Abstract:
An adapter assembly for connecting an end effector to an actuation assembly includes a base member defining a plurality of notches spaced at least partially about a circumference of the base member, a handle supported on the base member and rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the base member, and a latch mechanism supported on the handle assembly and selectively engageable with the base member. The latch mechanism includes a button member and a locking member. The button member is movable between a first position in which the locking member is received within one of the plurality of notches to lock the handle relative to the base member, and a second position in which the locking member is spaced from the plurality of notches to unlock the handle relative to the base member.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/333,976, filed May 10, 2016, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates generally to adapter assemblies for selectively connecting end effectors to the actuation units of powered surgical devices. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a latch mechanism for rotationally securing a rotation handle of the powered surgical devices relative to the actuation assemblies. 
       2. BACKGROUND OF RELATED ART 
       [0003]    Powered devices for use in surgical procedures typically convert rotational motion from an actuation assembly to linear motion for effectuating one or more functions, e.g., clamping, stapling, cutting. To permit rotational alignment of an end effector attached to the actuation assembly without the operator having to manipulate the actuation assembly in an uncomfortable or awkward position, adapter assemblies have been developed for enabling selective rotation of the end effector relative to the actuation assembly. Such adapter assemblies generally include a base that is fixedly secured to the actuation assembly and a rotation handle to which an end effector is attached for rotating the end effector relative to the base and the actuation assembly. It would be beneficial to provide an adapter assembly with a latch assembly to permit the selective rotation of the rotation handle relative to the base. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    Accordingly, an adapter assembly for operably connecting an end effector to an actuation assembly is provided. The adapter assembly includes a base member configured for operable connection to an actuation assembly, a handle assembly supported on the base member and rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the base member, and a latch mechanism supported on the handle assembly and selectively engageable with the base member. The base member defines a plurality of notches spaced at least partially about a circumference of the base member. The latch mechanism includes a button member and a locking member extending from the button member. The locking member is movable between a first position in which the locking member is received within one of the plurality of notches to rotationally lock the handle assembly relative to the base member, and a second position in which the locking member is spaced from the plurality of notches to unlock the handle assembly relative to the base member. 
         [0005]    In embodiments, the base member includes a distal annular flange extending at least partially about the circumference of the base member and defining the plurality of notches. The locking member may define a notch that aligns with the distal annular flange when the locking member is in the second position. The button member may be positioned on a radially outer surface of the handle assembly. The latch mechanism may include a biasing member for biasing the button member radially outward. The biasing member may be a compression spring. The latch mechanism may include a biasing member for biasing the locking member. The biasing member may be a leaf spring. The button member may include indicia for indicating the direction of rotation of the handle assembly relative to the base member. 
         [0006]    In embodiments, the plurality of notches is spaced at regular intervals about the circumference of the base member. The plurality of notches may include a first notch and a second notch disposed one-hundred eighty degrees (180°) opposite the first notch. The plurality of notches may include a third notch disposed between the first and second notches. The third notch may be disposed ninety degrees (90°) relative to the first notch. The locking member may be pivotally secured to the button member. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an electromechanical surgical device including an adapter assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, an exemplary actuation assembly, an exemplary extension assembly, and an exemplary end effector; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the adapter assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional side view of a handle assembly of the adapter assembly of  FIG. 1  taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a perspective, partial cross-sectional side view of a base member and a rotation handle of the handle assembly of the adapter assembly of  FIG. 1 , with parts separated; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a perspective side view of a locking mechanism of the handle assembly of the adapter assembly of  FIG. 1 , with the rotation handle shown in phantom; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a perspective side view of a locking member of the locking mechanism of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional end view of the adapter assembly of  FIG. 1  taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 3 , with the locking mechanism in a first or locked position; 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail in  FIG. 3 , with the locking mechanism in the first position; 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail in  FIG. 3 , with the locking mechanism in a second or unlocked position; 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional end view of the adapter assembly of  FIG. 1  taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 3 , with the locking mechanism in the second position; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional end view of the adapter assembly of  FIG. 1  taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 3 , with the handle assembly rotated in a counter-clockwise direction. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0019]    Embodiments of the presently disclosed adapter assembly for surgical devices and/or handle assemblies 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 adapter assembly or surgical device, or component thereof, farther from the user, while the term “proximal” refers to that portion of the adapter assembly or surgical device, or component thereof, closer to the user. 
         [0020]    With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an adapter assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, shown generally as adapter assembly  100 , is a component of a powered handheld electromechanical instrument, shown generally surgical instrument  1 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the surgical instrument  1  includes an actuation assembly  10  configured for selective connection with the adapter assembly  100 , and, in turn, the adapter assembly  100  is configured for selective connection with an extension assembly  20 . The extension assembly  20  is configured for selective connection with a tool assembly or end effector, e.g. tool assembly  30 , which may, in exemplary embodiments, include a loading unit  40  and an anvil assembly  50 , for applying a circular array of staples (not shown) to tissue (not shown). For a detailed description of an exemplary actuation assembly, please refer to commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 9,055,943, the content of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
         [0021]    Although the aspects of the present disclosure will be shown and described as relates to the adapter assembly  100 , it is envisioned that the aspects of the present disclosure may be adapted for use with adapter assemblies having an alternative configuration. For a detailed description of exemplary adapter assemblies and exemplary extension assemblies, please refer to commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/875,766 (“the &#39;766 application”), filed Oct. 6, 2015, the content of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
         [0022]    With reference now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the adapter assembly  100  includes a coupling assembly  102 , a handle assembly  104  supported relative to the coupling assembly  102 , an elongate body portion  106  extending distally from the handle assembly  104 , and a drive assembly  108  ( FIG. 3 ) extending through the coupling assembly  102 , the handle assembly  104  and the elongate body portion  106 . The coupling assembly  102  selectively secures the adapter assembly  100  to the actuation assembly  10  ( FIG. 1 ). The drive assembly  108  extends through the coupling assembly  102 , the handle assembly  104 , and the elongate body portion  106  of the adapter assembly  100 , and is configured for transferring power from the actuation assembly  10  ( FIG. 1 ) to an attached end effector, i.e., tool assembly  30  ( FIG. 1 ), for effecting actuation of the tool assembly  30 . 
         [0023]    With continued reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , briefly, the drive assembly  108  of the adapter assembly  100  includes first, second, and third connectors  160   a ,  160   b ,  160   c  ( FIG. 2 ) configured for operable connection with first, second, and third drive members (not shown) of the actuation assembly  10 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the second connector  160   b  is operably connected to an elongate drive shaft  162  for transferring rotational motion through the adapter assembly  100 . Each of the first and third connectors  160   a ,  160   c  are operably connected to planetary gear assemblies  164  ( FIG. 3 ; only one shown) supported within the adapter assembly  100 . The planetary gear assemblies  164  are configured to convert the rotational motion from the actuation assembly  10  to longitudinal motion. For a detailed description of exemplary adapter assemblies, including an exemplary coupling assembly and exemplary drive assemblies, please refer to the &#39;766 application, the content of which was previously incorporated herein. 
         [0024]    With particular reference now to  FIG. 3 , the handle assembly  104  of the adapter assembly  100  includes a base member or core  110 , a rotation handle  120  rotatably supported on the base member  110 , and a locking mechanism  130  operably supported on the rotation handle  120 . As will be described in further detail below, when the locking mechanism  130  is in an unlocked configuration ( FIGS. 9 and 10 ), the rotation handle  120  is rotatable along the longitudinal axis “x” relative to the base member  110 , and when the locking mechanism  130  is in a locked configuration ( FIGS. 7 and 8 ), the rotation handle  120  is rotationally secured relative to the base member  110 . In particular, rotation of the rotation handle  120  about a longitudinal axis “x” of the adapter assembly  100  causes the end effector, i.e., tool assembly  30  ( FIG. 1 ), which defines a longitudinal axis “y” ( FIG. 1 ), to articulate or pivot with respect to the longitudinal axis “x” of the adapter assembly  100  to permit positioning of the tool assembly  30  relative to the actuation assembly  10 . As such, a clinician is able to orient the tool assembly  30  relative to the actuation assembly  10  without changing the orientation of the actuation assembly  10 . 
