US 12,133,672 B2
Articulation section for shaft assembly of surgical instrument
Candice Otrembiak, Loveland, OH (US); Chad P. Boudreaux, Cincinnati, OH (US); Barry C. Worrell, Centerville, OH (US); Nathan Cummings, Worcester, MA (US); Kris E. Kallenberger, Cincinnati, OH (US); and Michael R. Lamping, Cincinnati, OH (US)
Assigned to Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed by Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed on Feb. 1, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/164,027.
Application 17/164,027 is a continuation of application No. 15/686,753, filed on Aug. 25, 2017, granted, now 10,932,846.
Prior Publication US 2021/0177497 A1, Jun. 17, 2021
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61B 18/14 (2006.01); A61B 17/29 (2006.01); A61B 17/3205 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); A61B 18/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 18/1445 (2013.01) [A61B 17/29 (2013.01); A61B 17/3205 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00309 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00327 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2905 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2927 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2929 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00601 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00619 (2013.01); A61B 2018/0063 (2013.01); A61B 2018/1455 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus, comprising:
(a) a shaft assembly defining a longitudinal axis;
(b) an end effector located distally relative to the shaft assembly;
(c) an articulation drive assembly configured to actuate relative to the shaft assembly; and
(d) an articulation section interposed between the shaft assembly and the end effector, wherein the articulation section is configured to flex in response to actuation of the articulation drive assembly relative to the shaft assembly, wherein the articulation section comprises:
(i) a first frame member comprising a first alignment feature,
(ii) a second frame member comprising a second alignment feature, wherein the first frame member and the second frame member are fixedly attached to each other such that the first alignment feature and the second alignment feature are secured together, and
(iii) a sleeve disposed about the first frame member and the second frame member, wherein the sleeve comprises a complementary alignment feature configured to directly engage both the first alignment feature and the second alignment feature to rotationally and longitudinally align the sleeve with the first frame member and the second frame member.