SURGICAL SLICING SHEARS

An end effector for a surgical device includes first and second jaws disposed adjacent one another. An actuator clevis is configured to couple to proximal ends of the first and second jaws in a distal portion of the actuator clevis. A jaw clevis defines a lumen and is configured to receive the first and second jaws and the actuator clevis in the lumen. The first and second jaws and the actuator clevis are configured to be transitionable along a longitudinal axis of the lumen. The first and second jaws are pivotably coupled to each other at proximal ends thereof and slidably coupled to the jaw clevis at a location distal of the proximal ends.

FIELD

The present disclosure is generally related to surgical instruments. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a slicing shear instrument for slicing and cutting tissue.

BACKGROUND

During surgery, it is often necessary to cut or otherwise sever a tissue. Typically, a pair of surgical shears or scissors are used to cut tissue such as a tumor, vessel, muscle, etc. Surgical shears cut tissue by placing two opposing blades in interference with one another, rubbing at the cutting edge to dissect tissue. However, shear blades wear and dull relatively quickly after making multiple cuts in this manner, requiring a new set of shears to be used. A dull blade can cause excessive damage to a tissue or introduce tears in the tissue beyond that which is intended or desired, and in some cases, a dull blade may not even fully sever tissue as intended. Thus, surgical shears are often replaced during surgical procedures even after only a few cuts may have been made to stay within a preferred ‘sharpness range’ of a pair of surgical shears. This leads to an increase in the duration and cost of the surgical procedure.

SUMMARY

This disclosure generally relates to an end effector for a surgical device. The end effector includes first and second jaws disposed adjacent one another. An actuator clevis is configured to couple to proximal ends of the first and second jaws in a distal portion of the actuator clevis. The jaw clevis defines a lumen and is configured to receive the first and second jaws and the actuator clevis in the lumen. The first and second jaws and the actuator clevis are configured to be transitionable along a longitudinal axis of the lumen. The first and second jaws are pivotably coupled to each other at proximal ends thereof and slidably coupled to the jaw clevis at a location distal of the proximal ends of the first and second jaws.

In aspects, a distal position of the actuator clevis and the first and second jaws may define an open configuration and a proximal position of the actuator clevis and the first and second jaws may define an approximated configuration, the first and second jaws transitionable between the open and approximated configurations.

In aspects, as the first and second jaws transition from the open configuration to the approximated configuration, the first and second jaws may simultaneously cut and slice an object disposed between the first and second jaws.

In other aspects, as the first and second jaws transition from the open configuration to the approximated configuration, the first and second jaws may pivot about the jaw clevis in a cutting motion and may move proximally in a slicing motion approximately simultaneously.

In yet further aspects, a proximal portion of the actuator clevis may be configured to couple to an actuation mechanism.

In some aspects, the actuation mechanism may be configured to transition the first and second jaws between the open and approximated configurations.

In more aspects, the actuation mechanism may include an actuator shaft coupled to the proximal portion of the actuator clevis, and an outer tube coupled to a proximal portion of the jaw clevis.

In alternative aspects, the actuator shaft may be disposed in the outer tube. The outer tube may be configured to extend the lumen of the jaw clevis along the longitudinal axis such that the first and second jaws and actuator clevis are transitionable distally and proximally along the longitudinal axis.

In aspects, the first and second jaws may include slots configured to receive a jaw clevis pin, the first and second jaws may be pivotably and slidably coupled to the jaw clevis about the jaw clevis pin.

In further aspects, the slots of the first and second jaws may be configured to permit the first and second jaws to pivot about the jaw clevis pin to facilitate a cutting motion and the slots may be configured to permit proximal movement of the first and second jaws to facilitate a slicing motion, such that the incremental cutting motion is accompanied by incremental slicing motion.

In yet further aspects, the first and second jaws may include slots configured to receive a jaw clevis pin, wherein the first and second jaws are coupled to the jaw clevis about the jaw clevis pin.

In some other aspects, the slots of the first and second jaws may be configured to permit the first and second jaws to pivot about the jaw clevis pin to facilitate a cutting motion and the slots may be configured to permit proximal movement of the first and second jaws to facilitate a slicing motion.

In even further aspects, the jaw clevis pin may be disposed in a proximal portion of the slots of the first and second jaws in the open configuration and is disposed in a distal portion of the slots of the first and second jaws in the approximated configuration.