         [0025]    With additional reference to  FIG. 4 , the base member  110  includes a substantially cylindrical member  112  defining a pair of longitudinal openings  113   a ,  113   b  for receiving the drive assembly  108  ( FIG. 3 ) therethrough. The base member  110  includes proximal and distal annular flanges  114 ,  116  and further defines proximal and distal annular grooves  115 ,  117 . The proximal annular flange  114  facilitates attachment of the base member  110  of the handle assembly  104  to the coupling assembly  102 . The proximal annular groove  115  accommodates an annular flange of  126  of the rotation handle  120  to rotatably secure the rotation handle  120  to the base member  110 . 
         [0026]    With reference still to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the distal annular flange  116  and the distal annular groove  117  of the base member  110  operate in combination with the locking mechanism  130  of the handle assembly  104  to secure the rotation handle  120  in fixed rotational orientations relative to the base member  110 . In particular, the distal annular flange  116  of the base member  110  defines first, second, and third radial cutouts  117   a ,  117   b ,  117   c  configured to selectively receive a lock portion  146  of a locking member  134  of the locking mechanism  130 . Although shown with first and third cutouts  117   a ,  117   c  opposed to one another, and second cutout  117   b  oriented perpendicular to the first and third cutouts  117   a ,  117   c , it is envisioned that the distal annular flange  116  may define any number of cutouts, and the cutouts may be arranged in any suitable configuration. For example, the cutouts may be arranged in set intervals, and, where the drive assembly  108  permits, the cutouts may be formed extending entirely around the distal annular flange  116  to permit locking of the rotation handle  120  in any three-hundred sixty degree (360°) orientation about the base member  110 . 
         [0027]    With continued reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the rotation handle  120  includes a frustoconical body  122  having a plurality of ridges  124  ( FIG. 1 ) configured for operable engagement by a user. The elongate body portion  106  ( FIG. 2 ) is secured to the rotation handle  120  such that rotation of the rotation handle  120  about the longitudinal axis “x” of the adapter assembly  100  causes rotation of the elongate body portion  106  about the longitudinal axis “x”. In this manner, an end effector, e.g. tool assembly  30  ( FIG. 1 ), secured to the elongated body portion  120  of the adapter assembly  100 , or an end effector secured to an extension assembly, e.g., extension assembly  20  ( FIG. 1 ), which is secured to the elongated body portion  120  of the adapter assembly  100 , is rotatable independent of movement of the actuation assembly  10  ( FIG. 1 ) to which the adapter assembly  100  is attached. 
         [0028]    As noted above, the rotation handle  120  includes an annular flange  126  (FIG. which is received within the proximal annular groove  115  of the base member  110  to permit rotation of the rotation handle  120  relative to the base member  110 . The rotation handle  120  defines a radial opening  123  for operably receiving the locking mechanism  130 . The opening  123  in the rotation handle  120  is positioned in alignment or registration with the distal annular groove  117  of the base member  110  such that the locking member  134  of the locking mechanism  130  is receivable with the distal annular groove  117  and selectively receivable within each of the first, second, and third cutouts  117   a ,  117   b ,  117   c  in the distal annular flange  116 . 
         [0029]    With additional reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the locking mechanism  130  of the handle assembly  104  of the adapter assembly  100  includes a button or latch member  132  for disengaging the locking mechanism  130 . The locking mechanism  130  further includes the locking member  134  disposed within the rotation handle  120  and pivotal relative to the button member  132 . A first spring member, e.g., compression spring  136 , biases the locking member  134  to a locked configuration ( FIG. 5 ). 
         [0030]    With continued reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the button member  132  of the locking mechanism  130  includes a base portion  140  configured for operable engagement by a user, and a flange  142  extending from the base portion  140  for engaging the first spring member  136 . The base portion  140  of the button member  132  may include indicia for indicating to a user, for example, a direction of rotation of the rotation handle  120 . As shown, the base portion  140  of the button member  132  includes a double-sided arrow “I”, indicating that the handle assembly  104  is rotatable about the longitudinal axis “x”. 
         [0031]    The button member  132  of the locking mechanism  130  defines a recess  141  ( FIG. 3 ) for receiving the locking member  134 , and a pair of cylindrical openings  141   a  formed outwardly of the recess for pivotally receiving the pivot members  152  of the locking member  134 . A lip  140   a  extends along the cylindrical openings  141   a  for pivotally maintaining the locking member  134  relative to the button member  132 . The flange  142  includes a protrusion  142   a  configured to engage a surface  120   a  of the rotation handle  120  to maintain the button member  132  within the opening  123  in the rotation handle  120 . The protrusion  142   a  also engages the first spring member  136  of the locking mechanism  130 . In particular, the first spring member  136  biases the button member  132  of the locking mechanism  130  in a radially outward direction. 
