Surgical instrument with articulation mechanism

摘要

A surgical instrument for surgically joining tissue is disclosed. The instrument comprises a handle assembly, an elongated portion, an end effector, and an articulation mechanism. The elongated portion extends distally from the handle assembly. The end effector is disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated portion. The articulation mechanism is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the end effector for articulating the end effector. The articulation mechanism comprises a lever, a knob, a plate and a lower clutch. The plate is disposed at least partially within a portion of the knob. The lower clutch is disposed in mechanical engagement with the plate. The plate is disposed at least partially between the lower clutch and the knob. The lower clutch is keyed to the plate to limit rotation therebetween. The lower clutch is keyed to the knob to limit rotation therebetween.

主权项

1. A surgical instrument for surgically joining tissue, the surgical instrument comprising:
a handle assembly; an elongated portion extending distally from the handle assembly and defining a first longitudinal axis; an end effector disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated portion, the end effector defining a second longitudinal axis; and an articulation mechanism disposed in mechanical cooperation with the end effector for moving the end effector between a first position where the first longitudinal axis is aligned with the second longitudinal axis and a second position where the first longitudinal axis is disposed at an angle with respect to the second longitudinal axis, the articulation mechanism comprising:
a lever;a housing;a plate disposed at least partially within a portion of the housing; anda lower clutch disposed in mechanical engagement with the plate and movable with respect to the plate,wherein at least a portion of the plate is disposed between the lower clutch and at least a portion of the housing, wherein the lower clutch is keyed to the plate via four keys to limit rotation therebetween, and wherein the lower clutch is keyed to the housing to limit rotation therebetween.