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Articulated surgical instrument with improved articulation control mechanism

  • US 5,725,536 A
  • Filed: 02/20/1996
  • Issued: 03/10/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/20/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An articulated surgical instrument for use in laparoscopic surgical procedures comprising:

  • a handle;

    an elongated shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, said proximal end of said shaft being coupled to said handle;

    a tip pivotally coupled to said distal end of said shaft for articulation about an articulation axis;

    a proximal rod having a proximal end and a distal end and disposed in said shaft for reciprocating movement between a proximal position and a distal position;

    a desensitizing link coupled to said distal end of said proximal rod at a first pivot point and disposed within said shaft for rotational movement about a second pivot point in response to the reciprocating movement of said proximal rod; and

    a distal rod having a proximal end and a distal end and coupled at its proximal end to said desensitizing link at a third pivot point for reciprocating movement between a proximal position and a distal position in response to the rotational movement of said desensitizing link and operatively coupled at its distal end to said tip such that the reciprocating movement of said distal rod causes said tip to articulate about said articulation axis;

    wherein said third pivot point is closer to said second pivot point than is said first pivot point such that said distal rod reciprocates over a lesser distance than does said proximai rod.

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