Surgical instrument with articulation assembly
First Claim
1. A surgical instrument comprising:
- an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a first longitudinal axis;
a toothed rack disposed within the elongate body and being movable in a direction parallel to the first longitudinal axis; and
an end effector having a proximal end pivotally supported on the distal end of the elongate body, the end effector defining a second longitudinal axis and supporting a gear operatively associated with the rack, wherein longitudinal movement of the rack effects rotational movement of the gear to effect pivotal movement of the end effector relative to the elongate body from a first position in which the second longitudinal axis is aligned with the first longitudinal axis to a second position in which the second longitudinal axis is misaligned with the first longitudinal axis, the proximal end of the end effector defining a first slot configured for receipt of a distal end of the rack.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical instrument includes an elongate body, a toothed rack, and an end effector. The elongate body has a proximal end and a distal end and defines a first longitudinal axis. The toothed rack is disposed within the elongate body and is movable in a direction parallel to the first longitudinal axis. The end effector has a proximal end pivotally supported on the distal end of the elongate body. The end effector defines a second longitudinal axis and supports a gear operatively associated with the rack. Longitudinal movement of the rack effects pivotal movement of the end effector relative to the elongate body from a first position to a second position. In the first position, the second longitudinal axis is aligned with the first longitudinal axis. In the second position, the second longitudinal axis is misaligned with the first longitudinal axis.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A surgical instrument comprising:
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an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a first longitudinal axis; a toothed rack disposed within the elongate body and being movable in a direction parallel to the first longitudinal axis; and an end effector having a proximal end pivotally supported on the distal end of the elongate body, the end effector defining a second longitudinal axis and supporting a gear operatively associated with the rack, wherein longitudinal movement of the rack effects rotational movement of the gear to effect pivotal movement of the end effector relative to the elongate body from a first position in which the second longitudinal axis is aligned with the first longitudinal axis to a second position in which the second longitudinal axis is misaligned with the first longitudinal axis, the proximal end of the end effector defining a first slot configured for receipt of a distal end of the rack. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification