US 12,478,423 B2
Articulation joint features for articulating surgical device
Barry C. Worrell, Maineville, OH (US); David K. Norvell, Monroe, OH (US); Charles J. Scheib, Loveland, OH (US); Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Hillsboro, OH (US); Geoffrey S. Strobl, Williamsburg, OH (US); Jeffrey S. Swayze, West Chester, OH (US); Gregory A. Trees, Loveland, OH (US); Jason E. Zerkle, Blanchester, OH (US); and Kevin M. Montgomery, Morrow, OH (US)
Assigned to Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed by Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed on Jul. 6, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/858,119.
Application 16/875,602 is a division of application No. 15/651,112, filed on Jul. 17, 2017, granted, now 10,660,696, issued on May 26, 2020.
Application 17/858,119 is a continuation of application No. 16/875,602, filed on May 15, 2020, granted, now 11,406,443.
Application 15/651,112 is a continuation of application No. 15/204,083, filed on Jul. 7, 2016, granted, now 9,730,753, issued on Aug. 15, 2017.
Application 15/204,083 is a continuation of application No. 13/235,660, filed on Sep. 19, 2011, granted, now 9,402,682, issued on Aug. 2, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/386,117, filed on Sep. 24, 2010.
Prior Publication US 2022/0409267 A1, Dec. 29, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61B 18/12 (2006.01); A61B 18/14 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); A61B 18/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 18/1447 (2013.01) [A61B 18/1445 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00314 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00601 (2013.01); A61B 2018/0063 (2013.01); A61B 2018/126 (2013.01); A61B 2018/1455 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus, comprising:
(a) a body;
(b) a shaft extending distally from the body, wherein the shaft defines a longitudinal axis;
(c) an end effector located distally relative to the shaft, wherein the end effector is configured to sever, weld, or grasp tissue; and
(d) an articulation section interposed between the shaft and the end effector, wherein the articulation section is configured to bend to thereby deflect the end effector toward and away relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft between a non-articulated configuration and an articulated configuration wherein the articulation assembly comprises:
(i) a flexible spine extending longitudinally toward the end effector in the non-articulated configuration, wherein a lateral width between a first lateral surface and a second lateral surface of the flexible spine decreases along a length of the flexible spine in a distal direction to thereby increase the flexibility of the articulation section, and
(ii) a longitudinal array of ribs, wherein each rib of the longitudinal array of ribs is connected to the flexible spine and extends laterally away from either the first lateral surface or the second lateral surface of the flexible spine.