US 12,108,950 B2
Surgical instrument assembly comprising a flexible articulation system
Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Hillsboro, OH (US); Jerome R. Morgan, Cincinnati, OH (US); Jason L. Harris, Lebanon, OH (US); Jeffrey S. Swayze, West Chester, OH (US); and Chester O. Baxter, III, Loveland, OH (US)
Assigned to Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed by Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed on Jan. 3, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/092,634.
Application 18/092,634 is a continuation of application No. 17/709,016, filed on Mar. 30, 2022, granted, now 11,553,911.
Application 17/709,016 is a continuation of application No. 17/073,503, filed on Oct. 19, 2020, granted, now 11,547,404.
Application 17/073,503 is a continuation of application No. 15/996,863, filed on Jun. 4, 2018, granted, now 10,806,448, issued on Oct. 20, 2020.
Application 15/996,863 is a continuation of application No. 14/574,493, filed on Dec. 18, 2014, granted, now 9,987,000, issued on Jun. 5, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2023/0218294 A1, Jul. 13, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61B 17/068 (2006.01); A61B 17/072 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); A61B 17/29 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 17/068 (2013.01) [A61B 17/07207 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00309 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00314 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00327 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2927 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2937 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
(a) a shaft comprising a shaft frame;
(b) an end effector, comprising:
(1) an end effector frame; and
(2) a jaw movable relative to said end effector frame;
(c) an articulation joint, comprising:
(1) an articulation frame, comprising:
(A) a proximal articulation end; and
(B) a distal articulation end;
(2) a first articulation joint connecting said proximal articulation end to said shaft frame; and
(3) a second articulation joint connecting said distal articulation end to said end effector frame; and
(d) a firing system movable relative to said shaft frame, said articulation frame, and said end effector frame, wherein said firing system comprises a cutting member movable relative to said end effector frame, wherein said firing system further comprises a plurality of firing members that are configured to slide relative to each other while bending, wherein said firing members are collectively configured to drive said cutting member while simultaneously sliding relative to each other, wherein said firing members are configured to span said first articulation joint and said second articulation joint.