Method of transferring rotational motion in an articulating surgical instrument
First Claim
1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
- a shaft housing including distal and proximal ends, the distal end of the shaft housing generally defining a distal shaft axis and the proximal end of the shaft housing generally defining a proximal shaft axis;
a torsion member extending through the shaft housing and including distal and proximal ends, the distal end of the torsion member configured for rotational movement in response to rotational movement of the proximal end of the torsion member;
an end effector coupled to the distal end of the shaft housing, the end effector moveable between open and closed configurations in response to rotational movement of the distal end of the torsion member; and
a handle coupled to the proximal end of the shaft housing, the handle including an actuation mechanism configured to selectively induce rotational movement at the proximal end of the torsion member;
wherein the torsion member comprises a flexible shaft having a plurality of generally radial slots defined in spaced longitudinal orientation along a length of the flexible shaft.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An endoscopic surgical instrument includes an elongated shaft, which may be articulated to facilitate positioning of an end effector. The instrument accommodates reactionary forces associated with closing the end effector without substantial disruption to the position of the end effector. The instrument includes an elongated shaft housing generally defining distal and proximal shaft axes, and a torsion member extending through the shaft housing. The torsion member transmits rotational displacement from a handle portion of the instrument to the end effector to selectively move the end effector between open and closed configurations. The torsion member comprises a flexible shaft exhibiting a plurality of generally radial slots spaced longitudinally along a length of the flexible shaft.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
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a shaft housing including distal and proximal ends, the distal end of the shaft housing generally defining a distal shaft axis and the proximal end of the shaft housing generally defining a proximal shaft axis; a torsion member extending through the shaft housing and including distal and proximal ends, the distal end of the torsion member configured for rotational movement in response to rotational movement of the proximal end of the torsion member; an end effector coupled to the distal end of the shaft housing, the end effector moveable between open and closed configurations in response to rotational movement of the distal end of the torsion member; and a handle coupled to the proximal end of the shaft housing, the handle including an actuation mechanism configured to selectively induce rotational movement at the proximal end of the torsion member; wherein the torsion member comprises a flexible shaft having a plurality of generally radial slots defined in spaced longitudinal orientation along a length of the flexible shaft. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A surgical instrument, comprising:
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an elongated shaft housing including distal and proximal ends, the distal end of the shaft housing generally defining a distal shaft axis and the proximal end of the shaft housing generally defining a proximal shaft axis; a torsion member extending through the shaft housing and including distal and proximal ends, the distal end of the torsion member configured for rotational movement in response to rotational movement of the proximal end of the torsion member; an end effector coupled to the distal end of the shaft housing, the end effector moveable between open and closed configurations in response to rotational movement of the distal end of the torsion member; and a handle coupled to the proximal end of the shaft housing, the handle including an actuation mechanism configured to selectively induce rotational movement at the proximal end of the torsion member; wherein the torsion member includes a plurality of substantially rigid segments coupled to one another by universal joints or constant velocity joints.
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Specification