Patent ID: 8920435
Filing Date: 2014-12-30
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method for operating a surgical end effector of a medical device, which comprises: operably associating a passive articulation joint with a surgical end effector to connect the end effector to a control handle and to allow articulation of the end effector, the control handle having an articulation joint actuator; retaining the passive articulation joint in a still position with an articulation lock; applying an actuation force to the articulation joint actuator to pull the articulation joint actuator in a proximal direction that is opposite the end effector to release the articulation lock and thereby free the passive articulation joint from its still position and permit the end effector to articulate through the passive articulation joint into any articulated position dependent upon forces that are external to the device and are applied to the end effector; and passively articulating the end effector into a desired articulated position by pressing a portion of the end effector against a feature of the environment.