Coaxial coil lock
First Claim
1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
- a housing;
an elongated shaft extending distally from the housing, the elongated shaft including;
a proximal portion defining a longitudinal axis;
a flexible portion including an elongated articulating support structure extending distally from the proximal portion, the articulating support structure defining proximal and distal ends; and
a distal portion supported by the distal end of the elongated articulating support structure such that bending of the articulating support structure induces pivotal movement of the distal portion of the elongated shaft with respect to the longitudinal axis;
an end effector supported by the distal portion of the elongated shaft, the end effector adapted for surgically treating tissue; and
a locking mechanism operable to selectively impede pivotal motion of the distal portion of the elongated shaft;
the locking mechanism comprising;
a locking coil disposed about an axis defined by the elongated support structure, the locking coil including a distal end coupled to the distal end of the articulating support structure, and a proximal end rotatable about the longitudinal axis in a first direction to laterally approximate the locking coil to the elongated support structure and in a second opposed direction to laterally separate the locking coil from the elongated support structure; and
an actuator operatively coupled to the proximal end of the locking coil to impart rotational motion thereto.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical instrument includes a housing and an elongated shaft extending distally therefrom. The elongated shaft includes a proximal portion, a distal portion and a flexible portion supported therebetween. The flexible portion permits pivotal movement of the distal portion of the elongated shaft and an end effector supported thereon. A locking mechanism is operatively associated with the flexible portion of the elongated shaft to selectively impede pivotal motion of the distal portion. The locking mechanism includes a locking coil disposed about an axis defined by the flexible portion of the elongated shaft. A distal end of the locking coil is coupled to the distal portion of the elongated shaft, and a proximal end of the locking coil is rotatable about the longitudinal axis to laterally approximate the locking coil to flexible portion, and thus frictionally engage the flexible portion of the elongated shaft to selectively impede articulating motion thereof.
1073 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
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a housing; an elongated shaft extending distally from the housing, the elongated shaft including; a proximal portion defining a longitudinal axis; a flexible portion including an elongated articulating support structure extending distally from the proximal portion, the articulating support structure defining proximal and distal ends; and a distal portion supported by the distal end of the elongated articulating support structure such that bending of the articulating support structure induces pivotal movement of the distal portion of the elongated shaft with respect to the longitudinal axis; an end effector supported by the distal portion of the elongated shaft, the end effector adapted for surgically treating tissue; and a locking mechanism operable to selectively impede pivotal motion of the distal portion of the elongated shaft;
the locking mechanism comprising;a locking coil disposed about an axis defined by the elongated support structure, the locking coil including a distal end coupled to the distal end of the articulating support structure, and a proximal end rotatable about the longitudinal axis in a first direction to laterally approximate the locking coil to the elongated support structure and in a second opposed direction to laterally separate the locking coil from the elongated support structure; and an actuator operatively coupled to the proximal end of the locking coil to impart rotational motion thereto. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An articulating surgical instrument, comprising:
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a housing; an elongated shaft extending distally from the housing, the elongated shaft including a proximal portion defining a longitudinal axis, a distal portion pivotally coupled to the proximal portion, and at least one flexible portion supported between the proximal and distal portions of the elongated shaft; an end effector supported by the distal portion of the elongated shaft, the end effector adapted for surgically treating tissue; at least one tensile member extending longitudinally through the elongated shaft, the at least tensile member selectively movable to induce an attendant bending of the flexible portion of the elongated shaft and a corresponding pivotal motion of the distal portion of the elongated shaft; and a locking mechanism operatively associated with the flexible portion of the elongated shaft to selectively vary the rigidity of the flexible portion of the elongated shaft, the locking mechanism comprising; an elongated helical locking coil extending along a length of the flexible portion of the elongated shaft, the locking coil including a proximal end rotatable about the longitudinal axis and a distal end restrained from rotational motion; and an actuator operatively coupled to the proximal end of the locking coil to impart rotational motion thereto. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification