Surgical instruments

Abstract

The present application provides a surgical instrument comprising a handle portion, an elongate shaft extending distally from the handle portion, an end effector, a joint assembly, an articulation mechanism, and a lockout assembly. The lockout assembly comprises a first locking member and a second locking member. The first locking member is operable to selectively lock a bending motion of the articulation mechanism, the first locking member configured to selectively lock a bending motion of the articulation mechanism under actuation of the articulation mechanism. The second locking member is configured to selectively lock a position of the joint assembly under actuation of the handle portion.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims priority from Chinese Patent Application No. 202210088344.7, filed with the Patent Office of the State Intellectual Property Administration of China on January 25, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD This application relates to the field of medical instruments, and more particularly to surgical instruments. [Background technology]

[0003] In the related art, surgical instruments, such as surgical staplers, are commonly used on soft tissue to reduce or eliminate bleeding from the soft tissue during the tissue cutting process. The surgical stapler includes an end effector and an articulation steering mechanism for articulating the end effector. The end effector includes a staple cartridge assembly and a staple anvil, wherein staples are positioned within the staple cartridge assembly, and the staple anvil and staple cartridge assembly are closed to clamp and secure the soft tissue together.

[0004] The articulation manipulation mechanism includes a joint assembly, an articulation mechanism, and two articulation bands for transmitting motion provided by the articulation mechanism (articulation knob) to the joint assembly. One end of each articulation band is hingedly connected to the articulation mechanism, and the other end of each articulation band is hingedly connected to a joint member, thereby forming a link mechanism. The articulation mechanism is configured to drive one of the two articulation bands to move forward and the other to move backward, thereby articulating the joint members. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The surgical instrument provided by the present invention may implement locking of the joint assembly in the closed state to avoid the problem of the end effector swinging freely in the closed state.

[0006] The present invention provides a surgical instrument comprising: an end effector configured to perform a procedure on tissue, the end effector having an open state for receiving tissue and a closed state for stapling the tissue; a handle portion configured to operably provide an opening drive force to open the end effector or a closing drive force to close the end effector; an elongate shaft extending distally from the handle portion and having a longitudinal axis, the elongate shaft configured to transmit a drive force from the handle portion to the end effector; a joint assembly coupled to the end effector and the elongate shaft, respectively; an articulation mechanism configured to operably provide an articulation drive force to the joint assembly to articulate the end effector relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft; 1. A lockout assembly comprising: a first locking member configured to selectively lock the articulation mechanism against articulation; and a second locking member configured to selectively lock the position of the joint assembly upon manipulation of the handle portion; a lockout assembly comprising: Equipped with.

[0007] In some embodiments of the present application, the second locking member is configured to lock the joint assembly when the handle portion is actuated to apply a closing driving force to the end effector and to release the joint assembly when the handle portion is actuated to apply an opening driving force to the end effector.

[0008] In some embodiments herein, the elongate shaft comprises an outer tube, and the second locking member is engaged with the outer tube, such that the second locking member moves synchronously or substantially synchronously with the outer tube.

[0009] In some embodiments of the present application, a support is disposed within the distal portion of the outer tube, a slider is slidably coupled to the support, the slider is coupled to the outer tube via an insert fitting portion, and a second locking member is coupled to the slider directly or via a first biasing member.

[0010] In some embodiments of the present application, the insert fitting comprises a recess or protrusion disposed on the inner wall of the outer tube and a correspondingly disposed protrusion or recess on the slider.

[0011] In some embodiments of the present application, the joint assembly comprises a joint member, wherein a locking groove is disposed on the joint member, and the locking groove is operated to be engaged with a second locking member to lock the position of the joint assembly.

[0012] In some embodiments of the present application, the outer tube is operable to move distally along the longitudinal axis under the action of a closing mechanism and to move proximally along the longitudinal axis under the action of an opening mechanism.

[0013] In some embodiments of the present application, the closure mechanism comprises: a closure trigger disposed to be operatively rotated about a pivot pin and having a closed position and an unlocked position, the closure trigger having a plurality of first transmission teeth disposed thereon; a close transmission member including a plurality of second transmission teeth engaged with the first transmission teeth, the close transmission member being slidably received within a frame extending along the longitudinal axis; a coupling member configured to couple the closed transmission member to the outer tube; Equipped with When the closure trigger is actuated, the closure transmission member is actuated to move distally along the frame, thereby actuating the outer tube to move distally.

[0014] In some embodiments of the present application, the opening mechanism comprises: an opening button configured to operatively rotate about a pivot pin, the opening button including an opening lock portion configured to be engaged by a closure trigger; a second biasing member disposed between the close transmission member and the frame, the second biasing member configured to bias the close transmission member at its proximal end; Equipped with When the release button is triggered, the release lock portion releases the closure trigger from the closed position and is biased by the second biasing member to move proximally, thereby actuating the outer tube to move proximally.

[0015] In some embodiments of the present application, the first locking member includes a first bar portion and a second locking tooth, each of which is engaged with the articulation mechanism, and the first bar portion is operably engaged with the articulation mechanism to release the articulation mechanism from a state in which the articulation mechanism is locked by the second locking tooth.

[0016] In some embodiments of the present application, the articulation mechanism includes a first cam disc, a second cam disc, and an articulation knob for actuating and rotating the first cam disc and the second cam disc, wherein the first cam disc is operably engaged with a first bar portion of the first locking member, the second cam disc is operably engaged with a second locking tooth of the first locking member, and the first cam disc is operated by the articulation knob to actuate the first bar portion of the first locking member to disengage the second locking tooth of the first locking member from the second cam disc.

[0017] In some embodiments of the present application, the first cam disc includes a plurality of first locking notches configured to be engaged with the first bar portion of the first locking member, and the second cam disc includes a plurality of second locking notches configured to be engaged with the second locking teeth of the first locking member.

[0018] In some embodiments of the present application, the first cam disc is stacked on top of the second cam disc and can be rotated through a certain angle relative to the second cam disc, and the first bar portion and the second locking tooth are positioned on the first locking member so as to be aligned with the first cam disc and the second cam disc, respectively.

