Actuator connection assembly and end effector assembly

Abstract

The application provides an actuator connecting assembly and an end effector assembly. The actuator connecting assembly comprises a connecting plate, a distal end of the connecting plate being pivotally connected to an actuator of a surgical stapler, a proximal end of the connecting plate being provided with a first limiting structure; a second limiting structure being provided at a distal end of a shaft assembly of the surgical stapler, the second limiting structure being at least partially in interference fit with the first limiting structure to limit axial displacement of the first limiting structure relative to the shaft assembly. The interference fit between the second limiting structure provided at the distal end of the shaft assembly and the first limiting structure provided at the proximal end of the connecting plate improves the connection stability of the proximal end of the connecting plate and the shaft assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of medical device technology, specifically to an actuator connection assembly and an end effector assembly. Background Technology

[0002] Surgical staplers generally consist of an instrument body and a loading unit. The loading unit includes a shaft assembly and an actuator. The actuator is mounted distal to the instrument body via the shaft assembly. The surgeon controls the distal actuator by manipulating the instrument body to perform the surgery. In the loading unit, the proximal end of the actuator includes a pivot connector, which is connected to the distal end of the staple cartridge housing of the shaft assembly via a connecting plate. A pin on the pivot connector is connected to the distal end of the connecting plate, and the staple cartridge housing is fixedly connected to the proximal end of the connecting plate. When the instrument body drives the pivot connector to pivot relative to the distal end of the connecting plate via the pin, the jaws of the actuator and the shaft assembly have an angle greater than 0°. When the instrument body drives the pivot connector to pivot relative to the distal end of the connecting plate via the pin, the jaws of the actuator and the shaft assembly are axially parallel.

[0003] Currently, the connecting piece is made of metal, while the nail cartridge shell is injection molded from plastic. An axial gap exists during the fixed assembly of the metal connecting piece and the plastic nail cartridge shell. This axial gap causes instability in the fixed connection between the proximal end of the connecting piece and the nail cartridge shell. In the aforementioned bending and reset (or initial) states, the actuator exhibits axial movement and loose, wobbling motion. Furthermore, when the control device body enters the firing process, the axial gap causes the proximal end of the nail cartridge to be forced and move distally, easily leading to incomplete firing and other abnormalities. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the problems in the prior art, the purpose of this application is to provide an actuator connection component and a surgical stapler to improve the connection stability between the proximal end of the connecting piece and the shaft assembly.

[0005] This application provides an actuator connection assembly for a surgical stapler, the connection assembly comprising:

[0006] The connecting piece has its distal end connected to the actuator of the surgical stapler, and its proximal end is provided with a first limiting structure.

[0007] A second limiting structure is located at the distal end of the shaft assembly of the surgical stapler. The second limiting structure is at least partially interference-fitted with the first limiting structure to limit the axial displacement of the first limiting structure relative to the shaft assembly.

[0008] In some embodiments, the shaft assembly includes a nail box housing, a first limiting structure being the proximal end face of a connecting piece, and a second limiting structure being a protrusion disposed on the proximal end face of a limiting groove on the nail box housing. The proximal end of the connecting piece is limited in the limiting groove, wherein the protrusion protrudes toward the proximal end face of the connecting piece, and the protrusion is interference-fitted with the proximal end face of the connecting piece.

[0009] In some embodiments, the protrusion is a strip-shaped rib that extends from one side of the proximal end face of the limiting groove to the opposite side.

[0010] In some embodiments, the shaft assembly includes a nail box housing, a first limiting structure being the proximal end face of a connecting piece, and a second limiting structure being a limiting slope. The limiting slope is disposed on the proximal end face of a limiting groove on the nail box housing. The limiting slope extends obliquely upward from the inside to the outside toward the proximal end of the shaft assembly, and the bottom of the proximal end face of the connecting piece is interference-fitted with the bottom of the limiting slope.

[0011] In some embodiments, the top of the limiting bevel protrudes beyond the top of the proximal end face of the connecting piece.

[0012] In some embodiments, the top of the proximal end face of the connecting piece and the upper middle region of the limiting slope are interference-fitted.

