Surgical instrument having a directional switching mechanism
US7832408B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 4, 2007 |
| Grant date | Nov 16, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 21, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2017/00367
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A surgical instrument including a switching mechanism which allows a surgeon to selectively advance or retract a staple driver and/or cutting member within a staple cartridge. In various embodiments, the surgical instrument can include a handle, a trigger operatively coupled to the handle, a firing drive, and an end effector. The firing drive can include a first ratchet assembly configured to advance a cutting member in the end effector and a second ratchet assembly configured to retract the cutting member. The trigger can include first and second pawls pivotably mounted thereon which are configured to be selectively engaged with the first and second ratchet assemblies, respectively. In at least one embodiment, the trigger can be configured to slide between a first position in which the first pawl is engaged with the first ratchet assembly and a second position in which the second pawl is engaged with the second ratchet assembly.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.