# US 12,213,693 B2 · Engagement features and methods for attaching a drive rod to a knife blade in an articulating surgical instrument > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,213,693 B2 - Document ID: US12213693B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/108,951 - Filed: 2023-02-13 - Published: 2023-06-22 - Granted: 2025-02-04 - Earliest claimed: 2019-03-29 - Assignees: Covidien LP - Applicants: Covidien LP - Inventors: David D. Brause - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12213693B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/295: combined with cutting implements - A61B 17/072: for applying a row of staples in a single action, e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously - A61B 17/3211: Surgical scalpels, knives; Accessories therefor - A61B 17/07207: {the staples being applied sequentially} - A61B 17/320092: {with additional movable means for clamping or cutting tissue, e.g. with a pivoting jaw} - A61B 18/085: {Forceps, scissors} - A61B 18/1445: {at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod} - A61B 18/18: by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves - A61B 34/35: for telesurgery - A61B 2017/00314: {Separate linked members} - A61B 2017/00323: {Cables or rods} - A61B 2017/00734: {battery operated} - A61B 2018/00077: {high, i.e. electrically conducting} - A61B 2018/00589: {Coagulation} - A61B 2018/00595: {Cauterization} - A61B 2018/0063: {Sealing} - A61B 2018/1455: {having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws} - A61B 2018/1807: {using light other than laser radiation} - A61B 2018/1823: {Generators therefor} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A method for attaching a drive rod to a knife includes: forming a knife having proximal and distal ends; forming an aperture within the proximal end of the knife, the aperture including a series of fins disposed therein; weaving a distal end of a knife rod through the series of fins in an alternating manner; and engaging a cap onto the distal end of the knife drive rod to secure the knife drive rod within the aperture of the knife. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for attaching a knife drive rod to a knife, comprising: forming a knife; forming a slot in the knife; engaging a tube with a distal end of a knife drive rod; and engaging the tube within the slot to secure the knife drive rod and the tube to the knife. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the tube is engaged within the slot in a proximal end of the knife by at least one of welding, crimping or bonding. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the knife is made from a first material and the knife drive rod is made from a second material different from the first material. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method according to claim 3, wherein the second material is flexible to facilitate smooth translation of the knife drive rod through one or more articulating joints of a surgical shaft. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the knife is made from a first material including at least one of stainless steel, high-carbon steel, tool steel, high-speed steel, chrome steel, tungston carbide, titanium, vanadium alloys, ceramic, glass or plastic. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the knife drive rod is made from a second material including at least one of nickel-based alloys, nickel-titanium alloys, nickel-chromium alloys, copper-manganese alloys, cobalt-based alloys, brass, phosphor, bronze, beryllium copper, chrome-vanadium, chrome-silicon, or titanium. ### Claim 7 A method for attaching a knife drive rod to a knife, comprising: securing a tube made from a first material to a knife drive rod made from a second material different from the first material; and securing the tube within a slot formed in a knife made from the first material. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method according to claim 7, wherein the tube is secured to a distal end of the knife drive rod by at least one of welding, crimping or bonding. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The method according to claim 7, wherein the tube is secured within the slot at a proximal end of the knife by at least one of welding, crimping or bonding. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The method according to claim 7, wherein the first material includes at least one of stainless steel, high-carbon steel, tool steel, high-speed steel, chrome steel, tungston carbide, titanium, vanadium alloys, ceramic, glass or plastic. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The method according to claim 7, wherein the second material includes at least one of nickel-based alloys, nickel-titanium alloys, nickel-chromium alloys, copper-manganese alloys, cobalt-based alloys, brass, phosphor, bronze, beryllium copper, chrome-vanadium, chrome-silicon, or titanium. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The method according to claim 7, wherein the second material is flexible to facilitate smooth translation of the knife drive rod through one or more articulating joints of a surgical shaft. ### Claim 13 A method for attaching a knife drive rod to a knife, comprising: forming a knife of a first material, the knife defining a slot; engaging a tube made from the first material with a knife drive rod made from a second material different from the first material; and engaging the tube within the slot to secure the knife drive rod and the tube to the knife. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, wherein the tube is engaged within the slot in a proximal end of the knife by at least one of welding, crimping or bonding. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, wherein the knife is made from a first material including at least one of stainless steel, high-carbon steel, tool steel, high-speed steel, chrome steel, tungston carbide, titanium, vanadium alloys, ceramic, glass or plastic. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, wherein the knife drive rod is made from a second material including at least one of nickel-based alloys, nickel-titanium alloys, nickel-chromium alloys, copper-manganese alloys, cobalt-based alloys, brass, phosphor, bronze, beryllium copper, chrome-vanadium, chrome-silicon, or titanium. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, wherein the second material is flexible to facilitate smooth translation of the knife drive rod through one or more articulating joints of a surgical shaft.