         [0032]    With additional reference to  FIG. 6 , the locking member  134  of the locking mechanism  130  includes a pivot portion  144  and a lock portion  146 . The pivot members  152  of the locking member  134  extend outwardly from the pivot portion  144  and are configured to be received within the cylindrical openings  141   a  in the button member  132  of the locking mechanism  130 . The lock portion  146  of the locking member  134  is configured to be selectively received within the first, second, and third radial cutouts  117   a ,  117   b ,  117   c  in the distal annular flange  116  of the base member  110 . A notch  143  is formed between the pivot portion  144  and the lock portion  146  of the locking member  134 . As will be described in further detail below, alignment of the notch  143  with the distal annular flange  116  of the base portion  110  when the locking mechanism  130  is in unlocked position permits the rotation handle  120  to rotate relative to the base member  110 . 
         [0033]    A second spring member, e.g., leaf spring  148 , is secured relative to the locking member  134  and engages a second surface  120   b  of the rotation handle  120 . As will be described in further detail below, the second spring member  148  returns the locking member  134  to a locked position ( FIG. 3 ) following release of the button member  132  of the locking mechanism  130 . 
         [0034]    The operation of the locking mechanism  130  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 7-11 . Referring initially to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the locking mechanism  130  is shown in the locked configuration. In particular, the lock portion  146  of the locking member  134  is received within the first cutout  117   a  in the distal annular flange  116  of the base member  110 . In the locked configuration, the button member  132  of the locking mechanism  130  is biased radially outward by spring member  136 . As noted above, the button member  132  is retained within the opening  123  of the rotation handle  120  by protrusion  142   a  extending from the flange  142  of the button member  132 . 
         [0035]    With reference now to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , when the button member  132  of the locking mechanism  130  is depressed, as indicated by arrow “A” in  FIG. 9 , the button member  132  moves radially inward against the bias of the spring member  136 . As the button member  132  moves radially inward, the locking member  134  pivots about pivot members  152  ( FIG. 6 ) in a counter-clockwise direction, as indicated by arrow “B” in  FIG. 9 , against the bias of the leaf spring  148 . The counter-clockwise pivoting of the locking member  134  moves the locking portion  146  of the locking member  134  from within the first radial cutout  117   a  of the distal annular flange  116  of the base member  110 , such that the notch  143  between the pivot portion  144  and lock portion  146  of the lock member  134  aligns with the distal annular flange  116 . 
         [0036]    Turning now to  FIG. 11 , once the locking mechanism  130  is in the unlocked configuration, the rotation handle  120  may be rotated relative to the base member  120 , as indicated by arrow “C”. The release of the button member  132  allows the spring member  136  to bias the button member  132  to its initial position. Similarly, leaf spring  148  biases the lock member  134  to its initial position. When the locking member  134  is aligned with one of the first, second, and third radial cutouts  117   a ,  117   b ,  117   c  of the distal annular flange  116  of the base member  110 , receipt of the lock portion  146  of the lock member  134  within the respective first, second, and third cutout  117   a ,  117   b ,  117   c  rotationally locks the rotation handle  120  relative to the base member  110 . 
         [0037]    The locking mechanism  130  may be used throughout the surgical procedure to rotate the elongate body portion  106  of the adapter assembly  100  relative to the actuation assembly  10  ( FIG. 1 ). Following a surgical procedure, the adapter assembly  100  may be sterilized and reused. 
         [0038]    Any of the components described herein may be fabricated from either metals, plastics, resins, composites or the like taking into consideration strength, durability, wearability, weight, resistance to corrosion, ease of manufacturing, cost of manufacturing, and the like. 
         [0039]    Persons skilled in the art will understand that the devices and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments. It is envisioned that the elements and features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with the elements and features of another without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. As well, one skilled in the art will appreciate further features and advantages of the disclosure based on the above-described embodiments. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be limited by what has been particularly shown and described, except as indicated by the appended claims.