Surgical instrument motor pack latch

US8912746B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC. · US

Inventors

• Robert C. Reid · Fairfield, US
• John W. Zabinski · Fremont, US
• Alan E. Loh · Los Altos, US
• Bruce M. Schena · Menlo Park, US
• David W. Weir · Redwood City, US
• Gregory W. Dachs, II · San Mateo, US
• David W. Bailey · Menlo Park, US
• Melody Wu · Sunnyvale, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 26, 2012
• Grant date: Dec 16, 2014
• Expiry date: Jun 13, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T403/60
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A latch mechanism selectively retains a first assembly to a second assembly. The first and second assemblies are configured for sliding engagement along an engagement axis. The latch mechanism includes a latch shaft mounted to the first assembly to rotate about a latch shaft axis, a torsion spring to bias the latch shaft relative to the first assembly, and a transverse latch member coupled with the second assembly. The latch mechanism is configured to automatically latch in response to the first assembly being pushed toward the second assembly. The transverse latch member interacts with the latch shaft to rotate the latch shaft in a first direction in response to movement of the first assembly toward the second assembly. Further motion of the first assembly toward the second assembly results in rotation of the latch shaft opposite to the first direction into a retention configuration that retains the transverse latch member.