US 11,744,603 B2
Multi-axis pivot joints for surgical instruments and methods for manufacturing same
Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Hillsboro, OH (US); Aaron J. Chow, Cincinnati, OH (US); Chester O. Baxter, III, Loveland, OH (US); Adam D. Hensel, Gahanna, OH (US); Luke C. Ice, Garrett, IN (US); and Sudhir B. Patel, Mason, OH (US)
Assigned to Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed by Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed on Mar. 24, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/211,222.
Prior Publication US 2022/0304714 A1, Sep. 29, 2022
Int. Cl. A61B 17/29 (2006.01); A61B 17/072 (2006.01); A61B 34/30 (2016.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 17/29 (2013.01) [A61B 17/072 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0042 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00398 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00526 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07264 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07271 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07278 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07285 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2927 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2933 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2943 (2013.01); A61B 2034/302 (2016.02)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A universally movable drive shaft for a surgical instrument, wherein said universally movable drive shaft comprises:
a first movable joint comprising:
a first joint spine defining a first axis and a second axis that is transverse to said first axis;
a first U-shaped bridge movably and non-removably journaled on said first joint spine for pivotal travel relative thereto about said first axis; and
a second U-shaped bridge movably and non-removably journaled on said first joint spine for pivotal travel relative thereto about said second axis, wherein said second U-shaped bridge further comprises a third U-shaped bridge of a second movable joint, wherein said second movable joint comprises:
a second joint spine defining a third axis and a fourth axis that is transverse to said third axis, wherein said third U-shaped bridge is movably and non-removably journaled on said second joint spine for pivotal travel relative thereto about said fourth axis; and
a fourth U-shaped bridge movably and non-removably journaled on said second joint spine for pivotal travel relative thereto about said third axis.