Surgical instrument with contained dual helix actuator assembly
First Claim
1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
- (a) a handle assembly including a rotary member rotatably extending along an axis of rotation;
(b) an end effector;
(c) a shaft assembly defining a longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal axis is parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotary member, wherein the shaft assembly includes;
(i) a distal end portion, wherein the end effector is positioned at the distal end portion of the shaft assembly,(ii) a proximal end portion associated with the handle assembly,(iii) an articulation section positioned between the distal and proximal end portions and configured to articulate the distal end portion relative to the proximal end portion to deflect at least part of the end effector positioned at the distal end portion away from the longitudinal axis,(iv) a first lead member operatively connected between the rotary member and the articulation section and configured to translate longitudinally a first longitudinal direction, and(v) a second lead member operatively connected between the rotary member and the articulation section and configured to translate longitudinally a second longitudinal direction, wherein the second longitudinal direction is simultaneous and opposite the first longitudinal direction,wherein the rotary member is configured to be selectively rotated about the axis of rotation to direct the first and second lead members in the first and second longitudinal direction and thereby articulate the articulation section for deflecting the end effector.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus comprises an end effector, an elongate shaft, and a handle assembly. The shaft includes an articulation section that is operable to deflect the end effector away from the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The handle assembly includes a rotary member positioned within an intermediate section of the handle assembly. The rotary member is rotatable about an axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The rotary member is operable to control the articulation section of the shaft. The rotary member may include opposing thread sections that simultaneously drive lead screws in opposite longitudinal directions, to thereby control the articulation section. The shaft may be rotatable relative to the handle assembly, and the apparatus may selectively lock or resist such rotation based on the articulation state of the articulation section.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
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(a) a handle assembly including a rotary member rotatably extending along an axis of rotation; (b) an end effector; (c) a shaft assembly defining a longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal axis is parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotary member, wherein the shaft assembly includes; (i) a distal end portion, wherein the end effector is positioned at the distal end portion of the shaft assembly, (ii) a proximal end portion associated with the handle assembly, (iii) an articulation section positioned between the distal and proximal end portions and configured to articulate the distal end portion relative to the proximal end portion to deflect at least part of the end effector positioned at the distal end portion away from the longitudinal axis, (iv) a first lead member operatively connected between the rotary member and the articulation section and configured to translate longitudinally a first longitudinal direction, and (v) a second lead member operatively connected between the rotary member and the articulation section and configured to translate longitudinally a second longitudinal direction, wherein the second longitudinal direction is simultaneous and opposite the first longitudinal direction, wherein the rotary member is configured to be selectively rotated about the axis of rotation to direct the first and second lead members in the first and second longitudinal direction and thereby articulate the articulation section for deflecting the end effector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A surgical instrument, comprising:
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(a) a handle assembly, including; (i) a rotary member rotatably extending along an axis of rotation, wherein the rotary member comprises a first rotary member part and a second rotary member part, and (ii) a first containment ring secured with the first and second rotary member parts, wherein the first containment ring is configured to prevent the first and second rotary member parts from separating from each other; (b) an end effector; (c) a shaft assembly defining a longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal axis is parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotary member, wherein the shaft assembly includes; (i) a distal end portion, wherein the end effector is positioned at the distal end portion of the shaft assembly, (ii) a proximal end portion associated with the handle assembly, and (iii) an articulation section positioned between the distal and proximal end portions and configured to articulate the distal end portion relative to the proximal end portion to deflect at least part of the end effector positioned at the distal end portion away from the longitudinal axis, wherein the rotary member is configured to be selectively rotated about the axis of rotation to thereby articulate the articulation section for deflecting the end effector. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. A surgical instrument, comprising:
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(a) a handle assembly, including; (i) a rotary member rotatably extending along an axis of rotation, wherein the rotary member comprises a first rotary member part and a second rotary member part, and (ii) a first containment ring secured with the first and second rotary member parts, wherein the first containment ring is configured to prevent the first and second rotary member parts from separating from each other; (b) an end effector; (c) a shaft assembly defining a longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal axis is parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotary member, wherein the shaft assembly includes; (i) a distal end portion, wherein the end effector is positioned at the distal end portion of the shaft assembly, (ii) a proximal end portion associated with the handle assembly, and (iii) an articulation section positioned between the distal and proximal end portions and configured to articulate the distal end portion relative to the proximal end portion to deflect at least part of the end effector positioned at the distal end portion away from the longitudinal axis, wherein the rotary member is configured to be selectively rotated about the axis of rotation to thereby articulate the articulation section for deflecting the end effector, and (iii) an elongate shaft extending from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion, wherein at least one of the elongate shaft or the end effector are rotatable relative to the handle assembly; and (d) a rotation locking feature, wherein the rotation locking feature is configured to selectively permit or prevent rotation of the at least one of the elongate shaft or the end effector relative to the handle assembly, wherein the rotation locking feature is configured to automatically prevent rotation of the elongate shaft or end effector relative to the handle assembly when the articulation section is articulated from a substantially straight configuration.
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Specification