Surgical stapling instrument incorporating a tapered firing bar for increased flexibility around the articulation joint
US7055731B2 · kind B2 · utility
2,839Cited by
26References
10Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 9, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jun 6, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 28, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2017/320052
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A surgical stapling and severing instrument particularly suited to endoscopic articulates an end effector by having a geared articulation mechanism that converts rotational motion from a handle portion. A firing bar longitudinally translates between the handle portion and the end effector. The firing bar head is thickened in order to present an undistorted cutting edge and engagement features to the opposing jaws of the end effector. The firing bar also advantageously includes a thinned or tapered proximal portion in the form of a strip or band that negotiates the articulation mechanism.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.