[0013] In some embodiments, the first limiting structure is a recess located at the proximal end of the connecting piece, and the second limiting structure is a protrusion extending from the inner wall of the outer sleeve of the self-shaft assembly. The proximal end of the connecting piece is fixed between the nail box housing and the outer sleeve, and the protrusion and the recess are interference-fitted.

[0014] In some embodiments, the outer wall of the outer sleeve includes a corresponding recess in the area corresponding to the protrusion.

[0015] In some embodiments, the actuator connection component further includes:

[0016] The pivoting connector includes a pin, and the distal end of the connecting piece is provided with a mounting hole. The pin is mounted in the mounting hole, so that the pivoting connector pivots relative to the connecting piece through the pin, thereby changing the included angle between the actuator and the shaft assembly.

[0017] This application also provides an end effector assembly, including the aforementioned actuator connection assembly.

[0018] The actuator connection assembly and surgical stapler provided in this application have the following advantages:

[0019] This application uses an interference fit between a second limiting structure at the distal end of the shaft assembly and a first limiting structure at the proximal end of the connecting piece to limit the axial displacement of the first limiting structure relative to the shaft assembly, thereby improving the connection stability between the proximal end of the connecting piece and the shaft assembly, making the overall instrument structure more compact and stable, avoiding axial movement of the actuator during firing, and thus improving the surgical effect. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Other features, objects, and advantages of this application will become more apparent from the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the actuator and shaft assembly in one embodiment of this application;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a partial bottom view of the actuator and shaft assembly in one embodiment of this application;

[0023] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Enlarged view of point A in the middle;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the nail box shell according to an embodiment of this application;

[0025] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a connecting piece according to an embodiment of this application;

[0026] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the proximal end of the connecting piece and the nail box shell in one embodiment of this application;

[0027] Figure 7 This is a partial side view of the connection piece and the nail box housing in one embodiment of this application;

[0028] Figure 8 This is a partial side view of the nail box housing according to another embodiment of this application;

[0029] Figure 9 This is a partial side view of the connecting piece and the nail box housing in another embodiment of this application.

[0030] Figure label:

[0031] 1-Actuator; 11-Pin cartridge assembly; 12-Pin anvil; 2-Connecting piece; 21-Mechanism connection part; 211-Assembly hole; 22-Connecting rod part; 23-First limiting part; 231-Proximal end face of connecting piece; 232-Bending part; 3-Shaft assembly; 31-Outer sleeve; 32-Pin cartridge housing; 32a-First pin cartridge housing; 32b-Second pin cartridge housing; 321-Limiting groove; 322-Protrusion; 323-Step part; 324-Mounting groove; 325-Limiting inclined surface; 4-Pin; 5-Pivoting connector. Detailed Implementation

[0032] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, these exemplary embodiments can be implemented in many forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this application will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the exemplary embodiments to those skilled in the art. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same or similar structures, and therefore repeated descriptions of them will be omitted. The words “or” and “or” in the specification may mean “and” or “or”. Although the terms “upper,” “lower,” “between,” etc., may be used in this specification to describe different exemplary features and elements of this application, these terms are used herein only for convenience, such as the orientation according to the examples described in the accompanying drawings. Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiring a specific three-dimensional orientation of the structure to fall within the scope of this application. Although “first” or “second,” etc., are used in this specification to denote certain features, they are merely indicative of function and not as a limitation on the number or importance of specific features.

[0033] This application provides an actuator connection assembly for a surgical stapler and a surgical stapler including the same. The surgical stapler includes an instrument body, a shaft assembly, and an actuator. Figure 1 The diagram shows the structure in which the actuator 1 mates with the shaft assembly 3. The actuator 1 is mounted to the distal end of the instrument body via the shaft assembly 3. The actuator 1 and the shaft assembly 3 are rotatably connected via an actuator connecting assembly.

[0034] Figures 2-4 The structure of the actuator connection assembly in this embodiment is shown. For example... Figures 2-4 As shown, the actuator connection assembly includes: a connecting piece 2, the distal end of which is pivotally connected to the actuator 1 of the surgical stapler, and a first limiting structure at the proximal end of the connecting piece 2; and a second limiting structure located at the distal end of the shaft assembly 3 of the surgical stapler, the second limiting structure being at least partially interference-fitted with the first limiting structure to limit the axial displacement of the first limiting structure relative to the shaft assembly 3. In this embodiment, axial displacement refers to displacement along the axial direction of the shaft assembly from the distal end to the proximal end or from the proximal end to the distal end.

[0035] This application uses an interference fit between the second limiting structure at the distal end of the shaft assembly 3 and the first limiting structure at the proximal end of the connecting piece 2 to limit the axial displacement of the first limiting structure relative to the shaft assembly 3, thereby improving the axial connection stability between the proximal end of the connecting piece 2 and the shaft assembly 3. This makes the actuator, connecting assembly and shaft assembly at the distal end of the connecting piece 2 more compact and stable. Therefore, it can effectively prevent the axial movement of the actuator 1 during assembly or firing while ensuring the stability of the device.

[0036] like Figures 1-5 As shown, in this embodiment, the actuator 1 includes a staple cartridge assembly 11 and a staple anvil 12 disposed opposite to each other. A pivot connector 5 is provided at the proximal end of the staple cartridge assembly 11, and the pivot connector 5 includes a pin 4. The shaft assembly 3 includes a staple cartridge housing 32 and an outer sleeve 31 fitted over the staple cartridge housing 32. A mounting hole 211 is provided at the distal end of the connecting piece 2, and the pin 4 is fitted into the mounting hole 211, allowing the pivot connector 5 to pivot relative to the connecting piece 2 via the pin 4, thereby changing the angle between the actuator 1 and the shaft assembly 3. The proximal end of the connecting piece 2 is connected to the staple cartridge housing 32. The staple cartridge housing 32 is, for example, a plastic housing, and the connecting piece 2 is, for example, a metal part, but this application is not limited thereto. The outer and inner sides of the staple cartridge housing 32 are relative to the axis of the shaft assembly 3; the side closer to the shaft assembly 3 is the inner side, and the side farther from the shaft assembly 3 is the outer side.

[0037] In this application, "distal" and "proximal" are relative to the operator; the end furthest from the operator is the distal end, and the end closest to the operator is the proximal end. Figure 2 From this perspective, the left end of the anvil 12 is the distal end, and the right end is the proximal end. Axial axis refers to the axial direction of the actuator 1, such as in... Figure 2 From this perspective, the axis refers to the left-right direction. The lateral direction refers to the width direction, such as in... Figure 2 From this perspective, the width direction refers to the vertical direction. The vertical direction refers to the height direction, as in... Figure 7 From this perspective, vertical refers to the up-down direction.

[0038] like Figures 3-5 As shown, the connecting piece 2 includes a mechanism connecting portion 21, a connecting rod portion 22, and a first limiting portion 23 arranged sequentially from the distal end to the proximal end. The first limiting structure of the connecting piece 2 is the proximal end face 231 of the connecting piece 2. The mechanism connecting portion 21 is provided with the aforementioned mounting hole 211. Through the cooperation between the pin 4 and the mounting hole 211, the distal end of the connecting piece 2 cannot move axially relative to the actuator 1. Therefore, the stability of the axial position of the connecting piece 2 also ensures the stability of the axial position of the actuator 1.

[0039] like Figures 4-6As shown, the second limiting structure includes a limiting groove 321 that accommodates the first limiting part 23 and a protrusion 322 on the proximal end face of the limiting groove 321. The protrusion 322 protrudes towards the proximal end face 231 of the connecting piece 2 relative to the proximal end face of the limiting groove 321. The proximal end face 231 of the connecting piece 2 is embedded in the limiting groove 321, and the proximal end face 231 of the connecting piece 2 is opposite to the proximal end face of the limiting groove 321. The proximal end face 231 of the connecting piece 2 and the protrusion 322 are press-fitted to limit the axial displacement of the connecting piece 2 relative to the limiting groove 321, which in turn limits the axial displacement of the connecting piece 2 relative to the shaft assembly 3. This effectively limits the shaking of the connecting piece 2 relative to the shaft assembly 3, thereby preventing accidental axial movement of the actuator 1 relative to the shaft assembly 3.

[0040] like Figure 4 As shown, in this embodiment, the limiting groove 321 is provided with two protrusions 322, each protrusion 322 being a strip-shaped rib. Optionally, the rib extends continuously from one side of the proximal end face of the limiting groove 321 to the other side. Optionally, the rib extends longitudinally, but this application is not limited thereto. In other alternative embodiments, the number of protrusions 322 can be increased or decreased as needed, and the structure of the protrusions 322 is not limited to ribs; it can also be a boss or other structures.

[0041] like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, in this embodiment, the connecting assembly includes two connecting pieces 2. A second limiting structure is provided on each of the longitudinal sides of the nail cartridge housing 32. The two connecting pieces 2 are respectively installed on the longitudinal sides of the nail cartridge housing 32, and the first limiting portion 23 of each connecting piece 2 cooperates with a corresponding second limiting structure. Optionally, the nail cartridge housing 32 includes a first nail cartridge housing 32a and a second nail cartridge housing 32b. A second limiting structure is provided on the upper surface of the first nail cartridge housing 32a and the lower surface of the second nail cartridge housing 32b to cooperate with the first limiting portion 23 of a connecting piece 2. However, this application is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the nail cartridge housing 32 can also be an integral cylindrical housing with second limiting structures provided on its upper and lower circumferential surfaces.

[0042] like Figures 4-6As shown, in this embodiment, the first limiting part 23 has bending parts 232 on both sides, and the limiting groove 321 has step parts 323 on both sides. The bending parts 232 are bent towards the nail box shell 32 relative to the middle of the first limiting part 23 and embedded in the step parts 323 to adapt to the curvature of the nail box shell 32. The nail box shell 32 also has a mounting groove 324, and the connecting rod part 22 of the connecting piece 2 is embedded in the mounting groove 324. The lateral width of the mounting groove 324 is smaller than the lateral width of the limiting groove 321. An axial stop is formed between the distal end face of the limiting groove 321 and the distal end face of the first limiting part 23 of the connecting piece 2. The ribs on the distal end face and the proximal end face of the limiting groove 321 cooperate with the first limiting part 23 of the connecting piece 2 to prevent the first limiting part 23 from axially displacing relative to the nail box shell 32.

[0043] In another embodiment of this application, the axial displacement of the connecting piece 2 can be limited by providing a second limiting structure on the outer sleeve 31. The first limiting structure is a recess located at the proximal end of the connecting piece 2, and the second limiting structure is a protrusion extending from the inner wall of the outer sleeve 31 of the shaft assembly 3. The proximal end of the connecting piece 2 is fixed between the nail box housing 32 and the outer sleeve 31, and the protrusion and the recess are press-fitted. The press-fit between the protrusion and the recess on the outer sleeve 31 limits the axial displacement of the proximal end of the connecting piece 2 relative to the shaft assembly 3, further improving the stability of the actuator 1 after it is installed at the distal end of the shaft assembly 3. Optionally, the outer wall of the outer sleeve 31 includes a corresponding recess corresponding to the protrusion area. Optionally, the protrusion is formed by a stamping process, that is, a protrusion protruding towards the center relative to the inner wall of the outer sleeve 31 is formed by stamping from the outer wall of the outer sleeve 31 inward, thereby forming a stamped recess on the outer wall of the outer sleeve 31. Optionally, the recess is a through hole formed at the proximal end of the connecting piece 2, or the recess is a blind hole formed at the proximal end of the connecting piece 2.

