ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A FIRING DRIVE

摘要

A surgical instrument can comprise a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, and an end effector rotatably coupled to the shaft by an articulation joint. The surgical instrument can further include a staple cartridge positioned within the end effector and a firing drive operably coupled with a trigger wherein the operation of the trigger can advance and/or retract a firing member of the firing drive relative to the end effector. The surgical instrument can further comprise an articulation drive which is selectively engageable with the firing drive. When the articulation drive is engaged with the firing drive, the operation of the firing drive can operate the articulation drive and articulate the end effector. When the articulation drive is not engaged with the firing drive, the firing drive can be operated independently of the articulation drive.

主权项

1. A shaft assembly for use with a surgical instrument, said shaft assembly comprising:
a shaft; an end effector; an articulation joint connecting said end effector to said shaft; a firing driver movable relative to said end effector; an articulation driver configured to articulate said end effector about said articulation joint; and a clutch collar configured to selectively engage said articulation driver to said firing driver to impart the movement of said firing driver to said articulation driver.