Applicator instruments having articulating shafts for dispensing surgical fasteners

An applicator instrument for dispensing surgical fasteners comprising:

• a housing;
• an elongated shaft extending from a distal end of said housing, said elongated shaft having a proximal shaft section and an articulating distal shaft section;
• an articulation lever provided on said housing;
• a handle coupled with a proximal end of said housing;
• a trigger coupled with said handle;
• a firing system disposed within said housing, said firing system including an energy storing assembly;
• a gear train disposed within said handle and coupled with said trigger, wherein said trigger is squeezable for storing energy in said energy storing assembly;
• a cam plate disposed within said housing that is linked with said articulating distal shaft section and that coupled with said articulation lever for being rotated by said articulation lever between a first position for straightening said articulating distal shaft section and a second position for articulating said articulating distal shaft section;
• an over-center assembly coupled with said cam plate for forcing said cam plate into either the first position associated with straightening said articulating distal shaft section or the second position associated with articulating said articulating distal shaft section.

An applicator instrument for dispensing surgical fasteners comprising:

• a housing;
• an elongated shaft extending from a distal end of said housing, said elongated shaft having a proximal shaft section and an articulating distal shaft section;
• an articulation lever provided on said housing;
• a handle coupled with a proximal end of said housing;
• a trigger coupled with said handle;
• a firing system disposed within said housing, said firing system including an energy storing assembly;
• a gear train disposed within said handle and coupled with said trigger, wherein said trigger is squeezable for storing energy in said energy storing assembly;
• a cam plate disposed within said housing that is linked with said articulating distal shaft section and that coupled with said articulation lever for being rotated by said articulation lever between a first position for straightening said articulating distal shaft section and a second position for articulating said articulating distal shaft section;
• an over-center assembly coupled with said cam plate for forcing said cam plate into either the first position associated with straightening said articulating distal shaft section or the second position associated with articulating said articulating distal shaft section;
• a handle reconfiguration actuator having a first position for locking said handle in place relative to said housing and a second position for enabling said handle to rotate relative to said housing between a pistol configuration and an in-line configuration.