(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2009/0206136A1
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Aug. 20, 2009
`M00re et al.
`
`US 20090206136A1
`
`(54) DISPOSABLE MOTOR-DRIVEN LOADING
`UNIT FOR USE WITH A SURGICAL
`CUTTING AND STAPLINGAPPARATUS
`
`(75) Inventors:
`
`Kyle P. Moore, Mason, OH (US);
`Frederick E. Shelton, IV,
`Hillsboro, OH (US); William B.
`Weisenburgh, II, Maineville, OH
`(US); Jerome R. Morgan,
`Cincinnati, OH (US); Mark H.
`Ransick, West Chester, OH (US);
`Eugene L. Timperman, Cincinnati,
`OH (US)
`Correspondence Address:
`K&L GATES LLP
`535 SMITHFIELD STREET
`PITTSBURGH, PA 15222 (US)
`(73) Assignee:
`Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.,
`Cincinnati, OH (US)
`12/031,628
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Feb. 14, 2008
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`A6B 7/10
`
`(2006.01)
`
`(52) U.S. Cl. ................................... 227/176.1; 227/175.1
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A self contained motor-powered disposable loading unit for
`use with a Surgical cutting and Stapling apparatus. The dis
`posable loading unit may contain a battery that is retained in
`a disconnected position when the disposable loading unit is
`not in use and is moved to a connected position when the
`disposable loading unit is coupled to the Surgical cutting and
`Stapling apparatus to permit the motor to be selectively pow
`ered thereby. Indicators may be supported on the disposable
`loading unit to indicate when the axial drive assembly thereof
`is in a starting position and an ending position. Another indi
`cator may be provided to indicate when the anvil assembly is
`in a closed position.
`
`
`
`Ethicon Exhibit 2010.001
`Intuitive v. Ethicon
`IPR2018-00934
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 20, 2009 Sheet 1 of 7
`
`US 2009/0206136A1
`
`
`
`v
`
`Ethicon Exhibit 2010.002
`Intuitive v. Ethicon
`IPR2018-00934
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 20, 2009 Sheet 2 of 7
`
`US 2009/0206136A1
`
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`Ethicon Exhibit 2010.003
`Intuitive v. Ethicon
`IPR2018-00934
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 20, 2009 Sheet 3 of 7
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`Ethicon Exhibit 2010.004
`Intuitive v. Ethicon
`IPR2018-00934
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 20, 2009 Sheet 4 of 7
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`US 2009/0206136A1
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`Ethicon Exhibit 2010.005
`Intuitive v. Ethicon
`IPR2018-00934
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 20, 2009 Sheet 5 of 7
`
`US 2009/0206136A1
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`Intuitive v. Ethicon
`IPR2018-00934
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 20, 2009 Sheet 6 of 7
`
`US 2009/0206136A1
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`Ethicon Exhibit 2010.007
`Intuitive v. Ethicon
`IPR2018-00934
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 20, 2009 Sheet 7 of 7
`
`US 2009/0206136A1
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`Ethicon Exhibit 2010.008
`Intuitive v. Ethicon
`IPR2018-00934
`
`

`

`US 2009/0206136 A1
`
`Aug. 20, 2009
`
`DISPOSABLE MOTOR-DRIVEN LOADING
`UNIT FOR USE WITH A SURGICAL
`CUTTING AND STAPLNGAPPARATUS
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`0001. The present invention relates in general to endo
`scopic Surgical instruments including, but not limited to, Sur
`gical cutting and stapling apparatuses that have disposable
`loading units that are capable of applying lines of Staples to
`tissue while cutting the tissue between those staple lines and,
`more particularly, to improvements relating to such dispos
`able loading units.
`
`BACKGROUND
`0002 Endoscopic surgical instruments are often preferred
`over traditional open Surgical devices since a smaller incision
`tends to reduce the post-operative recovery time and compli
`cations. Consequently, significant development has gone into
`a range of endoscopic Surgical instruments that are Suitable
`for precise placement of a distal end effector at a desired
`Surgical site through a cannula of a trocar. These distal end
`effectors engage the tissue in a number of ways to achieve a
`diagnostic ortherapeutic effect (e.g., endocutter, grasper, cut
`ter, Staplers, clip applier, access device, drug/gene therapy
`delivery device, and energy device using ultrasound, RF,
`laser, etc.).
`0003 Known surgical staplers include an end effector that
`simultaneously makes a longitudinal incision in tissue and
`applies lines of staples on opposing sides of the incision. The
`end effector includes a pair of cooperating jaw members that,
`if the instrument is intended for endoscopic or laparoscopic
`applications, are capable of passing through a cannula pas
`sageway. One of the jaw members Supports a Staple cartridge
`that has at least two laterally spaced rows of staples. The other
`jaw member defines an anvil having staple-forming pockets
`aligned with the rows of staples in the cartridge. The instru
`ment commonly includes a plurality of reciprocating wedges
`which, when driven distally, pass through openings in the
`Staple cartridge and engage drivers Supporting the staples to
`effect the firing of the staples toward the anvil.
`0004 One type of Surgical stapling apparatus is config
`ured to operate with disposable loading units (DLU's) that are
`constructed to Support a staple cartridge and knife assembly
`therein. Once the procedure is completed, the entire DLU is
`discarded. Such instruments that are designed to accommo
`date DLU's purport to offer the advantage of a “fresh' knife
`blade for each firing of the instrument. Examples of such
`Surgical stapling apparatuses and DLU's are disclosed in U.S.
`Pat. No. 5,865,361 to Milliman et al., the disclosure of which
`is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
`0005 Such prior disposable loading units, however,
`require the clinician to continuously ratchet the handle to fire
`the staples and cut the tissue. There is a need for a Surgical
`Stapling apparatus configured for use with a disposable load
`ing unit that is driven by a motor contained in the disposable
`loading unit.
`
`SUMMARY
`0006. In one general aspect of various embodiments of the
`present invention, there is provided a disposable loading unit
`for attachment to a Surgical cutting and Stapling apparatus. In
`various embodiments, the disposable loading unit may com
`prise a carrier that Supports a staple cartridgetherein. An anvil
`assembly may be movably coupled to the carrier for selective
`movable travel between open and closed positions relative to
`the Staple cartridge. An axial drive assembly may be Sup
`
`ported within the carrier such that it can move in a distal
`direction from a start position to an end position through the
`carrier and the staple cartridge. The axial drive assembly may
`also be retracted in a proximal direction from the end position
`back to the start position. A motor may be Supported within
`the carrier and constructed to drive the axial drive assembly in
`the distal and proximal directions. A battery may be Sup
`ported within the carrier and be coupled to the motor for
`Supplying power thereto.
`0007. In still another general aspect of various embodi
`ments of the present invention, there is provided a disposable
`loading unit for attachment to a Surgical cutting and Stapling
`apparatus. In various embodiments, the disposable loading
`unit includes a carrier that Supports a staple cartridge therein.
`An anvil assembly may be movably coupled to the carrier for
`selective movable travel between open and closed positions
`relative to the staple cartridge. A housing may be coupled to
`the carrier and be configured for removable operable attach
`ment to the Surgical stapling apparatus. An axial drive assem
`bly may be Supported within the carrier and the housing to
`move in a distal direction from a start position to an end
`position through the carrier and the Staple cartridge. The axial
`drive assembly may also be retracted in a proximal direction
`from the end position to the start position. A motor may be
`supported within the carrier and configured to interface with
`the axial drive assembly to drive the axial drive assembly in
`the distal and proximal directions. A battery may be Sup
`ported within the carrier and be coupled to the motor for
`supplying power thereto. The battery may be selectively mov
`able between a disconnected position and connected posi
`tions in response to motions applied thereto by a portion of the
`Surgical stapling apparatus.