[0019] In some embodiments of the present application, the articulation mechanism further comprises a first member engaged with the articulation knob and the first cam disc, respectively, to operably drive and rotate the first cam disc.

[0020] In some embodiments of the present application, the articulation mechanism further comprises a transmission coaxially and fixedly engaged to the second cam disc, the transmission being operably engaged to the articulation transmission assembly for articulating the joint assembly.

[0021] In some embodiments of the present application, the articulation transmission assembly comprises a rack and an articulation band engaged to the articulation mechanism, a proximal end of the articulation band engaged to the rack and a distal end of the articulation band hinged to a joint member of the joint assembly.

[0022] In some embodiments of the present application, the joint member comprises an aperture and a transmission hole, the aperture configured to receive a pivot to pivotally engage the joint member to the elongate shaft, the transmission hole engaged with an articulation transmission assembly to be actuated to articulate the joint assembly, and an axis of the transmission hole disposed distally from the axis of the aperture.

[0023] In some embodiments of the present application, the distance between the axis of the transmission hole and the axis of the aperture along the longitudinal axis is in the range of 0 to 1 mm.

[0024] In some embodiments of the present application, the distal end of the elongate shaft comprises a support, the distal end of the support being engaged with the aperture of the joint member via the pivot.

[0025] In some embodiments of the present application, the articulation band of the articulation transmission assembly is pivotally received within the transmission hole.

[0026] The present application provides a surgical instrument, the surgical instrument comprising: The handle and an elongate shaft extending distally from the handle portion, the elongate shaft having a longitudinal axis; a joint assembly respectively engaged with a distal end of the elongate shaft and a proximal end of the end effector operably actuated by an articulation mechanism to pivot away from a longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft; a second locking member configured to be actuated by the handle portion to operatively lock the position of the joint assembly, the second locking member being actuated to move synchronously or substantially synchronously with the outer tube of the elongate shaft; Equipped with.

[0027] In some embodiments of the present application, the second locking member is configured to operably reciprocate such that when a closing drive force is applied from the handle portion to the end effector, the second locking member is actuated to lock the position of the joint assembly, and when an opening drive force is applied from the handle portion to the end effector, the second locking member is actuated to release the joint assembly.

[0028] In some embodiments of the present application, the surgical instrument comprises: an articulation mechanism configured to operably provide an articulation drive force to the joint assembly to articulate the end effector relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft; a lockout assembly including a first locking member configured to operably lock the articulation mechanism from being articulated; and Further provided are:

[0029] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings that will aid in understanding the present invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic structural diagram of one embodiment of a surgical instrument according to the present application; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a portion of a handle portion of a surgical instrument according to the present application. [Figure 3A] 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a closure trigger moved to a closed position in a surgical instrument according to the present application; [Figure 3B] 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a closure trigger unlocked by a release button in a surgical instrument according to the present application; FIG. [Figure 4A] 10 is another schematic structural diagram of a closure trigger moved to a closed position in a surgical instrument according to the present application; FIG. [Figure 4B] 10 is another schematic structural view of the closure trigger unlocked by the release button in the surgical instrument of the present application; FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is an exploded view of a partial structure of a surgical instrument according to the present application. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a rotatable knob of a surgical instrument according to the present application. [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an articulation knob of a surgical instrument according to the present application; [Figure 8A] FIG. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a first cam disc of the articulation mechanism. [Figure 8B] FIG. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a first cam disc of the articulation mechanism. [Figure 9A] FIG. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a second cam disc and a transmission device of the articulation mechanism. [Figure 9B] FIG. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a second cam disc and a transmission device of the articulation mechanism. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a rack in the flexure transmission mechanism according to the present application. [Figure 11] 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an articulation band in a flexure transmission mechanism according to the present application; [Figure 12] 10 is a schematic structural diagram of the matching of the distal end of the elongated shaft and the joint member. FIG. [Figure 13] 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a first locking member according to the present application; [Figure 14A] FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a joint operation mechanism. [Figure 14B] FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a joint operation mechanism. [Figure 14C] FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a joint operation mechanism. [Figure 15A] 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a bending operation system in one state during bending operation. FIG. [Figure 15B] 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a bending operation system in one state during bending operation. FIG. [Figure 15C] 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a bending operation system in one state during bending operation. FIG. [Figure 15D] 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a bending operation system in one state during bending operation. FIG. [Figure 15E]1 is a schematic structural diagram of a bending operation system in one state during bending operation. FIG. [Figure 16] 1 is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of the distal end of an outer tube of an elongate shaft according to the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] The present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to these drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, but not all of them. Any other embodiments that can be realized by those skilled in the art based on these embodiments of the present application without creative work shall fall within the protection scope of the present application.

[0032] It should be noted that in the description of this application, orientations or positional relationships indicated by terms such as "center," "top," "bottom," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inside," and "outside" are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the drawings, are for convenience and simplification of the description of this application only, and do not suggest or imply that the devices or elements shown must have a particular orientation and be configured and operated in a particular orientation. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as suggesting or implying relative importance.

[0033] It should be noted that in the description of this application, the terms "mounted," "coupled," and "connection" should be understood in a broad sense unless otherwise specified. For example, "mounted," "coupled," and "connection" may refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection, a direct connection, an indirect connection via an intermediate medium, and a connection within two elements. The specific meaning of the above terms in this application may be understood by those skilled in the art in a specific example.

[0034] Furthermore, the technical features included in the various embodiments of the present application described hereinafter may be combined with each other unless they are mutually inconsistent.

[0035] In the present application, "distal end / distal side" refers to the end of the surgical instrument that is located farther from the operator during the procedure, and "proximal end" refers to the end / side of the surgical instrument that is located closer to the operator during the procedure.

[0036] 1 is a schematic structural diagram of one particular embodiment of a surgical instrument 100. The illustrated embodiment is an endoscopic instrument, and generally speaking, the embodiment of the surgical instrument 100 described herein is an endoscopic surgical instrument for cutting and stapling. However, it should be noted that the surgical instrument may also be a non-endoscopic surgical instrument for cutting and stapling, such as, for example, an open surgical instrument for thoracotomy.

[0037] Alternatively, the surgical instrument 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a handle portion 80, an elongate shaft 101, and an end effector 70. The elongate shaft 101, which defines a longitudinal axis C, extends distally from a distal portion of the handle portion 80. The end effector 70 includes an anvil assembly 71 and a staple cartridge assembly removably housed within a cartridge channel 72 and is adapted to perform a particular surgical procedure and to manipulate tissue, such as clamping, suturing / stapling, and cutting. A movable firing member for performing the particular surgical procedure is disposed within the end effector 70. While the embodiment of the surgical instrument 100 described herein provides an end effector 70 for cutting and stapling tissue, it should be understood that in an alternative embodiment, end effectors of other techniques for cutting and stapling tissue may be used. For example, an end effector for stapling tissue using radio frequency (RF) energy or an adhesive may be used. In one embodiment, the handle portion 80 is configured to operably supply an opening drive force to open the end effector 70 or a closing drive force to close the end effector 70, and the elongated shaft 101 extends distally from the handle portion 80 to define a longitudinal axis, and the elongated shaft 101 is configured to transmit the drive force of the handle portion 80 to the end effector 70.

[0038] 2 and 4A-4B, handle portion 80 includes a handle housing 83 and a closing mechanism and an opening mechanism mounted within handle housing 83. The closing mechanism is configured to control anvil assembly 71 of end effector 70 to pivot toward cartridge channel 72 until end effector 70 is closed. The opening mechanism is configured to control anvil assembly 71 of end effector 70 to pivot away from cartridge channel 72 until end effector 70 reaches a set position where it is open.

[0039] 1 and 2, the handle housing 83 is comprised of a first half 83a and a second half 83b, which may be detachably connected by a buckle, fastener, or the like, and may form an overall T-shape. The portion of the handle housing 83 extending along the longitudinal axis C forms a housing for the closing and opening mechanisms, and the portion of the handle housing 83 extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis C or inclined at an angle to the longitudinal axis C forms the grip portion 82.

[0040] 2, the closure mechanism includes a closure trigger 81, a closure transmission member 84, and a coupling member 85 configured to couple the closure transmission member 84 to the outer tube 101a of the elongate shaft 101. The closure trigger 81 is operatively pivoted about a pivot pin and has a closed position and an unlocked position. The closure trigger 81 includes a plurality of first transmission teeth 811 configured to engage with second transmission teeth 841 disposed on the closure transmission member 84 (as shown in FIGS. 3A-3B). The closure transmission member 84 is slidably received within a frame 86 extending along a longitudinal axis C. During operation, when the closure trigger 81 is moved toward the grip portion 82 as shown in FIG. 4A, the closure transmission member 84 is actuated by the closure trigger 81 to move distally along the frame 86, further driving the outer tube 101a to move distally, thereby actuating the anvil assembly 71 to pivot toward the cartridge channel 72 until the jaws of the end effector 70 are closed.

[0041] 2 and 3A-3B, the release mechanism includes an release button 87 operably rotated about a pivot pin and a second biasing member 88 positioned between the closure transmission member 84 and the frame 86, the second biasing member 88 applying a biasing force at the proximal end of the closure transmission member 84. The release button 87 includes an release lock portion 871 operably engaged with the closure trigger 81, and the release lock portion 871 locks the closure trigger 81 when the closure trigger 81 reaches a set position by being moved toward the grip portion 82, as shown in FIG. 3A. When the release button 87 is triggered, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 4B, the release lock portion 871 releases the closure trigger 81 from its closed position, and the closure transmission member 84 is actuated to move proximally under the action of the second biasing member 88, thereby actuating the outer tube 101a to move proximally. Thus, the anvil assembly 71 is pivoted away from the cartridge channel 72 under the influence of the biasing member until the end effector 70 is opened.

[0042] 1 to 5, the elongated shaft 101 is disposed to transmit various driving forces (e.g., driving forces for opening and closing the end effector 70, and driving forces for driving and moving the firing member) supplied by the handle portion 80 to the end effector 70. The elongated shaft 101 includes an outer tube 101a, the proximal end of which is engaged with the closure transmission member 84 of the handle portion 80, and the distal end of the outer tube 101a is rotatably engaged with the proximal end of the outer tube portion 73 at the proximal end of the end effector 70 via the pivot member 31.

[0043] The surgical instrument 100 provided in this embodiment of the present application further includes a rotatable knob 1 disposed distally of the handle portion 80 and fixedly engaged to the proximal end of the elongate shaft 101. When the rotatable knob 1 is actuated to rotate relative to the longitudinal axis of the surgical instrument 100 (see longitudinal axis C in FIG. 1 ), the elongate shaft 101 and the end effector 70 can be driven to rotate together.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 5 , to articulate the end effector 70 to a target angle relative to the longitudinal axis C of the elongated shaft 101, the elongated shaft 101 and the end effector 70 are engaged via a joint assembly 30 including a joint member 32. A distal end of the joint member 32 is fixedly engaged to the end effector 70, and a proximal end of the joint member 32 is pivotally engaged to the elongated shaft 101 via a pivot 33. Alternatively, a distal end of a frame 101 b of the elongated shaft 101 includes a support 101 c, and a distal end of the support 101 c is pivotally engaged to the joint member 32 via the pivot 33. An aperture 324 (as shown in FIG. 12 ) is provided in the joint member 32, and the aperture 324 is configured to receive the pivot 33 such that the joint member 32 is pivotally engaged to the frame 101 b of the elongated shaft 101. Furthermore, the joint assembly 30 is enclosed by a protective cover 34.

