Motor-driven fastening assembly
First Claim
1. A fastening assembly, comprising:
- a first jaw;
a second jaw movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the first jaw;
a closure member movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the second jaw is in the open position when the closure member is in the first position and the second jaw is in the closed position when the closure member is in the second position;
a rotatable drive shaft operably isolated from the closure member;
a firing member coupled to the rotatable drive shaft;
an electric motor coupled to the rotatable drive shaft, wherein the electric motor is operable to rotate the rotatable drive shaft and advance the firing member through a firing stroke;
a sensing device configured to sense when the closure member is in the second position; and
a control system in communication with the sensing device, wherein the control system is configured to prevent advancement of the firing member through the firing stroke until after the second jaw is in the closed position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In various embodiments, a fastening assembly comprising a first jaw, a second jaw, a closure member, a rotatable drive shaft, a firing member, an electric motor, a sensing device, and a control system is disclosed. The second jaw is movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the first jaw. The closure member is movable between a first position and a second position. The second jaw is in the closed position when the closure member is in the second position. The electric motor is operable to rotate the rotatable drive shaft and advance the firing member through a firing stroke. The sensing device is configured to sense when the closure member is in the second position. The control system is configured to prevent advancement of the firing member through the firing stroke until after the second jaw is in the closed position.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A fastening assembly, comprising:
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a first jaw; a second jaw movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the first jaw; a closure member movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the second jaw is in the open position when the closure member is in the first position and the second jaw is in the closed position when the closure member is in the second position; a rotatable drive shaft operably isolated from the closure member; a firing member coupled to the rotatable drive shaft; an electric motor coupled to the rotatable drive shaft, wherein the electric motor is operable to rotate the rotatable drive shaft and advance the firing member through a firing stroke; a sensing device configured to sense when the closure member is in the second position; and a control system in communication with the sensing device, wherein the control system is configured to prevent advancement of the firing member through the firing stroke until after the second jaw is in the closed position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A fastening assembly, comprising:
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an end effector, comprising; an elongate channel; an anvil pivotably connected to the elongate channel, wherein the anvil is movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the elongate channel; and a cutting member movable between an unfired position and a fully-fired position; a closure member configured to move the anvil to the closed position; a drive system comprising a rotatable drive screw, wherein the rotatable drive screw is operably isolated from the closure member; an electric motor coupled to the rotatable drive screw; a sensor positioned within the elongate channel and configured to sense the closed position of the anvil; and a control system in communication with the sensor, wherein the control system is configured to; rotate the electric motor to move the anvil from the open position toward the closed position; stop rotation of the electric motor when the anvil reaches the closed position; and restart the rotation of the electric motor to move the cutting member from the unfired position toward the fully-fired position when commanded to do so. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A fastening assembly, comprising:
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a first jaw; a second jaw rotatably connected to the first jaw, wherein the second jaw is movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the first jaw; a closure member coupled to the second jaw, wherein the closure member is configured to move the second jaw to the closed position; a rotatable drive shaft operably isolated from the closure member; a firing member coupled to the rotatable drive shaft, wherein the rotation of the rotatable drive shaft moves the firing member between an unfired position and a fully-fired position; an electric motor coupled to the rotatable drive shaft; a sensing device configured to generate an output signal indicative of the second jaw being in the closed position; and a control system in communication with the sensing device, wherein the control system is configured to; control movement of the firing member; and electronically lock the firing member in the unfired position until the second jaw reaches the closed position. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification