Electromechanical Surgical Apparatus Including Wire Routing Clock Spring

[0001] 1. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to surgical apparatus, devices and/or systems for performing endoscopic surgical procedures and methods of use thereof. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to electromechanical, hand-held surgical apparatus, devices and/or systems configured for use with removable disposable loading units and/or single use loading units for clamping, cutting and/or stapling tissue.

[0003] 2. Background of Related Art

[0004] A number of surgical device manufacturers have developed product lines with proprietary drive systems for operating and/or manipulating electromechanical surgical devices. In many instances the electromechanical surgical devices include a reusable handle assembly, and a plurality of disposable or single use end effectors, commonly called single use loading units (SULU). An end effector is selectively connected to the handle assembly prior to use and then disconnected from the handle assembly following use in order to be disposed of or in some instances sterilized for re-use.

[0005] In some instances, end effectors having different operational properties and parameters may be attached to the same reusable handle assembly to facilitate use of the reusable handle assembly in a large variety of surgical procedures. It is important, however, to match the output properties of the drive system of the reusable handle assembly to the operational properties and parameters of the currently attached end effector. Thus, there is a need for an identification system that identifies the end effector to the reusable handle assembly without impeding the operational properties and parameters of the end effector.

[0006] Further details and aspects of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail below with reference to the appended Figures.

[0007] An electromechanical surgical system is disclosed including a hand-held surgical instrument, an end effector configured to perform at least one function, and a shaft assembly arranged for selectively interconnecting the end effector and the surgical instrument. The shaft assembly includes a linkage having a proximal housing and a distal housing at least partially received within the proximal housing. The distal housing is rotatable relative to the proximal housing and configured to selectively interconnect the end effector to the shaft assembly. The shaft assembly further includes a wire extending through the linkage. The wire includes a central portion disposed within an annular groove defined between the proximal and distal housings. The central portion of the wire is annularly wound within the annular groove to define a coil. The coil is configured to at least one of radially expand and contract upon rotation of the distal housing relative to the proximal housing.

[0008] In an aspect of the present disclosure, the proximal housing includes an outer housing and an inner housing and the inner housing is configured for reception within the outer housing.

[0009] In an aspect of the present disclosure, each of the inner and outer housings includes an opening extending therethrough for the reception of a proximal portion of the wire.

[0010] In an aspect of the present disclosure, the openings of the inner and outer housings are substantially aligned.

[0011] In an aspect of the present disclosure, the inner housing includes an annular lip and an outer wall and the annular groove extends between the annular lip and the outer wall.

[0012] In an aspect of the present disclosure, the inner and outer housings define at least one chamber therebetween for the reception of at least one gear therein.

[0013] In an aspect of the present disclosure, the distal housing includes an opening extending therethrough for the reception of a distal portion of the wire.

[0014] In an aspect of the present disclosure, the central portion of the coil is configured to radially expand when the distal housing is rotated relative to the proximal housing in a first direction and to radially contract when the distal housing is rotated relative to the proximal housing in a second direction.

[0015] In an aspect of the present disclosure, the wire is disposed in electrical communication with the surgical instrument and the end effector and is configured to communicate information between the surgical instrument and the end effector.

[0016] In an aspect of the present disclosure, the central portion of the coil of the wire is annularly wound within the annular groove in a single plane.

[0017] A surgical system is disclosed including a hand-held surgical instrument, an end effector configured to perform at least one function, and a shaft assembly arranged for selectively interconnecting the end effector and the surgical instrument. The shaft assembly includes a linkage defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal housing and a distal housing at least partially received within the proximal housing. The distal housing is rotatable relative to the proximal housing and configured to selectively interconnect the end effector to the shaft assembly. The shaft assembly further includes a wire extending through the linkage. The wire includes a proximal portion extending through the proximal housing, a central portion disposed within an annular groove defined between the proximal and distal housings, and a distal portion extending through the distal housing. The central portion of the wire is annularly wound within the annular groove to define a coil. The coil is configured to radially at least one of expand and contract upon rotation of the distal housing relative to the proximal housing. The proximal and distal portions of the wire are substantially longitudinally fixed relative to the proximal and distal housings.