[0045] The surgical instrument 100 provided in this embodiment of the present application further includes an articulation mechanism 20 for articulating the joint assembly 30 and an articulation transmission assembly 40. The articulation mechanism 20 is configured to supply an articulation driving force to the joint assembly 30, thereby articulating the end effector 70 relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft 101. As shown in FIG. 5 , the articulation mechanism 20 includes an articulation knob 2 rotatably mounted on a rotatable knob 1, and when the articulation knob 2 is rotated, the end effector 70 is correspondingly articulated. The articulation transmission assembly 40 transmits the articulation driving force supplied by the articulation mechanism 20 to the joint assembly 30, thereby articulating the end effector 70 away from the longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft 101, thereby performing articulation of the end effector 70.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 6 , the articulation mechanism 20 in this embodiment of the present application includes a first cam disc 22 axially fixed to a bottom portion of the articulation knob 2. In this embodiment, the first cam disc 22 is axially fixed to the bottom portion of the articulation knob 2 via a first member 21. For example, as shown in FIG. 7 , a bar 211 is disposed on the inner wall of the first member 21. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 8 , a ridge 221 is provided extending upward on the top surface of the first cam disc 22 and configured to engage with the first member 21 via a pair of holes 222 symmetrically provided in the ridge 221. The bar 211 of the first member 21 is received in the holes 222 of the first cam disc 22 and thereby clamped to the first cam disc 22, providing a circumferentially fixed connection between the articulation knob 2 and the first cam disc 22. When the articulation knob 2 is operated to rotate, the first member 21 and the first cam disc 22 rotate correspondingly. In an alternative embodiment, the articulation knob 2 and the first cam disc 22 may be engaged and secured in other ways, such as by being locked and engaged by a fastener, which may be a screw or bolt, or the bottom portion of the articulation knob 2 may be welded and secured onto the top surface of the first cam disc 22.

[0047] 8A and 8B , in one embodiment, at least two first cutouts 224 are disposed in the circumferential outer wall of the first cam disc 22, and each pair of adjacent first cutouts 224 defines a first protrusion 223. Alternatively, seven, or two, three, four, five, six, eight, or more first cutouts 224 may be provided on the first cam disc 22. For example, the number of first cutouts 224 may be an odd number, and the first cutout 224 located in the middle may be defined as the initial position (non-articulated position) cutout.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 6 , the articulation mechanism 20 further includes a second cam disc 23 coaxially stacked on the first cam disc 22. For example, the first cam disc 22 may be stacked on the first cam disc 22 by being rotated by a certain angle relative to the second cam disc 23. For example, as shown in FIG. 8B , a protruding portion 225 extends axially downward from the lower surface of the first cam disc 22, and a pair of recesses 226 are symmetrically disposed on the outer circumferential wall of the protruding portion 225. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9A , the second cam disc 23 includes an inner opening 233 having a protruding portion 234 extending radially inward. In one embodiment, the pair of protruding portions 234 may be provided, for example, symmetrically disposed within the inner opening 233, to be engaged with the respective recesses 226 on the protruding portion 225 of the first cam disc 22. The protruding portion 225 of the first cam disc 22 fits into the inner opening 233 of the second cam disc 23, and this protrusion 234 engages with the recess 226 on the protruding portion 225 of the first cam disc 22, so that when the first cam disc 22 is operated to rotate, the second cam disc 23 can be operated to rotate together.

[0049] 9A , in one embodiment, similar to the first cam disc 22, at least two second cutouts 232 are disposed on the circumferentially outer wall of the second cam disc 23, and each pair of adjacent second cutouts 232 defines a second tooth 231. The number of second cutouts 232 on the second cam disc 23 is set to correspond to the number of first cutouts 224 on the first cam disc 22. For example, the number of second cutouts 232 on the second cam disc 23 may be set to seven, or alternatively, may be set to two, three, four, five, six, eight, or more. For example, the number of second cutouts 232 may be set to an odd number, and the middle second cutout 232 is defined as the initial position (non-articulated position) cutout.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 9B, in one embodiment, the transmission 24 is coaxially and fixedly mounted on the second cam disc 23, so that rotation of the second cam disc 23 drives and rotates the transmission 24 synchronously or substantially synchronously.

[0051] 5, the articulation transmission assembly 40 is configured to transmit the articulation driving force provided by the articulation mechanism 20 to the joint assembly 30. For example, the articulation transmission assembly 40 includes a rack 41 and an articulation band 42. With reference to FIGS. 5, 9B, and 9A, a portion of the rack 41 including teeth 411 engages with the transmission device 24 of the articulation mechanism 20, and another portion of the rack 41 is fixedly connected to a proximal end of the articulation band 42. A distal end of the articulation band 42 engages with the joint assembly 30 to transmit the articulation driving force to the joint assembly 30. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, a transmission hole 322 is disposed on each of two sides of an aperture 324 in the joint member 32, and the transmission hole 322 is configured to be hingedly connected to the distal end of the articulation band 42. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 11 , a second hook portion 422 is disposed at the distal end of the articulation band 42 and hingedly connected to the transmission hole 322. When the transmission 24 of the articulation mechanism 20 is actuated and rotated, the two racks 41 of the articulation transmission assembly 40 are driven to reciprocate longitudinally (along the longitudinal axis C), further driving the articulation bands 42 to reciprocate. Here, one articulation band 42 moves distally and the other articulation band 42 moves proximally. This causes the joint member 32 to pivot about the pivot 33, ultimately achieving articulation relative to the end effector 70. In alternative embodiments, the articulation band 42 and the joint member 32 may be hinged in other ways. Furthermore, in alternative embodiments, the articulation band 42 may be configured as a tubular or rod-shaped structure.

[0052] FIG. 10 shows the structure of rack 41. In this embodiment, a mounting base 412 is disposed on the bottom portion of rack 41, and mounting base 412 further includes a groove 413 disposed thereon. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 11 , a first hook portion 421 is disposed on the proximal end of articulation band 42. This first hook portion 421 is received in groove 413 of rack 41, thereby providing fixed engagement between the articulation band and the rack. Alternatively, first hook portion 421 of articulation band 42 may be directly welded to groove 413 of rack 41 to achieve a fixed connection. Alternatively, in an alternative embodiment, rack 41 and articulation band 42 may be fixedly connected by fasteners such as screws or bolts, or by welding.