[0044] Figure 8 and Figure 9The structure of an actuator connection assembly according to another embodiment of this application is shown. The difference between this embodiment and the previous embodiment is that the second limiting structure is a limiting inclined surface 325, and the bottom of the proximal end face 231 of the connecting piece 2 is interference-fitted with the bottom of the limiting inclined surface 325. The limiting inclined surface 325 is disposed on the proximal end face of the limiting groove 321. The first limiting portion 23 of the connecting piece 2 is embedded in the limiting groove 321, and the proximal end face 231 of the connecting piece 2 is interference-fitted with the limiting inclined surface 325. The inclination direction of the limiting inclined surface 325 is: extending obliquely upward from the limiting inclined surface 325 outward toward the proximal end of the shaft assembly 3. The proximal end face 231 of the connecting piece 2 is a vertical surface, or the proximal end face 231 of the connecting piece 2 is an inclined surface with the same inclination direction as the limiting inclined surface 325, but the inclination angle of the proximal end face 231 of the connecting piece 2 is smaller than the inclination angle of the limiting inclined surface 325, so as to ensure a stable interference fit between the inner side of the limiting inclined surface 325 and the proximal end face 231 of the connecting piece 2, effectively limiting the shaking of the connecting piece 2 relative to the shaft assembly 3. Optionally, the top of the limiting inclined surface 325 protrudes beyond the top of the proximal end face 231 of the connecting piece 2. Optionally, the top of the proximal end face 231 of the connecting piece 2 has an interference fit with the upper middle region of the limiting inclined surface 325.

[0045] In summary, this application uses an interference fit between the second limiting structure at the distal end of the shaft assembly 3 and the first limiting structure at the proximal end of the connecting piece 2 to limit the axial displacement of the first limiting structure relative to the shaft assembly 3, thereby improving the connection stability between the proximal end of the connecting piece 2 and the shaft assembly 3, making the overall instrument structure more compact and stable, avoiding axial movement of the actuator 1 during firing, and thus improving the surgical effect.

[0046] The above description, in conjunction with specific preferred embodiments, provides a further detailed explanation of this application and should not be construed as limiting the specific implementation of this application to these descriptions. For those skilled in the art, various simple deductions or substitutions can be made without departing from the concept of this application, and all such modifications or substitutions should be considered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. An actuator connection component, characterized in that, For a surgical stapler, the connecting assembly includes: A connecting piece, the distal end of which is connected to the actuator of the surgical stapler, and the proximal end of which is provided with a first limiting structure; A second limiting structure is disposed at the distal end of the shaft assembly of the surgical stapler. The second limiting structure is at least partially interference-fitted with the first limiting structure to limit the axial displacement of the first limiting structure relative to the shaft assembly.

2. The actuator connection assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The shaft assembly includes a nail cartridge housing, the first limiting structure is the proximal end face of the connecting piece, and the second limiting structure is a protrusion. The protrusion is disposed on the proximal end face of a limiting groove on the nail cartridge housing, and the proximal end of the connecting piece is limited in the limiting groove. The protrusion protrudes toward the proximal end face of the connecting piece, and the protrusion is interference-fitted with the proximal end face of the connecting piece.

3. The actuator connection assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, The protrusion is a strip-shaped rib, which extends from one side of the near end face of the limiting groove to the opposite side.

4. The actuator connection assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The shaft assembly includes a nail cartridge housing, the first limiting structure is the proximal end face of the connecting piece, and the second limiting structure is a limiting inclined surface. The limiting inclined surface is disposed on the proximal end face of the limiting groove on the nail cartridge housing. The limiting inclined surface extends obliquely upward from the inside to the outside toward the proximal end of the shaft assembly, and the bottom of the proximal end face of the connecting piece is interference-fitted with the bottom of the limiting inclined surface.

5. The actuator connection assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that, The top of the limiting slope protrudes beyond the top of the proximal end face of the connecting piece.

6. The actuator connection assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that, The top of the proximal end face of the connecting piece and the upper middle area of ​​the limiting slope are interference-fitted.

7. The actuator connection assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first limiting structure is a recessed portion located at the proximal end of the connecting piece, and the second limiting structure is a protrusion extending from the inner wall of the outer sleeve of the shaft assembly. The proximal end of the connecting piece is fixed between the nail box housing and the outer sleeve, and the protrusion and the recessed portion are interference-fitted.

8. The actuator connection assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that, The outer wall of the outer sleeve includes a corresponding recess in the area corresponding to the protrusion.

9. The actuator connection assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: A pivoting connector, comprising a pin, wherein the distal end of the connecting piece is provided with a mounting hole, and the pin is fitted into the mounting hole, such that the pivoting connector pivots relative to the connecting piece via the pin, thereby changing the included angle between the actuator and the shaft assembly.

10. An end effector assembly, characterized in that, Includes the actuator connection component as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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