HYDRAULICALLY AND ELECTRICALLY ACTUATED ARTICULATION JOINTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS

摘要

Articulation joints for use in connection with a surgical instrument that has a portion that must be passed through a trocar or similar structure and then articulated relative to another portion of the instrument received within the trocar. Various embodiments of the articulation joint include at least one fluid-actuated cylinder or flexible driven member to articulate the surgical implement relative to the handle assembly of the instrument.