SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A LOCKABLE ARTICULATION SYSTEM
First Claim
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1. A shaft assembly for use with a surgical instrument, said shaft assembly comprising:
- an end effector, comprising;
a proximal end;
a distal end; and
a closable jaw;
an articulation joint, wherein said end effector is rotatable about said articulation joint;
an input actuator movable in a proximal direction and a distal direction;
a closure system comprising a closing member movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration to close said jaw;
a firing system comprising a firing member configured to actuate said end effector;
an articulation system comprising an articulation actuator configured to articulate said end effector; and
a switching system configured to;
operably couple said articulation system to said input actuator when said closure system is in said open configuration;
operably decouple said articulation system from said input actuator when said closure system is in said closed configuration; and
lock said articulation system in its articulated position when said closure system is in said closed configuration.
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Abstract
A surgical stapling apparatus is disclosed which comprises a shaft, an end effector, and an articulation joint, wherein the end effector is rotatable relative to the shaft about the articulation joint. The stapling apparatus further comprises a firing drive responsive to an input, an articulation drive, and a switch assembly configured to selectively couple the articulation drive to the input. The switch assembly is configured to lock the articulation drive in position when the articulation drive is not coupled to the input.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A shaft assembly for use with a surgical instrument, said shaft assembly comprising:
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an end effector, comprising; a proximal end; a distal end; and a closable jaw; an articulation joint, wherein said end effector is rotatable about said articulation joint; an input actuator movable in a proximal direction and a distal direction; a closure system comprising a closing member movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration to close said jaw; a firing system comprising a firing member configured to actuate said end effector; an articulation system comprising an articulation actuator configured to articulate said end effector; and a switching system configured to; operably couple said articulation system to said input actuator when said closure system is in said open configuration; operably decouple said articulation system from said input actuator when said closure system is in said closed configuration; and lock said articulation system in its articulated position when said closure system is in said closed configuration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A shaft assembly for use with a surgical instrument, said shaft assembly comprising:
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an end effector, comprising; a proximal end; a distal end; and a closable jaw; an articulation joint, wherein said end effector is rotatable about said articulation joint; an input actuator movable in a proximal direction and a distal direction; a closure system comprising a closing member movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration to close said jaw; a firing system comprising a firing member configured to actuate said end effector; an articulation system comprising an articulation actuator configured to articulate said end effector; and a switching system configured to; operably couple said articulation system to said input actuator when said closure system is in said open configuration; operably decouple said articulation system from said input actuator when said closure system is in said closed configuration; and wherein said switching system comprises a brake configured to hold said articulation system in its articulated position when said closure system is in said closed configuration. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. A shaft assembly for use with a surgical instrument, said shaft assembly comprising:
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an end effector, comprising; a proximal end; a distal end; and a closable jaw; an articulation joint, wherein said end effector is rotatable about said articulation joint; an input actuator movable in a proximal direction and a distal direction; a closure system comprising a closing member movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration to close said jaw; a firing system comprising a firing member configured to actuate said end effector; an articulation system, comprising; a first articulation member configured to articulate said end effector in a first direction; and a second articulation member configured to articulate said end effector in a second direction; a switching system configured to; operably couple said articulation system to said input actuator when said closure system is in said open configuration; and operably decouple said articulation system from said input actuator when said closure system is in said closed configuration; and locking means for locking said articulation system in its articulated position when said closure system is in said closed configuration. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. A shaft assembly for use with a surgical instrument, said shaft assembly comprising:
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an end effector, comprising; a proximal end; a distal end; and a closable jaw; an articulation joint, wherein said end effector is rotatable about said articulation joint in a first direction and a second direction, and wherein said articulation joint comprises; a plurality of discs, wherein each said disc comprises a first lateral aperture and a second lateral aperture; a first cable actuator extending through said first lateral apertures, wherein said first cable actuator comprises; a first distal end mounted to said end effector; and a first proximal end; and a second cable actuator extending through said second lateral apertures, wherein said second cable actuator comprises; a second distal end mounted to said end effector; and a second proximal end; and a locking system configured to hold said first proximal end and said second proximal end in position. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification