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Surgical instrument with articulation mechanism

  • US 8,979,827 B2
  • Filed: 03/14/2012
  • Issued: 03/17/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2012
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A surgical instrument for surgically joining tissue, the surgical instrument comprising:

  • a handle assembly;

    an elongated portion extending distally from the handle assembly and defining a first longitudinal axis;

    an end effector disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated portion, the end effector defining a second longitudinal axis; and

    an articulation mechanism disposed in mechanical cooperation with the end effector for moving the end effector between a first position where the first longitudinal axis is aligned with the second longitudinal axis and a second position where the first longitudinal axis is disposed at an angle with respect to the second longitudinal axis, the articulation mechanism comprising;

    a lever;

    a first set of teeth;

    a second set of teeth;

    a first plunger for engaging the first set of teeth; and

    a second plunger for engaging the second set of teeth;

    wherein a predetermined amount of rotation of the lever in a first direction moves at least a portion of the first plunger away from the first set of teeth, a predetermined amount of rotation of the lever in a second direction moves at least a portion of the second plunger away from the second set of teeth, and wherein the first direction is opposite from the second direction.

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