapler 10 ( Figure 2) includes a housing 110, a trocar component 120 rotatably disposed within the housing 110, and a drive component 130 received within the trocar component 120 to rotate the trocar component 120 relative to the housing 110. As will be described in further detail below, the trocar component 120 and the drive component 130 are operably retained within the housing 110 by a proximal end cap 102 and a distal end cap 104. By limiting the number of components of the trocar assembly 100, the manufacturing cost of the trocar assembly 100 can be reduced.

[0023] The housing 110 of the trocar assembly 100 includes a generally tubular body 112 having a proximal portion 114 and a distal portion 116. In an embodiment, the tubular body 112 defines a pair of slots 111a, 111b so that the trocar assembly 100 can be releasably attached within the distal portion 24 of the adapter assembly 20 of the surgical stapler 10. Alternatively, the tubular body 112 of the housing 110 can include protrusions, slots and protrusions, threads, or other configurations suitable for releasably attaching the trocar assembly 100 to the adapter assembly 20. The interior surface 118 of the housing 110 can include a friction-reducing coating or be otherwise configured to facilitate rotation and / or longitudinal movement of the trocar component 120 within the housing 110.

[0024] The first end cap 102 and the second end cap 104 of the trocar assembly 100 are respectively secured to the proximal portion 114 and the distal portion 116 of the tubular body 112 of the housing 110. The first end cap 102 and the second end cap 104 may be secured to the tubular body 112 using adhesives, welding, friction fit, a mechanical interface, such as a threaded or bayonet coupling, or in any other suitable manner.

[0025] The first end cap 102 of the trocar assembly 100 defines an opening 103 configured to receive the proximal portion 134 of the drive member 130 therethrough. The first end cap 102 further defines a recess 103a ( Figure 5 ). The snap ring 106 longitudinally secures the drive member 130 relative to the housing 110 while permitting the drive member 130 to rotate relative to the housing 110. The end cap 102 may be configured to support a bearing assembly (not shown) to reduce friction between the drive member 130 and the housing 110 and to facilitate rotation of the drive member 130.

[0026] The second end cap 104 of the trocar assembly 100 defines a threaded hole 105 configured to be threadedly engaged with the trocar component 120 of the trocar assembly 100. In an embodiment, the second end cap 104 is formed of a plastic such as PEEK or other friction-reducing material, and / or includes an insert or coating that reduces friction so as to be threadedly engaged with the trocar component 120. In other embodiments, the second cap 104 is formed of stainless steel and any desired thread form can be utilized. In one example, the thread form can utilize a trapezoidal thread. In another example, the thread form can utilize a V-type thread. In yet other examples, the thread form can be a combination of a trapezoidal and a V-type. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the second cap 104 can use a variety of materials, utilize various coatings, and have a thread form of any style.

[0027] Continue to refer Figures 4 to 6 The trocar component 120 of the trocar assembly 100 includes an elongated body 122 having a cylindrical proximal portion 124, a threaded central portion 126, and a tapered distal portion 128. The trocar component 120 of the trocar assembly 100 is configured to rotate and move longitudinally relative to the housing 110 of the trocar assembly 100.

[0028] As will be described in further detail below, the rotation of the drive member 130 of the trocar assembly 100 in the first rotational direction, i.e., as determined by Figure 6 Clockwise rotation, as indicated by arrow "A" in FIG. 1 , rotates the trocar component 120 in the first rotational direction. Rotation of the trocar component 120 in the first direction causes the trocar component 120 to move longitudinally, i.e., advance, in the first longitudinal direction, as in FIG. Figure 5 In contrast, the rotation of the drive member 130 of the trocar assembly 100 in the second rotational direction, i.e., as indicated by the arrow "B", Figure 6 The counterclockwise rotation indicated by the arrow "C" in the figure rotates the cannula needle component 120 in the second rotational direction. The rotation of the cannula needle component 120 in the second rotational direction causes the cannula needle component 120 to move longitudinally in the second longitudinal direction, i.e., retract, as shown in Figure 7 Indicated by arrow "D".

[0029] The cylindrical proximal portion 124 of the trocar component 120 maintains the trocar component 120 in axial alignment with the housing 110 of the trocar assembly 100. The cylindrical proximal portion 124 may include a coating that reduces friction, or otherwise be configured to facilitate rotation and longitudinal movement of the trocar component 120 relative to the housing 110 of the trocar assembly 100. The cylindrical proximal portion 124 of the trocar component 120 also acts as a stop member for retaining the trocar component 120 within the housing 110 of the trocar assembly 100. More specifically, a distal portion 124a of the cylindrical proximal portion 124 of the trocar component 120 engages with the second end cap 104 to prevent the trocar component 130 from leaving the housing 110 of the trocar assembly 100 during advancement of the trocar component 120.

[0030] The threaded central portion 126 of the trocar component 120 of the trocar assembly 100 includes threads 126a that engage with the threaded hole 105 of the second end cap 104. The threads 126a are configured so that the trocar component 120 can be threaded in a manner similar to that in the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 Rotation in a first rotational direction indicated by arrow "A" causes the trocar component 120 to rotate in a first rotational direction as indicated by arrow "A". Figure 5 The trocar component 120 moves in a first longitudinal direction indicated by the arrow "B" in FIG. Figure 6 Rotation in the second rotational direction indicated by arrow "C" in FIG. 1 causes trocar component 120 to rotate in a direction indicated by arrow "C" in FIG. Figure 7 Movement in the second longitudinal direction indicated by the arrow “D”.

[0031] The tapered distal portion 128 of the trocar component 120 is configured to be releasably connected by the anvil assembly 50 of the surgical stapler 10. The tapered distal portion 128 of the trocar component 120 can be configured to pierce or otherwise be received by tissue. The tapered distal portion 128 of the trocar component 120 defines a notch 129 configured to facilitate attachment to the anvil assembly 50.

[0032] The elongated body 122 of the trocar component 120 defines a longitudinal passage 121 that is sized to receive the drive component 130 of the trocar assembly 100. In an embodiment, and as Figure 6 As shown, the longitudinal passage 121 includes a square cross-section. It is contemplated that the longitudinal passage 121 may include a cross-section of any shape suitable for fixed rotational engagement with the drive member 130 of the trocar assembly 100. The trocar component 120 includes a friction reducing feature along the longitudinal passage 121 that is configured to facilitate longitudinal movement of the trocar component 120 relative to the drive member 130.

[0033] Also refer to Figures 4 to 6, the drive member 130 of the trocar assembly 100 includes an elongated body 132 having a proximal engagement portion 134, a bearing portion 136, and a distal drive portion 138. The proximal engagement portion 134 of the drive member 130 is configured to operably engage with a drive element (not shown) of the handle assembly 30. The bearing portion 136 of the drive member 130 defines a groove 137 configured to receive the snap ring 106 of the trocar assembly 100. The snap ring 106 maintains the drive member 130 longitudinally disposed within the housing 110 of the trocar assembly 100 while permitting the drive member 130 to rotate relative to the housing 110. The drive portion 138 of the drive member 130 is configured to be received within the longitudinal channel 121 of the elongated body 122 of the trocar component 120 of the trocar assembly 100. As mentioned above, in the embodiment and as shown, the drive portion 138 of the drive member 130 includes a square cross-section corresponding to the square cross-section of the longitudinal passage 121, but other shapes are also contemplated. The drive portion 138 can be formed of or include a friction-reducing material to permit the cannula needle component 120 to move longitudinally relative to the drive member 130.

[0034] The operation of the surgical stapler 10 including the trocar assembly 100 is generally similar to the operation of the surgical stapler and trocar assembly shown and described in the '879 publication.

[0035] Although illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to those precise embodiments and that various other changes and modifications may be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A trocar assembly for releasably engaging an adapter assembly of a surgical stapler, the trocar assembly comprising: a housing comprising a first end cap and a second end cap; a trocar component rotatably supported by the housing and movable between a retracted position and an advanced position, the trocar component including a threaded body and defining a longitudinal passage; as well as a drive member rotatably supported within the housing and including a drive portion received within the longitudinal passage of the trocar member, wherein rotation of the drive member causes the trocar member to move longitudinally, wherein the trocar component further comprises a cylindrical proximal portion configured to function as a stop member for retaining the trocar component within the housing of the trocar assembly, wherein a distal portion of the cylindrical proximal portion of the trocar component engages the second end cap to prevent the trocar component from exiting the housing of the trocar assembly during advancement of the trocar component.

2. The trocar assembly of claim 1, wherein the second end cap includes a threaded hole through which the threaded body of the trocar member is received to allow the trocar member to move longitudinally during rotation of the drive member.

3. The trocar assembly of claim 1, wherein the first end cap includes a hole and the drive member includes an engagement portion received through the hole.

4. The trocar assembly of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal passage comprises a cross-section of any shape suitable for fixed rotational engagement with the drive member of the trocar assembly.

5. The trocar assembly of claim 4, wherein rotation of the drive member in a first direction causes the trocar member to rotationally advance.

6. The trocar assembly of claim 5, wherein rotation of the drive member in a second direction causes the trocar member to retract.

7. The trocar assembly of claim 1, wherein the second end cap is configured to retain the trocar component within the housing.

8. The trocar assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing defines at least one slot to facilitate attachment of the trocar assembly within an adapter assembly.

9. The trocar assembly of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the trocar component is configured to be operably engaged by an anvil assembly.

10. The trocar assembly of claim 9, wherein the distal end of the trocar member includes a tapered end.

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