Knife bar with geared overdrive
AssigneeCovidien LP
InventorPaul Scirica
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a handle assembly, an elongated portion, an end effector and a drive assembly. The elongated portion extends distally from the handle assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. The end effector is disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated portion and includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member. At least one jaw member is movable with respect to the other jaw member between spaced and approximated positions. The drive assembly is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the end effector and includes an input portion, an output portion and a gear system disposed therebetween.
Claims18
A surgical instrument for surgically joining tissue, the surgical instrument comprising:
- a handle assembly;
- an elongated portion extending distally from the handle assembly and defining a longitudinal axis;
- a drive rod extending distally from the handle assembly and extending at least partially through the elongated portion;
- an end effector disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated portion, the end effector including a first jaw member and a second jaw member, at least one jaw member being movable with respect to the other jaw member between spaced and approximated positions;
- and
- a drive assembly, a proximal end of the drive assembly disposed in mechanical cooperation with a distal end of the drive rod, and a distal portion of the drive assembly disposed in mechanical cooperation with the end effector, the drive assembly including an input portion, an output portion and a gear system disposed therebetween, the gear system including an input gear configured to engage the input portion of the drive assembly, and an output gear configured to engage the output portion of the drive assembly, and wherein the gear ratio of the output gear to the input gear is greater than 1:1.
A tool assembly for use with a surgical instrument having a drive rod, the tool assembly comprising:
- an end effector including a first jaw member and a second jaw member, the first jaw member being movable with respect to the second jaw member between spaced and approximated positions;
- and
- a drive assembly, a proximal end of the drive assembly being configured to engage a distal portion of a drive rod of a surgical instrument, a distal portion of the drive assembly being disposed in mechanical cooperation with the end effector, the drive assembly including an input portion, an output portion and a gear system disposed therebetween, the gear system including an input gear configured to engage the input portion of the drive assembly, and an output gear configured to engage the output portion of the drive assembly, and wherein the gear ratio of the output gear to the input gear is greater than 1:1.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.