Head for a laparoscopic surgical instrument

Abstract

Disclosed is a head for a laparoscopic surgical instrument, comprising two jaws (70, 71) hinged together via an articulation shaft, and an actuator system connected with each of the jaws (70, 71) in such a way that they are able to move in a rotational manner independently, the actuator system being designed to be connected to movable gripping members. The actuator system comprises an actuator set for each of the jaws (70, 71) that has a pusher member designed to be coupled to a pushrod (5, 6), the pusher member (73) being linked to a corresponding jaw via a connecting rod member (74), in such a way that the jaw (70, 71) can rotate in relation to the connecting rod member (74) when the pusher member (73) is moved linearly, an edge section of the jaw (70, 71) and an edge section of the pusher member (73) adopting a tangential arrangement relative to each other during the entire stroke of the rotational movement of the jaw (70, 71).

Description

[0001] Head for a laparoscopic surgical instrument

[0002] DESCRIPTIVE MEMORY

[0003] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The purpose of this application is to register a head for a laparoscopic surgical instrument.

[0005] More specifically, the invention proposes the development of a head for a laparoscopic surgical instrument, as well as an instrument provided with said head, which allows a greater degree of opening between jaws that form part of the working tool.

[0006] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Laparoscopic surgical devices are currently well-known for surgical procedures that require suturing and ligating body tissue through incisions made in the body wall. However, in the vast majority of these devices, the surgical tool operates in a single plane, limiting the degrees of freedom and consequently making them difficult for the surgeon to use.

[0008] Documents ES 2385518 and ES 1230155U are known, which describe laparoscopy devices that satisfactorily solve the problem previously raised.

[0009] However, due to the constructive configuration of the head, the degree of jaw opening is still limited, as it does not allow rotation of up to 180°. These instruments have limited scope of application or may make it difficult for the surgeon to perform a surgical operation.

[0010] In the case of the head shown in document ES 1230155U, although the head has an end region provided with a slot to increase the degree of opening of the jaws, the configuration of the axis of rotation prevents obtaining a greater degree of opening, such that it is not possible to obtain a maximum opening at an angle of 180° between jaws. Also known is document US 4763669, which describes a surgical instrument provided at one end with a head with jaws, the common characteristics of which form part of the preamble of claim 1.

[0011] Therefore, there is still a need to develop a head for laparoscopic instruments that allows independent movement of each of the jaws that form part of the head and at the same time an opening degree between jaws of up to 180 degrees.

[0012] Furthermore, the applicant is not currently aware of an invention that has all of the features described herein.

[0013] DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The present invention has been developed in order to provide a head for a surgical instrument that is configured as a novelty within the field of application and solves the aforementioned drawbacks, also providing other additional advantages that will be evident from the description that follows.

[0015] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a head for a laparoscopic surgical instrument, comprising two movable jaws articulated with each other through an articulation axis, and an actuator system associated with each of the jaws in such a way that they are capable of moving rotationally independently, the actuator system being enabled to be connected to movable gripping elements.

[0016] In particular, the invention is characterized in that the drive system comprises an actuator set for each of the jaws, which has a pusher element capable of being coupled to a push rod, the pusher element being connected in rotary movement to a corresponding jaw by means of a connecting rod element, such that the linear displacement of the pusher element implies a rotary movement of the connecting rod element, which in turn implies the rotary movement of the jaw. This connecting rod element also comes into contact with its connected jaw during the closing movement of the latter. The articulation axis that joins the two jaws is constituted by a tongue and groove system formed by two parts aligned with each other, and in which a tangential arrangement is adopted between an edge section of the jaw and an edge section of the pusher element during the rotary movement of the jaw.

[0017] According to the invention, the tongue and groove system of the articulation axis of the two jaws is constituted by a projecting part that extends internally from one of the jaws and can be rotatably coupled to a recess present in the inner face of the opposite jaw.

[0018] According to the invention, the connecting rod element has an oblong development provided on a longer side with a recess with a curved contour intended to transversely accommodate the articulation axis.

[0019] Advantageously, the articulation axis that joins the two jaws is located at a point proximal to the flange present in the posterior region of the jaw, so that it allows the rotary movement of each of the jaws of 90 degrees with respect to a longitudinal axis of the head, either in an ascending or descending direction during use.

[0020] To achieve the rotary movement of each of the 90° jaws, a cam system is provided between the jaw and the pusher element, such system being formed by at least one projecting protuberance present in the flange section of the pusher element and at least one protuberance in the flange section of the rear region.

[0021] Additionally, guidance means are provided to guide the path of the connecting rod element and the pusher element associated with a jaw during the angular movement of the jaw, thereby ensuring that the elements involved in the movement of the jaw follow the correct path.

