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Surgical instrument with discrete cammed articulation

  • US 9,566,048 B1
  • Filed: 04/04/2012
  • Issued: 02/14/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2011
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A surgical apparatus, comprising:

  • an end effector;

    a shaft extending proximally from said end effector, said shaft including an articulation region;

    a handle including at least one button;

    an articulation gear held by said handle;

    at least one cam path defined in, and having a surface that is a portion of, said articulation gear;

    at least one holder post extending into at least one said cam path and movable along and in contact with said surface of at least one said cam path wherein said at least one holder post is biased outward against a corresponding outer surface of said at least one cam path;

    a spindle extending from said articulation gear; and

    at least two articulation bands engaging said spindle, wherein said articulation bands extend through said shaft to said end effector;

    wherein actuation of one said button engages said articulation gear and causes longitudinal motion of at least two said articulation bands, whereby said end effector articulates through a discrete angular increment relative to said shaft.

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