US 12,433,627 B2
Surgical instrument soft stop
Steven G. Hall, Cincinnati, OH (US); Daniel L. Baber, West Chester, OH (US); and Richard L. Leimbach, Cincinnati, OH (US)
Assigned to Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed by Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed on Feb. 4, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/592,821.
Application 17/592,821 is a continuation of application No. 15/982,352, filed on May 17, 2018, granted, now 11,246,618.
Application 15/982,352 is a continuation of application No. 15/074,296, filed on Mar. 18, 2016, granted, now 10,575,868, issued on Mar. 3, 2020.
Application 15/074,296 is a continuation of application No. 13/782,536, filed on Mar. 1, 2013, granted, now 9,307,986, issued on Apr. 12, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2022/0226013 A1, Jul. 21, 2022
Int. Cl. A61B 17/32 (2006.01); A61B 17/072 (2006.01); A61B 17/115 (2006.01); A61B 18/14 (2006.01); A61B 34/00 (2016.01); A61B 34/30 (2016.01); A61B 90/90 (2016.01); A61B 90/98 (2016.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); A61B 17/29 (2006.01); A61B 18/00 (2006.01); A61B 18/08 (2006.01); A61B 90/00 (2016.01); G05G 9/047 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 17/320068 (2013.01) [A61B 17/072 (2013.01); A61B 17/07207 (2013.01); A61B 17/1155 (2013.01); A61B 17/320092 (2013.01); A61B 18/1445 (2013.01); A61B 34/30 (2016.02); A61B 34/74 (2016.02); A61B 90/90 (2016.02); A61B 90/98 (2016.02); A61B 2017/00017 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00022 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00026 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00039 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00075 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00084 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00115 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00123 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00128 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00199 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00221 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00314 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00323 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00327 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00367 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00393 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00398 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0046 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00464 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00473 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00477 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00482 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0069 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00734 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07271 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07278 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2903 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2923 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2925 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2927 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2929 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2943 (2013.01); A61B 2017/320069 (2017.08); A61B 2017/320071 (2017.08); A61B 2017/320089 (2017.08); A61B 2017/320094 (2017.08); A61B 2017/320097 (2017.08); A61B 2018/00607 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00619 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00791 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00875 (2013.01); A61B 18/085 (2013.01); A61B 18/14 (2013.01); A61B 2018/1455 (2013.01); A61B 2034/742 (2016.02); A61B 2090/033 (2016.02); A61B 2090/034 (2016.02); A61B 2090/061 (2016.02); A61B 2090/064 (2016.02); A61B 2090/065 (2016.02); A61B 2090/0811 (2016.02); G05G 2009/04777 (2013.01); G05G 9/04796 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A surgical system, comprising:
(a) an elongate shaft defining a longitudinal axis;
(b) an end effector, comprising:
(i) a first jaw;
(ii) a second jaw, wherein said first jaw is movable relative to said second jaw between an open position and a closed position; and
(iii) a staple cartridge comprising staples removably stored therein and a sled operable to eject said staples;
(c) an articulation joint connecting said end effector to said elongate shaft;
(d) a first gear assembly at least partially located within said articulation joint and configured to transfer rotary drive motion through said articulation joint to rotatably drive said end effector relative to said elongate shaft about said longitudinal axis;
(e) a second gear assembly at least partially located within said articulation joint and configured to transfer rotary drive motion through said articulation joint to actuate said end effector through a staple firing stroke:
(i) a drive screw operatively coupled with and rotatable by said second gear assembly; and
(ii) a firing driver threadably engaged with said drive screw and including a first cam configured to engage said first jaw and a second cam configured to engage said second jaw during said staple firing stroke,
wherein said firing driver is drivable distally by said second gear assembly via said drive screw through said staple firing stroke to drive said sled distally through said staple cartridge and thereby eject said staples,
wherein said firing driver is retractable proximally by said second gear assembly via said drive screw while said sled remains positioned distally within said staple cartridge.