[0053] 10, the mounting base 412 of the rack 41 is designed as an inverted L-shape, with the end portion of the horizontal part of the L-shape fixed on the bottom part of the rack 41, and a groove 413 disposed in the inner wall surface of the vertical part of the L-shape, so that the articulation band 42 is attached behind the groove 413 and disposed on the inner side of the rack 41, making the structure of the articulation transmission assembly 40 more compact.

[0054] In some surgeries, where the surgeon's operating space is extremely limited (e.g., low rectal resection / anastomosis, or thoracoscopic lung and bronchial resection / anastomosis), the instrument is expected to enable a larger articulation angle in many cases, and the articulation radius of the instrument should be as small as possible. The joint member 32 is actuated by the articulation band 42 to articulate the instrument's end effector 70 to a target angle, and in many cases, the partial area where the support 101 c is engaged with the joint member 32 will limit interference with the movement trajectory of the articulation band 42.

[0055] Thus, referring to FIG. 12 , in an alternative embodiment, the axis of the transmission hole 322 is disposed distally from the axis of the aperture 324. For example, the distance along the longitudinal axis between the axis of the transmission hole 322 and the axis of the aperture 324 is represented as “a” and ranges from 0 to 1 mm. Alternatively, “a” may range from 0 to 0.2 mm. In this embodiment, when the end effector 70 is articulated to its limit articulation position, which may also be referred to as its maximum angular position, the articulation band 42 on one side abuts against the distal partial edge of the support 101c, while the gap formed by the articulation band 42 on the other side and the distal partial edge of the support 101c is reduced or eliminated. And vice versa. In this manner, the distribution of the gap between the articulation band 42 and the distal portion of the support 101c is optimized when the instrument is articulated to its limit position, thereby enabling the end effector 70 to achieve a greater articulation angle. The angle α that the end effector 70 makes with respect to the longitudinal axis C of the elongated shaft is defined as the articulation angle, and this articulation angle α can reach 0° to 70° in this embodiment. Alternatively, the articulation angle α can range from 0° to 65°. Based on the above embodiment, the surgical instrument 100 according to the present embodiment further comprises a lockout assembly 50 having a first locking member 51 for operably locking the articulation mechanism 20 from articulating. For example, when the surgical instrument 100 is operated to articulate, the articulation mechanism 20 is first released from the locked state by the first locking member 51, and after the end effector 70 is articulated to a certain position, the articulation mechanism 20 is further locked by the first locking member 51. The end effector 70 is articulated to a certain position where the end effector 70 is articulated by a certain angle with respect to the longitudinal axis.

[0056] 5 and 6, the first locking member 51 is disposed within the rotatable knob 1 via a third biasing member 53, which may be specifically configured as a compression spring or an elastic sheet. Referring to FIG. 13, the first locking member 51 includes a first bar portion 511 and a second locking tooth 512 stacked on the first bar portion 511, the first bar portion 511 configured to engage with the first locking notch 224 of the first cam disc 22, the second locking tooth 512 configured to engage with the second locking notch 232 of the second cam disc 23, and a distal end of the second locking tooth 512 protruding from the distal end of the first bar portion 511.

[0057] In one embodiment, the first cam disc 22 can be rotated a certain stroke relative to the second cam disc 23 to unlock, and this stroke is hereinafter referred to as the "unlock stroke." This stroke is an angle "a2" through which the first cam disc 22 can rotate relative to the second cam disc 23 (see FIG. 14B, the internal structure is shown by a dotted line). For example, a gap "a1" exists between the side wall of each protrusion 234 of the second cam disc 23 and the side wall of each recess 226 of the first cam disc 22 (see FIG. 14A, the internal structure is shown by a dotted line), which allows the first cam disc 22 to be rotated to achieve the angle "a2."

[0058] As shown in FIG. 14C , in one embodiment, in the articulation mechanism 20, when the first cam disc 22 and the second cam disc 23 are in their initial positions, the angle "b1" formed by the first locking notch 224 / second locking notch 232 of the first cam disc 22 / second cam disc 23 in the initial state and an adjacent first locking notch 224 / second locking notch 232 is greater than the angle "b2" formed by the other adjacent first locking notch 224 / second locking notch 232.

[0059] The transmission 24 is engaged with the rack 41, the articulation band 42 is pivotally coupled to the joint assembly 30, the bar 211 of the articulation knob 2 is coupled to the first cam disc 22, and the articulation band 42 is engaged with the rack 41, so that there is an unavoidable assembly clearance in the transmission matching between adjacent components. In the unlocked state, when displaced from the initial position to the first articulation position, the first cam disc 22 is operated to rotate through an angle "b1" that is greater than the angle "b2" that is the angle that is rotated from the first articulation gear to the second articulation position and that is also the angle that the first cam disc is rotated to displace to the next position, thereby canceling out the assembly clearance of the engagement between the above-mentioned components and maintaining the above-mentioned components in a tightened state, thereby ensuring that the first articulation position of the articulation mechanism 20 and the first articulation position of the joint assembly 30 achieve the predetermined angle synchronously or substantially synchronously.

[0060] In the articulation mechanism of the surgical instrument 100 of this embodiment of the present application, the second cam disc 23 of the articulation mechanism 20 is switched between a locked state and an unlocked state by the reciprocating movement of the first locking member 51 of the lockout assembly 50.

[0061] Next, a detailed description will be given of the various states of articulation of the articulation mechanism with reference to FIGS. 15A to 15E.

[0062] 15A shows the surgical instrument 100 of this embodiment of the present application in a locked state when in an initial position (non-articulated position). The first locking member 51 is biased by the third biasing member 53 to engage with the first cam disc 22 and the second cam disc 23 of the articulation mechanism 20. Specifically, the first bar portion 511 of the first locking member 51 is engaged with the first locking notch 224 of the first cam disc 22 corresponding to the initial position (non-articulated position), and the second locking tooth 512 of the first locking member 51 is engaged with the second locking notch 232 of the second cam disc 23 corresponding to the initial position (non-articulated position). The surgical instrument 100 is in the initial locked state.

