Robotic surgical systems, instrument drive units, and drive assemblies
AssigneeCovidien LP
InventorBrian Rockrohr
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A drive assembly of an instrument drive unit, is provided. The drive assembly includes a drive screw, a drive nut, a follower, a biasing element, and a drive element. The drive nut is threadedly engaged with a threaded portion of the drive screw such that rotation of the drive screw results in longitudinal movement of the drive nut. The follower is longitudinally slidable with respect to the drive screw. The biasing element is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive nut and the follower. The drive element is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the follower. Longitudinal translation of the drive element is configured to drive a function of the surgical instrument.
Claims20
A drive assembly of an instrument drive unit for use with a surgical instrument, the drive assembly comprising:
- a drive screw defining a longitudinal axis, the drive screw including a threaded portion;
- a drive nut threadedly engaged with the threaded portion of the drive screw such that rotation of the drive screw results in longitudinal movement of the drive nut;
- a follower being longitudinally slidable with respect to the drive screw;
- a biasing element disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive nut and the follower;
- and
- a drive element disposed in mechanical cooperation with the follower, wherein longitudinal translation of the drive element is configured to drive a function of the surgical instrument.
An instrument drive unit for use with a surgical instrument, the instrument drive unit comprising:
- a plurality of drive assemblies, each drive assembly comprising:
- a drive screw defining a longitudinal axis, the drive screw including a threaded portion;
- a drive nut threadedly engaged with the threaded portion of the drive screw such that rotation of the drive screw results in longitudinal movement of the drive nut;
- a biasing element disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive nut;
- and
- a flexible drive element disposed in mechanical cooperation with the biasing element, longitudinal translation of the flexible drive element is configured to drive a function of jaw members of the surgical instrument.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.