# US 2014/0151436 A1 · Flexible Endoluminal Surgical Instrument > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0151436 A1 - Document ID: US20140151436A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/174,065 - Filed: 2014-02-06 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2007-04-17 - Assignees: Covidien LP - Applicants: Covidien LP - Inventors: Frank J. Viola - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140151436A1 ## CPC - 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 2017/00398: {using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids} - A61B 2017/2903: {transferring rotary motion} - A61B 2017/2905: {flexible} - A61B 2017/2943: {Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A surgical instrument comprises a first elongated member and a second elongated member, the first elongated member and the second elongated member being operatively connected and configured to rotate in opposite directions to substantially limit counter torque. The first and second elongated members are flexible shafts. The surgical instrument can be configured to apply fasteners to a tissue portion. This embodiment of the surgical instrument includes a cartridge having a plurality of fasteners, an anvil, said anvil and cartridge being relatively movable between spaced and approximated positions, and a sled disposed in the cartridge. The sled includes a cam member. The cam member is designed to drive the fasteners through tissue and toward the anvil. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-18. (canceled) ### Claim 19 A surgical instrument comprising: a first elongate member movable between a first position and a second position; and an end effector including: a first jaw; a second jaw being movable between an approximated position and a spaced apart position relative to the first jaw; and a clamp cam assembly having a cam member operatively coupled to the second jaw and a first clamp lead screw threadably engaging the cam member such that rotation of the first clamp lead screw causes translation of the cam member, wherein the first elongate member in the first position operatively engages the first clamp lead screw such that rotation of the first elongate member in a first direction rotates the first clamp lead screw which, in turn, causes translation of the cam member, thereby transitioning the second jaw to the approximated position. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The surgical instrument according to claim 19, wherein in the first position, rotation of the first elongate member in a second direction opposite of the first direction transitions the second jaw to the spaced apart position. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The surgical instrument according to claim 19, wherein the first elongate member includes a first pinion, and the first clamp lead screw includes a second pinion configured to engage the first pinion. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The surgical instrument according to claim 19, wherein the end effector further includes a link operatively coupled with the second jaw and the cam member. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The surgical instrument according to claim 22, wherein the link is pivotally coupled with the second jaw. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The surgical instrument according to claim 23, wherein the link is pivotally coupled with a proximal portion of the second jaw. ### Claim 25 (depends on 19) The surgical instrument according to claim 19, wherein the first elongate member is a flexible shaft. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) The surgical instrument according to claim 24, wherein proximal movement of the cam member transitions the second jaw to the approximated position. ### Claim 27 (depends on 24) The surgical instrument according to claim 24, wherein distal movement of the cam member transitions the second jaw to the spaced apart position. ### Claim 28 (depends on 19) The surgical instrument according to claim 19, wherein the first jaw further includes a first lead screw and a sled adapted to drive a plurality of fasteners through tissue and toward the second jaw, the sled threadably coupled with the first lead screw such that rotation of the first lead screw causes translation of the sled. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The surgical instrument according to claim 28, wherein the first elongate member in the second position operatively engages the first lead screw such that rotation of the first elongate member causes translation of the sled. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The surgical instrument according to claim 29, wherein the first elongate member includes a pinion and the first lead screw includes a gear coupler configured to engage the pinion. ### Claim 31 (depends on 19) The surgical instrument according to claim 19, further including a second elongate member operatively coupled to the first elongate member such that rotation of the first elongate member in the first direction causes rotation of the second elongate member in an opposite direction. ### Claim 32 (depends on 19) The surgical instrument according to claim 19, wherein the clamp cam assembly further includes a second clamp lead screw operatively coupled to the first clamp screw such that rotation of the first clamp screw in the first direction causes rotation of the second clamp screw in an opposite direction. ### Claim 33 (depends on 28) The surgical instrument according to claim 28, wherein the first jaw further includes a second lead screw operatively coupled to the first lead screw such that rotation of the first lead screw in the first direction causes rotation of the second lead screw in an opposite direction. ### Claim 34 (depends on 19) The surgical instrument according to claim 19, wherein the first jaw includes a cartridge having a plurality of fasteners. ### Claim 35 (depends on 19) The surgical instrument according to claim 19, wherein the second jaw includes an anvil.