Surgical instruments with articulatable end effectors and movable firing beam support arrangements
First Claim
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1. A surgical instrument comprising:
- a surgical end effector comprising;
first and second jaw members wherein an application of a closure motion to at least one of said first and second jaw members results in movement of said at least one of said first and second jaw members to a closed position relative to the other of said first and second jaw members; and
a firing member operably supported in one of said first and second jaw members for axial travel therein in response to an application of a firing motion thereto;
a shaft assembly defining a shaft axis;
an articulation joint coupling said surgical end effector to said shaft assembly for selective articulation relative thereto about an articulation axis that is transverse to said shaft axis upon an application of articulation motions to said surgical end effector;
a flexible firing beam extending through said articulation joint to interface with said firing member in said surgical end effector to apply said firing motion thereto; and
a movable firing beam support assembly configured to movably contact said firing beam on each lateral side thereof as said firing beam flexes about said articulation joint, wherein said movable firing beam support assembly comprises;
a first compression plate positioned against a portion of a first lateral side of said flexible firing beam;
a second compression plate positioned against a portion of a second lateral side of said flexible firing beam; and
a support boss assembly rotatably and laterally movable relative to a support axis that is transverse to said shaft axis, said support boss assembly comprising;
a first support boss pin in contact with said first compression plate; and
a second support boss pin in contact with said second compression plate.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical instrument that includes a surgical end effector that is coupled to a shaft assembly by an articulation joint. A flexible firing beam extends through the articulation joint to interface with a firing member in the surgical end effector to apply a firing motion thereto. In at least one form, the surgical instrument further includes a movable firing beam support assembly that is configured to movably contact the firing beam on each lateral side thereof as the firing beam flexes about the articulation joint.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A surgical instrument comprising:
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a surgical end effector comprising; first and second jaw members wherein an application of a closure motion to at least one of said first and second jaw members results in movement of said at least one of said first and second jaw members to a closed position relative to the other of said first and second jaw members; and a firing member operably supported in one of said first and second jaw members for axial travel therein in response to an application of a firing motion thereto; a shaft assembly defining a shaft axis; an articulation joint coupling said surgical end effector to said shaft assembly for selective articulation relative thereto about an articulation axis that is transverse to said shaft axis upon an application of articulation motions to said surgical end effector; a flexible firing beam extending through said articulation joint to interface with said firing member in said surgical end effector to apply said firing motion thereto; and a movable firing beam support assembly configured to movably contact said firing beam on each lateral side thereof as said firing beam flexes about said articulation joint, wherein said movable firing beam support assembly comprises; a first compression plate positioned against a portion of a first lateral side of said flexible firing beam; a second compression plate positioned against a portion of a second lateral side of said flexible firing beam; and a support boss assembly rotatably and laterally movable relative to a support axis that is transverse to said shaft axis, said support boss assembly comprising; a first support boss pin in contact with said first compression plate; and a second support boss pin in contact with said second compression plate.
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2. A surgical instrument comprising:
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a surgical end effector comprising; first and second jaw members wherein an application of a closure motion to at least one of said first and second jaw members results in movement of said at least one of said first and second jaw members to a closed position relative to the other of said first and second jaw members; and a firing member operably supported in one of said first and second jaw members for axial travel therein in respond to an application of a firing motion thereto; a shaft assembly defining a shaft axis; an articulation joint coupling said surgical end effector to said shaft assembly for selective articulation relative thereto about an articulation axis that is transverse to said shaft axis upon an application of articulation motions to said surgical end effector; a flexible firing beam extending through said articulation joint to interface with said firing member in said surgical end effector to apply said firing motion thereto; and a movable firing beam support assembly configured to movably contact said firing beam on each lateral side thereof as said firing beam flexes about said articulation joint, wherein said movable firing beam support assembly comprises; a first movable support pin guide configured for movable contact with a corresponding portion of said flexible firing beam extending through said articulation joint; and a second movable support pin guide mounted for movement relative to said first movable support pin guide and configured for contact with another corresponding portion of said flexible firing beam. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A surgical instrument comprising:
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a surgical end effector comprising; first and second jaw members wherein an application of a closure motion to at least one of said first and second jaw members results in movement of at least one of said first and second jaw members to a closed position relative to the other of said first and second jaw members; and a firing member supported in one of said first and second jaw members for axial travel therein in response to an application of a firing motion thereto; a shaft assembly defining a shaft axis; an articulation joint coupling said surgical end effector to said shaft assembly for selective articulation relative thereto about an articulation axis that is transverse to said shaft axis upon an application of articulation motions to said surgical end effector; a flexible firing beam extending through said articulation joint to interface with said firing member in said surgical end effector to apply said firing motion thereto; and a firing beam support assembly comprising; a first compression band supported adjacent a first lateral side of said firing beam and spanning said articulation joint; a second compression band supported adjacent a second lateral side of said firing beam and spanning said articulation joint; at least one first support member movably supported relative to said first compression band, wherein said first compression band is configured to move relative to said at least one first support member; and at least one second support member movably supported relative to said second compression band, wherein said second compression band is configured to move relative to said at least one second support member. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A surgical instrument comprising:
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a surgical end effector comprising; first and second jaw members wherein an application of a closure motion to at least one of said first and second jaw members results in movement of at least one of said first and second jaw members to a closed position relative to the other of said first and second jaw members; and a firing member supported in one of said first and second jaw members for axial travel therein in response to an application of a firing motion thereto; a shaft assembly defining a shaft axis; an articulation joint coupling said surgical end effector to said shaft assembly for selective articulation relative thereto about an articulation axis that is transverse to said shaft axis upon an application of articulation motions to said surgical end effector; a flexible firing beam extending through said articulation joint to interface with said firing member in said surgical end effector to apply said firing motion thereto; a firing beam support assembly comprising a firing beam guide assembly spanning a portion of the firing beam adjacent said articulation joint, said firing beam guide assembly comprising; a first side member adjacent a portion of a first lateral side of said firing beam; a second side member adjacent another portion of a second lateral side of said firing beam, a distal mounting portion coupling a distal end of said first side member to a distal end of said second side member, said distal mounting portion mounted to at least one of said first and second jaw members; and a proximal mounting portion coupling a proximal end of said first side member to a proximal end of said second side member, said proximal mounting portion mounted to a corresponding portion of said shaft assembly and wherein said surgical instrument further comprises; a movable firing beam support assembly configured to movably contact said first and second side members as said firing beam flexes about said articulation joint, wherein said first and second side members are configured to move relative to said movable firing beam support assembly. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A surgical instrument comprising:
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a surgical end effector comprising; first and second jaw members wherein an application of a closure motion to at least one of said first and second jaw members results in movement of the at least one of said first and second jaw members to a closed position relative to the other of said first and second jaw members; and a firing member supported in one of said first and second jaw members for axial travel therein in response to an application of a firing motion thereto; a shaft assembly defining a shaft axis; an articulation joint coupling said surgical end effector to said shaft assembly for selective articulation relative thereto about an articulation axis that is transverse to said shaft axis upon an application of articulation motions to said surgical end effector; a flexible firing beam extending through said articulation joint to interface with said firing member in said surgical end effector to apply said firing motion thereto; a firing beam support assembly comprising a firing beam guide assembly spanning a portion of the firing beam adjacent said articulation joint, said firing beam guide assembly comprising; a first side member adjacent a portion of a first lateral side of said firing beam; a second side member adjacent another portion of a second lateral side of said firing beam, a distal mounting portion coupling a distal end of said first side member to a distal end of said second side member, said distal mounting portion mounted to at least one of said first and second jaw members; and a proximal mounting portion coupling a proximal end of said first side member to a proximal end of said second side member, said proximal mounting portion mounted to a corresponding portion of said shaft assembly and wherein said surgical instrument further comprises; a movable firing beam support assembly configured to movably contact said first and second side members as said firing beam flexes about said articulation joint, wherein said movable firing beam support assembly comprises a support boss assembly rotatably and laterally movable relative to a support axis that is transverse to said shaft axis, said support boss assembly comprising; a first support boss pin in contact with said first side member; and a second support boss pin in contact with said second side member.
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16. A surgical instrument comprising:
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a surgical end effector comprising; first and second jaw members wherein an application of a closure motion to at least one of said first and second jaw members results in movement of the at least one of said first and second jaw members to a closed position relative to the other of said first and second jaw members; and a firing member supported in one of said first and second jaw members for axial travel therein in response to an application of a firing motion thereto; a shaft assembly defining a shaft axis; an articulation joint coupling said surgical end effector to said shaft assembly for selective articulation relative thereto about an articulation axis that is transverse to said shaft axis upon an application of articulation motions to said surgical end effector; a flexible firing beam extending through said articulation joint to interface with said firing member in said surgical end effector to apply said firing motion thereto; a firing beam support assembly comprising a firing beam guide assembly spanning a portion of the firing beam adjacent said articulation joint, said firing beam guide assembly comprising; a first side member adjacent a portion of a first lateral side of said firing beam; a second side member adjacent another portion of a second lateral side of said firing beam, a distal mounting portion coupling a distal end of said first side member to a distal end of said second side member, said distal mounting portion mounted to at least one of said first and second jaw members; and a proximal mounting portion coupling a proximal end of said first side member to a proximal end of said second side member, said proximal mounting portion mounted to a corresponding portion of said shaft assembly and wherein said surgical instrument further comprises; a movable firing beam support assembly configured to movably contact said first and second side members as said firing beam flexes about said articulation joint, wherein said movable firing beam support assembly comprises; a first movable support guide configured for movable contact with a corresponding portion of said firing beam support assembly; and a second movable support guide mounted for movement relative to said first movable support guide and configured for contact with another corresponding portion of the firing beam support assembly, wherein said first movable support guide comprises; a first guide base supported for pivotal movement about a guide axis that is transverse to said shaft axis; a first pin member attached to said first guide base and supported in movable contact with said first side member of said firing beam guide assembly; and a second support member attached to said first guide base and supported in movable contact with said second side member of said firing beam guide assembly and wherein said second movable support guide comprises; a second movable guide base supported for pivotal movement about said guide axis; a primary support member attached to said second guide base and supported in movable contact with said first side member of said firing beam guide assembly; and a secondary support member attached to said second guide base and supported in movable contact with said second side member of said firing beam guide assembly.
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17. A surgical instrument, comprising:
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an end effector, comprising; a first jaw; a second jaw, wherein one of said first jaw and said second jaw is rotatable relative to the other of said first jaw and said second jaw; and a firing member operably supported in one of said first jaw and said second jaw, wherein said firing member is configured to perform a firing stroke; an elongate shaft extending distally from said end effector; an articulation joint coupling said end effector to said elongate shaft, wherein said articulation joint is configured to allow said end effector to articulate relative to said elongate shaft about an articulation axis; a flexible firing beam extending through said articulation joint to interface with said firing member in said end effector; a firing beam guide configured to contact said firing beam on each lateral side of said firing beam as said firing beam flexes about said articulation joint, wherein said firing beam guide is further configured to move relative to said firing beam; and a firing beam guide support configured to contact said firing beam guide on each lateral side of said firing beam guide, wherein said firing beam guide support is pivotally mounted within said articulation joint, and wherein said firing beam guide support is configured to rotate about said articulation axis.
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18. A surgical instrument, comprising:
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an end effector, comprising; a first jaw; a second jaw, wherein one of said first jaw and said second jaw is rotatable relative to the other of said first jaw and said second jaw; and a firing member configured to perform a firing stroke; an elongate shaft; an articulation joint coupling said end effector to said elongate shaft, wherein said articulation joint is configured to allow said end effector to articulate relative to said elongate shaft; a flexible firing member extending through said articulation joint; and a movable firing support configured to support said flexible firing member as said flexible firing member flexes about said articulation joint, wherein said movable firing support comprises; a first compression plate positioned against a first lateral side of said flexible firing member; a second compression plate positioned against a second lateral side of said flexible firing member; and a support boss rotatably and laterally movable relative to said flexible firing member, wherein said support boss comprises; a first support boss pin in contact with said first compression plate; and a second support boss pin in contact with said second compression plate.
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19. A surgical instrument, comprising:
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an end effector, comprising; a first jaw; a second jaw, wherein one of said first jaw and said second jaw is rotatable relative to the other of said first jaw and said second jaw; and a firing member operably supported in one of said first jaw and said second jaw, wherein said firing member is configured to perform a firing stroke; an elongate shaft extending from said end effector; an articulation joint coupling said end effector to said elongate shaft, wherein said articulation joint is configured to allow said end effector to articulate relative to said elongate shaft; a flexible firing beam extending through said articulation joint to interface with said firing member in said end effector; and a movable firing beam support assembly configured to movably contact said firing beam on each lateral side of said firing beam as said firing beam flexes about said articulation joint, wherein said movable firing beam support assembly comprises; a first movable support guide configured for movable contact with a corresponding portion of said flexible firing beam extending through said articulation joint; and a second movable support guide mounted for movement relative to said first movable support guide and configured for movable contact with a corresponding portion of said first movable support guide.
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Specification