[0063] 15B , the articulation knob 2 is operated to rotate in the direction indicated by arrow A, which correspondingly activates and rotates the first cam disc 22. The first cam disc 22 overcomes the biasing force of the third biasing member 53 provided on the first locking member 51, and the first bar portion 511 of the first locking member 51 is biased to move proximally (in the direction indicated by arrow P) by the side wall portion of the first locking notch 224 of the first cam disc 22. The second locking tooth 512 of the first locking member 51 is not fully disengaged from the second locking notch 232 of the second cam disc 23, and the second cam disc 23 remains locked by the second locking tooth 512. Because the second locking member 52 and the first locking member 51 are configured to move synchronously or substantially synchronously, when the first locking member 51 is operated to move in a proximal direction, the second locking member 52 also moves in a corresponding proximal direction, and when the first cam disc 22 is operated to rotate in the direction of arrow A, the offset angle between the first cam disc 22 and the second cam disc 23 gradually increases until it reaches "a2".

[0064] 15C , the articulation knob 2 is further operated to rotate in the direction of arrow A, and the first locking member 51 is actuated by the first cam disc 22 to move in the proximal direction (arrow P), thereby disengaging the second locking tooth 512 of the first locking member 51 from the second locking notch 232 of the second cam disc 23. The articulation mechanism is now switched to an unlocked state, and the first cam disc 22 is rotated relative to the second cam disc 23 through angle “a2”, releasing the second cam disc 23 and allowing the second cam disc 23 to further rotate together with the first cam disc 22, and the transmission 24 mounted on the second cam disc 23 is also correspondingly rotated, whereby the joint member 32 is driven to articulate about the pivot 33 via the rack 41 and articulation band 42 of the articulation transmission assembly 40. For example, the articulation knob 2 drives the first cam disc 22 to rotate, and the first cam disc 22 and the second cam disc 23 move together, thus driving the joint member 32 to articulate about the pivot 33.

[0065] 15D , the articulation knob 2 is further operated to rotate in the direction of arrow A, thereby further actuating the first cam disc 22 and the second cam disc 23 to rotate in the direction of arrow A. The second locking tooth 512 of the first locking member 51 then moves past the end surface of the second tooth 231 of the second cam disc 23. Here, the second tooth 231 corresponds to the initial position (non-articulated position). The first locking member 51 is urged by the third biasing member 53 to move in the distal direction (in the direction of arrow D) and is gradually received in the second locking notch 232a of the second cam disc 23, which corresponds to the first articulated position. The first locking member 51 is urged by the third biasing member 53 to be moved in the distal direction (direction of arrow D), such that the first bar portion 511 of the first locking member 51 is received in the first locking notch 224a of the first cam disc 22 corresponding to the first articulation position, and correspondingly, the second locking tooth 512 of the first locking member 51 is received in the second locking notch 232a of the second cam disc 23 corresponding to the first articulation position, as shown in Figure 15E. As a result, the articulation mechanism is operated to be displaced to the first articulation position and to lock movement of the joint assembly 30.

[0066] Further manipulation of the articulation knob 2 to rotate in the direction of arrow A will repeat the above process, thus operating the articulation mechanism to a further articulation position. Further manipulation of the articulation knob 2 to rotate in the opposite direction to arrow A will operate the articulation mechanism to articulate in the opposite direction, based on the same principles, which will not be repeated herein.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 12 , the lockout assembly 50 further includes a second locking member 52 for operably locking the position of the joint assembly 30. By manipulating the handle portion 80, the second locking member 52 is actuated to lock the position of the joint assembly 30, thereby improving the stability of the end effector. For example, the second locking member 52 is actuated to lock the position of the joint assembly 30 when a closing driving force is applied to the end effector 70 by the handle portion 80. The second locking member 52 is actuated to unlock the joint assembly 30 when an opening driving force is applied to the end effector 70 by the handle portion 80. The position of the joint assembly 30 is locked when the end effector 70 is in the closed state, thereby improving the stability of the end effector 70. Even if the surgical instrument is subjected to an external force, such as an impact or collision, the end effector 70 will not swing, and the joint member 32 of the joint assembly 30 will not rotate relative to the elongate shaft.

[0068] 12, the locking groove 321 is disposed in the proximal outer circumferential wall of the joint member 32 and is configured to be engaged by the second locking member 52 to lock or unlock the position of the joint assembly 30. The number of locking grooves 321 may be set according to the articulation position of the articulation mechanism, and when the number of locking grooves 321 is set to an odd number, the middle-located locking groove 321 (aligned with the longitudinal axis) corresponds to the initial position.

[0069] The support 101c is disposed inside the distal portion of the outer tube 101a and includes a slider 521 slidably connected thereto. The slider 521 is further connected to the outer tube 101a via an insertion fitting portion, and the second locking member 52 is connected to the slider 521 via a first biasing member 522. When the outer tube 101a is driven to move in the distal direction by the closing drive mechanism, the slider 521 is driven to move in the distal direction, and the second locking member 52 moves in the distal direction together with the slider 521 at the same time. Eventually, the end portion of the distal end of the second locking member 52 is inserted into the lock groove 321 of the joint member 32, locking the joint member 32. When the outer tube 101a is driven by the opening drive mechanism to move to the proximal end, the slider 521 is driven to move to the proximal end, and the second locking member 52 simultaneously moves to the proximal end together with the slider 521 under the action of the first biasing member 522. As a result, the end portion of the distal end of the second locking member 52 is separated from the locking groove 321 of the joint member 32, the joint member 32 is unlocked, and the joint member 32 can drive the end effector 70 to bend relative to the longitudinal axis. In some optional embodiments, the second locking member 52 and the slider 521 may be directly coupled to each other.

[0070] In one embodiment, the insert fitting comprises a recess or protrusion located on the inner wall of outer tube 101 a and a correspondingly located protrusion or recess on slider 521 .

[0071] 16, an opening 523 is disposed in the sleeve wall of the outer tube 101a, a protrusion 523a is formed in the opening 523, and the recess 521a is configured to be engaged with the protrusion 523a in a correspondingly disposed opening 523 on the slider 521 to achieve an insertion fit between the outer tube 101a and the slider 521. That is, this insertion fit portion consists of the protrusion 523a and the recess 521a.

[0072] In an alternative embodiment, the second locking notch 232 of the second cam disc 23 of the articulation mechanism 20 and the locking groove 321 of the joint member 32 of the joint assembly 30 both include inclined surfaces on two sidewalls of the groove opening, so that the groove opening becomes gradually larger. Referring to FIG. 15B , when the first bar portion 511 of the first locking member 51 abuts against the first protrusion 223 of the first cam disc 22, the second locking tooth 512 of the first locking member 51 abuts against the inclined surface of the second locking notch 232 of the second cam disc 23, and then the inclined surface of the second locking notch 232 of the second cam disc 23 pushes the first bar portion 511 to move to the proximal end (arrow P), so that the first bar portion 511 moves away from the first protrusion 223 of the first cam disc 22. As shown in FIG. 15D , when the second lock tooth 512 moves away from the second lock notch 232s corresponding to the initial gear of the second cam disc 23 and is positioned within the groove opening of the second lock notch 232a corresponding to the first bending gear, at the same time, the first bar portion 511 of the first lock member 51 collides and contacts the first protrusion 223 of the first cam disc 22, and a sound is emitted to notify the operator that the gear has been switched.

[0073] Alternatively, to optimize the feel of the bending action, as shown in FIG. 6 , the second locking notch 232 of the second cam disc 23 of the articulation mechanism 20 includes a straight section near the groove bottom and an angled section formed on the straight section and positioned in the groove opening, where the angled section configuration serves to guide the second locking tooth 512 of the first locking member 51 past the second tooth 231 of the second cam disc 23.

[0074] Similarly, the locking groove 321 of the joint member 32 of the joint assembly 30 also includes a straight section and an angled section located in the groove opening.

[0075] In a modified embodiment, the articulation band 42 and rack 41 may be replaced by a gear set, with additional gears disposed on the joint member 32, whereby the transmission 24 is connected to the joint member 32 by a progressive meshing transmission of gears.

[0076] The surgical instrument 100 in the above embodiment of the present application includes a first locking member 51 for selectively locking the bending movement of the articulation mechanism 20 under operation of the articulation mechanism 20, and a second locking member 52 for selectively locking the position of the joint assembly 30 under operation of the handle portion 80, so that the surgical instrument locks the position of the joint assembly 30 when the jaws are closed, thus preventing rocking of the joint when the surgical instrument 100 performs a firing or reset operation. Meanwhile, during this bending movement, the end effector 70 can be locked at a set angle by operating the articulation mechanism 20.

[0077] In the surgical instrument 100 of the above embodiment of the present application, the transmission hole 322 of the joint member 32 is positioned distally of the aperture 324, so that the end effector 70 can be articulated to achieve an articulation angle of 0° to 70°, which is much greater than the articulation angle of typical surgical instruments in the related art.

[0078] The surgical instruments provided herein are configured to lock the articulation mechanism and joint assembly from articulation via a lockout assembly. The joint assembly can be locked or unlocked by manipulating the handle portion, which allows the joint assembly to be locked from articulation when closed, improving the stability of the end effector in the closed state. Angle locking after various gear selections is achieved by manipulating the articulation mechanism to lock the bending motion of the articulation mechanism.

[0079] The surgical instrument provided herein includes a second locking member for operably locking the position of the joint assembly under manipulation of the handle portion. The second locking member moves synchronously or substantially synchronously with the outer tube of the elongate shaft. Therefore, the joint assembly is synchronously locked after the end effector completes a closing motion, thereby preventing the end effector from swinging under the interference of an external force. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 1 rotatable knob 2 articulation knobs 20 Joint movement mechanism 21 First member 22 First cam disc 23 Second cam disc 24 Transmission 30 Joint Assembly 31 Pivot member 32 Joint material 33 Pivot 34 Protective cover 40 Articulating Transmission Assembly 41 racks 42 Joint Movement Band 50 Lockout Assembly 51 first locking member 52 second locking member 53 third biasing member 70 End Effector 71 Anvil Assembly 72 Cartridge Channel 73 Outer tube part 80 Handle part 81 Closure trigger 82 Grip part 83 Handle housing 83a First half 83b Second half 84 Closed transmission member 85 Connecting member 86 frames 87 Release button 88 second biasing member 100 Surgical instruments 101 Long shaft 211 Bar 221 Ridge 222 holes 223 First protrusion 224 first lock notch, first notch 225 Protruding part 226 Recess 231 Second Tooth 232 second lock notch, second notch 233 Inward opening 234 Protrusion 321 Lock groove 322 Transmission Hall 324 Aperture 411 teeth 412 Mounting base 413 Groove 421 First hook part 422 Second hook part 511 First bar section 512 Second locking tooth 521 Slider 522 first biasing member 523 Aperture 811 1st transmission tooth 841 Second Transmission Tooth 871 Release lock part 101a outer tube 101b Frame 101c Support 224a First locking notch 232a Second locking notch 232s Second lock notch 521a Recess 523a Protrusion

Claims

1. A surgical instrument comprising: an end effector configured to perform a procedure on tissue, the end effector having an open state for receiving the tissue and a closed state for stapling the tissue; a handle portion configured to operably provide an opening drive force to open the end effector or a closing drive force to close the end effector; an elongate shaft extending distally from the handle portion and having a longitudinal axis, the elongate shaft configured to transmit the opening drive force or the closing drive force from the handle portion to the end effector; a joint assembly coupled to the end effector and the elongate shaft, respectively; an articulation mechanism configured to operably provide an articulation drive force to the joint assembly to articulate the end effector relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft; 1. A lockout assembly comprising: a first locking member configured to selectively lock the articulation mechanism against articulation; and a second locking member configured to selectively lock the position of the joint assembly upon manipulation of the handle portion; a lockout assembly comprising: Equipped with the elongate shaft comprises an outer tube, the second locking member is engaged with the outer tube, whereby the second locking member moves synchronously or substantially synchronously with the outer tube; the outer tube is operable to move distally along the longitudinal axis when the handle portion is operable to apply the closing driving force to the end effector, and the outer tube is operable to move proximally along the longitudinal axis when the handle portion is operable to apply the opening driving force to the end effector; the second locking member is configured to lock the joint assembly when the handle portion is actuated to apply the closing driving force to the end effector and to unlock the joint assembly when the handle portion is actuated to apply the opening driving force to the end effector.

