US Patent:
20110184459, Jul 28, 2011
Inventors:
Jaroslaw T. Malkowski - Trumbull CT, US
Ramiro Cabrera - Cheshire CT, US
Richard Fortier - Concord MA, US
Andrew Ziegler - Arlington MA, US
Amos Cruz - Wrentham MA, US
Gene A. Stellon - Burlington CT, US
Steve Evans - Westford MA, US
International Classification:
A61B 17/28
Abstract:
An articulation mechanism for a surgical instrument includes an articulation assembly, a plurality of cables, and a trigger. The cables are coupled to the articulation assembly at a proximal end thereof and extend distally therefrom. The cables are configured to engage an end effector assembly of the surgical instrument at a distal end thereof. The trigger is coupled to the articulation assembly and is selectively moveable from a shipping position to a use position. In the shipping position, the cables are substantially un-tensioned. In the use position, the cables are disposed in an initial tensioned position. In the use position, the trigger is moveable between an unlocked position and a locked position. In the unlocked position, the cables are selectively tensionable to articulate the end effector assembly. In the locked position, the tensions on the cables are maintained to lock the end effector assembly in position.
