Patent ID: 7828186

Claim:
A surgical instrument, comprising: a handle containing a reservoir; a control attached to the handle, wherein the control is positionable to vary an internal volume of the reservoir; a fluid conduit in fluid communication with the reservoir, wherein the fluid conduit is configured to communicate fluid in a longitudinal direction in response to the control varying the internal volume of the reservoir; an elongate implement portion extending distally from the handle and defining a longitudinal axis, the elongate implement portion sized for insertion through a cannula to reach internal tissue and containing a bladder cavity distally spaced from the reservoir, wherein at least a portion of the elongate implement portion is substantially rigid and further comprises an articulating end effector; a laterally actuated member attached to the elongate implement portion, the laterally actuated member being located within the bladder cavity and comprising an external motive surface, the laterally actuated member and the external motive surface being constrained to move in a direction lateral to the longitudinal axis, wherein the laterally actuated member further comprises a laterally movable end effector engagement feature configured to engage the end effector, wherein the end effector engagement feature is operable to articulate the end effector in response to lateral movement of the external motive surface; and an actuator in fluid communication with the reservoir via the fluid conduit, wherein the actuator is positioned distal to the reservoir, wherein the actuator is further positioned within the bladder cavity in the elongate implement portion, wherein the actuator is positioned laterally adjacent to the external motive surface of the laterally actuated member, wherein the actuator is operable to laterally actuate the laterally actuated member by exerting a lateral force on the external motive surface in response to longitudinal fluid transfer with transfer of fluid from the reservoir via the conduit, to thereby articulate the end effector; wherein a selected one of a group consisting of the reservoir and the actuator comprises a bladder.