Surgical instrument assembly comprising a lockable articulation system
First Claim
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1. A shaft assembly for use with a surgical instrument, said shaft assembly comprising:
- an end effector, comprising;
a proximal end;
a distal end; and
a movable jaw;
an articulation joint, wherein said end effector is rotatable about said articulation joint;
an input actuator movable in a proximal direction and a distal direction;
a closure system comprising a closing member movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration to close said movable jaw;
a firing system comprising a firing member, wherein said firing system is configured to actuate said end effector;
an articulation system comprising an articulation actuator configured to articulate said end effector, wherein said articulation actuator comprises;
a first articulation actuator; and
a second articulation actuator configured to rotate said end effector, wherein said first articulation actuator and said second articulation actuator are configured to move separately from one another and are configured to move in different directions; and
a switching system configured to;
operably couple said articulation system to said input actuator when said closure system is in said open configuration;
operably decouple said articulation system from said input actuator when said closure system is in said closed configuration; and
lock said articulation system in an articulated position when said closure system is in said closed configuration.
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Abstract
A surgical stapling apparatus is disclosed which comprises a shaft, an end effector, and an articulation joint, wherein the end effector is rotatable relative to the shaft about the articulation joint. The stapling apparatus further comprises a firing drive responsive to an input, an articulation drive, and a switch assembly configured to selectively couple the articulation drive to the input. The switch assembly is configured to lock the articulation drive in position when the articulation drive is not coupled to the input.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A shaft assembly for use with a surgical instrument, said shaft assembly comprising:
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an end effector, comprising; a proximal end; a distal end; and a movable jaw; an articulation joint, wherein said end effector is rotatable about said articulation joint; an input actuator movable in a proximal direction and a distal direction; a closure system comprising a closing member movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration to close said movable jaw; a firing system comprising a firing member, wherein said firing system is configured to actuate said end effector; an articulation system comprising an articulation actuator configured to articulate said end effector, wherein said articulation actuator comprises; a first articulation actuator; and a second articulation actuator configured to rotate said end effector, wherein said first articulation actuator and said second articulation actuator are configured to move separately from one another and are configured to move in different directions; and a switching system configured to; operably couple said articulation system to said input actuator when said closure system is in said open configuration; operably decouple said articulation system from said input actuator when said closure system is in said closed configuration; and lock said articulation system in an articulated position when said closure system is in said closed configuration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A shaft assembly for use with a surgical instrument, said shaft assembly comprising:
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an end effector, comprising; a proximal end; a distal end; and a closable jaw; an articulation joint, wherein said end effector is rotatable about said articulation joint; an input actuator movable in a proximal direction and a distal direction; a closure system comprising a closing member movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration to close said jaw; a firing system comprising a firing member configured to actuate said end effector; an articulation system comprising an articulation actuator configured to articulate said end effector; and a switching system configured to; operably couple said articulation system to said input actuator when said closure system is in said open configuration; operably decouple said articulation system from said input actuator when said closure system is in said closed configuration; and wherein said switching system comprises a brake configured to hold said articulation system in its articulated position when said closure system is in said closed configuration. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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10. A shaft assembly for use with a surgical instrument, said shaft assembly comprising:
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an end effector, comprising; a proximal end; a distal end; and a closable jaw; an articulation joint, wherein said end effector is rotatable about said articulation joint; an input actuator movable in a proximal direction and a distal direction; a closure system comprising a closing member movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration to close said jaw; a firing system comprising a firing member configured to actuate said end effector; an articulation system, comprising; a first articulation member configured to articulate said end effector in a first direction; and a second articulation member configured to articulate said end effector in a second direction, wherein said first direction is different than said second direction; a switching system configured to; operably couple said articulation system to said input actuator when said closure system is in said open configuration; and operably decouple said articulation system from said input actuator when said closure system is in said closed configuration; and locking means for locking said articulation system in its articulated position when said closure system is in said closed configuration. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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Specification