CPC A61B 17/29 (2013.01) [A61B 17/320016 (2013.01); A61B 17/3201 (2013.01); A61B 17/3478 (2013.01); A61B 34/71 (2016.02); A61B 2017/00314 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00323 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00367 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2913 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2918 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2919 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2933 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2934 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2937 (2013.01); A61B 2034/305 (2016.02)] | 19 Claims |
1. An articulated surgical instrument comprising:
an end-effector comprising one or more end-effector links, the one or more end-effector links comprising first and second follower geometries, wherein a first end-effector link of the one or more end-effector links is rotatably coupled to a second end-effector link of the one or more end-effector links via an end-effector joint;
a first cam having a first spiral profile rotatably coupled to the first follower geometry;
a second cam having a second spiral profile rotatably coupled to the second follower geometry, wherein the end-effector joint is positioned distal to the first and second follower geometries and the first and second cams; and
flexible mechanical transmissions coupled to the first and second cams, the flexible mechanical transmissions configured to independently rotate the first and second cams in both directions about an axis of the first and second cams to thereby actuate the end-effector with the rotation of the first cam causing an increased actuation force via the one or more follower geometries.
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