Surgical stapling instrument having articulation joint support plates for supporting a firing bar
First Claim
1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
- a handle portion operably configured to produce an articulation motion and a firing motion;
a shaft having a longitudinal axis attached to the handle portion for transferring the articulation motion and the firing motion;
an articulation mechanism coupling the shaft to the end effector and responsive to the articulation motion to rotate the end effector from the longitudinal axis of the shaft;
an end effector distally attached to the articulation mechanism;
a firing mechanism responsive to the firing motion and coupled for movement through the articulation mechanism and end effector in response to the firing motion; and
a pair of support plates flanking the firing mechanism across the articulation mechanism, each support plate including an end springedly engaged to a frame recess formed in the articulation mechanism.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical stapling and severing instrument particularly suited to endoscopic articulates an end effector by having a geared articulation mechanism that converts rotational motion from a handle portion. A firing bar longitudinally translates between the handle portion and the end effector. The firing bar head is thickened in order to present an undistorted cutting edge and engagement features to the opposing jaws of the end effector. The firing bar also advantageously includes a thinned or tapered proximal portion in the form of a strip or band that negotiates the articulation mechanism flexibility. To prevent buckling of the firing bar strip during firing, a pair of support plates adjustably flank the firing bar strip through the articulation mechanism. Various versions show resilient and spring engagement of each end of the support plate to distal and proximal sides of the articulation mechanism, as well as a resilient support plate.
470 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
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a handle portion operably configured to produce an articulation motion and a firing motion;
a shaft having a longitudinal axis attached to the handle portion for transferring the articulation motion and the firing motion;
an articulation mechanism coupling the shaft to the end effector and responsive to the articulation motion to rotate the end effector from the longitudinal axis of the shaft;
an end effector distally attached to the articulation mechanism;
a firing mechanism responsive to the firing motion and coupled for movement through the articulation mechanism and end effector in response to the firing motion; and
a pair of support plates flanking the firing mechanism across the articulation mechanism, each support plate including an end springedly engaged to a frame recess formed in the articulation mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A surgical instrument comprising:
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a handle portion operable to produce a firing motion, a closing motion, and an articulation motion;
a shaft coupled to the handle portion operable to separately transfer the firing motion, the closing motion, and the articulation motion;
an elongate channel coupled to the shaft;
an anvil pivotally coupled to the elongate channel, responsive to the closing motion from the shaft;
a firing device including a distally presented cutting edge longitudinally received between the elongate channel and the anvil;
an articulation mechanism pivoting the elongate channel from the shaft in response to the articulation motion; and
a pair of support plates flanking the firing mechanism across the articulation mechanism, each support plate including an end springedly engaged to a frame recess formed in the articulation mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21)
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19. A surgical instrument, comprising:
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a handle portion operably configured to produce a rotational articulation motion and a longitudinal firing motion;
a shaft operably configured to separately transfer the rotational articulation motion and the longitudinal firing motion;
an end effector distally coupled to the shaft means;
an articulation mechanism responsive to the rotational articulation motion to articulate the end effector;
a firing bar responsive to the longitudinal firing motion of the handle portion, the firing bar comprising;
an elongate strip longitudinally positioned for movement through the articulation mechanism, and a firing bar head distally connected to the elongate strip and positioned for longitudinal movement in the end effector;
a support plate means for providing articulating support flanking the firing bar elongate strip through the articulation means.
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Specification