[0022] Preferably, the guide means may comprise at least one projection projecting from a side face of the pusher element that can be moved along a groove in a cover. Also preferably, the guide means comprise at least one projection projecting from a side face of the connecting rod element that can be moved along a groove in a cover.

[0023] According to the invention, each actuator set comprises a cover.

[0024] Thanks to these features, a head is obtained that is designed to be mounted on a laparoscopic device with manual (or even robotic) operation and manipulation, where the surgeon will have a larger working area since each of the jaws has a greater opening / closing angle, being for each of the jaws up to 180 degrees unlike other known heads where the angular movement is more limited.

[0025] The fact that it has this greater angular movement allows the head to be used for a wider variety of different surgical interventions and having a chain arrangement of solids, that is, the elements that intervene in the movement are caused by a pushing action between them, allows the size of the head to be reduced, maintaining a structural rigidity that prevents breakage of the head, thus expanding the possibilities of use of the laparoscopic apparatus.

[0026] It is another object of the invention to provide a laparoscopic surgical instrument comprising:

[0027] - A manual grip region provided with two articulated movable grip elements so that each of them performs an angular and independent movement between them, enabled to introduce a user's finger, and a third fixed grip element enabled to introduce a user's finger, and

[0028] - An actuating mechanism provided with push rods each coupled to a corresponding movable gripping element such that they transmit the angular movement of the gripping elements to a head as described above.

[0029] The head for a surgical instrument described thus represents an innovative structure with structural and constitutive characteristics hitherto unknown for its intended purpose. These reasons, combined with its practical usefulness, provide it with sufficient grounds to obtain the exclusive privilege requested. Other characteristics and advantages of the head for a surgical instrument object of the present invention will become evident from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment, which is illustrated by way of a non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0030] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a laparoscopic surgical instrument provided with a head according to the present invention;

[0032] Figure 2.- It is a side elevation view of the instrument represented in figure 1, in which some parts have been omitted.

[0033] Figure 3.- It is a partial perspective view of the region where the work tool is located, where some parts have been extracted for clarity reasons;

[0034] Figure 4.- It is a cross-sectional view along the line AA represented in Figure 1;

[0035] Figures 5a and 5b.- They are side elevation views of the head for a surgical instrument according to the invention, in which the two jaws face each other in a closed position;

[0036] Figures 6a and 6b.- They are side elevation views of the head according to the invention in which one of two jaws is in an open position while the other jaw is in a rest position and completely open, respectively;

[0037] Figures 7a-7d.- These are sequential side elevation views showing different positions adopted by an actuator set and a jaw associated with it;

[0038] Figure 8.- It is a perspective view of two jaws that form part of the head according to the invention;

[0039] Figure 9.- It is a schematic elevation view where only the jaw and partially the pusher element are shown;

[0040] Figure 10.- It is a perspective view of a cover that forms part of an actuator assembly of the head of the invention; and

[0041] Figure 11.- It is an isometric view of a connecting rod element that is part of an actuator set.

[0042] DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In view of the aforementioned figures and, in accordance with the numbering adopted, one can observe in them an example of a preferred embodiment of the invention, which comprises the parts and elements indicated and described in detail below.

[0043] Furthermore, the terms first, second, third, and the like in the description and claims are used to distinguish between similar elements and not necessarily to describe a sequential or chronological order. The terms may be used interchangeably in appropriate circumstances, and embodiments of the invention may operate in sequences other than those described or illustrated herein.

[0044] Furthermore, the terms upper, lower, above, below and the like in the description and claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily to describe relative positions.

[0045] As can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, a laparoscopic surgical instrument is shown, generally indicated by reference (1), which comprises a manual gripping region provided with two movable gripping elements (2, 3) articulated to each perform an angular movement, and enabled to introduce a user's finger, and a third fixed gripping element (4) enabled to introduce a user's finger. The three gripping elements (2, 3, 4) are formed by an elongated section that ends in a thimble section.

[0046] Furthermore, there is provided an actuating mechanism provided with push rods (5, 6), each of which is coupled to a corresponding movable gripping element (2, 3), such that they transmit the angular movement of the gripping elements to a head, generally indicated by reference (7), which corresponds to the working tool provided with two jaws (70, 71), which is described in greater detail below. Thus, the movable gripping element (2) located to the left of the fixed gripping element (4) is responsible for the angular movement of the jaw (71) located at the bottom according to the drawing, while the movable gripping element (3) located to the right of the fixed gripping element (4) is responsible for the angular movement of the jaw (70) located at the top according to the drawing.