2. 2. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein a support is disposed within a distal portion of the outer tube, a slider is slidably coupled to the support, the slider is coupled to the outer tube via an insert fitting, and the second locking member is coupled to the slider directly or via a first biasing member.

3. 3. The surgical instrument of claim 2, wherein the insertion fitting comprises a recess or protrusion disposed on an inner wall of the outer tube and a corresponding protrusion or recess disposed on the slider.

4. 10. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the joint assembly comprises a joint member, a locking groove disposed on the joint member, the locking groove being operated to engage the second locking member to lock the position of the joint assembly.

5. 10. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the outer tube is operable to move distally along the longitudinal axis under the action of a closing mechanism and to move proximally along the longitudinal axis under the action of an opening mechanism.

6. The closing mechanism includes: a closure trigger disposed to be operatively rotated about a pivot pin and having a closed position and an unlocked position, the closure trigger having a plurality of first transmission teeth disposed thereon; a close transmission member including a plurality of second transmission teeth engaged with the first transmission teeth, the close transmission member being slidably received within a frame extending along the longitudinal axis; a coupling member configured to couple the closure transmission member to the outer tube; Equipped with 6. The surgical instrument of claim 5, wherein when the closure trigger is actuated, the closure transmission member is actuated to move distally along the frame, thereby actuating the outer tube to move distally.

7. The opening mechanism includes: an opening button configured to operatively rotate about a pivot pin, the opening button including an opening lock portion configured to be engaged with the closure trigger; a second biasing member disposed between the close transmission member and the frame, the second biasing member configured to bias the close transmission member at its proximal end; Equipped with 7. The surgical instrument of claim 6, wherein when the release button is triggered, the release lock portion releases the closure trigger from the closed position and is biased by the second biasing member to move proximally, thereby actuating the outer tube to move proximally.

8. 2. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the first locking member comprises a first bar portion and a second locking tooth each engaged with the articulation mechanism, the first bar portion being operably engaged with the articulation mechanism to release the articulation mechanism from a locked state by the second locking tooth.

9. 9. The surgical instrument of claim 8, wherein the articulation mechanism comprises a first cam disc, a second cam disc, and an articulation knob for actuating and rotating the first cam disc and the second cam disc, wherein the first cam disc is operably engaged with the first bar portion of the first locking member, the second cam disc is operably engaged with the second locking tooth of the first locking member, and the first cam disc is operated by the articulation knob to actuate the first bar portion of the first locking member to disengage the second locking tooth of the first locking member from the second cam disc.

10. 10. The surgical instrument of claim 9, wherein the first cam disc includes a plurality of first locking notches configured to be engaged with a first bar portion of the first locking member, and the second cam disc includes a plurality of second locking notches configured to be engaged with the second locking teeth of the first locking member.

11. 10. The surgical instrument of claim 9, wherein the first cam disc is stacked on top of the second cam disc and is capable of being rotated through an angle relative to the second cam disc, and the first bar portion and the second locking tooth are positioned on the first locking member such that they are aligned with the first cam disc and the second cam disc, respectively.

12. 10. The surgical instrument of claim 9, wherein the articulation mechanism further comprises a first member engaged with the articulation knob and the first cam disc, respectively, to operatively drive the first cam disc to rotate.

13. 10. The surgical instrument of claim 9, wherein the articulation mechanism further comprises a transmission coaxially and fixedly engaged to the second cam disc, the transmission operably engaged to an articulation transmission assembly for articulating the joint assembly.

14. 14. The surgical instrument of claim 13, wherein the articulation transmission assembly comprises a rack and an articulation band engaged to the articulation mechanism, a proximal end of the articulation band engaged to the rack and a distal end of the articulation band hingedly connected to a joint member of the joint assembly.

15. 15. The surgical instrument of claim 14, wherein a joint member of the joint assembly comprises an aperture and a transmission hole, the aperture configured to receive a pivot to pivotally engage the joint member to the elongate shaft, the transmission hole engaged with the articulation transmission assembly to be actuated to articulate the joint assembly, and an axis of the transmission hole disposed distally from an axis of the aperture.

16. 16. The surgical instrument of claim 15, wherein a distance along the longitudinal axis between the axis of the transmission hole and the axis of the aperture is in the range of 0 to 1 mm.

17. 16. The surgical instrument of claim 15, wherein a distal end of the elongate shaft comprises a support, the distal end of the support being engaged with the aperture of the joint member via the pivot.

18. The surgical instrument of claim 15, wherein the articulation band of the articulation transmission assembly is pivotally received within the transmission hole.

19. A surgical instrument comprising: The handle and an elongate shaft extending distally from the handle portion, the elongate shaft having a longitudinal axis; a joint assembly respectively engaged to a distal end of the elongate shaft and a proximal end of an end effector operably actuated by an articulation mechanism to pivot away from the longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft; a second locking member configured to be actuated by the handle portion to operatively lock the position of the joint assembly, the second locking member being actuated to move synchronously or substantially synchronously with an outer tube of the elongate shaft; Equipped with the outer tube is operable to move distally along the longitudinal axis when the handle portion is operable to apply a closing driving force to the end effector, and the outer tube is operable to move proximally along the longitudinal axis when the handle portion is operable to apply an opening driving force to the end effector; the second locking member is configured to lock the joint assembly when the handle portion is actuated to apply the closing driving force to the end effector and to unlock the joint assembly when the handle portion is actuated to apply the opening driving force to the end effector.

20. 20. The surgical instrument of claim 19, wherein the second locking member is configured to operatively reciprocate to lock the position of the joint assembly or to release the joint assembly.

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