Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.

William A McDonald, Ii

Bruce M Schena

Gregory William Dachs, Ii

William A Burbank

Todd E Murphy

Grant M Kadokura

A surgical instrument includes an input device supported by a housing and coupled to a shaft. The input device comprises a drive shaft comprising a first bore, a capstan comprising a second bore, and a set screw coupling the capstan to the drive shaft. The set screw extends through at least a portion of the first bore of the drive shaft and the second bore of the capstan. The first bore of the drive shaft and the set screw are in threaded engagement with each other.

Surgical instrument steering inputs

Minimally invasive surgical methods employ an offset drive shaft to actuate an end effector. A minimally invasive surgical method includes introducing an end effector to an internal surgical site. The end effector includes an end effector base that is coupled to the instrument shaft via a wrist. An end effector articulation mechanism is operated to reorient the end effector base relative to the instrument shaft. A surgical task is performed by operating a motor to rotate an offset drive shaft relative to the instrument shaft to actuate the end effector.

Motor interface for parallel drive shafts within an independently rotating member

A surgical instrument includes: an adjustable end effector; an elongated instrument shaft defining an internal bore; and a drive assembly including a housing coupled to an end of the instrument shaft and an input device configured to facilitate controlled adjustment of the end effector via a drive cable extending along the bore of the instrument shaft. The input device includes: a drive shaft attached to a first portion of the drive cable, the drive shaft including an upstanding stem portion having a radially tapered outer surface; and a capstan attached to a second portion of the drive cable, the capstan defining an internal bore sized to receive the stem portion of the drive shaft, at least a lower portion of the internal bore having a radially tapered inner surface. The capstan and drive shaft are configured to transition from a disengaged state to an engaged state.

A surgical instrument is provided comprising: a first jaw having a distal end and a proximal end wherein the proximal end of the first jaw is attached to a lever arm that includes a levering cam slot having a proximal portion and a distal portion; a second jaw having a distal end and a proximal end wherein the proximal end of the second jaw is secured to a base that includes a linear cam slot aligned with a longitudinal axis of the second jaw axis and having a proximal portion and a distal portion; a pivot rotatably mounting the first jaw to the second jaw, wherein a pivot axis extends between the first jaw and the lever arm; a cam pin configured to extend through and engage the levering cam slot and the linear cam slot; a linear drive member operatively coupled to drive the cam pin to follow the linear cam slot; wherein the cam pin imparts a lever force upon the lever arm that rotates the first jaw way from the second jaw when the cam pin contacts the distal portion of the levering cam slot and wherein the cam pin imparts a lever force upon the lever arm that rotates the first jaw toward the second jaw when the cam pin contacts the proximal end portion of the levering cam slot.

Push-pull stapler with two degree of freedom wrist

Mechanisms, assemblies, systems, tools, and methods include an offset drive shaft within an independently rotating member. An example method of transmitting torque through an offset drive shaft routed within a rotatable main shaft includes supporting a main shaft to rotate relative to a base so that the main shaft rotates about a main shaft rotational axis. A drive shaft is supported to rotate relative to the main shaft so that the drive shaft rotates about a drive shaft rotational axis that is offset from the main shaft rotational axis. The drive shaft is engaged with a drive feature having a drive feature rotational axis that is fixed relative to the base as the main shaft rotates. The main shaft is rotated relative to the base. The drive feature is rotated relative to the main shaft so as to rotate the drive shaft relative to the main shaft.

Mechanisms, assemblies, systems, tools, and methods incorporating the use of an offset drive shaft within an independently rotating member are provided. An example mechanism includes a base and a main shaft mounted to rotate relative to the base, a first drive shaft mounted inside the main shaft, and a first drive feature engaged with the first drive shaft. The main shaft includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a main shaft rotational axis defined therebetween. The first drive shaft is offset from the main shaft rotational axis. A first drive feature rotational axis is defined for the first drive feature and is fixed relative to the base as the main shaft rotates. The first drive feature rotates the first drive shaft.

Growing community of inventors

Santa Clara, CA, United States of America

William A McDonald, Ii