ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH INDEPENDENT PIVOTABLE LINKAGE DISTAL OF AN ARTICULATION LOCK
First Claim
1. A surgical tool assembly, comprising:
- an elongate shaft assembly defining a shaft axis;
a surgical end effector movably coupled to said elongate shaft assembly by a distal support link that is pivotally coupled to said surgical end effector to define an articulation axis that is transverse to said shaft axis, said distal support link being pivotally and axially movably coupled to said elongate shaft assembly to facilitate selective articulation of said surgical end effector relative to said elongate shaft assembly about said articulation axis between a first unarticulated position wherein said surgical end effector is aligned with said elongate shaft assembly along said shaft axis and articulation positions located on one side of said shaft axis; and
a distal articulation member operably interfacing with a source of articulation motions and being pivotally coupled to said surgical end effector to apply said articulation motions thereto.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical tool assembly that includes a elongate shaft assembly that defines a shaft axis. A surgical end effector is movably coupled to the elongate shaft assembly by a distal support link that is pivotally coupled to the surgical end effector to define an articulation axis that is transverse to the shaft axis. The distal support link is pivotally and axially movably coupled to the elongate shaft assembly to facilitate selective articulation of the surgical end effector relative to the elongate shaft assembly about the articulation axis between a first unarticulated position and articulation position located on one side of the shaft axis.
485 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A surgical tool assembly, comprising:
-
an elongate shaft assembly defining a shaft axis; a surgical end effector movably coupled to said elongate shaft assembly by a distal support link that is pivotally coupled to said surgical end effector to define an articulation axis that is transverse to said shaft axis, said distal support link being pivotally and axially movably coupled to said elongate shaft assembly to facilitate selective articulation of said surgical end effector relative to said elongate shaft assembly about said articulation axis between a first unarticulated position wherein said surgical end effector is aligned with said elongate shaft assembly along said shaft axis and articulation positions located on one side of said shaft axis; and a distal articulation member operably interfacing with a source of articulation motions and being pivotally coupled to said surgical end effector to apply said articulation motions thereto. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A surgical tool assembly, comprising:
-
an elongate shaft assembly defining a shaft axis; a surgical end effector, comprising; an elongate channel configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein; and an anvil supported for movable travel relative to said surgical staple cartridge and wherein said surgical tool assembly further comprises; a distal support link pivotally coupled to said elongate channel to define an articulation axis that is transverse to said shaft axis and about which said elongate channel may articulate relative to the elongate shaft assembly, said distal support link attached to a distal end of said elongate shaft assembly for axial and pivotal travel relative thereto along said shaft axis; and a distal articulation member supported for axial travel on one side of said shaft axis, said distal articulation member being pivotally coupled to said elongate channel and operably interfacing with a source of articulation motions. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. A surgical tool assembly, comprising:
-
an elongate shaft assembly defining a shaft axis; means for coupling a surgical end effector to a distal end of said elongate shaft assembly such that said surgical end effector may be selectively articulated about an articulation axis that is transverse to said shaft axis between an unarticulated position wherein said surgical end effector is aligned with said elongate shaft along said shaft axis and articulation positions located on one side of said shaft axis, said means for coupling being coupled to said elongate shaft assembly for axial and pivotal travel relative thereto; and means for applying articulation motions to said surgical end effector. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
-
Specification