Articulated surgical instrument with improved articulation control mechanism

In an articulation surgical instrument for use in laparoscopic surgical procedures including a handle;

• an elongated shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end of the elongated shaft being coupled to the handle;
• a tip pivotally coupled to the distal end of the shaft for articulation about an articulation axis;
• a manually engageable actuator mounted on the handle;
• and an articulation drive member operatively coupled to the actuator which reciprocates between a proximal position and a distal position in response to movements of the actuator;
• the improvement comprising:
• a desensitizing link coupled to the articulation drive member at a first pivot point and disposed within said shaft for rotational movement about a second pivot point in response to the reciprocating movement of the articulation drive member;
• and
• a rod coupled at one end to said desensitizing link at a third pivot point for reciprocating movement between a proximal position and a distal position in response to the rotational movement of said desensitizing link and operatively coupled at the other end to the tip such that the reciprocating movement of said distal rod causes the tip to articulate about the articulation axis, wherein said third pivot point is closer to said second pivot point than is said first pivot point such that said rod reciprocates over a lesser distance than does the articulation drive member.

An articulated linear stapling instrument for use in laparoscopic surgical procedures comprising:

• a handle;
• an elongated shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, said proximal end of said shaft being coupled to said handle;
• a tip pivotally coupled to said distal end of said shaft for articulation about an articulation axis and including two opposed jaws pivotally coupled for movement between an open position and a closed position;
• an actuator mounted for movement on said handle and operatively connected to said tip such that movement of said actuator causes articulation of said tip;
• and
• a lever mounted on said handle, said lever being moveable between a raised position and a lowered position such that movement of said lever causes said opposed jaws to move from their open position to their closed position;
• wherein said lever, in its raised position, is disengaged from said actuators and said lever, in its lowered position, engages and immobilizes said actuator such that articulation of said tip is precluded when said opposed jaws are in their closed position.