Articulation and firing force mechanisms
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A surgical instrument comprising:
- a handle having an elongate tubular member extending distally from the handle, the elongate tubular member having a proximal portion defining a longitudinal axis, a distal portion, and an articulation portion positioned between the distal and proximal portions to enable the distal portion to move through a plurality of angles relative to the longitudinal axis; and
a drive force mechanism including a drive element positioned in the proximal portion, a transfer device positioned in the articulation portion, and a transfer bar positioned in the distal portion, the drive element directing a drive force through the proximal portion, the transfer device redirecting the drive force through the articulation portion, and the transfer bar receiving the driving force when the distal portion is positioned in at least one of the plurality of angles.
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Accused Products
Abstract
There is provided a surgical instrument incorporating driving force mechanisms capable of transmitting a driving force through an articulated section of the surgical instrument. In one embodiment, a series of racks connect with a transfer gear to pass forces around the articulated section. In an alternative embodiment a series of cable sections and wheels or pulleys are provided to transmit a driving force through the articulated section of the surgical instrument.
1268 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A surgical instrument comprising:
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a handle having an elongate tubular member extending distally from the handle, the elongate tubular member having a proximal portion defining a longitudinal axis, a distal portion, and an articulation portion positioned between the distal and proximal portions to enable the distal portion to move through a plurality of angles relative to the longitudinal axis; and a drive force mechanism including a drive element positioned in the proximal portion, a transfer device positioned in the articulation portion, and a transfer bar positioned in the distal portion, the drive element directing a drive force through the proximal portion, the transfer device redirecting the drive force through the articulation portion, and the transfer bar receiving the driving force when the distal portion is positioned in at least one of the plurality of angles. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A surgical instrument comprising:
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a handle having an elongate tubular member extending distally from the handle, the elongate tubular member having a proximal portion, a distal portion and an articulation portion positioned between the distal and proximal portions, the articulation portion allowing the distal portion to move relative to the proximal portion; an end effector operatively coupled to the distal portion; and a drive force mechanism including a drive element positioned in the proximal portion, a transfer bar and an actuator positioned in the distal portion, the transfer bar being operatively coupled to the actuator, and a transfer device positioned in the articulation portion, the transfer device receiving a driving force from the drive element and reorienting the driving force around the articulation portion and to the transfer bar thereby actuating the end effector with the actuator. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification