U.S. patent application number 17/080223 was filed with the patent office on 2021-02-11 for partitioned surgical instrument.
The applicant listed for this patent is Covidien LP. Invention is credited to Christopher A. Deborski, Keir Hart, Russell D. Hempstead.
Application Number | 20210038286 17/080223 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005181103 |
Filed Date | 2021-02-11 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20210038286 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Deborski; Christopher A. ;
et al. |
February 11, 2021 |
PARTITIONED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT
Abstract
A surgical instrument includes a reusable component and a
disposable component selectively separable from and engagable with
the reusable component. The disposable component includes an end
effector and a mechanical actuator operable to induce mechanical
movement of the end effector. The reusable component is configured
for providing electrosurgical energy to the disposable component
when engaged with the disposable component. A physical mating
feature is configured to maintain engagement between the reusable
and disposable components when the reusable and disposable
components are engaged, and an electrical mating feature is
configured to transmit electrical energy between the disposable and
reusable components when the disposable and reusable components are
engaged. All mechanical motion resulting from operation of the
mechanical actuator may be contained within the disposable
component.
Inventors: |
Deborski; Christopher A.;
(Denver, CO) ; Hempstead; Russell D.; (Lafayette,
CO) ; Hart; Keir; (Lafayette, CO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Covidien LP |
Mansfield |
MA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005181103 |
Appl. No.: |
17/080223 |
Filed: |
October 26, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15911338 |
Mar 5, 2018 |
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17080223 |
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14807253 |
Jul 23, 2015 |
9918777 |
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15911338 |
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13741550 |
Jan 15, 2013 |
9113897 |
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14807253 |
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61589549 |
Jan 23, 2012 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 2018/1495 20130101;
A61B 2017/0023 20130101; A61B 2018/1455 20130101; A61B 2017/0046
20130101; A61B 18/14 20130101; A61B 18/1445 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61B 18/14 20060101
A61B018/14 |
Claims
1-18. (canceled)
19. A surgical instrument, comprising: a first component including
a housing having an elongated shaft extending therefrom with an end
effector assembly attached to a distal end thereof; a second
component selectively separable from and engagable with the first
component; a magnetic, mechanical engagement feature operably
associated with at least one of the first or second components, the
magnetic, mechanical engagement feature configured to mechanically
align and mate with one or more corresponding engagement features
disposed on the other of the at least one of the first or second
components; and an electrical mating feature operably associated
with at least one of the first or second components and adapted to
communicate with a generator to provide an indication of proper
engagement between the first and second components.
20. The surgical instrument according to claim 19 further
comprising a cable operatively associated with the surgical
instrument, the cable having a cable connector adapted to
electrically and mechanically connect to an electrosurgical energy
source, the cable connector having one or more prongs and at least
one electrical coupling configured to communicate electrical
signals between the generator and first and second components.
21. A surgical instrument, comprising: a first component including
a housing having an elongated shaft extending therefrom with an end
effector assembly attached to a distal end thereof; a second
component selectively separable from and engagable with the first
component; a magnetic, mechanical engagement feature operably
associated with the first component, the magnetic, mechanical
engagement configured to mechanically align and mate with one or
more corresponding engagement features disposed on the second
component; and an electrical mating feature operably associated
with the first component and adapted to communicate with a
generator to provide an indication of proper engagement between the
first and second components.
22. The surgical instrument according to claim 21 further
comprising a cable operatively associated with the surgical
instrument, the cable having a cable connector adapted to
electrically and mechanically connect to an electrosurgical energy
source, the cable connector having one or more prongs and at least
one electrical coupling configured to communicate electrical
signals between the generator and first and second components.
23. A surgical instrument, comprising: a first component including
a housing having an elongated shaft extending therefrom with an end
effector assembly attached to a distal end thereof; a second
component selectively separable from and engagable with the first
component; cooperating mechanical engagement features disposed on
the first and second components and configured for releasable
mechanical engagement to there releasably mechanically engage the
first and second components with one another; cooperating magnetic
features operably associated with the first and second components
and configured to facilitate mechanically alignment of the
cooperating mechanical engagement features to thereby facilitate
releasable mechanical engagement of the first and second components
with one another; and cooperating electrical features operably
associated with the first and second components and adapted to
communicate with a generator to provide an indication of proper
engagement between the first and second components.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation application of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 14/807,253, filed on Jul. 23, 2015,
which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 13/741,550, filed on Jan. 15, 2013 (now U.S. Pat. No.
9,113,897), which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application No. 61/589,549 entitled "PARTITIONED
SURGICAL INSTRUMENT" filed Jan. 23, 2012 by Christopher A. Deborski
et al., the entire contents of each of which being incorporated by
reference herein.
