Patent ID: 11911089
Assignee: CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONAL
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 18:
19. An apparatus, comprising:
(a) a shaft assembly defining a longitudinal axis;
(b) an end effector;
(c) an articulation section configured to deflect the end effector relative to the longitudinal axis; and
(d) an articulation drive assembly, comprising:
(i) an elongated drive member disposed within the shaft assembly, wherein the elongated drive member is configured to translate relative to the shaft assembly to drive deflection of the end effector relative to the longitudinal axis, and
(ii) a connector coupling slidably coupled with shaft assembly, wherein the connector coupling is coupled with the elongated drive member such that actuation of the connector coupling relative to the shaft assembly is configured to drive actuation of the elongated drive member relative to the shaft assembly, wherein the connector coupling comprises:
(A) a first half, and
(B) a second half configured to couple with the first half in order to slidably receive the shaft assembly, wherein the first half and the second half are fixed relative to each other while coupled, and

(iii) a connecting member comprising a pair of protrusions, wherein the connecting member is rotationally disposed within an arched cavity defined by the first half and the second half such that the pair of protrusions extend radially inwardly from the arched cavity, wherein the connecting member is configured to, prior to being rotationally disposed with the arched cavity, selectively couple with the elongated drive member such that the connecting member is fixed to the elongated drive member.