Surgical stapling apparatus with articulatable components

US7861906B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Kevin R. Doll · Mason, US
• Bret W. Smith · South Lebanon, US
• William D. Kelly · Mason, US
• Ronald J. Kolata · Raleigh, US
• Joshua R. Uth · Mason, US
• Charles J. Scheib · Loveland, US
• Frederick E. Shelton, IV · Hillsboro, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 14, 2008
• Grant date: Jan 4, 2011
• Expiry date: Dec 20, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2017/2927
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A surgical stapling apparatus for use with a disposable loading unit. Various embodiments include an elongated body assembly that comprises a distal body segment and a proximal body segment that are operably coupled together by an intermediate articulation joint such that the proximal body segment and the distal body segment define a longitudinal axis. The intermediate articulation joint may be configured to facilitate articulation of the distal body segment about an intermediate articulation axis that is substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis. The elongated body assembly may be configured to transfer actuation motions from an actuation shaft housed in a handle assembly to the disposable loading unit. In various embodiments, the intermediate articulation joint may be adjacent to the handle assembly.