# US 10,863,985 B2 · Surgical instrument with articulation mechanism > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,863,985 B2 - Document ID: US10863985B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/964,346 - Filed: 2018-04-27 - Published: 2018-08-30 - Granted: 2020-12-15 - Earliest claimed: 2012-05-07 - Assignees: Covidien LP - Applicants: Covidien LP - Inventors: Kenneth M. Cappola; Frank Marini; Kenneth M. Horn - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10863985B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/072: for applying a row of staples in a single action, e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously - A61B 17/00234: {for minimally invasive surgery (A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence)} - A61B 17/068: Surgical staplers {, e.g. containing multiple staples or clamps}({staplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105;} for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; {staplers in general B25C5/00}) - A61B 17/07207: {the staples being applied sequentially} - A61B 2017/00367: {Details of actuation of instruments, e.g. relations between pushing buttons, or the like, and activation of the tool, working tip, or the like} - A61B 2017/07228: {Arrangement of the staples} - A61B 2017/07278: {characterised by its sled or its staple holder} - A61B 2017/07285: {characterised by its cutter} - A61B 2017/2927: {the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft} - A61B 2017/2929: {with a head rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A surgical instrument for surgically joining tissue is disclosed. The instrument comprises a handle assembly, an elongated portion, an end effector, and an articulation mechanism. The elongated portion extends distally from the handle assembly. The end effector is disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated portion. The articulation mechanism is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the end effector for articulating the end effector. The articulation mechanism comprises a lever, a knob, a plate and a lower clutch. The plate is disposed at least partially within a portion of the knob. The lower clutch is disposed in mechanical engagement with the plate. The plate is disposed at least partially between the lower clutch and the knob. The lower clutch is keyed to the plate to limit rotation therebetween. The lower clutch is keyed to the knob to limit rotation therebetween. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An articulation mechanism for use with a surgical instrument, the articulation mechanism comprising: a rotatable lever; a housing having a first recess; a plate movable relative to a portion of the housing during use, the plate having a second recess; and a lower clutch having a first key and a second key, at least a portion of the plate being disposed between the lower clutch and the housing, the first key being disposed in the first recess and the second key being disposed in the second recess. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The articulation mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the rotatable lever is rotatable about a lever axis. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The articulation mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the first key and second key limit rotation between the lower clutch, the housing, and the plate. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The articulation mechanism according to claim 1, further including a cover disposed in contact with the rotatable lever, a biasing element disposed in mechanical cooperation with the cover, and an upper clutch disposed in mechanical cooperation with the lower clutch and with the biasing element. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A surgical instrument, comprising: the articulation mechanism according to claim 1, the articulation mechanism including an upper clutch disposed in mechanical cooperation with the lower clutch; wherein rotation of the rotatable lever causes an end effector of the surgical instrument to articulate with respect to a longitudinal axis defined by an elongated portion of the surgical instrument, the lower clutch being disposed between the plate and the upper clutch. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The surgical instrument according to claim 5, further comprising a biasing element, the upper clutch being disposed in mechanical cooperation with the lower clutch and the biasing element. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The surgical instrument according to claim 5, wherein the lower clutch has four keys. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The surgical instrument according to claim 5, wherein the lower clutch includes a key engaged with a knob. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The surgical instrument according to claim 8, wherein the knob rotates the elongated portion of the surgical instrument. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the plate is rotatable relative to the housing. ### Claim 11 An articulation mechanism for use with a surgical instrument, the articulation mechanism comprising: a rotatable lever; a housing having a first recess; a plate positionable at least partially within a portion of the housing, the plate being rotatable relative to the housing, and the plate having a second recess; and a lower clutch having a first key and a second key, at least a portion of the plate being disposed between the lower clutch and the housing, the first key being disposed in the first recess and the second key being disposed in the second recess.