[0018] In an aspect of the present disclosure, the distal housing is rotatable relative to the proximal housing in a first direction between a first configuration and at least a second configuration, and rotatable relative to the proximal housing in a second direction between the first configuration and at least a third configuration.

[0019] In an aspect of the present disclosure, the distal housing is rotatable relative to the proximal housing between about 0° and at least about 180° from the first configuration in the first direction to achieve the second configuration and between about 0° and at least about 180° from the first configuration in the second direction to achieve the third configuration.

[0020] In an aspect of the present disclosure, the end effector is rotatably fixed to the distal housing and rotatable relative to the shaft assembly between about 0° and at least about 180° in either direction upon rotation of the distal housing relative to the proximal housing.

[0021] In an aspect of the present disclosure, the coil of the wire is configured to radially expand when the distal housing is rotated in the first direction relative to the proximal housing and radially contract when the distal housing is rotated in the second direction relative to the proximal housing.

[0022] In an aspect of the present disclosure, the proximal portion of the wire is disposed in electrical communication with the surgical instrument and the distal portion of the wire is disposed in electrical communication with the end effector.

[0023] In an aspect of the present disclosure, the wire is configured to communicate information between the end effector and the surgical instrument.

[0024] A wire routing assembly for use with a surgical system is disclosed including a linkage assembly for operatively interconnecting an end effector to a surgical instrument. The linkage assembly includes a proximal housing and a distal housing at least partially received within the proximal housing and rotatable relative to the proximal housing. The wire routing assembly further includes a wire extending through the linkage assembly and having a central portion disposed within an annular groove defined between the proximal and distal housings. The central portion of the wire is annularly wound within the annular groove to define a coil, the coil being configured to radially expand and contract upon rotation of the distal housing relative to the proximal housing.

[0025] In an aspect of the present disclosure, the coil of the wire is configured to radially expand when the distal housing is rotated relative to the proximal housing in a first direction and to radially contract when the distal housing is rotated relative to the proximal housing in a second direction.

[0026] In an aspect of the present disclosure, the coil of the wire is annularly wound within the annular groove in a single plane.

[0027] In an aspect of the present disclosure, the wire is disposed in electrical communication with the surgical instrument and the end effector. The wire is configured to communicate information between the surgical instrument and the end effector.

[0028] It is contemplated that any of the above disclosed aspects may be combined without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0040] Embodiments of the presently disclosed electromechanical surgical system, apparatus and/or device are described in detail with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. As used herein the term “distal” refers to that portion of the electromechanical surgical system, apparatus and/or device, or component thereof, that are farther from the user, while the term “proximal” refers to that portion of the electromechanical surgical system, apparatus and/or device, or component thereof, that are closer to the user.

[0041] Referring initially to FIG. 1, an electromechanical, hand-held, powered surgical system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown and generally designated 10. Electromechanical surgical system 10 includes a surgical apparatus or device in the form of an electromechanical, hand-held, powered surgical instrument 100 that is configured for selective attachment thereto of a plurality of different end effectors 400, via a shaft assembly 200. The end effector 400 and the shaft assembly 200 are each configured for actuation and manipulation by the electromechanical, hand-held, powered surgical instrument 100. In particular, surgical instrument 100 is configured for selective connection with shaft assembly 200, and, in turn, shaft assembly 200 is configured for selective connection with any one of a plurality of different end effectors 400.

[0042] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, surgical instrument 100 includes an instrument housing 102 having a lower housing portion 104, an intermediate housing portion 106 extending from and/or supported on lower housing portion 104, and an upper housing portion 108 extending from and/or supported on intermediate housing portion 106.

[0043] The shaft assembly 200 includes an elongate portion 202 configured for selective connection to upper housing portion 108 of instrument housing 102, a flexible portion 204 extending from the elongate portion 202, and a linkage 500 extending from the flexible portion 204 and configured to selectively connect the shaft assembly 200 to a plurality of different end effectors 400.

[0044] Reference may be made to International Application No. PCT/US2008/077249, filed Sep. 22, 2008 (Inter. Pub. No. WO 2009/039506) and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/622,827, filed on Nov. 20, 2009, the entire content of each of which being hereby incorporated herein by reference, for a detailed description of the construction and operation of exemplary electromechanical, hand-held, powered surgical instrument 100.

[0045] Reference may also be made to co-pending Attorney Docket Nos. H-US-03445 (203-8878), entitled “APPARATUS FOR ENDOSCOPIC PROCEDURES,” provisional patent application No. 61/661,461, Filed Jun. 19, 2012, and H-US-03447 (203-8880), entitled “APPARATUS FOR ENDOSCOPIC PROCEDURES,” provisional patent application No. 61/673,792, filed Jul. 20, 2012, the entire contents of each of which being incorporated herein by reference, for a detailed description of the construction and operation of an exemplary shaft assembly 200 and end effector 400 for use with the electromechanical, hand-held, powered surgical instrument 100.

[0046] End effector 400 can be a variety of surgical end effectors, such as, for example, a linear surgical stapling end effector, as shown in FIG. 1. Such linear surgical stapling end effector includes a staple cartridge, anvil member, and drive member for driving staples out of the staple cartridge and against the anvil member. Such an instrument is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/280,859 (attorney docket number H-US-03068), Ser. No. 13/280,880 (attorney docket number H-US-03228), and Ser. No. 13/280,898 (attorney docket number H-US-03043), the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. For example, the drive member can be threadedly engaged with a threaded screw, the threaded screw being driven by one or more gears of the linkage 500, rotation being transmitted therethrough from the shaft assembly 200. Rotation of such threaded screw can be made to move the drive member longitudinally through the staple cartridge to fire the staples. Other types of end effectors are contemplated including, but not limited to, electrosurgical end effectors that apply electrical energy to tissue and/or ultrasonic end effectors that apply ultrasonic energy to tissue.

[0047] Referring now to FIGS. 3-8, linkage 500 includes a proximal housing assembly 502 and a distal housing assembly 504. Proximal housing assembly 502 includes an outer housing 506 and an inner housing 508. Outer housing 506 is configured to receive inner housing 508 such that inner shelves or ledges 510 (FIG. 6) of outer housing 506 are received within recesses 512 (FIG. 6) of inner housing 508. In this manner inner housing 508 is rotatably fixed relative to outer housing 506. Outer housing 506 and inner housing 508 together define first, second and third recesses or chambers 514a-514c (FIG. 8) for the reception of drive gears 516a-516c therein. For example, first chamber 514a receives a first gear 516a therein, second chamber 514b receives a second gear 516b therein, and third chamber 514c receives a third gear 516c therein. Each of gears 516a-516c is operatively associated with surgical instrument 100 and configured for actuation and manipulation by surgical instrument 100.

[0048] As seen in FIG. 6, outer housing 506 includes a first opening 518 extending therethrough and inner housing 508 includes a second opening 520 extending therethrough. First and second openings 518 and 520 are substantially aligned when inner housing 510 is received within outer housing 508 and are configured for the reception of a wire 600 therethrough.

[0049] With continued reference to FIG. 6, inner housing 508 includes a central recess 522 located on a distal side thereof configured for reception of a fourth gear 516d therein. Central recess 522 includes a radial opening 524 configured to allow for engagement between gear 516d and gear 516c. Inner housing 508 also includes an annular lip 526 disposed about central recess 522 and defines an annular groove 528 between annular lip 526 and an outer wall 530 of inner housing 508 for the receipt of wire 600 therein and therearound.

[0050] Referring now to FIGS. 5, 7 and 8, distal housing assembly 504 includes a flanged portion 532 at a distal end and a recessed portion 534 extending proximally from the flanged portion 532. Recessed portion 534 is configured for rotatable reception in inner housing 508 such that a proximal end 536 of recessed portion 534 abuts or is adjacent annular lip 526. Recessed portion 534 includes a central cut-out or recess 538 configured to receive a portion of gear 516d therein and a slot 540 extending through central cut-out 538 and configured to receive a shaft 542 of gear 516a therein. Distal housing assembly 504 includes a gear 516e disposed in a radial channel 544 extending through recessed portion 534 and configured for engagement with a distal portion of gear 516d. When recessed portion 534 of distal housing assembly 504 is inserted into inner housing 508, annular groove 528 defines a cavity between distal housing assembly 504 and inner housing 508 for the reception of wire 600 therein and therearound. Distal housing assembly 504 also includes a third opening 546 extending therethrough for the reception of wire 600.

