Patent ID: 8006885
Filing Date: 2011-08-30
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A surgical stapling apparatus, comprising: a tool assembly; an actuation shaft for firing staples from the tool assembly; a handle assembly having a movable member for driving the actuation shaft distally; a motor; a clutch having a first member connected to the motor and a second member, the clutch having an engaged position and a disengaged position; a main shaft rotatably mounted to the clutch, wherein the motor drives the main shaft only when the clutch is in the engaged position; a cable connected to the actuation shaft; and a pulley for drawing the cable, the pulley being connected to the second member of the clutch so that when the clutch is in the engaged position, the motor rotates the pulley, the pulley draws the cable, and the cable retracts the actuation shaft in the proximal direction; wherein the pulley is operatively connected to the cable such that a complete rotation of the pulley urges the actuation shaft from a first position to a different second position.