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Surgical instrument comprising a plurality of articulation joints

  • US 10,004,498 B2
  • Filed: 06/18/2014
  • Issued: 06/26/2018
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2006
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A surgical instrument system, comprising:

  • a housing;

    an electric motor positioned within said housing;

    an elongate shaft assembly, comprising;

    a first portion extending from said housing;

    a second portion;

    a first articulation joint, wherein said second portion is rotatably connected to said first portion about said first articulation joint; and

    a second articulation joint, wherein said second articulation joint is positioned distal to said first articulation joint;

    a rotatable drive shaft rotatably engaged with said electric motor, wherein said rotatable drive shaft extends through said first articulation joint and said second articulation joint;

    an end effector, wherein said end effector is rotatably connected to said second portion about said second articulation joint, said end effector comprising;

    a cartridge channel;

    a staple cartridge removably positioned in said cartridge channel comprising a plurality of staples removably stored therein;

    a firing member translatable relative to said cartridge channel configured to eject said staples from said staple cartridge, wherein said rotatable drive shaft is threadably engaged with said firing member; and

    an anvil configured to deform said staples; and

    a closure actuator operably engaged with said end effector, wherein said closure actuator traverses said first articulation joint and said second articulation joint and is separate and independent of said rotatable drive shaft.

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