Surgical stapling instrument comprising an articulation joint
First Claim
1. A surgical stapler, comprising:
- a shaft;
an articulation joint, the articulation joint comprising;
a first joint member, the first joint member defining a ball member positioned about a central axis of the first joint member, wherein the first joint member further defines a first passage at about the central axis of the first joint member through the ball member, and wherein the first joint member comprises first and second magnetic elements positioned opposite one another about the central axis of the first joint member; and
a second joint member, the second joint member defining a socket at about a central axis of the second joint member, wherein the second joint member further defines a second passage about the central axis of the second joint member through the socket, wherein the socket receives the ball member such that the first and second passages align, and wherein the second joint member comprises third and fourth magnetic elements positioned opposite one another about the central axis of the second joint member, wherein the first magnetic element is aligned with the third magnetic element and the second magnetic element is aligned with the fourth magnetic element;
a current source to selectively provide a first current to the first magnetic element and a second current to the second magnetic element, wherein, in a first mode of the current source, the first current is directed to cause a first level of magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element and the third magnetic element and the second current is directed to cause a second level of magnetic attraction between the second magnetic element and the fourth magnetic element such that the articulation joint is articulated towards the first magnetic element by a first amount;
an end effector, wherein said end effector is movably coupled to said shaft by said articulation joint, said end effector comprising;
a staple cartridge channel configured to receive a staple cartridge; and
an anvil movably coupled to said staple cartridge channel; and
a firing member extending proximally from the end effector through the first and second passages.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In various embodiments, a surgical stapling instrument can comprise a plurality of magnetic elements configured to articulate an end effector of the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument can comprise at least one electromagnet which can be selectively activated, or polarized, to generate a magnetic field sufficient to motivate a second magnetic element, such as a permanent magnet and/or an iron core, for example, mounted to the end effector. In certain embodiments, a surgical stapling instrument can comprise a plurality of magnetic elements configured to open and/or close an end effector of the surgical instrument. In at least one embodiment, a surgical stapling instrument can comprise a plurality of magnetic elements configured to advance and/or retract a firing bar, cutting member, and/or staple sled within the surgical instrument in order to incise and/or staple tissue positioned within an end effector of the surgical instrument.
2290 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A surgical stapler, comprising:
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a shaft; an articulation joint, the articulation joint comprising; a first joint member, the first joint member defining a ball member positioned about a central axis of the first joint member, wherein the first joint member further defines a first passage at about the central axis of the first joint member through the ball member, and wherein the first joint member comprises first and second magnetic elements positioned opposite one another about the central axis of the first joint member; and a second joint member, the second joint member defining a socket at about a central axis of the second joint member, wherein the second joint member further defines a second passage about the central axis of the second joint member through the socket, wherein the socket receives the ball member such that the first and second passages align, and wherein the second joint member comprises third and fourth magnetic elements positioned opposite one another about the central axis of the second joint member, wherein the first magnetic element is aligned with the third magnetic element and the second magnetic element is aligned with the fourth magnetic element; a current source to selectively provide a first current to the first magnetic element and a second current to the second magnetic element, wherein, in a first mode of the current source, the first current is directed to cause a first level of magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element and the third magnetic element and the second current is directed to cause a second level of magnetic attraction between the second magnetic element and the fourth magnetic element such that the articulation joint is articulated towards the first magnetic element by a first amount; an end effector, wherein said end effector is movably coupled to said shaft by said articulation joint, said end effector comprising; a staple cartridge channel configured to receive a staple cartridge; and an anvil movably coupled to said staple cartridge channel; and a firing member extending proximally from the end effector through the first and second passages. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A surgical stapler, comprising:
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a shaft; an articulation joint, comprising; a first joint member comprising a first electromagnet and a second electromagnet; a second joint member comprising a first permanent magnetic element and a second permanent magnetic element, wherein said second joint member is articulatable relative to said first joint member, wherein the first electromagnet is aligned with the first permanent magnetic element and the second electromagnet is aligned with the second permanent magnetic element; an end effector, wherein said end effector is movably coupled to said shaft by said articulation joint, said end effector comprising; a staple cartridge channel configured to receive a staple cartridge; and an anvil movably coupled to said staple cartridge channel; and a current source to selectively provide a first current to the first electromagnet and a second current to the second electromagnet, wherein in a first mode of the current source, the first current is directed to cause a first level of magnetic attraction between the first electromagnet and the first permanent magnetic element, and the second current is directed to cause a second level of magnetic attraction between the second electromagnet and the second permanent magnetic element such that the articulation joint is articulated towards the first magnetic element by a first amount. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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Specification