Surgical instrument incorporating a fluid transfer controlled articulation mechanism
First Claim
1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
- a proximal portion configured for manipulation external to a patient;
an elongate shaft attached to the proximal portion;
an end effector;
an articulation joint attaching the end effector to the elongate shaft;
a fluid control attached to the proximal portion operably configured to transfer fluid through the elongate shaft through a first fluid passage; and
a first fluid actuator in fluid communication with the first fluid passage and responsive to the fluid transferred by the fluid control to actuate the articulation joint.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical instrument particularly suited to endoscopic use articulates an end effector by including a fluid transfer articulation mechanism that is proximally controlled. A fluid control, which is attached to a proximal portion, transfers fluid through the elongate shaft through a first fluid passage to a first fluid actuator that responds by articulating an articulation joint. Two opposing fluid actuators may respond to differential fluid transfer to effect articulation. Thereby, design flexibility is achieved by avoiding the design constraints of transferring a mechanical motion through the tight confines of the elongate shaft sufficient to effect articulation.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
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a proximal portion configured for manipulation external to a patient;
an elongate shaft attached to the proximal portion;
an end effector;
an articulation joint attaching the end effector to the elongate shaft;
a fluid control attached to the proximal portion operably configured to transfer fluid through the elongate shaft through a first fluid passage; and
a first fluid actuator in fluid communication with the first fluid passage and responsive to the fluid transferred by the fluid control to actuate the articulation joint. - 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 proximal portion configured for manipulation external to a patient;
an elongate shaft attached to the proximal portion and including a first and second fluid passage through a proximal portion thereof;
an end effector;
an articulation joint attaching the end effector to the elongate shaft;
a fluid control attached to the proximal control operably configured to differentially transfer fluid through the elongate shaft via the first and second fluid passages;
a first fluid actuator in fluid communication with the first fluid passage; and
a second fluid actuator in fluid communication with the second fluid passage;
wherein the first and second fluid actuator cooperatively respond to the differential transfer of fluid to actuate the articulation joint. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. A surgical instrument, comprising:
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a proximal portion configured for manipulation external to a patient;
an elongate shaft attached to the proximal portion;
an end effector;
an articulation joint attaching the end effector to the elongate shaft;
a fluid control means for bi-directionally transferring fluid through the elongate shaft; and
a fluid actuating means responsive to the transferred fluid from the elongate shaft to articulate the articulation joint.
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Specification