`0008. In another general aspect of various embodiments of
`the present invention, there is provided a Surgical cutting and
`Stapling apparatus. Various embodiments of the instrument
`may include a handle assembly that operably Supports a drive
`assembly therein that is constructed to impart drive motions
`and a retraction motion. A movable handle portion may be
`operably Supported on the handle assembly and configured to
`interface with the drive system such that manipulation of the
`movable handle causes the drive system to impart the drive
`motions. An elongated body may protrude from the handle
`assembly and have a distal end that is couplable to a dispos
`able loading unit. In various embodiments, the disposable
`loading unit may comprise a carrier that has a staple cartridge
`Supported therein. An anvil assembly may be movably
`coupled to the carrier for selective movable travel between
`open and closed positions relative to the staple cartridge. An
`axial drive assembly may be supported within the carrier such
`that the axial drive assembly may move in a distal direction
`from a start position to an end position through the carrier and
`the staple cartridge and also in a proximal direction from the
`end position to the start position. A motor may be supported
`within the carrier and configured to interface with the axial
`drive assembly to drive the axial drive assembly in the distal
`and proximal directions. A battery may be supported within
`the carrier and be coupled to the motor for Supplying power
`thereto. The battery may be configured to interface with a
`portion of the elongated body to receive the drive motions
`therefrom upon manipulation of the moveable handle.
`0009. These and other objects and advantages of the
`present invention shall be made apparent from the accompa
`nying drawings and the description thereof.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
`0010. The accompanying drawings, which are incorpo
`rated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate
`
`Ethicon Exhibit 2010.009
`Intuitive v. Ethicon
`IPR2018-00934
`
`

`

`US 2009/0206136 A1
`
`Aug. 20, 2009
`
`embodiments of the invention, and, together with the general
`description of various embodiments of the invention given
`above, and the detailed description of the embodiments given
`below, serve to explain various principles of the present
`invention.
`0011
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a disposable loading
`unit embodiment of the present invention coupled to a con
`ventional Surgical cutting and Stapling apparatus.
`0012 FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the disposable
`loading unit of FIG. 1 with several components shown in full
`view for clarity.
`0013 FIG.3 is a cross-sectional view of a proximal end of
`the disposable loading unit embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 with
`various components shown in full view for clarity.
`0014 FIG. 4 is a schematic of a circuit embodiment of the
`disposable loading unit of FIGS. 1-3.
`0015 FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the disposable
`loading unit of FIGS. 1-3 when the disposable loading unit
`has been attached to the elongated body of the Surgical instru
`ment.
`0016 FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the circuit illustrating
`the position of various components of the disposable loading
`unit after it has been attached to the Surgical instrument.
`0017 FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the disposable
`loading unit of FIGS. 1-6 when the drive beam has been
`moved to the anvil closed position.
`0018 FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the circuit illustrating
`the position of various components of the disposable loading
`unit after the drive beam has been moved to the anvil closed
`position.
`0019 FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the disposable
`loading unit of FIGS. 1-8 when the drive beam has been
`moved to its distal-most fired position.
`0020 FIG.10 is a schematic view of the circuit illustrating
`the position of various components of the disposable loading
`unit after the drive beam has been moved to its distal-most
`fired position.
`0021
`FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the disposable
`loading unit of FIGS. 1-10 as the drive beam is being returned
`to a starting position.
`0022 FIG. 12 is a schematic view of the circuit illustrating
`the position of various components of the disposable loading
`unit as the drive beam is being returned to a start position.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`0023 Turning to the Drawings, wherein like numerals
`denote like components throughout the several views, FIG. 1
`depicts a disposable loading unit 16 of the present invention
`that is coupled to a conventional Surgical cutting and stapling
`apparatus 10. The construction and general operation of a
`cutting and stapling apparatus 10 is described in U.S. Pat. No.
`5,865,361, the disclosure of which has been herein incorpo
`rated by reference. Thus, the present Detailed Description
`will not discuss the various components of the apparatus 10
`and their operation herein beyond what is necessary to
`describe the operation of the disposable loading unit 16 of the
`present invention.
`0024. As the present Detailed Description proceeds, it will
`be appreciated that the terms “proximal' and “distal are used
`herein with reference to a clinician gripping a handle assem
`bly 12 of the surgical stapling apparatus 10 to which the
`disposable loading unit 16 is attached. Thus, the disposable
`loading unit 16 is distal with respect to the more proximal
`handle assembly 12. It will be further appreciated that, for
`convenience and clarity, spatial terms such as “vertical'.
`“horizontal”, “up”, “down”, “right', and “left” are used
`herein with respect to the drawings. However, Surgical instru
`
`ments are used in many orientations and positions, and these
`terms are not intended to be limiting and absolute.
`0025. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the disposable loading unit
`16 may generally comprise a tool assembly 17 for performing
`Surgical procedures such as cutting tissue and applying
`staples on each side of the cut. The tool assembly 17 may
`include a cartridge assembly 18 that includes a staple car
`tridge 220 that is supported in a carrier 216. An anvil assem
`bly 20 may be pivotally coupled to the carrier 216 in a known
`manner for selective pivotal travel between open and closed
`positions. The anvil assembly 20 includes an anvil portion
`204 that has a plurality of Staple deforming concavities (not
`shown) formed in the undersurface thereof. The staple car
`tridge 220 houses a plurality of pushers or drivers (not shown)
`that each have a staple or staples (not shown) Supported
`thereon. An actuation sled 234 is supported within the tool
`assembly 17 and is configured to drive the pushers and staples
`in the staple cartridge 220 in a direction toward the anvil
`assembly 20 as the actuation sled 234 is driven from the
`proximal end of the tool assembly 17 to the distal end 220. See
`FIG 2.
`0026. The disposable loading unit 16 may further include
`an axial drive assembly 212 that comprises a drive beam 266
`that may be constructed from a single sheet of material or,
`preferably, from multiple stacked sheets. However, the drive
`beam 266 may be constructed from other suitable material
`configurations. The distal end of drive beam 266 may include
`a vertical support strut 271 which supports a knife blade 280
`and an abutment Surface 283 which engages the central por
`tion of actuation sled 234 during a stapling procedure. Knife
`blade 280 may be generally positioned to translate slightly
`behind actuation sled 234 through a central longitudinal slot
`in staple cartridge 220 to form an incision between rows of
`Stapled body tissue. A retention flange 284 may project dis
`tally from vertical strut 271 and Support a camming pin or
`pins 286 at its distal end. Camming pin 286 may be dimen
`Sioned and configured to engage camming Surface 209 on
`anvil portion 204 to clamp anvil portion 204 against body
`tissue. See FIGS. 5 and 7. In addition, a leaf spring (not
`shown) may be provided between the proximal end of the
`anvil portion 204 and the distal endportion of the housing 200
`to bias the anvil assembly 20 to a normally open position. The
`carrier 216 may also have an elongated bottom slot there
`through through which a portion of the vertical Support strut
`271 extends to have a support member 287 attached thereto
`0027. As can also be seen in FIG.1, the disposable loading
`unit 16 may also have a housing portion 200 that is adapted to
`snap onto or otherwise be attached to the carrier 216. The
`proximal end 500 of housing 200 may include engagement
`nubs 254 for releasably engaging elongated body 14 of a
`Surgical Stapling apparatus. Nubs 254 form a bayonet type
`coupling with the distal end of the elongated body portion 14
`of the Surgical stapling apparatus as described in U.S. Pat. No.
`5,865,361.
`0028. The housing 200 may further include a switch por
`tion 520 that movably houses a battery 526 therein. More
`specifically and with reference to FIG. 3, the switch portion
`520 of the housing 200 defines a battery cavity 522 that
`movably supports a battery holder 524 that houses a battery
`526 therein. As can be seen in FIG. 3, a first battery contact
`528 is supported in electrical contact with the battery 526 and
`protrudes out through the battery holder 524 for sliding
`engagement with the inside wall 523 of the battery cavity 522.
`Similarly, a second battery contact 530 is mounted in electri
`cal contact with the battery 526 and also protrudes out of the
`battery holder 524 to slide along the inside wall 523 of the
`battery cavity 522. The battery holder 524 has a control rod
`
`Ethicon Exhibit 2010.010
`Intuitive v. Ethicon
`IPR2018-00934
`
`

`

`US 2009/0206136 A1
`
`Aug. 20, 2009
`
`socket 532 therein configured to receive the distal end 276 of
`control rod 52 when the proximal end of disposable loading
`unit 16 is coupled to the elongated body 14 of Surgical sta
`pling apparatus 10. As can also be seen in FIG. 3, a series of
`contacts 540, 542, 544 may be oriented within the wall 523
`for contact with the battery contacts 530. The purpose of the
`contacts 540, 542, and 544 will be discussed in further detail
`below. As can also be seen in FIG. 3, a biasing member or
`switch spring 550 is positioned within the battery cavity 522
`to bias the battery holder 524 in the proximal direction “PD
`such that when the disposable reload 16 is not attached to the
`elongated body 14, the battery holder 524 is biased to its
`proximal-most position shown in FIG. 3. When retained in
`that “pre-use” or “disconnected position by spring 550, the
`battery contacts 528 and 530 do not contact any of the con
`tacts 540,542,544 within the battery cavity 522 to prevent the
`battery 526 from being drained during non-use.
