Surgical instruments with differential articulation joint arrangements for accommodating flexible actuators
US11974741B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 28, 2021 |
| Grant date | May 7, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 20, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2034/302
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Surgical instruments that include an articulation joint that is a configured to establish an upper pathway and a lower pathway through the articulation joint. The upper pathway and the lower pathway are parallel to each other when the surgical instrument is in an unarticulated position and the upper pathway and the lower pathway are concentric to each other when the surgical instrument is articulated. An upper flexible firing assembly slidably extends through the upper pathway and a lower flexible firing assembly slidably extends through the lower pathway. The upper and lower flexible firing assemblies interface with a firing member and a differential drive assembly configured to apply axial drive motions to the upper flexible firing assembly and the lower flexible firing assembly.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.