US 11,890,007 B2
Stapling device with flex cable and tensioning mechanism
Jacob C. Baril, Norwalk, CT (US)
Assigned to Covidien LP, Mansfield, MA (US)
Filed by Covidien LP, Mansfield, MA (US)
Filed on Nov. 18, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/951,114.
Prior Publication US 2022/0151609 A1, May 19, 2022
Int. Cl. A61B 17/068 (2006.01); A61B 17/072 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 17/0686 (2013.01) [A61B 17/00234 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00323 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07257 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07271 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07278 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A surgical device comprising:
an adapter assembly defining a first longitudinal axis and having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the adapter assembly including a body defining a recess;
a tool assembly defining a second longitudinal axis supported on the distal portion of the adapter assembly, the tool assembly supporting a sensor and being pivotable between a non-articulated position in which the first and second longitudinal axes are aligned and articulated positions in which the first and second axes are misaligned, the sensor adapted to identify parameters of tissue clamped by the tool assembly;
a flex cable formed of a substrate having one or more dielectric layers and one or more conductive layers, the flex cable supported within the adapter assembly and having a distal portion, a central portion, and a proximal portion, the distal portion of the flex cable being fixedly coupled to the sensor on the tool assembly and the proximal portion of the flex cable extending from the proximal portion of the adapter assembly; and
a tensioner mechanism supported in the recess of the body of the adapter assembly and including a sled and a biasing member, the sled being secured to the central portion of the flex cable and being movable within the recess of the body of the adapter assembly from a first position towards a second position to provide tension in the distal portion of the flex cable, the biasing member positioned to urge the sled towards the second position.