MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
- an elongated shaft assembly defining a longitudinal tool axis, the elongated shaft assembly comprising;
a proximal firing member operably interfacing with a firing system for receiving firing and retraction motions therefrom;
a proximal articulation assembly operably interfacing with an articulation system for receiving articulation motions therefrom and wherein the surgical instrument further comprises;
a surgical end effector comprising;
first and second end effector portions wherein the second end effector portion is selectively movable relative to the first end effector portion in a first direction upon application of an opening motion to the second end effector portion, the second end effector portion being further selectively movable in a second direction upon application of a closing motion to the second end effector portion;
an articulation joint configured to selectively articulate the first end effector portion about an articulation axis in the first and second directions relative to the longitudinal tool axis;
an articulation link assembly operably interfacing with the articulation joint for applying the articulation motions to the articulation joint;
a drive assembly supported for operable movement within the surgical end effector upon application of the firing and retraction motions thereto, the drive assembly configured to apply the opening and closing motions to the second end effector portion and wherein the surgical instrument further comprises;
means for simultaneously coupling;
a distal end of the first end effector portion to the elongated shaft assembly;
the articulation link to the articulation assembly; and
the drive assembly to the proximal firing member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical instrument equipped with a coupler arrangement for coupling end effectors to an elongated shaft assembly of the surgical instrument. The end effectors may include a pair of jaws in the form of a carrier supporting a surgical staple cartridge and an anvil. The anvil is movable relative to the carrier in opening and closing directions. The end effector may include an articulation joint that facilitates pivotal travel of the carrier and anvil as a unit relative to the elongated shaft assembly in the same directions in which the anvil is opened and closed relative to the carrier.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
an elongated shaft assembly defining a longitudinal tool axis, the elongated shaft assembly comprising; a proximal firing member operably interfacing with a firing system for receiving firing and retraction motions therefrom; a proximal articulation assembly operably interfacing with an articulation system for receiving articulation motions therefrom and wherein the surgical instrument further comprises; a surgical end effector comprising; first and second end effector portions wherein the second end effector portion is selectively movable relative to the first end effector portion in a first direction upon application of an opening motion to the second end effector portion, the second end effector portion being further selectively movable in a second direction upon application of a closing motion to the second end effector portion; an articulation joint configured to selectively articulate the first end effector portion about an articulation axis in the first and second directions relative to the longitudinal tool axis; an articulation link assembly operably interfacing with the articulation joint for applying the articulation motions to the articulation joint; a drive assembly supported for operable movement within the surgical end effector upon application of the firing and retraction motions thereto, the drive assembly configured to apply the opening and closing motions to the second end effector portion and wherein the surgical instrument further comprises; means for simultaneously coupling; a distal end of the first end effector portion to the elongated shaft assembly; the articulation link to the articulation assembly; and the drive assembly to the proximal firing member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 17)
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11. A disposable loading unit for attachment to an elongated shaft assembly of a surgical instrument, the disposable loading unit comprising:
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a housing assembly having a distal and proximal end, the proximal end operably couplable to the elongated shaft assembly; a carrier operably supporting a surgical staple cartridge therein; an anvil movably supported on the carrier and being selectively movable relative to the carrier in a first direction upon application of an opening motion to the anvil, the anvil being further selectively movable in a second direction upon application of a closing motion to the anvil; an articulation joint configured to selectively articulate the carrier about an articulation axis in the first and second directions; an articulation link assembly operably interfacing with the articulation joint for applying the articulation motions to the articulation joint and being selectively couplable to a corresponding portion of the elongated shaft assembly; and a drive assembly supported for operable movement within the surgical end effector upon application of firing and retraction motions from a corresponding firing portion of the elongated shaft assembly, the drive assembly configured to apply the opening and closing motions to the anvil. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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18. A surgical instrument, comprising:
an elongated shaft assembly defining a longitudinal tool axis, the elongated shaft assembly comprising; a proximal firing member operably interfacing with a firing system for receiving firing and retraction motions therefrom; a proximal articulation assembly operably interfacing with an articulation system for receiving articulation motions therefrom and wherein the surgical instrument further comprises; a surgical end effector comprising; first and second end effector portions wherein the second end effector portion is selectively movable relative to the first end effector portion in a first direction upon application of an opening motion to the second end effector portion, the second end effector portion being further selectively movable in a second direction upon application of a closing motion to the second end effector portion; an articulation joint configured to selectively articulate the first end effector portion about an articulation axis in the first and second directions relative to the longitudinal tool axis; an articulation link assembly operably interfacing with the articulation joint for applying the articulation motions to the articulation joint; a drive assembly supported for operable movement within the surgical end effector upon application of the firing and retraction motions thereto, the drive assembly configured to apply the opening and closing motions thereto and wherein the surgical instrument further comprises; a coupler assembly comprising; a first coupler portion configured to couple a distal end of the first end effector portion to the elongated shaft assembly; a second coupler portion configured to couple the articulation link to the articulation assembly at a same time as the first coupler portion is coupled to the distal end of the first end effector portion; and a third coupler portion configured to couple the drive assembly to the proximal firing member when the first coupler portion has coupled to the distal end of the first end effector portion to the elongated shaft assembly and when the second coupler portion has coupled the articulation link to the articulation assembly. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
Specification