In aspects, the first and second jaws may include blades manufactured from stainless steel, titanium, ceramic, or toughened resins.

This disclosure also relates to a surgical device for separating tissue. The surgical device includes an actuator shaft, a jaw clevis, an actuator clevis, and first and second jaws. The actuator clevis is disposed at a distal portion of the actuator shaft and is configured to be received by the jaw clevis. The actuator clevis and the actuator shaft are configured to move along a longitudinal axis of the jaw clevis. The first and second jaws are disposed at a distal portion of the actuator clevis. The first and second jaws are pivotably coupled to each other and the actuator clevis at proximal ends thereof, and the first and second jaws are pivotably and slidably coupled to the jaw clevis at a location distal of the proximal ends thereof. The first and second jaws are transitionable between an open configuration and an approximated configuration, the approximated configuration defined by the actuator shaft, the actuator clevis, and the first and second jaws being in a proximal position and the open configuration defined by the actuator shaft, the actuator clevis, and the first and second jaws being in a distal position.

In aspects, the first and second jaws may be transitionable from the open configuration to the approximated configuration such that the first and second jaws approximately simultaneously slice and cut an object therebetween.

In other aspects, the first and second jaws may be transitionable from the open configuration to the approximated configuration such that the first and second jaws move into and across an object therebetween.

In another aspect, an actuation mechanism may be coupled to the actuator shaft and configured to transition the first and second jaws between the open and approximated configurations.

In some aspects, the surgical device may further include an outer tube, wherein the jaw clevis is coupled to a distal portion of the outer tube, the outer tube and jaw clevis defining a lumen configured to receive the first and second jaws and the actuator clevis.

This disclosure additionally relates to an end effector for severing tissue. The end effector includes: an actuator shaft, a jaw clevis, and first and second jaws. The first and second jaws are pivotably and slidably coupled to the jaw clevis at a location distal of proximal ends of the first and second jaws. An actuator is coupled to proximal ends of the first and second jaws, the actuator configured to transition the first and second jaws between an open configuration and an approximated configuration. The approximated configuration is defined by the proximal ends of the first and second jaws being in a proximal position and distal ends of the first and second jaws being approximately adjacent each other. The open configuration is defined by the proximal ends of the first and second jaws being in a distal position and the distal ends of the first and second jaws are spaced apart from each other. As the first and second jaws transition from the open configuration to the approximated configuration, the first and second jaws slice and cut an object therebetween approximately simultaneously.

Further details and various aspects of this disclosure are described in more detail below with reference to the appended figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the presently disclosed slicing shears instrument 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. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed devices are merely exemplary of the disclosure and may be embodied in various forms. Well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the disclosure in unnecessary detail. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

Descriptions of technical features of an illustrative slicing shears instrument in accordance with the disclosure should typically be considered as available and applicable to other similar features of another device of the disclosure. Accordingly, technical features described herein in connection with one illustrative slicing shears instrument may be applicable to other devices of the disclosure, and thus duplicative descriptions may be omitted herein.

As used herein, the term “distal” refers to that portion of the surgical instrument, or component thereof, farther from the user, while the term “proximal” refers to that portion of the surgical instrument, or component thereof, closer to the user.

As used herein, the term “approximated configuration” refers to a configuration where the jaws of the end effector of the slicing shears instrument are in an approximately parallel configuration. The term “open configuration” refers to a configuration where the jaws of the end effector of the slicing shears instrument form an angle wherein the jaws are capable of receiving an object (e.g., tissue) therebetween.

Referring toFIG. 1, a slicing shears instrument10including an end effector100with a first jaw110a, a second jaw110b, an outer tube150, and an actuation mechanism or handle assembly160is shown. The end effector100is disposed at a distal end of the outer tube150, and the handle assembly160is disposed at a proximal end of the outer tube150. The handle assembly160includes a body162, a stationary handle164, a trigger166, and a collar168for coupling the end effector100to the handle assembly160via an actuator shaft140. The end effector100is configured to receive, and approximately simultaneously slice and cut a section of tissue or another object desired to be severed or cut. The end effector100may be operated manually by pivoting the trigger166of the handle assembly160towards the stationary handle164. Alternatively, a robotic actuation mechanism (not shown) may be employed to actuate the end effector100. In various aspects, the robotic actuation mechanism may be controlled by a surgeon via a computing device in electrical communication with the actuation mechanism. The end effector100may be operated by a computing device, server, and/or network (not shown), which may include memory, storage device(s), controllers (e.g. software) for operating the end effector.

With reference toFIGS. 2 and 3, the end effector100with first and second jaws110a,110bis shown in further detail. The end effector100is configured such that the first and second jaws110a,110bcooperate to define a cutting motion in the direction indicated by arrows “A” (FIGS. 2 & 6) while the first and second jaws110a,110balso move proximally as indicated by arrows “B” (FIGS. 3 & 7).

The end effector100includes a jaw clevis120, an actuator clevis130, and an actuator shaft140. The first and second jaws110a,110bare pivotably coupled at proximal ends thereof to a distal portion of the actuator clevis130. The first and second jaws110a,110bare also pivotably and slidably coupled to the jaw clevis120at a location distal of proximal ends of the first and second jaws110a,110b. The actuator clevis130is coupled at a proximal portion thereof to a distal portion of the actuator shaft140. Actuator shaft140may be a hollow tube, rod, or other suitable rigid members.

The jaw clevis120is coupled at a proximal portion thereof to a distal portion of the outer tube150. The outer tube150and the jaw clevis120may be co-axial along a longitudinal axis “L” thereof, the outer tube150and the jaw clevis120each defining a lumen. The actuator clevis130and first and second jaws110a,110bare disposed in the lumen of the jaw clevis120. The actuator shaft140is disposed within the lumen of the outer tube150. In operation, the first and second jaws110a,110band actuator clevis130may be configured to move proximally and distally within the lumens of the jaw clevis120and the outer tube150and along the longitudinal axis “L.”

With additional reference toFIG. 4, the first and second jaws110a,110bare pivotably coupled to each other and the actuator clevis130at their proximal ends via an actuator pin132. First and second jaws110a,110binclude slots112a,112b, respectively. Slots112a,112bare configured to receive jaw clevis pin122. Jaw clevis pin122is also received by hole124of jaw clevis120, such that, when assembled, jaw clevis pin122is configured to couple first and second jaws110a,110bto jaw clevis120. The slots112a,112bare configured to permit the first and second jaws110a,110bto slide over and rotate about jaw clevis pin122. First and second jaws110a,110bare also pivotably coupled to actuator clevis130via actuator clevis pin132at proximal ends of the first and second jaws110a,110b. First and second jaws110a,110bare configured to rotate about the actuator clevis pin132.

The jaw clevis120and the actuator clevis130include prongs126and136, respectively, that define u-shaped slots that are co-planar and configured such that the first and second jaws110a,110bmay rotate about the jaw clevis pin122and actuator pin132without being constrained due to misalignment of the jaw clevis120or actuator clevis130. The first and second jaws110a,110bare positioned between the prongs126,136of the jaw clevis120and actuator clevis130, respectively, and the jaw clevis pin122is inserted into holes124and slots112a,112b, and the actuator clevis pin132is inserted into holes134of the actuator clevis and holes114a,114bof the first and second jaws110a,110b.

Slots112a,112bmay be shaped to define a maximum angle θ (FIGS. 3 & 6) between the first jaw110aand second jaw110bwhen the end effector100is in an open configuration. For example, when the first and second jaws110a,110bare positioned such that the jaw clevis pin122is in the proximal-most position within slots112a,112b, the angle θ formed between the first and second jaws110a,110bis at a maximum. The maximum angle θ between the first and second jaws110a,110bmay be about 90 degrees such that each jaw may rotate up to about 45 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis “L”. In aspects, the maximum angle θ is 45 degrees, such that each jaw defines a 22.5 degree angle with respect to the longitudinal axis “L.” It is contemplated that the maximum angle θ may be greater than 90 degrees or less than 45 degrees without departing from the scope of this disclosure. When the jaw clevis pin122is in a distal-most position in slots112a,112b, the angle θ between jaws110a,110bis negligible (e.g., approximately zero), such that the distal ends of the first and second jaws110a,110bare approximately adjacent (seeFIG. 7). While slots112a,112bare illustrated as linear slots, any suitable slot geometry configured to allow the first and second jaws110a,110bto pivot and slide about the jaw clevis pin122may be used, such as a “j” shaped slot.

