Articulating joint for surgical instruments

摘要

ARTICULATING JOINT FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS A drive assembly (60) for a surgical apparatus (100) comprising a first drive shaft (65) having proximal (65a) and distal (65b) ends and defining a first longitudinal axis and a second drive shaft (150) having proximal (150a) and distal (150b) ends and defining a second longitudinal axis. The second drive shaft (150) being movable between a first position where the second longitudinal axis is aligned with the first longitudinal axis and a second position where the second longitudinal axis is at an angle relative to the first longitudinal axis. A first gear (125) is supported on the distal end (65b) of the first drive shaft (65) including a first plurality of teeth (125a) and a second gear (150) supported on the proximal end (150a) of the second drive shaft (150) including a second plurality of teeth (155a). At least one of the first plurality of teeth (125a) of the first gear (125) is in direct engagement with at least one of the second plurality of teeth (155a) of the second gear (155) when the second drive shaft (150) is moved between the first and second positions.