`0029. As can also be seen in FIG. 3, the housing 200 may
`further have a motor cavity 560 therein that houses a motor
`562 and a gearbox 564. The gearbox 564 has an output shaft
`566 that protrudes through a hole 572 in a proximal bulkhead
`570 formed in the housing 200. See FIG. 5. The output shaft
`566 is keyed onto or otherwise non-rotatably coupled to a
`thrust disc 580. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the thrust disc 580
`is rotatably supported within a thrust disc cavity 582 formed
`between the proximal bulkhead570 and a distal bulkhead590
`formed in the housing 200. In addition, the thrust disc 580 is
`rotatably supported between a proximal thrust bearing 583
`and a distal thrust bearing 584 as shown. As can also be seen
`in FIG. 5, the thrust disc 580 may beformed on a proximal end
`of a drive screw 600 that threadedly engages a drive nut 610
`that is supported within an engagement section 270 formed
`on the distal end of the drive beam 266. In various embodi
`ments, the engagement section 270 may include a pair of
`engagement fingers 270a and 270b that are dimensioned and
`configured to be received within a slot in the drive nut 610 to
`non-rotatably affix the drive nut 610 to the drive beam 266.
`Thus, rotation of the drive screw 600 within the drive nut 610
`will drive the drive beam 266 in the distal direction “DD’ or
`in the proximal direction “PD' depending upon the direction
`of rotation of the drive screw 600.
`0030 The disposable loading unit 16 may further include
`a return switch 630 that is mounted in the housing 200 and is
`adapted to be actuated by the knife nut 610. As can also be
`seen in FIG.5, a switch 640 is mounted in the housing 200 and
`is also oriented to be actuated by the knife nut 610 to indicate
`when the anvil assembly 20 has been closed. A switch 650 is
`mounted in the housing 200 and is also adapted to be actuated
`by the knife nut 610 to indicate that the axial drive assembly
`212 has moved to is finished position. The specific operations
`of switches 630, 640, 650 will be discussed in further detail
`below.
`FIG. 4 illustrates a circuit embodiment 700 of the
`0031
`present invention that illustrates the positions of various com
`ponents of the disposable loading unit 16 of the present inven
`tion when in a “pre-use” condition. For example, the various
`components of the disposable loading unit 16 may be in this
`pre-use orientation when the unit 16 is being stored or
`shipped. As can be seen in that Figure, when in this orienta
`tion, the battery contacts 528 and 530 do not contact any of the
`contacts 540, 542, 544 in the housing 200 which prevents the
`battery 526 from being drained during non-use.
`0032 FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the positions of various
`components of the disposable loading unit 16 after it has been
`coupled to the elongated body 14 of the Surgical cutting and
`stapling instrument 10. In particular, as can be seen in FIG. 5,
`the distal end 276 of the control rod52 has been coupled to the
`
`battery holder 524. When the control rod 52 is attached to the
`battery holder 524, the battery holder 524 is moved in the
`distal direction “DD against the spring 550 such that the
`battery contacts 528, 530 are brought into contact with the
`return contacts 540 in the housing 200. Also, when in that
`position, the knife nut 610 actuates the return switch 630 into
`an open orientation. It will be appreciated that the return
`switch 630 is a normally closed switch that is actuated to the
`open position by the knife nut 610. As shown in FIG. 6, when
`the return switch 630 is open, the motor 562 is not powered.
