Ratcheting feature on tissue staple trigger to prevent premature jaw opening

US9549738B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Venkataramanan Mandakolathur Vasudevan · Cincinnati, US
• Adam R. Dunki-Jacobs · Cincinnati, US
• Chester O. Baxter, III · Loveland, US
• Jerome R. Morgan · Cincinnati, US
• Cortney E. Henderson · Loveland, US
• Christopher C. Miller · Loveland, US
• Kent P. Baker · Monroe, US
• John V. Hunt · Cincinnati, US
• Barry T. Jamison · Lancaster, US
• Patrick A. Weizman · Monroe, US
• Joseph E. Young · Loveland, US
• Cory G. Kimball · Cincinnati, US
• Carl J. Shurtleff · Mason, US
• Edward G. Chekan · Cincinnati, US
• Kevin D. Felder · Cincinnati, US
• Johnny H. Alexander, III · Sharonville, US
• Patrick J. Swindon · Santa Clara, US
• Joseph P. Schowalter · South Lebanon, US
• John F. Cummings · Madeira, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 5, 2012
• Grant date: Jan 24, 2017
• Expiry date: Apr 9, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2017/2923
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A surgical instrument includes a body, a pivotable trigger, and a ratcheting assembly. The ratcheting assembly may include a rotary ratchet coupled to the trigger and a pawl coupled to the body. The rotary ratchet may further include a ramp that disengages the ratchet from the pawl. A release feature may be included to selectively disengage a second member of the ratcheting assembly from a first member. In some versions, the release feature may include a rotation knob or a slidable handle. In another configuration, the ratcheting assembly may have a first member coupled to an actuator and a second member coupled to the body. The assembly may include a lock member coupled to the body that selectively engages a plurality of teeth disposed on the actuator. Alternatively, the assembly may include a pivotable pawl coupled to the actuator that engages one or more notches formed in the body.