Connector device for a controllable instrument
First Claim
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1. A surgical system, comprising:
- a first actuator;
a second actuator;
a surgical instrument comprising;
a first articulatable segment;
a second articulatable segment extending distally past the first articulatable segment;
a first force transmission element coupled to the first articulatable segment and to a first connector portion, the first connector portion being configured for selective operable coupling to and uncoupling from the first actuator, wherein the first connector portion and the first actuator operably couple to one another via a fastened mating engagement of respective first complementary male and female engagement features, the first complementary male and female engagement features being placed in fastened mating engagement by translational motion relative to one another; and
a second force transmission element coupled to the second articulatable segment and to a second connector portion, the second connector portion being configured for selective operable coupling to and uncoupling from the second actuator, wherein the second connector portion and the second actuator operably couple to one another via a fastened mating engagement of respective second complementary male and female engagement features, the second complementary male and female engagement features being placed in fastened mating engagement by translational movement relative to one another;
wherein, in a coupled state of the first actuator and the first connector portion, the first actuator is configured to move in a first translational motion to transmit actuation forces along the first force transmission element to actuate the first articulatable segment; and
wherein, in a coupled state of the second actuator and the second connector portion, the second actuator is configured to move in a second translational motion to transmit actuation forces along the second force transmission element to actuate the second articulatable segment.
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Abstract
A connector assembly for controllable articles is described herein. The connector assembly engages force transmission elements used to transmit force from one or more force generators with the force transmission elements used to manipulate a controllable article. Additionally, the connector assembly provides organization thereby simplifying the process of connecting a plurality of elements, usually with a quick, single movement.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A surgical system, comprising:
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a first actuator; a second actuator; a surgical instrument comprising; a first articulatable segment; a second articulatable segment extending distally past the first articulatable segment; a first force transmission element coupled to the first articulatable segment and to a first connector portion, the first connector portion being configured for selective operable coupling to and uncoupling from the first actuator, wherein the first connector portion and the first actuator operably couple to one another via a fastened mating engagement of respective first complementary male and female engagement features, the first complementary male and female engagement features being placed in fastened mating engagement by translational motion relative to one another; and a second force transmission element coupled to the second articulatable segment and to a second connector portion, the second connector portion being configured for selective operable coupling to and uncoupling from the second actuator, wherein the second connector portion and the second actuator operably couple to one another via a fastened mating engagement of respective second complementary male and female engagement features, the second complementary male and female engagement features being placed in fastened mating engagement by translational movement relative to one another; wherein, in a coupled state of the first actuator and the first connector portion, the first actuator is configured to move in a first translational motion to transmit actuation forces along the first force transmission element to actuate the first articulatable segment; and wherein, in a coupled state of the second actuator and the second connector portion, the second actuator is configured to move in a second translational motion to transmit actuation forces along the second force transmission element to actuate the second articulatable segment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification