Method of operating a surgical instrument

US11883024B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Cilag GmbH International · CH

Inventors

• Gregory J. Bakos · Mason, US
• Darryl A. Parks · Mason, US
• Benjamin D. Dickerson · Cincinnati, US
• Steven G. Hall · Cincinnati, US
• Robert J. Simms · Monroe, US
• Spencer James Witte · Los Altos, US
• Taylor W. Aronhalt · Loveland, US
• Paul Moubarak · West Chester, US
• William C. Ryle · Williamstown, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 28, 2021
• Grant date: Jan 30, 2024
• Expiry date: Aug 15, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2034/302
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method of operating an articulatable surgical instrument. The method includes providing a rotary drive motion to a rotary drive member of a surgical end effector and converting the rotary drive motion to an upper axial motion and a lower axial motion at locations that are distal to the articulation joint. The method further includes applying the upper axial motion to an upper portion of a firing member and applying the lower axial motion to a lower portion of the firing member such that the upper axial motion and lower axial motion drives the firing member distally through the surgical end effector from a starting position to an ending position.