Detachable end effectors

US8764735B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Jonathan Allen Coe · Menlo Park, US
• James W. Voegele · Cincinnati, US
• Gary L. Long · Cincinnati, US
• Andrew M. Zwolinski · Cincinnati, US
• Kyle P. Moore · Alpharetta, US
• Robert P. Gill · Mason, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 15, 2013
• Grant date: Jul 1, 2014
• Expiry date: Jan 15, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2017/2931
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Methods and devices are provided for performing various procedures using interchangeable end effectors. In general, the methods and devices allow a surgeon to remotely and selectively attach various interchangeable surgical end effectors to a shaft located within a patient's body, thus allowing the surgeon to perform various procedures without the need to remove the shaft from the patient's body. In an exemplary embodiment, multiple end effectors can be introduced into a body cavity. The end effectors can be disassociated or separate from one another such that they float within the body cavity. A distal end of a shaft can be positioned within the body cavity and it can be used to selectively engage one of the end effectors. In particular, the device can be configured to allow each end effector to be remotely attached and detached from the distal end of the shaft.