Methods and devices for actuating surgical instruments

US10159506B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Ethicon, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Chad P. Boudreaux · Cincinnati, US
• Jason R. Lesko · Cadiz, US
• Eric N. Johnson · Maineville, US
• Kevin M. Fiebig · Cincinnati, US
• Carl J. Draginoff, Jr. · Mason, US
• Scott B. Killinger · Madeira, US
• Kris E. Kallenberger · Cincinnati, US
• Barry C. Worrell · Maineville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 16, 2015
• Grant date: Dec 25, 2018
• Expiry date: Dec 21, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T29/49863
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Various exemplary methods and devices for actuating surgical instruments are provided. In general, a surgical device can include one or more actuation shafts configured to facilitate actuation of the device. In an exemplary embodiment, the device can include four actuation shafts, two actuation shafts to facilitate articulation of the device, one actuation shaft to facilitate opening and closing of jaws at a distal end of the device, and one actuation shaft to facilitate moving a cutting element of the device. In an exemplary embodiment, each of the one or more actuation shafts can include a distal elongate member and a proximal elongate member having a proximal end attached to a distal end of the distal elongate member. The proximal elongate member can be rigid, and the distal elongate member can be flexible.