IP Library Granted Patent US 8,740,932
Granted Patent B2
US 8,740,932 · App. 13/964,228 · Granted Jun 3, 2014

Surgical device

Inventors: Michael P. Whitman (New Hope, PA); John E. Burbank (Ridgefield, CT)
Assignee: Covidien LP
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,740,932
App. No.
13/964,228
Granted
Jun 3, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A surgical device includes a first jaw and a second jaw disposed in opposed correspondence with the first jaw. The second jaw is mechanically coupled to the first jaw at a proximal end opposite a distal end. A cutting element is disposed within the second jaw, and a first driver is configured to move the cutting element proximally from the distal end toward the proximal end of the second jaw to cut a section of tissue disposed between the first and second jaws. The device may also include a stapling element disposed within the second jaw. The cutting element and the stapling element may be contiguous so as to define a cutting and stapling element, such as a wedge having a blade disposed thereon.

Claims (41)

1. A surgical device, comprising:

a first jaw defining a longitudinal axis;

a second jaw mechanically coupled in opposed relation to the first jaw;

a cutting element disposed within and rotatable relative to the second jaw;

a first sensor electrode disposed on the first jaw and configured to electrically communicate with a first contact pad; and

a second sensor electrode disposed on the second jaw and configured to electrically communicate with a second contact pad, the second contact pad arranged to electrically communicate with the first contact pad.

2. The surgical device according to claim 1 , wherein when the first jaw and the second jaw are approximated to a closed configuration, the first sensor electrode contacts the second sensor electrode to complete a sensor circuit.

3. The surgical device according to claim 2 , wherein the sensor circuit provides an indication that a cutting and fastening of tissue, disposed between the first jaw and the second jaw, is permitted.

4. The surgical device according to claim 3 , wherein the indication is an alert provided to an operator to initiate the cutting and fastening of tissue.

5. The surgical device according to claim 4 , wherein the alert is at least one of an audible indication and a visual indication.

6. The surgical device according to claim 2 , wherein the contacting of the first sensor electrode and the second sensor electrode automatically activates a cutting and fastening mechanism for cutting and fastening of tissue.

7. The surgical device according to claim 1 , wherein the first sensor electrode is in electrical communication with a first contact node, and the second sensor electrode is in electrical communication with a second contact node, the second contact node arranged to electrically communicate with the first contact node.

8. The surgical device according to claim 7 , wherein the first sensor electrode and the second sensor electrode are in electrical communication with an electromechanical driver device, via the respective contact nodes, to form a sensor circuit.

9. The surgical device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a first rotatable shaft coupled to the first jaw, wherein a rotation of the first rotatable shaft causes the first jaw to travel linearly in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and

a second rotatable shaft arranged in parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first jaw, wherein a rotation of the second rotatable shaft causes a cutting and fastening mechanism to travel linearly in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axes of the first and second jaws.

10. The surgical device according to claim 9 , further comprising:

an upper horizontal shaft coupled to a proximal end of the first jaw; and

a lower horizontal shaft extending through the second jaw, the upper horizontal shaft and the lower horizontal shaft configured to be parallel to each other at a fixed distance.

11. An electro-mechanical surgical system, comprising:

an elongated shaft;

a first axially rotatable drive shaft disposed within the elongated shaft;

a surgical device configured to detachably couple to a distal end of the elongated shaft, wherein the surgical device includes:

a first jaw defining a longitudinal axis;

a second jaw mechanically coupled in opposed relation to the first jaw;

a cutting element disposed within and rotatable relative to the second jaw;

a first sensor electrode disposed on the first jaw and configured to electrically communicate with a first contact pad; and

a second sensor electrode disposed on the second jaw and configured to electrically communicate with a second contact pad, the second contact pad arranged to electrically communicate with the first contact pad.

12. The electro-mechanical surgical system according to claim 11 , wherein when the first jaw and the second jaw are approximated to a closed configuration, the first sensor electrode contacts the second sensor electrode to complete a sensor circuit.

13. The electro-mechanical surgical system according to claim 12 , wherein the sensor circuit provides an indication that a cutting and fastening of tissue, disposed between the first jaw and the second jaw, is permitted.

14. The electro-mechanical surgical system according to claim 13 , wherein the indication is an alert provided to an operator to initiate the cutting and fastening of tissue.

15. The electro-mechanical surgical system according to claim 14 , wherein the alert is at least one of an audible indication and a visual indication.

16. The electro-mechanical surgical system according to claim 12 , wherein the contacting of the first sensor electrode and the second sensor electrode automatically activates a cutting and fastening mechanism for cutting and fastening of tissue.

17. The electro-mechanical surgical system according to claim 11 , wherein the first sensor electrode is in electrical communication with a first contact node, and the second sensor electrode is in electrical communication with a second contact node, the second contact node arranged to electrically communicate with the first contact node.

18. The electro-mechanical surgical system according to claim 17 , wherein the first sensor electrode and the second sensor electrode are in electrical communication with an electromechanical driver device, via the respective contact nodes, to form a sensor circuit.

19. The electro-mechanical surgical system according to claim 11 , further comprising:

a first rotatable shaft coupled to the first jaw, wherein a rotation of the first rotatable shaft causes the first jaw to travel linearly in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and

a second rotatable shaft arranged in parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first jaw, wherein a rotation of the second rotatable shaft causes a cutting and fastening mechanism to travel linearly in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axes of the first and second jaws.

20. The electro-mechanical surgical system according to claim 19 , further comprising:

an upper horizontal shaft coupled to a proximal end of the first jaw; and

a lower horizontal shaft extending through the second jaw, the upper horizontal shaft and the lower horizontal shaft configured to be parallel to each other at a fixed distance.

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 13, 2014
From: WHITMAN, MICHAEL P.
To: POWER MEDICAL INTERVENTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 032431/0670 →
MERGER Recorded Mar 13, 2014
From: POWER MEDICAL INTERVENTIONS, INC.
To: POWER MEDICAL INTERVENTIONS, LLC
Reel/Frame 032431/0703 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 13, 2014
From: POWER MEDICAL INTERVENTIONS, LLC
To: TYCO HEALTHCARE GROUP LP
Reel/Frame 032431/0789 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 13, 2014
From: TYCO HEALTHCARE GROUP LP
To: COVIDIEN LP
Reel/Frame 032446/0059 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 13207697 · Aug 11, 2011
Continuation 12749573 · Mar 3, 2010
Division 09999546 · Nov 30, 2001
Related Publication 20140021238A1 · Jan 23, 2014