Surgical stapler having an articulation mechanism
First Claim
1. An articulation mechanism for use with a surgical instrument, comprising:
- an elongate housing;
a shaft at least partially disposed in said housing;
a first member disposed about the shaft;
a second member disposed about the shaft;
wherein the first and second members are coaxially disposed about the shaft; and
a flexible member operatively coupled to the first and second members, the flexible member having distal and proximal portions;
wherein upon rotation of the shaft at least one of the first and second members moves longitudinally along the shaft with respect to the other of the first and second members between a first position where the first and second members are approximated towards each other and a second position where the first and second members are spaced apart from each other, said longitudinal motion causing the distal portion of the flexible member to articulate relative to the proximal portion.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An articulation mechanism for use with a surgical instrument includes a shaft, a first member disposed in mechanical cooperation with the articulation shaft, a second member disposed in mechanical cooperation with the shaft, and a flexible shaft having proximal and distal portions. The flexible member is operatively coupled to the first and second members. Upon rotation of the articulation shaft, at least one of the first and the second members moves longitudinally with respect to the other of the first and second members between a first position where the first and second members are approximated to each other and a second position where the first and second members are spaced apart from each other. This longitudinal motion causes the distal portion of the flexible member to articulate relative to the proximal portion.
1841 Citations
12 Claims
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1. An articulation mechanism for use with a surgical instrument, comprising:
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an elongate housing; a shaft at least partially disposed in said housing; a first member disposed about the shaft; a second member disposed about the shaft;
wherein the first and second members are coaxially disposed about the shaft; anda flexible member operatively coupled to the first and second members, the flexible member having distal and proximal portions; wherein upon rotation of the shaft at least one of the first and second members moves longitudinally along the shaft with respect to the other of the first and second members between a first position where the first and second members are approximated towards each other and a second position where the first and second members are spaced apart from each other, said longitudinal motion causing the distal portion of the flexible member to articulate relative to the proximal portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An articulation mechanism for use with a surgical instrument, comprising:
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a shaft; a first member disposed about the shaft; a second member disposed about the shaft;
wherein the first and second members are coaxially disposed about the shaft; anda flexible member operatively coupled to the first and second members, the flexible member having distal and proximal portions; wherein upon rotation of the shaft at least one of the first and second members moves longitudinally along the shaft with respect to the other of the first and second members between a first position where the first and second members are approximated towards each other and a second position where the first and second members are spaced apart from each other, said longitudinal motion causing the distal portion of the flexible member to articulate relative to the proximal portion.
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Specification