[0047] In order to protect the push rods (5, 6) from the outside environment and from knocks, a cylindrical cover (8) is provided (see figure 1) provided with a pair of longitudinal grooves (80) running parallel to each other, which are enabled for the arrangement of the push rods (5, 6), the cross section of each of the grooves being polygonal, for example, hexagonal as can be seen in figure 4. In this way, it is ensured that in the event of applying a great force on the push rods (5, 6) caused by the jaws (70, 71), it is prevented that they can deform and thus render the instrument (1) useless.

[0048] Now making particular reference to the head (7) it comprises the two movable jaws (70, 71) articulated together through an articulation axis (72), and an actuating system associated with each of the jaws in such a way that they are capable of moving independently in a rotational manner, the actuating system being enabled to connect to movable gripping elements (2, 3).

[0049] The drive system comprises an actuator set for each of the jaws (70, 71) having a pusher element (73) enabled to be coupled to push rods (5, 6, 10) through a transmitter assembly (11), generally indicated with the reference (11), each pusher element (73) being linked in rotary movement with a corresponding jaw (70, 71) through a connecting rod element (74). In this way, each of the jaws (70, 71) are capable of rotating with respect to the connecting rod element (74) when the displacement of the pusher element (73) occurs, in turn caused by the actuation of the movable gripping elements (2, 3).

[0050] As can be seen in Figure 11, the connecting rod element (74) has an oblong development provided on a longer side with a curved contour recess (741) intended to transversely accommodate the articulation axis (72).

[0051] There is also the possibility that the two jaws (70, 71) can also rotate on an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the head, that is, to the left or right, in such a way that they can rotate 90° to each of the two sides.

[0052] In this embodiment, each of the jaws (70, 71) is formed by an oblong metal body having an edge with a toothed region, indicated by reference (D) in Figure 8, designed to grip and cut tissue and a rear region (700, 710) provided with two flat seating sections in which the connecting rod element (74) is partially located. As can be seen in Figure 8, the articulation axis (72) of the two jaws (70, 71) is constituted by a projecting part (720) that extends inwardly from one of the jaws and can be rotatably coupled in a recess (721) present in the inner face of the opposite jaw. Said projecting portion (720) is positioned with respect to the rear region (710) so that a section thereof extends from a flange section (711) so that the articulation axis (72) is offset from the center of the rear region (700, 710).

[0053] It should be noted that during the angular movement performed by each of the jaws (70, 71) there is a coupling relationship such that a tangential arrangement is adopted between the flange section (701, 711) of the jaw (70, 71) located in the posterior region (710, 700) and a curved flange section (730) of the pusher element (73). That is, the movement of each of the jaws (70, 71) is carried out by the pushing force exerted by the pusher element (73). In this way, it is possible to have the two jaws open up to 180 degrees with respect to each other at any time and, at the same time, this degree of opening regardless of the angular arrangement of the jaws (70, 71) with respect to the longitudinal axis of the laparoscopic surgical instrument (1).

[0054] Therefore, the forward movement (i.e., the separating or closing action) of each of the jaws (70, 71) is carried out by the pushing force exerted by the pusher element (73) on the flange sections (701, 711), and additionally with the connecting rods (74), while the movement in the collecting or opening action of the jaws (70, 71) is only transmitted by the connecting rod element (74).

[0055] This configuration allows for increased rigidity of the head when great force is required, for example, during a surgical operation where the two jaws must be in a closed position to cut very hard tissue, such as cartilage.

[0056] In figures 7a-d this tangential coupling relationship can be seen in a movement sequence, where figure 7a shows a jaw positioned 90° with respect to the longitudinal axis (L) of the pusher element (73); in figure 7b the jaw is located 45° with respect to the longitudinal axis (L) of the pusher element (73); in figure 7c the jaw is located -45° with respect to the longitudinal axis (L) of the pusher element (73) and; in figure 7d the jaw is located -90° with respect to the longitudinal axis (L) of the pusher element (73). As can be seen, throughout the stroke of each jaw, there is a tangency relationship, that is, at least one point of contact between the jaw (70, 71) and the pusher element (73) during the rotation of the jaw (70, 71), so that said pusher element (73) transforms the linear pushing action into a rotational movement of the jaw.

[0057] Thus, as shown from Figures 7a-d, a cam system is provided between the jaw and the pusher element, such system being formed by at least one projecting protuberance (732) present in the flange section (730) of the pusher element and a protuberance (705, 715) in the flange section (701, 711) of the rear region (710, 700).

[0058] The connecting rod element (74) of each of the actuator sets is coupled in an articulated manner to its respective jaw through a pin (740) that fits into a through hole (702, 712) made in the rear region (700, 710) of each of the jaws (70, 71), as can be seen more clearly in Figure 8.

[0059] Additionally, guiding means are provided to guide the trajectory of the connecting rod element (74) and the pusher element (73) associated with a jaw (70, 71) during the angular movement thereof.

[0060] For each of the jaws (70, 71), such guiding means comprise a projection (731) projecting from a side face of the pusher element (73) which can be moved along a “C” shaped groove (90) made in a cover (9), and a projection projecting from a side face of the connecting rod element (74) which can be moved along the groove (90) made in the cover (9), as can be seen in figure 10. Each of the covers (9) is fixed to a corresponding jaw (70, 71) by means of a stud (703, 713) present in each of the (70, 71) which is coupled in a through hole (91) of the cover (9). Thanks to the fact that the connecting rod element (74) and the pin (740) enter the groove (90) supporting each other throughout the entire stroke of the movement, the breakage of the protruding part (720) can be avoided.

[0061] The details, shapes, dimensions and other accessory elements used in the manufacture of the Head for a surgical instrument of the invention may be conveniently replaced by others that do not deviate from the scope defined by the claims included below.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Head for a laparoscopic surgical instrument, comprising two jaws (70, 71) articulated with each other through an articulation axis, and an actuator system associated with each of the jaws (70, 71) such that they are capable of moving rotationally independently, the actuation system being enabled to be connected to movable gripping elements, the actuation system comprising an actuator set for each of the jaws (70, 71) having a pusher element enabled to be coupled to a push rod (5, 6), the pusher element (73) being linked to a corresponding jaw through a connecting rod element (74), such that the jaw (70, 71) is capable of rotating with respect to the connecting rod element (74) by a linear displacement of the pusher element (73), in which the articulation axis (72) that joins the two jaws (70,71) is constituted by a tongue and groove system formed by two parts (720, 721) aligned with each other, and in which a tangential arrangement is adopted between an edge section of the jaw (70, 71) and an edge section of the pusher element (73) during the complete stroke of the rotary movement of the jaw (70, 71), each of the jaws (70, 71) comprises a body with an oblong development formed by a toothed region and a rear region (710, 700), the region (710, 700) having a curved shaped flange section (701, 711) and the pusher element (73) comprising a flange section (730) enabled to have at least one point of contact with the flange section (701, 711) of the rear region (710, 700), characterized in that provides a cam system between the jaw and the pusher element,such system being formed by at least one projecting protuberance (732) present in the flange section (730) of the pusher element (73) and at least one protuberance (705, 715) in the flange section (701, 711) of the rear region (710, 700).

2. Head according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting rod element (74) has an oblong development provided on a longer side with a recess with a curved contour intended to transversely accommodate the articulation axis (72).

3. Head according to claim 1, characterized in that the articulated connection between the connecting rod element (74) of each of the actuating sets and its respective jaw is by means of the arrangement of lugs (740) coupled in through holes made in the rear region (700, 710) of each of the jaws (70, 71).

4. Head according to claim 1, characterized in that guiding means are provided to guide the trajectory of the connecting rod element (74) and the pusher element associated with a jaw during the angular movement of the jaw (70, 71).

5. Head according to claim 4, characterized in that the guiding means comprise at least one projection projecting from a side face of the pusher element (73) which can be moved along a groove made in a cover (9).

6. Head according to claim 4, characterized in that the guiding means comprise at least one projection projecting from a side face of the connecting rod element which can be moved along a groove made in a cover (9).

7. Head according to any of claims 5 to 6, characterized in that each actuator set comprises a cover (9).

8. Head according to claim 1, characterized in that the tongue and groove system of the articulation axis (72) is formed by a projecting part (720) that extends internally from one of the jaws (71) that can be coupled in a rotatable manner in a recess (721) present in the opposite jaw (70).

9. Head according to claim 1, characterized in that the articulation axis that joins the two jaws (70, 71) is located at a point proximal to the rim present in the posterior region (700, 710) of the jaw.

10. Laparoscopic surgical instrument comprising: A manual grip region provided with two articulated movable grip elements so that each of them performs an angular and independent movement from each other, enabled to insert a user's finger, and a third fixed grip element enabled to insert a user's finger, and An actuating mechanism provided with push rods each coupled to a corresponding movable gripping element such that they transmit angular movement of the gripping elements to a head according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. Laparoscopic surgical instrument according to claim 10, characterized in that it includes a cylindrical cover provided with at least one pair of longitudinal grooves that are enabled for the arrangement of the push rods, the cross section of the grooves being polygonal in shape.

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