Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US8057508?dq=6679960
Timestamp: 2013-12-22 12:07:28
Document Index: 465904293

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 05254681', 'Application No. 06255058', 'Application No. 05254680', 'Application No. 05254685', 'Application No. 05254694', 'Application No. 05254695', 'Application No. 06255053', 'Application No. 06255057', 'Application No. 06255058', 'Application No. 06255062', 'Application No. 06255064', 'Application No. 06255065']

Patent US8057508 - Surgical instrument incorporating an electrically actuated articulation ... - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsA surgical instrument particularly suited to endoscopic use articulates an end effector by including an articulation mechanism in an elongate shaft that incorporates an electrically actuated polymer (EAP) articulation locking mechanism actuator. Thereby, additional options for articulation become feasible,...http://www.google.com/patents/US8057508?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US8057508 - Surgical instrument incorporating an electrically actuated articulation locking mechanismAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS8057508 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 11/092,053Publication dateNov 15, 2011Filing dateMar 29, 2005Priority dateJul 28, 2004Also published asCA2514212A1, EP1621146A2, EP1621146A3, EP1621146B1, US20060025810Publication number092053, 11092053, US 8057508 B2, US 8057508B2, US-B2-8057508, US8057508 B2, US8057508B2InventorsFrederick E. Shelton, IVOriginal AssigneeEthicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (108), Non-Patent Citations (75), Referenced by (2), Classifications (10), Legal Events (1) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetSurgical instrument incorporating an electrically actuated articulation locking mechanismUS 8057508 B2Abstract A surgical instrument particularly suited to endoscopic use articulates an end effector by including an articulation mechanism in an elongate shaft that incorporates an electrically actuated polymer (EAP) articulation locking mechanism actuator. Thereby, additional options for articulation become feasible, especially those that are actively powered and would otherwise dissipate heat and power if required to maintain position. Alternatively, a mechanically actuated articulation mechanism may be designed with reduced strength, and thus size, since the EAP articulation lock mechanism assists in preventing back driving after articulation. Versions of a. EAP articulation locking mechanism lock a pivoting articulation joint and others lock a flexible neck articulation joint.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention overcomes the above-noted and other deficiencies of the prior art by providing a surgical instrument having an articulating shaft attached between a handle and an end effector. An electroactive polymer (EAP) actuator disengages an articulation lock during articulation and then reengages. Thereby, even a relatively weak articulation actuation mechanism may be employed with the articulation joint being locked thereafter, eliminating the need for the articulation actuation mechanism to be strong enough after actuation to prevent being backdriven. Thereby a shaft of advantageously small diameter may be achieved, yet have the functionality of remotely controllable actuation.
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No. 60/591,694, filed Jul. 28, 2004, Shelton IV.Referenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS8573463 *Mar 31, 2011Nov 5, 2013Covidien LpLocking articulation mechanismUS20120168484 *Mar 31, 2011Jul 5, 2012Paul SciricaLocking articulation mechanism* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification606/208International ClassificationA61B17/50Cooperative ClassificationA61B2017/00871, A61B2017/2904, A61B17/00234, A61B17/07207, A61B2017/00398, A61B17/29, A61B2017/2927European ClassificationA61B17/072BLegal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionMar 29, 2005ASAssignmentOwner name: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC., OHIOFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SHELTON, IV, FREDERICK E.;REEL/FRAME:016434/0128Effective date: 20050325RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services©2012 Google