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System and method for non-contact electronic articulation sensing

  • US 8,807,414 B2
  • Filed: 11/09/2010
  • Issued: 08/19/2014
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2006
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A surgical instrument, comprising:

  • a handle portion;

    a body portion extending distally from the handle portion and defining a first longitudinal axis;

    an articulating tool assembly configured to eject at least one fastener and defining a second longitudinal axis, the articulating tool assembly disposed at a distal end of the body portion and being movable from a first position in which the second longitudinal axis is substantially aligned with the first longitudinal axis to at least a second position in which the second longitudinal axis is disposed at an angle with respect to the first longitudinal axis; and

    an articulation mechanism configured to articulate the articulating tool assembly, the articulation mechanism including;

    an articulation knob mechanically engaged to the articulation tool assembly, wherein rotational motion of the articulation knob is translated into articulation movement of the articulation tool assembly; and

    an articulation sensor assembly having an optical encoder sensor including a rotary encoder circumferentially disposed about the articulation knob, the optical encoder sensor further including a photo emitter and a photo receiver disposed on opposite sides of the rotary encoder, the optical encoder sensor configured to detect movement of the articulation knob and to transmit a sensor signal indicative of the movement of the articulation knob to a microcontroller which is configured to determine an articulation angle of the articulation tool assembly.

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