Surgical stapling instrument with an anti-back up mechanism
First Claim
1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
- an end effector, comprising;
a channel configured to receive a staple cartridge;
an anvil movably coupled to said channel; and
a cutting member operably supported within said channel;
a closure drive configured to generate a closing motion, wherein said anvil is operably engaged with said closure drive and is responsive to said closing motion; and
a firing drive, comprising;
a firing member operably engaged with said cutting member, wherein said firing drive is configured to advance said firing member toward said end effector and to move said cutting member relative to said anvil;
a reel;
a band operably connected to said firing member, wherein at least a portion of said band is configured to be wound around said reel, and wherein said firing member is configured to unwind said band from said reel when said firing member is advanced; and
a brake, wherein said brake is configured to apply a braking force to at least one of said band and said reel.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical instrument including a firing drive configured to advance a cutting member and/or staple driver within an end effector, and a brake configured to prevent, or at least partially inhibit, the relative movement of the cutting member and/or staple driver. The surgical instrument can further include a firing member operably engaged with the cutting member, for example, a band connected to the firing member, and a reel, where the band can be configured to be wound around the reel. In various embodiments, the brake can be selectively engageable with the reel and/or band to prevent, or limit, the movement of the band. The brake can include a brake surface where relative movement between the band and the brake surface can generate a friction force therebetween which can hold the firing member in position until a sufficient force is applied to the firing member to overcome the friction force.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
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an end effector, comprising; a channel configured to receive a staple cartridge; an anvil movably coupled to said channel; and a cutting member operably supported within said channel; a closure drive configured to generate a closing motion, wherein said anvil is operably engaged with said closure drive and is responsive to said closing motion; and a firing drive, comprising; a firing member operably engaged with said cutting member, wherein said firing drive is configured to advance said firing member toward said end effector and to move said cutting member relative to said anvil; a reel; a band operably connected to said firing member, wherein at least a portion of said band is configured to be wound around said reel, and wherein said firing member is configured to unwind said band from said reel when said firing member is advanced; and a brake, wherein said brake is configured to apply a braking force to at least one of said band and said reel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A surgical instrument, comprising:
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an end effector configured to removably store staples therein; and a firing drive, comprising; a firing member operably engaged with said end effector to deploy the staples from said end effector; a band connected to said firing member; and a brake, wherein said brake is configured to apply a braking force to said band. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A surgical instrument, comprising:
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an end effector, comprising; a channel configured to receive a staple cartridge; an anvil movably coupled to said channel; and a cutting member operably supported within said channel; a closure drive configured to generate a closing motion, wherein said anvil is operably engaged with said closure drive and is responsive to said closing motion; and a firing drive, comprising; a firing member operably engaged with said cutting member, wherein said firing drive is configured to advance said firing member toward said end effector and to move said cutting member relative to said anvil; a reel; a ratchet operably engaged with said reel; and a band connected to said firing member, wherein at least a portion of said band is configured to be wound around said reel, wherein said firing member is configured to pull said band and unwind said band from said reel when said firing member is advanced, wherein said band is configured to rotate said reel in a first direction when said band is pulled by said firing member, and wherein said ratchet is configured to prevent said reel from rotating in a direction opposite said first direction. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification