Patent ID: 8840003
Filing Date: 2014-09-23
Classification: A61B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A surgical instrument comprising: a handle assembly; an articulatable shaft assembly defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal portion protruding from said handle assembly, said proximal portion being pivotally coupled to a distal portion that is selectively pivotable relative to said proximal portion about a first axis that is substantially transverse to said longitudinal axis; a first articulation member coupled to said distal portion of said articulatable shaft assembly; a second articulation member coupled to said distal portion of said articulatable shaft assembly; and an articulation control member comprising an articulation ball movably supported by said handle assembly for selective pivotable and axial travel relative thereto, said articulation ball operably coupled to said first and second articulation members and configured to selectively apply pushing and pulling motions thereto such that when said articulation control member is moved to at least one first articulation control position, the articulation control member applies a first pulling motion to said first articulation member and a first pushing motion to said second articulation member to cause said distal portion to pivot about said first axis in a first direction and when said articulation control member is moved to at least one second articulation control position, the articulation control member applies a second pulling motion to said second articulation member and a second pushing motion to said first articulation member to cause said distal portion to pivot about said first axis in a second direction.