[0051] Thus, the gears are provided to drive various functions of the end effector 400. The gears 516a through 516e form two inputs: one that drives the threaded screw, and one that drives rotation of the end effector with respect to the shaft assembly 200. Gear 516c is a firing gear that drives idler gear 516d, which drives an output gear 516e. Gear 516e is attached to a hexagonal drive that attaches to the threaded screw. There is also a rotation drive gear 516a that is keyed to part of the linkage housing 532 so that when gear 516b is driven, it rotates housing 504. Other gearing arrangements are contemplated.

[0052] Referring now to FIG. 4A, distal housing assembly 504 includes a pair of openings 548 configured to receive a pair of tabs 402 of end effector 400 when end effector 400 is attached thereto. Tabs 402 and openings 548 inhibit rotation of end effector 400 relative to distal housing assembly 504 such that end effector 400 and distal housing assembly 504 are configured to rotate together relative to proximal housing assembly 502 and shaft assembly 200.

[0053] End effector 400 may also include a plug interface 404 configured to electrically engage wire 600 (FIG. 4) when end effector 400 is attached to distal housing assembly 504 and electrically communicate end effector 400 with wire 600 and surgical instrument 100. Distal housing assembly 504 may also include a plug interface 552 for electrical engagement with plug interface 404 of end effector 400 where wire 600 (FIG. 4) is electrically connected to plug interface 552 instead of plug interface 404.

[0054] Referring now to FIGS. 6, 8 and 12, wire 600 includes a proximal portion 602, a central portion 604 and a distal portion 606. Central portion 604 of wire 600 is disposed within annular groove 528 between inner housing 508 and distal housing assembly 504 and is annularly wound about annular lip 526 in the fashion of a clock spring or coil. For example, central portion 604 of wire 600 may be wound radially within annular groove 528 in a single plane such that each successive winding of wire 600 is disposed radially adjacent to an immediately prior winding. Proximal portion 602 of wire 600 extends from central portion 604 through the second opening 520 of inner housing 508 to electrically communicate with surgical instrument 100. Distal portion 606 of wire 600 extends through the third opening 546 to electrically communicate with end effector 400. In this manner, end effector 400 is in electrical communication with surgical instrument 100 via wire 600. Proximal and distal portions 602, 606 of wire 600 may be substantially longitudinally fixed within the proximal and distal housings 502, 504, respectively.

[0055] Wire 600 is configured to transmit information from the end effector 400 to the surgical instrument 100. For example, wire 600 may be an electrical wire configured to transmit an identification signal from a memory chip 406 (FIG. 12) of end effector 400 to surgical instrument 100, e.g. an E-prom signal, to identify the type of end effector 400 to surgical instrument 100. The output properties of the drive system of the surgical instrument 100 may then be matched to the operational properties and parameters of the particular identified end effector 400. It is also contemplated that wire 600 may transmit a signal containing other kinds of information including, for example, information about the target tissue (e.g., tissue type, tissue vascularity, tissue temperature, etc.) sensed by sensors 408 (FIG. 12) of the end effector 400, a status of the operative state of the end effector 400, or other similar operational information. For example, an E-prom signal may be transmitted along wire 600 to surgical instrument 100 when the end effector 400 has been at least partially fired, when the end effector 400 has been at least partially clamped to target tissue, or other similar operational parameters.

[0056] During use of surgical instrument 100 and end effector 400, it may be desirable to rotate end effector 400 about a longitudinal axis thereof in either a clockwise or a counter clockwise direction. In view thereof, wire 600 is capable of communicating information between surgical instrument 100 and end effector 400 irrespective of the rotational orientation of end effector 400 relative to surgical instrument 100.