BACKGROUND
1. Technical Field
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally the field of
reposable or reusable surgical instruments. In particular, the
disclosure relates to instruments having separable and replaceable
components to provide clean, sterile or refurbished surfaces in
each instance of use.
2. Background of Related Art
[0003] Instruments such as electrosurgical forceps are commonly
used in open and endoscopic surgical procedures to coagulate,
cauterize and seal tissue. Such forceps typically include a pair of
jaw members that can be controlled by a surgeon to grasp targeted
tissue, such as, e.g., a blood vessel. The jaw members may be
approximated to apply a mechanical clamping force to the tissue,
and are associated with at least one electrode surface to permit
the delivery of electrosurgical energy to the tissue. The
combination of the mechanical clamping force and the
electrosurgical energy has been demonstrated to join adjacent
layers of tissue captured between the jaw members. When the
adjacent layers of tissue include the walls of a blood vessel,
sealing the tissue may result in hemostasis. Thereafter, the sealed
tissue may be transected by advancing a knife through the jaws. A
detailed description of the use of an electrosurgical forceps may
be found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,255,697 to Dycus et al.
[0004] In use, various tissue-contacting components of an
electrosurgical forceps tend to become contaminated or degraded.
For example, electrodes may become contaminated as portions of the
treated tissue adhere to the tissue-contacting surfaces of the
electrodes. Also, a knife blade may become dull and less effective
in transecting sealed tissue after repeated use, even in a single
surgical procedure. In order to provide clean electrodes and a
sharp knife for a particular surgical procedure, a brand new
instrument is often used. Once the procedure is complete, the used
instrument is discarded.
[0005] Instruments that are reposable, or reusable for multiple
procedures, reduce the instrumentation costs per procedure.
Providing a reusable electrosurgical forceps, however, presents
various challenges. For example, the complexity of an
electrosurgical forceps tends to result in fairly labor intensive
cleaning procedures to prepare the forceps for subsequent use.
Improper cleaning may result in dangerous contamination being
introduced to the surgical site. Also, some reusable forceps have
removable and replaceable components to provide clean surfaces for
each use. Many of these instruments require arduous disassembly and
reassembly procedures that require extensive training, and may
discourage use of the instrument.
SUMMARY
[0006] The present disclosure describes a surgical instrument for
treating tissue. The surgical instrument includes a reusable
component and a disposable component selectively separable from and
engagable with the reusable component. The disposable component
includes an end effector and a mechanical actuator operable to
induce mechanical movement of the end effector. The reusable
component is configured for providing electrosurgical energy to the
disposable component when engaged with the disposable component. A
physical mating feature is configured to maintain engagement
between the reusable and disposable components when the reusable
and disposable components are engaged, and an electrical mating
feature is configured to transmit electrical energy between the
disposable and reusable components when the disposable and reusable
components are engaged. All mechanical motion resulting from
operation of the mechanical actuator may be contained within the
disposable component. By appropriately partitioning the instrument
between relatively expensive electronic components and relatively
inexpensive mechanical components, the cost per use of the
instrument may be managed.
[0007] In one aspect of the present invention, the physical mating
feature includes a pair of contoured guide arms disposed on the
reusable component shaped to correspondingly mate with a pair of
lateral indentations disposed on the disposable component. The
contoured guide arms may include a plurality of bosses disposed on
an interior surface thereof that are positioned to mate with
corresponding cavities defined within the lateral indentations of
the disposable component.
[0008] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the physical
mating features on the reusable and disposable components may
include lip and spring-loaded pin arrangements, tab and insert
pins, screw or key features, magnetic and ferromagnetic components,
adhesives or the like. The electrical mating feature may include a
plurality of pins that extend from the reusable component that mate
with a corresponding plurality of sockets defined in the housing of
the disposable component. A contact guide may be disposed the
reusable or disposable component and be configured to facilitate
alignment and engagement of the plurality of pins and corresponding
plurality of sockets.
[0009] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the electrical
mating feature may include one or more spring contacts, ring or
spade terminals and blade connectors disposed on the reusable and
disposable components that are configured to provide electrical
communication between components once engaged. A key-like interface
may be utilized to maintain mechanical and/or electrical engagement
between the reusable and disposable components during use thereof.
The key-like interface may be configured to provide indication to
one of the reusable or disposable components that the reusable and
disposable components are properly engaged. Proper engagement
therebetween may be a pre-requisite for initiation of electrical
energy and a generator (or a control module associated with the
generator) may be dependent upon this feedback as a safety
precaution.
[0010] In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the
reusable component is configured to electrically and mechanically
connect to an electrosurgical energy source through a cable
connector having one or more prongs and a terminal array. The
terminal array is configured to couple electrical signal
transmission pathways associated with the reusable component to the
electrosurgical energy source.
[0011] The present disclosure also relates to a surgical instrument
including a disposable component having an end effector and a
mechanical actuator disposed thereon, the mechanical actuator
operable to induce mechanical movement of the end effector. A
reusable component is included that is selectively separable from
and engagable with the disposable component and includes an
electrical switch disposed thereon configured to allow selective
application of electrosurgical energy to the end effector when the
reusable component is engaged with the disposable component. One or
more physical mating features and one or more electrical mating
features are provided on the reusable component each configured to
engage the disposable component to maintain mechanical and
electrical engagement therewith.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of
the present disclosure and, together with the detailed description
of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of
the disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 1 is a right side view of a surgical instrument in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure with
reusable and disposable components separated;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the instrument of FIG. 1 with
the components assembled;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a partial, distally facing perspective view of the
instrument of FIG. 1 with components separated, depicting
electrical and physical mating features of the reusable
component;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a partial, proximally facing perspective view of
the instrument of FIG. 1 with components separated, depicting
electrical and physical mating features of the disposable
component;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a partial, perspective view of an alternate
embodiment of a surgical instrument including a key lock physical
mating feature; and
[0018] FIG. 6 is a right side view of an alternate embodiment of a
reusable component of a surgical instrument depicting an electrical
cable for coupling the reusable component to a source of
electrosurgical energy.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, an embodiment of an
electrosurgical instrument 10 includes a reusable component 12 and
a disposable component 14. The reusable component 12 and the
disposable component 14 are selectively engagable with one another
(FIG. 2) for use in a surgical procedure, and selectively removable
from one another (FIG. 1) for disposal and/or refurbishment of the
components 12, 14. The instrument 10 includes a handle assembly 22
at a proximal end thereof for remotely controlling an end effector
24 through an elongated shaft 26. Although this configuration is
typically associated with instruments for use in laparoscopic or
endoscopic surgical procedures, various aspects of the present
disclosure are applicable to traditional open instruments, and in
connection with endoluminal procedures as well.
[0020] The reusable component 12 of the instrument 10 includes a
source of electrosurgical energy, e.g., an electrosurgical
generator 28. When the reusable component 12 is coupled to the
disposable component 14, the generator 28 selectively supplies
electrosurgical energy to the end effector 24. Generators 28 such
as the LIGASURE.RTM. Vessel Sealing Generator and the Force
Triad.RTM. Generator as sold by Covidien of Boulder Colo. may be
utilized for this purpose. The generator 28, depicted schematically
in FIG. 1, may include a battery for supplying power to the
instrument, electronic control mechanisms, electrical switching,
cordage and other analog or digital devices. Thus, these relatively
complex electronic devices required for electrically controlling
the instrument 10 are housed within the reusable component 12, and
may be used and reused for multiple surgical procedures.
[0021] To control the end effector 14, the handle assembly 12
includes a stationary handle 34 disposed on the reusable component
34 and a movable handle 36 disposed on the disposable component 14.
The movable handle 36 is pivotable with respect to a housing 38 of
the disposable component and, thus, the movable handle 36 is also
pivotable with respect to the stationary handle 34 when the
reusable and disposable components 12 and 14 are coupled to one
another. The movable handle 36 is operatively coupled to the end
effector 14 such that the movable handle 36 may be separated and
approximated relative to the stationary handle 34 to respectively
open and close the end effector 24. An elongated reciprocating
drive element (not shown) is coupled to the movable handle 36, and
reciprocates longitudinally through the elongated shaft 26 in
response to pivoting of the movable handle 36.
[0022] A trigger 40 is also disposed on the disposable component
14, and is operable to extend and retract a knife (not shown)
through the end effector 24. The trigger 24 is operatively coupled
to a proximal end of a reciprocating knife drive element (not
explicitly shown), and the knife is operatively coupled to a distal
end of the knife drive element. Thus, the trigger 24 is pivotable
relative to the housing 38 to longitudinally move the knife drive
element through the elongated shaft 26, and the knife through the
end effector 24. Also disposed on the disposable component 14 is a
rotation knob 44. The rotation knob 44 is operable to rotate the
elongated shaft 26 and the end effector 24 about a longitudinal
axis A-A defined by the elongated shaft 26. The movable handle 36,
knife actuation trigger 40 and rotation knob 44 may be collectively
described as mechanical actuators since these features all
cooperate to impart mechanical movement to the end effector 24. A
detailed description of the use of a movable handle 36, knife
actuation trigger 40 and rotation knob 44 as mechanical actuators
may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,255,697 to Dycus et al. In other
embodiments (not shown) an electronic user interface in operative
communication with the end effector 24 may be provided as a
mechanical actuator.
[0023] The instrument 10 also includes an electrical actuator to
permit electrical actuation of the instrument 10. The electrical
actuator is configured as a button or switch 48, and is disposed on
a housing 50 of the reusable component 12 of the instrument 10. The
button 48 is in electrical communication with the generator 28.
When the reusable component 12 and disposable component 14 are
assembled, the button 48 is also in electrical communication with
the end effector 24. The button 48 is thus operable to initiate and
terminate the delivery of electrosurgical energy to the end
effector 24. Other configurations or types of electrical actuators
may be provided, such as an electrical switch disposed on the
disposable component 14, a separate footswitch (not shown) or other
user-manipulated implement.
[0024] After use, the reusable component 12 and button 48 are
sterilizable by conventional sterilization techniques, such as
autoclaving or gas sterilization using ethylene oxide or the like
while the disposable component 14 is discarded. In this manner, a
surgeon is able to utilize the same specifically-sized or
custom-shaped reusable component 12 for multiple surgical
procedures with different disposable components 14. Moreover, a
surgeon may opt to interchange disposable components 14 during a
particular procedure while at the same time utilizing the same
reusable component 12. Feedback systems and sensors (not explicitly
shown) may be employed to automatically update the generator 28 (or
a control module associated with the generator 28) each time a new
disposable component 14 is engaged with the reusable component 12
or the same disposable component is swapped during a particular
surgical procedure. Techniques may be employed to insure that the
disposable component is not used for a subsequent surgery.
[0025] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, electrical and physical
mating features permit the selective engagement and disengagement
of the reusable and disposable components 12, 14 of the instrument
10. The physical mating features serve to secure and maintain the
connection between the reusable and disposable components 12, 14,
and the electrical mating features establish an electrical pathway
between the two components 12, 14.
[0026] The physical mating features include a pair of contoured
guide arms 54 on the reusable component 12 that are shaped to
correspond to a pair of lateral indentations 56 on the disposable
component 14. The guide arms 54 are received into the indentations
56 as the reusable and disposable components 12 and 14 are
approximated, and facilitate alignment of the two components 12,
14. In one embodiment, a plurality of bosses 58 are provided on an
interior or inner peripheral surface of the guide arms 54 that
correspond to a plurality of cavities 60 provided in the
indentation 56 of disposable component. The bosses 58 snap-fit into
the cavities 60 to secure the disposable and reusable components,
14 and 12, to one another.
[0027] Other alternative physical or mechanical mating features are
also contemplated including a lip and spring-loaded pin
arrangement, a tab and inserted pins, a screw or key (see FIG. 5)
that is separate or separable from reusable and disposable
components 12, 14, or magnetic and ferromagnetic components may be
provided to provide an attractive force between the two components
12, 14. Additionally, a cleanable adhesive could be provided on the
disposable component 14, and a release strip could be removed to
expose the adhesive prior to installation of the disposable
component 14 to the reusable component 12.
[0028] The electrical mating features include a pair of pins 66
protruding from the housing 50 of reusable component 12 and a pair
of corresponding sockets 68 defined in the housing 38 of the
disposable component 14. Approximation of the reusable and
disposable components 12, 14 effects electrical contact between the
pins 66 and sockets 68 as the bosses 58 mechanically engage the
cavities 60. A contact guide 70 is provided to facilitate alignment
of the pins 66 with the corresponding sockets 68.
[0029] The pins 66 are in electrical communication with the
generator 28 through the switch 48 (FIG. 1), and the sockets 70 are
in electrical communication with the end effector 24 (FIG. 1).
Thus, the generator 28 may provide RF therapeutic electrosurgical
energy to the end effector 24 when the reusable and disposable
components 12, 14 are engaged. The electrical mating features may
alternatively or additionally include other types of electrical
interfaces such as spring contacts, ring or spade terminals, or
blade connectors. Also, any number of electrical mating features
may be provided to accommodate any number of electrical signal
transmission pathways between the reusable and disposable
components 12, 14. Electrical pathways may be provided to transmit
digital or analog signals, or to provide electrical power to any
powered devices on the instrument disposable component 14. In some
embodiments (see, e.g., FIG. 6, and related description below), the
electrical pathways may extend to a connector to permit connection
of the electrical pathways to associated electrical equipment (not
explicitly shown).
[0030] Other types of energy may also be employed for use with the
present disclosure, ultrasonic, microwave, optical, etc. As can be
appreciated, different pin 66 and socket 70 arrangements,
mechanical couplings, additional components and/or different
electrical circuitry may be needed to provide one or more of the
aforementioned alternate or different types of energy application
to tissue.
[0031] In use, the reusable component 12 of the instrument 10 is
sterilized by any conventional or appropriate sterilization
techniques. Subsequently, the reusable component 12 may be mated
with a new and sterile disposable component in a sterile operating
field. The instrument 10 may then be employed in a surgical
procedure wherein a surgeon or operator grips the stationary handle
34 (FIG. 2) of the reusable component and maneuvers and
mechanically operates the end effector 24 with the mechanical
actuators 36, 40, and 44 on the disposable portion 14. The end
effector 24 may be electrically activated by operating the button
48. At the completion of the surgical procedure, the disposable
component 14 may be separated from the reusable component 12 and
discarded. The reusable portion may be re-sterilized for subsequent
use. The cost per surgical procedure may be reduced by use of
instrument 10 in this manner.
[0032] Referring now to FIG. 5, a an alternate embodiment of a
surgical instrument 76 includes a reusable component 78 and a
disposable component 80, which are engaged with one another in a
substantially similar manner as the reusable and disposable
components 12, 14 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 through
4. Additionally in instrument 76, a separate key or mechanical
interface 82 is provided to complete the mechanical connection
between the reusable and disposable components 78, 80. As the
reusable and disposable components 78, 80 are approximated,
keyholes 84 and 86 defined in the respective components 78, 80 are
aligned. The key 82 may be inserted through the keyhole 84 in the
reusable component 78 and into the keyhole 86 defined in the
disposable component 80 to maintain the mechanical engagement
between the components 78, 80.
[0033] The key 82 and keyholes 84, 86 may be associated with
electronic sensors or circuits (not explicitly shown) that provide
an indication to the generator 28 (or a control module associated
with the generator 28) that a proper engagement between the
components 78, 80 has been achieved. Sensors may include pressure
sensors, proximity sensors, simple circuits, magnetic or
ferromagnetic sensors, or any other type of sensor that may be
utilized to provide feedback to the generator 28 (or a control
module associated with the generator 28) that a proper mechanical
or electromechanical connection between the reusable and disposable
components 78, 80 has been achieved. Moreover, the sensors or
circuit may be configured to provide feedback to the generator 28
(or a control module associated with the generator 28) during an
electrosurgical procedure or provide a feedback test to ensure
proper connection between components 78, 80 prior to
activation.
[0034] Referring now to FIG. 6, an alternate embodiment of reusable
component 84 includes a housing 86 defining a stationary handle 86a
and guide arms 88. A hook 90 is provided in the housing 86 and may
serve as a physical mating feature for engaging a lip (e.g., lip
120, see FIG. 5) in a disposable component, e.g., 14. Extending
from the housing 86, a cable 92 provides a mechanism for
electrically connecting the reusable component 84 to an external
electrosurgical generator (not shown). The cable 92 includes a
connector 94 for coupling the reusable component 84 to opposite
terminals of the generator. The connector 94 includes two prong
members 94a and 94b that are configured to mechanically and
electrically connect the reusable component 84 to opposite
terminals, e.g., positive or active (+) and negative or return (-)
terminals associated with the generator. Thus, bipolar energy may
be provided through reusable component 84. Alternatively, the
reusable component 84 may be configured for receiving monopolar
energy.
[0035] The connector 94 also includes a terminal array 94c. The
terminal array 94c provides a connection mechanism for electrically
coupling electrical signal transmission pathways associated with
the reusable component 84 to the external electrosurgical generator
(not explicitly shown). These electrical signal transmission
pathways may communicate analog and/or digital signals between the
reusable component and the electrosurgical instrument. In some
embodiments, these electrical signal transmission pathways may
extend through the reusable component 84 to an additional terminal
array (not explicitly shown) that is adapted and arranged to
electrically connect the signal transmission pathways to a
disposable component whenever the hook 90 is engaged with a
disposable component as described above.
[0036] In some embodiments, the reusable component 12 (or generator
28) and the disposable component 14 may be configured to recognize
or identify one another and provide information relating to energy
parameters, or the type of surgical procedure that is involved,
e.g., monopolar, bipolar, ultrasonic, etc. Examples, of such
reusable logic may include bar codes, Aztec Codes, optical codes
and the like.
[0037] Although the foregoing disclosure has been described in some
detail by way of illustration and example, for purposes of clarity
or understanding, it will be obvious that certain changes and
modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *