Patent ID: 11937816
Assignee: CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONAL
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 0:
1. A surgical instrument assembly, comprising:
a shaft assembly comprising a proximal spine portion;
an articulation actuator;
a firing member;
an articulation joint, comprising:
an articulation support member, wherein the firing member extends through the articulation support member;

an end effector assembly, comprising:
a first jaw;
a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw to clamp tissue between the first jaw and the second jaw; and
a distal spine portion pivotably coupled to the proximal spine portion, wherein the distal spine portion is configured to be articulated relative to the proximal spine portion by the articulation actuator to articulate the end effector assembly relative to the shaft assembly, wherein the articulation support member is configured to laterally support the firing member during articulation of the end effector assembly relative to the shaft assembly, wherein the distal spine portion comprises:
a distal support structure, comprising:
a firing member slot configured to accommodate the firing member; and
a lateral channel defined therein; and

an electrical system, comprising:
an electrical lead extending through the articulation support member and through the lateral channel into the end effector assembly.