Articulation locking mechanisms for end effectors and methods of use
AssigneeBoston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
InventorChristopher R. Deuel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A medical device includes an end effector at a distal end of the medical device, an actuator coupled to a proximal end of the end effector, a pivot arm pivotally coupled to the end effector distal of the proximal end of the end effector, where actuation of the actuator pivots the end effector relative to the pivot arm, and a lock on the end effector and the pivot arm, where the lock has a first state permitting the end effector to pivot relative to the pivot arm and a second state restricting the end effector from pivoting relative to the pivot arm.
Claims20
A medical device, comprising:
- an end effector at a distal end of the medical device, wherein the end effector includes a tab;
- an actuator coupled to a proximal end of the end effector;
- and
- a pivot arm pivotally coupled to the end effector distally of the proximal end of the end effector, wherein the actuator is configured to pivot the end effector relative to the pivot arm, and wherein the pivot arm includes a plurality of teeth and a plurality of spaces between the plurality of teeth;
- wherein, in a first configuration of the end effector, the tab is configured to selectively engage a first space of the plurality of spaces to lock the end effector at a first angle relative to the pivot arm, wherein, in a second configuration of the end effector, the tab is configured to selectively engage a second space of the plurality of spaces to lock the end effector at a second angle relative to the pivot arm, wherein the first angle differs from the second angle, and wherein, in the first configuration and in the second configuration, the end effector is restricted from pivoting with respect to the pivot arm.
A medical device, comprising:
- an end effector at a distal end of the medical device, wherein the end effector includes:
- an anvil having a tab coupled thereto;
- and
- a body pivotably coupled to the anvil and configured to receive a cartridge;
- an actuator coupled to a proximal end of the end effector;
- and
- a pivot arm pivotally coupled to the end effector distally of the proximal end of the end effector, wherein the actuator is configured to pivot the end effector relative to the pivot arm, and wherein the pivot arm includes a pivot head defining at least one space;
- wherein, in a closed configuration of the anvil, the tab is configured to selectively engage the at least one space to restrict the end effector from pivoting with respect to the pivot arm, and wherein, in an open configuration of the anvil, the tab is disengaged from the at least one space, such that the end effector is pivotable with respect to the pivot arm.
A medical device, comprising:
- an end effector at a distal end of the medical device, wherein the end effector includes:
- an anvil having a tab;
- and
- a body pivotably coupled to the anvil and configured to receive a cartridge;
- an actuator coupled to a proximal end of the end effector;
- a pivot arm pivotally coupled to the end effector distally of the proximal end of the end effector, wherein the actuator is configured to pivot the end effector relative to the pivot arm, and wherein the pivot arm includes a plurality of teeth;
- and
- a wire coupled to the anvil, wherein the wire is configured to selectively:
- (a) close the anvil, such that the tab engages with the plurality of teeth to restrict the end effector from pivoting with respect to the pivot arm, and (b) open the anvil, such that the tab disengages from the plurality of teeth.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.