Surgical instrument systems comprising an articulatable end effector and means for adjusting the firing stroke of a firing member
First Claim
1. A surgical instrument system, comprising:
- an end effector, comprising;
an anvil;
a staple cartridge, comprising;
a proximal end;
a distal end;
a plurality of staple cavities; and
a plurality of staples removably stored in the staple cavities; and
a sled slidable within the staple cartridge to move the staples toward the anvil;
a firing member movable relative to the staple cartridge to move the sled from the proximal end toward the distal end of the staple cartridge during a firing stroke;
a shaft defining a longitudinal axis;
an articulation joint, wherein the end effector is rotatably connected to the shaft about the articulation joint between an unarticulated position and an articulated position; and
adjusting means for adjusting the length of the firing stroke as a function of the degree in which the end effector is articulated relative to the longitudinal axis.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument can include an end effector, comprising an anvil and a staple cartridge. The surgical instrument can further include a shaft defining a longitudinal axis. The surgical instrument can also include an articulation joint, wherein the end effector is rotatably connected to the shaft about the articulation joint between an unarticulated position and at least one articulated position. The surgical instrument can include means for adjusting the length of a firing stroke as a function of the degree in which the end effector is articulated relative to the longitudinal axis. The surgical instrument can include a sensor configured to defect shifting of lateral portions of a flexible firing bar that extends through the articulation joint. Additionally or alternatively, the surgical instrument can include a relief feature configured to accommodate shifting of lateral portions of a flexible firing bar.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A surgical instrument system, comprising:
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an end effector, comprising; an anvil; a staple cartridge, comprising; a proximal end; a distal end; a plurality of staple cavities; and a plurality of staples removably stored in the staple cavities; and a sled slidable within the staple cartridge to move the staples toward the anvil; a firing member movable relative to the staple cartridge to move the sled from the proximal end toward the distal end of the staple cartridge during a firing stroke; a shaft defining a longitudinal axis; an articulation joint, wherein the end effector is rotatably connected to the shaft about the articulation joint between an unarticulated position and an articulated position; and adjusting means for adjusting the length of the firing stroke as a function of the degree in which the end effector is articulated relative to the longitudinal axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A surgical instrument system, comprising:
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an end effector, comprising; an anvil; and a staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staple cavities and a plurality of staples removably stored in the staple cavities; a shaft defining a longitudinal axis; an articulation joint, wherein the end effector is rotatably connected to the shaft at the articulation joint between an unarticulated position and a plurality of articulated positions relative to the longitudinal axis; a flexible firing bar extending through the articulation joint, wherein the flexible firing bar comprises; a proximal end positioned proximal to the articulation joint; a distal end positioned distal to the articulation joint; and a plurality of lateral portions extending through the articulation joint, wherein the lateral portions are configured to shift relative to each other at the proximal end when the end effector is moved to an articulated position; and a sensor configured to defect shifting between a first lateral portion and a second lateral portion at the proximal end of the flexible firing bar. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A surgical instrument system, comprising:
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an end effector, comprising; an anvil; and a staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staple cavities and a plurality of staples removably stored in the staple cavities; a shaft defining a longitudinal axis; an articulation joint, wherein the end effector is rotatably connected to the shaft at the articulation joint between an unarticulated position and at least one articulated position relative to the longitudinal axis; a flexible firing member extending through the articulation joint, wherein the flexible firing member comprises a plurality of lateral portions, and wherein the lateral portions are configured to shift relative to each other when the end effector is moved to the at least one articulated position; and a relief feature configured to accommodate shifting of the lateral portions of the flexible firing member. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification