Articulation mechanism for surgical instrument
First Claim
1. An articulating elongate surgical instrument comprising:
- a handle assembly;
an elongated body portion extending distally from the handle assembly and defining a first longitudinal axis;
a tool assembly pivotally supported on the distal end of the elongated body portion about a pivot axis substantially orthogonal to the first longitudinal axis;
an articulation mechanism to effect the movement of the tool assembly;
at least one articulation drive member having at least one retaining surface, the at least one articulation drive member being actuated by the articulation mechanism;
a firing rod disposed adjacent the at least one articulation drive member, the firing rod for effecting the firing of surgical staples from the tool assembly, an actuating surface disposed upon the firing rod;
an articulation locking assembly configured to selectively engage and disengage the actuating surface on the firing rod and to selectively engage and disengage from the at least one retaining surface of the at least one articulation drive member.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An articulating elongate surgical instrument includes a handle assembly, an elongated body portion, a tool assembly pivotally supported on the distal end of the elongated body portion. The elongate surgical instrument includes as well an articulation mechanism to effect the movement of the tool assembly, the articulation mechanism including a pivot member operatively coupled to the tool assembly. The elongated body includes at least one articulation drive member having at least one retaining surface therein; a firing rod disposed adjacent the articulation drive, with an articulation locking actuating surface disposed upon the firing rod; and an articulation locking means configured to selectively engage and disengage from the actuating surface and to selectively engage and disengage from the retaining surface of the articulation drive member.
1902 Citations
15 Claims
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1. An articulating elongate surgical instrument comprising:
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a handle assembly; an elongated body portion extending distally from the handle assembly and defining a first longitudinal axis; a tool assembly pivotally supported on the distal end of the elongated body portion about a pivot axis substantially orthogonal to the first longitudinal axis; an articulation mechanism to effect the movement of the tool assembly; at least one articulation drive member having at least one retaining surface, the at least one articulation drive member being actuated by the articulation mechanism; a firing rod disposed adjacent the at least one articulation drive member, the firing rod for effecting the firing of surgical staples from the tool assembly, an actuating surface disposed upon the firing rod; an articulation locking assembly configured to selectively engage and disengage the actuating surface on the firing rod and to selectively engage and disengage from the at least one retaining surface of the at least one articulation drive member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification