Surgical instrument articulation joint cover
US7798386B2 · kind B2 · utility
2,400Cited by
357References
19Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 14, 2008 |
| Grant date | Sep 21, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 14, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2017/2946
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A surgical instrument including a shaft, an end effector, and a joint, wherein the end effector can be moved relative to the shaft about the joint. In various embodiments, the joint can include a cover configured to be positioned intermediate the end effector and the shaft. In at least one embodiment, the cover can be connected to at least one of the end effector and the shaft and can be configured to at least partially surround the joint in order to prevent soft tissue positioned adjacent to the joint from being pulled into and/or pinched by the joint.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.