INTERCHANGEABLE SHAFT ASSEMBLIES FOR USE WITH A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT
First Claim
1. An interchangeable shaft assembly for use with a surgical instrument, the surgical instrument including a frame that operably supports a plurality of drive systems and defines an actuation axis, the shaft assembly comprising a first shaft configured to apply first actuation motions to a surgical end effector operably coupled thereto, wherein a proximal end of the first shaft is configured to be operably releasably coupled to a first one of the drive systems supported by the frame in a direction that is substantially transverse to the actuation axis.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An interchangeable shaft assembly for use with a surgical instrument. The surgical instrument may include a frame that operably supports a plurality of drive systems and defines an actuation axis. The shaft assembly may comprise a first shaft that is configured to apply first actuation motions to a surgical end effector that is operably coupled thereto. A proximal end of the first shaft is configured to be operably releasably coupled to a first one of the drive systems supported by the frame in a direction that is substantially transverse to the actuation axis.
565 Citations
20 Claims
- 1. An interchangeable shaft assembly for use with a surgical instrument, the surgical instrument including a frame that operably supports a plurality of drive systems and defines an actuation axis, the shaft assembly comprising a first shaft configured to apply first actuation motions to a surgical end effector operably coupled thereto, wherein a proximal end of the first shaft is configured to be operably releasably coupled to a first one of the drive systems supported by the frame in a direction that is substantially transverse to the actuation axis.
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11. An interchangeable shaft assembly for use with a surgical instrument, the surgical instrument including a frame that defines an actuation axis and operably supports a plurality of drive systems, the shaft assembly comprising:
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a shaft frame; a shaft attachment module on a proximal end of the shaft frame and configured to be releasably coupled to a portion of the frame in a direction that is substantially transverse to the actuation axis; an end effector operably coupled to a distal end of the shaft frame, the end effector comprising; a surgical staple cartridge; and an anvil movably supported relative to the surgical staple cartridge and wherein the end effector shaft assembly further comprises; an outer shaft assembly including a distal end configured to apply control motions to the anvil, the outer shaft assembly including a proximal end configured to be operably releasably coupled to a first one of the drive systems supported by the frame in a direction that is substantially transverse to the actuation axis; and a firing shaft assembly including a distal cutting portion configured to move between a starting position and an ending position within the end effector, the firing shaft assembly including a proximal end that is configured to be operably releasably coupled to a firing drive system supported by the frame in the direction that is substantially transverse to the actuation axis. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A surgical system, comprising:
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a frame supporting a plurality of drive systems and defining an actuation axis; and a plurality of interchangeable shaft assemblies wherein each said interchangeable shaft assembly comprises; an elongate shaft configured to apply first actuation motions to a surgical end effector operably coupled thereto, wherein a proximal end of the elongate shaft is configured to be operably releasably coupled to a first one of the drive systems supported by the frame in a direction that is substantially transverse to the actuation axis; and a control shaft assembly operably supported within the elongate shaft and being configured to apply control motions to the end effector and wherein a proximal end of the control shaft assembly is configured to be operably releasably coupled to a second one of the drive systems supported by the frame in the direction that is substantially transverse to the actuation axis and wherein at least one of the surgical end effectors differs from another one of the surgical end effectors.
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Specification