[0057] Referring initially to FIG. 9, wire 600 is disposed in a first configuration prior to rotation of distal housing assembly 504 relative to proximal housing assembly 502 (i.e., rotation of end effector 400 relative to shaft assembly 200 and/or surgical instrument 100). Proximal portion 602 of wire 600 is disposed a first radial distance “D1” from longitudinal axis A-A, and distal portion 606 of wire 600 is disposed a second radial distance “D2” from longitudinal axis A-A and central portion 604 is coiled about annular groove 528 between the first and second radial distances “D1” and “D2”.

[0058] Referring now to FIG. 10, when end effector 400 is rotated relative to shaft assembly 200 and/or surgical instrument 100, in a clockwise direction as depicted in FIG. 10, causing distal housing assembly 504 to be rotated in the direction “X”, third opening 546 of distal housing assembly 504 is rotated in the direction “X”. As third opening 546 rotates in the direction “X”, a side of third opening 546 engages distal portion 606 of wire 600 and also rotates distal portion 606 in the direction “X”. As distal portion 606 of wire 600 rotates in the direction “X”, central portion or coil 604 of wire 600 is radially contracted or constricted to a second configuration, similar to winding up a clock or coil spring. In other words, wire 600 has been wound up.

[0059] It is contemplated that distal housing assembly 504 may be rotated in the direction “X” between about a 0° rotation and at least about a 180° rotation relative to the first configuration. It is also contemplated that housing assembly 504 may be rotated in the direction “X” more than about a 180° rotation and, for example, may rotate through more than about one full 360° rotation relative to the first configuration.

[0060] Referring now to FIG. 11, when end effector 400 is rotated relative to shaft assembly 200 and/or surgical instrument 100, in a counter-clockwise direction as depicted in FIG. 11, causing distal housing assembly 504 to be rotated in the direction “Y”, third opening 546 of distal housing assembly 504 is rotated in the direction “Y”. As third opening 546 rotates in the direction “Y”, a side of third opening 546 engages distal portion 606 of wire 600 and also rotates distal portion 606 in the direction “Y”. As distal portion 606 of wire 600 rotates in the direction “Y”, central portion or coil 604 of wire 600 is radially expanded, similar to un-winding a clock spring. In other words, wire 600 has been un-wound.

[0061] It is contemplated that distal housing assembly 504 may be rotated in the direction “Y” between about a 0° rotation and at least about a 180° rotation relative to the first configuration. It is also contemplated that housing assembly 504 may be rotated in the direction “Y” more than about a 180° rotation and, for example, may rotate through more than about one full 360° rotation relative to the first configuration.

[0062] In this manner, linkage 500 provides a wire routing that allows end effector 400 to be rotated about axis A-A without wire 600 becoming tangled or without wire 600 inhibiting the rotation. It is contemplated that central portion or coil 604 of wire 600 may alternatively radially expand when distal housing assembly is rotated in the direction “X” and radially contract when distal housing assembly is rotated in the direction “Y” (Opposite direction “X”).

[0063] It is contemplated that proximal portion 602 of wire 600 may have substantially the same radial distance from longitudinal axis A-A in each of the first, second and third configurations. Likewise, it is contemplated that distal portion 606 of wire 600 may have substantially the same radial distance from longitudinal axis A-A in each of the first, second and third configurations.

[0064] Alternatively, it is contemplated that the radial distance of proximal portion 602 from longitudinal axis A-A in the second configuration may be smaller than the radial distance of proximal portion 602 from longitudinal axis A-A in the first configuration, and that the radial distance of proximal portion 602 from longitudinal axis A-A in the third configuration may be larger than the radial distance of proximal portion 602 from longitudinal axis A-A in the first configuration. Likewise, it is contemplated that the radial distance of distal portion 606 from longitudinal axis A-A in the second configuration may be smaller than the radial distance of distal portion 606 from longitudinal axis A-A in the first configuration, and that the radial distance of distal portion 606 from longitudinal axis A-A in the third configuration may be larger than the radial distance of distal portion 606 from longitudinal axis A-A in the first configuration.

[0065] It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended thereto.