Rotary powered articulation joints for surgical instruments
US9782169B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 1, 2013 |
| Grant date | Oct 10, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 3, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02A90/10
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An articulation joint for a surgical instrument. In at least one form, the articulation joint includes a proximal joint portion that is coupled to an elongate shaft assembly of the surgical instrument. A distal joint portion is movably coupled to the proximal joint portion and is configured to interface with a surgical end effector. A first gear train operably interfaces with a proximal firing shaft segment within the elongate shaft assembly and a distal firing shaft segment that is configured to operably interface with the surgical end effector for transmitting a rotary firing motion thereto from the proximal firing shaft segment to the surgical end effector. A second gear train operably interfaces with a proximal rotation shaft portion of the elongate shaft assembly for transmitting a distal rotational control motion to the surgical end effector to cause the surgical end effector to rotate relative to the elongate shaft assembly while facilitating articulation of the distal joint portion relative to the proximal joint portion.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.