| 摘要 |
An articulating surgical instrument (30) with an articulation transmission assembly (41) for remotely articulating the end effector of the instrument is disclosed. The instrument includes a body (50) with a housing mounted on the instrument, oscillating and rotating members (49) and (48), and an actuator (47) rotatably mounted on the housing and secured to the rotating member. The oscillating member (49) is seated rotationally stationary within the housing. The rotating member (48) fits into the oscillating member, and has a drive shaft extending into the body for translating rotation from the rotating member into reciprocation of an elongated transmission rod attached to the drive shaft. First (51) and second sets of unloading teeth (70) are displayed on the oscillating member and actuator, respectively. First (52) and second locking teeth (54) are displayed on the oscillating and rotating members, respectively. The assembly provides ratcheting rotation for precisely positioning the end effector in discrete positions. Since the assembly has a ratcheting mechanism, it is "fail safe" when a force is applied to the end effector to prevent the component parts of the assembly from breaking. In the preferred embodiment, the frictional forces between the unloading teeth are less than those between the locking teeth. Therefore, the force which the surgeon is required to apply to the actuator of the assembly to cause articulation of the end effector is less than that which would be necessary to articulate the end effector when a force is applied on the end effector itself. The instrument may be used for endoscopic as well as conventional open surgical procedures. <IMAGE> |