With reference toFIGS. 5, 6, and 7, the end effector100is configured to produce a cutting and slicing motion such that tissue may be cut and sliced simultaneously. As illustrated inFIG. 5, the end effector100of the slicing shears instrument10may be inserted through a surgical access device30to sever a tissue20. The first and second jaws110a,110binclude blades116a,116b, respectively, and are positioned in an open configuration about the tissue to be severed. The actuation mechanism or handle assembly160(shown inFIG. 1) controls the position of the first and second jaws110a,110ballowing a user to transition the end effector100from the open configuration (FIG. 6) to the approximated configuration (FIG. 7) and vice versa.

In operation, the first and second jaws110a,110bare used to slice and cut tissue, such that incremental cutting motion of the first and second jaws110a,110bis accompanied by incremental slicing motion of the first and second jaws110a,110b. Thus, the first and second jaws110a,110bare able to approximately simultaneously slice and cut tissue. In aspects, the first and second jaws110a,110bmay be separately actuated such that one or both blades may simultaneously follow a slice and cut motion to sever tissue therebetween. The approximately simultaneous cutting and slicing motions, indicated by arrows “A” and “B” respectively, reduces wear on the blades116a,116bof the first and second jaws110a,110b, respectively, by adding the slicing motion to the cutting motion of a typical pair of surgical scissors or shears. Slicing motion introduces less wear since less pressure may be required to sever the tissue at the point of contact between the blade and the tissue. In aspects, the blades116a,116bof the first and second jaws110a,110bmay be made from at least one of stainless steel, titanium, ceramic material, or toughened resins. Thus the slicing shears instrument10or the end effector100is configured to wear or dull at a slower rate compared to a standard pair of surgical scissors or shears, which may save time during a surgical procedure and lower the cost of a procedure since fewer instruments may need to be used or replaced during an operation.

The approximately simultaneous slicing and cutting motions are achieved by transitioning the end effector100from the open configuration to the approximated configuration. As shown inFIG. 6, in the open configuration, the jaw clevis pin122is in a proximal position in slots112a,112bof the first and second jaws110a,110b. The distal-most ends of the first and second jaws110a,110bare spaced apart from one another in the open configuration. Angle θ is at a maximum when the distal-most ends of the first and second jaws110a,110bare spaced apart a maximum distance, the jaw clevis pin122is in a proximal-most position in slots112a,112b, or both. The actuator clevis130and the first and second jaws110a,110bare in a distal position in the open configuration. In the closed configuration,

The first and second jaws110a,110bare coupled to the actuator clevis130such that the positions of the first and second jaws110a,110balong the longitudinal axis “L” relative to the distal portion of actuator clevis130do not change between the open configuration and the closed configuration. The first and second jaws110a,110bare coupled to the jaw clevis120such that the positions of the first and second jaws110a,110brelative to the distal end of the jaw clevis120do change between the open configuration and the approximated configuration.

In transitioning to the closed configuration, the actuator clevis130, the first and second jaws110a,110b, and the actuator shaft140move proximally within the lumens of the jaw clevis120and the outer tube150as indicated by arrows “B”. The angle θ between the first and second jaws110a,110bdecreases as the actuator shaft140, and thus the actuator clevis130, and first and second jaws110a,110b, move proximally. The slots112a,112b, as described above, force the first and second jaws110a,110bto rotate about the jaw clevis pin122to follow the cutting motion indicated by arrows “A” and slide proximally over the jaw clevis pin122to follow the slicing motion indicated by arrows “B.” The first and second jaws110a,110bare configured to rotate in the direction indicated by arrows “A” towards the approximated configuration. Thus the first and second jaws110a,110bmove into and across a tissue or object therebetween. As the first and second jaws110a,110bmove proximally towards the approximated configuration, the distal-most ends of the first and second jaws110a,110bapproach each other, such that when in the approximated configuration, the distal-most ends of the first and second jaws110a,110bare approximately adjacent one another, and the angle θ is negligible. In the approximated configuration, the actuator clevis130and the first and second jaws110a,110bare in a proximal-most position along longitudinal axis “L.” The jaw clevis pin122is in a distal-most position in the slots112a,112bof the first and second jaws110a,110b. The end effector100may be transitioned back to the open configuration, reversing the changes in position between the relative parts thereof just described.