# US 2010/0163597 A1 · Articulation Mechanism for Surgical Instrument

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- Number: US 2010/0163597 A1
- Document ID: US20100163597A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 12/721,160
- Filed: 2010-03-10
- Published: 2010-07-01
- Earliest claimed: 2007-09-28
- Assignees: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
- Inventors: Sachin Shah; Frank C. Maffei
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20100163597A1

## CPC

- A61B 17/07207: {the staples being applied sequentially}
- A61B 17/0218: {for minimally invasive surgery (A61B17/0281, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence)}
- A61B 2017/003: {Steerable}
- A61B 2017/2927: {the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft}
- A61B 2017/2946: {Locking means}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

An articulating elongate surgical instrument includes a handle assembly, an elongated body portion, a tool assembly pivotally supported on the distal end of the elongated body portion. The elongate surgical instrument includes as well an articulation mechanism to effect the movement of the tool assembly, the articulation mechanism including a pivot member operatively coupled to the tool assembly. The elongated body includes at least one articulation drive member having at least one retaining surface therein; a firing rod disposed adjacent the articulation drive, with an articulation locking actuating surface disposed upon the firing rod; and an articulation locking means configured to selectively engage and disengage from the actuating surface and to selectively engage and disengage from the retaining surface of the articulation drive member.

## Claims

### Claim at position 1

1-16. (canceled)

### Claim 17

A method of preventing articulation in a surgical instrument, comprising moving a rod having an actuating surface thereon, so that the actuating surface engages an articulation locking assembly, the articulation locking assembly having a flexible member that is cammed laterally to engage at least one articulation drive member.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17, further comprising engaging a motive member with the rod, the actuating surface urging movement of the motive member.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The method of claim 18, wherein the motive member is moved toward the flexible member.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The method of claim 19, wherein the motive member moves into an interior space of the flexible member, expanding the flexible member laterally.

### Claim 21 (depends on 19)

The method of claim 19, further comprising moving the motive member into a channel in the rod and away from the flexible member.

### Claim 22 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17, further comprising moving retaining surfaces on the flexible member into engagement with retaining surfaces on the at least one articulation drive member.

### Claim 23 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17, further comprising camming the flexible member laterally in two directions to engage two articulation drive members.

### Claim 24 (depends on 19)

The method of claim 19, further comprising sliding the motive member along at least one inclined surface.

### Claim 25 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17, further comprising firing surgical staples from the surgical instrument, including moving the rod in a distal direction.