`0033 FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the positions of various
`components of the disposable loading unit 16 after the clini
`cian has actuated the movable handle 24 (shown in FIG. 1) of
`the Surgical cutting and Stapling instrument 10. As discussed
`in U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,361, when the movable handle 24 is
`initially moved toward the stationary handle member 22, the
`control rod 52 is caused to move in the distal direction “DD”.
`As can be seen in FIG. 7, as the control rod 52 is initially
`moved in the distal direction during the anvil close stroke, the
`battery holder 524 moves the battery 526 to a position
`wherein the battery contacts 528, 530 contact the anvil close
`contacts 542. Power is now permitted to flow from the battery
`526 to the motor 562 which rotates the drive Screw 600 and
`causes the drive beam 266 to move distally. As the drive beam
`266 moves distally in the "DD’ direction, the camming pin
`286 engages camportion 209 of anvil portion 204 and causes
`the anvil assembly 20 to pivot to a closed position as illus
`trated in FIG. 7. As the drive beam 266 moves distally to the
`anvil closed position, the knife nut 610 moves out of contact
`with the return switch 630 which permits the return switch to
`resume its normally open position. The knife nut 610 then
`actuates the anvil closed switch 640 and moves it to an open
`position. See FIG. 8. In various embodiments one or more
`anvil closed lights 660 may be mounted in the housing 200 for
`providing a visual indication to the clinician that the anvil
`assembly 20 has been moved to the closed position.
`0034. When the clinician desires to fire the instrument 10
`(i.e., actuate the instrument 10 to cause it to cut and staple
`tissue), the clinician first depresses the plunger 82 of the firing
`lockout assembly 80 (FIG. 1) as discussed in U.S. Pat. No.
`5,865,361. Thereafter, movable handle 24 may be actuated.
`As the movable handle 24 is depressed, the control rod 52
`moves the battery holder 524 and battery 526 to the position
`illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. As can be seen in those Figures,
`when the battery 526 is moved into that position, the battery
`contacts 528, 530 are brought into contact with the fire con
`tacts 544. The switch 650 is normally closed until it is actu
`ated by the knife nut 610. Thus, when the battery contacts
`528,530 contact the firing contacts 544, power flows from the
`battery 526 to the motor 562 which drives the drive screw 600.
`As the drive screw 600 is rotated, the drive beam 266 and
`knife nut 610 are driven in the distal direction “DD” to
`advance actuation sled 234 through staple cartridge 220 to
`effect ejection of staples and cutting of tissue. Once the drive
`beam 266 reaches the end of the firing stroke (i.e., all of the
`staples in the staple cartridge 220 have been fired), knife nut
`610 is positioned to actuate the normally closed switch 650
`and move it to an open position (illustrated in FIG. 10) which
`stops the flow of power from the battery 526 to the motor 562.
`In various embodiments, a distal indication light or lights 670
`may be mounted on the housing 200 to provide an indication
`to the clinician that the drive beam 266 has reached its distal
`most fired position.
`0035) To retract the drive beam 266, the clinician grasps
`the retract knobs 32 (shown in FIG. 1) on the handle assembly
`12 and pulls them in the proximal direction “PD. The opera
`tion and construction of the retract knobs 32 is discussed in
`
`Ethicon Exhibit 2010.011
`Intuitive v. Ethicon
`IPR2018-00934
`
`

`

`US 2009/0206136 A1
`
`Aug. 20, 2009
`
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,361. Once the clinician moves the drive
`beam 266 a sufficient distance in the proximal direction “PD
`so as to move the battery to contacts 540 (FIG. 11), power will
`be supplied through switch 630 to reverse the motor 562.
`Knife nut then releases switch 650. The motor 562 then drives
`the drive beam 266 distal to switch 630, which opens. The
`return switch 630 is also in its normally closed position
`thereby permitting power to flow to the motor 562 and rotate
`the drive screw 610 in an opposite direction to drive the drive
`beam 266 in the proximal direction "PD". Once the knife nut
`610 actuates the knife return switch 630, the knife return
`switch 630 is moved to an open position thereby stopping
`flow of power from the battery 526 to the motor 562. In
`various embodiments, a starting light 700 may be mounted in
`the housing 200 to provide an indication that the drive beam
`266 is in the starting position.
`0036 FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate the positions of various
`components of the disposable loading unit 16 of the present
`invention when the distal end of the drive beam 266 and blade
`280 inadvertently becomes jammed during the firing stroke
`(i.e., when the blade 280 is being distally advanced through
`the tissue clamped in the tool assembly 17). To address such
`occurrence, a current limiter 680 may be provided as shown in
`FIG. 12. The current limiter 680 serves to turn off the motor
`562 when the amount of current that it is drawing exceeds a
`predetermined threshold. It will be understood that the
`amount of current that the motor 562 draws during a jam
`would increase over the amount of current drawn during
`normal firing operations. Once the current limiter 680 shuts
`down the motor 562, the clinician can retract the drive beam
`266 by grasping the retract knobs 32 (shown in FIG. 1) on the
`handle assembly 12 and pulling them in the proximal direc
`tion “PD and the motor 562 will drive the drive Screw 600 in
`reverse in the manner described above. Thus, the current
`limiter 680 serves to stop the motor 562 when the axial drive
`assembly 212 encounters resistance that exceeds a predeter
`mined amount of resistance which is associated with the
`predetermined maximum amount of current that the motor
`562 should draw under normal operating circumstances. This
`feature also saves the battery power so the drive beam 266 can
`be retracted.
`0037 Thus, the disposable loading unit 16 of the present
`invention comprises a self-contained motor driven disposable
`loading unit that may be used in connection with conventional
`Surgical cutting and Stapling instruments that traditionally
`required the clinician to manually advance and retract the
`drive assembly and cutting blade of a disposable loading unit
`coupled thereto. Various embodiments of the disposable load
`ing unit 16 may be constructed to facilitate the automatic
`retraction of the axial drive assembly should the blade
`encounter a predetermined amount of resistance.
`0038. While several embodiments of the invention have
`been described, it should be apparent, however, that various
`modifications, alterations and adaptations to those embodi
`ments may occur to persons skilled in the art with the attain
`ment of some or all of the advantages of the invention. For
`example, according to various embodiments, a single com
`ponent may be replaced by multiple components, and mul
`tiple components may be replaced by a single component, to
`perform a given function or functions. This application is
`therefore intended to coverall such modifications, alterations
`and adaptations without departing from the scope and spirit of
`the disclosed invention as defined by the appended claims.
`0039. Any patent, publication, or other disclosure mate
`rial, in whole or in part, that is said to be incorporated by
`reference herein is incorporated herein only to the extent that
`the incorporated materials does not conflict with existing
`
`definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth
`in this disclosure. As such, and to the extent necessary, the
`disclosure as explicitly set forth herein Supersedes any con
`flicting material incorporated herein by reference. Any mate
`rial, or portion thereof, that is said to be incorporated by
`reference herein, but which conflicts with existing defini
`tions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth herein
`will only be incorporated to the extent that no conflict arises
`between that incorporated material and the existing disclo
`Sure material.
`0040. The invention which is intended to be protected is
`not to be construed as limited to the particular embodiments
`disclosed. The embodiments are therefore to be regarded as
`illustrative rather than restrictive. Variations and changes may
`be made by others without departing from the spirit of the
`present invention. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that
`all such equivalents, variations and changes which fall within
`the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the
`claims be embraced thereby.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A disposable loading unit for attachment to a Surgical
`cutting and Stapling apparatus, said disposable loading unit
`comprising:
`a carrier;
`a staple cartridge Supported in said carrier,
`an anvil assembly movably coupled to said carrier for
`selective movable travel between open and closed posi
`tions relative to said staple cartridge;
`an axial drive assembly supported within said carrier to
`move in a distal direction from a start position to an end
`position through said carrier and said Staple cartridge
`and in a proximal direction from said end position to said
`start position;
`a motor Supported within said carrier and interfacing with
`said axial drive assembly to drive said axial drive assem
`bly in said distal and proximal directions; and
`a battery Supported within said carrier and coupled to said
`motor for Supplying power thereto.
`2. The disposable loading unit of claim 1 wherein said
`battery is movable between a disconnected position and con
`nected positions within said carrier.
`3. The disposable loading unit of claim 2 wherein said
`battery is re