The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 13, 2021
Filed:
Jun. 28, 2017
Ethicon Llc, Guaynabo, PR (US);
Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Hillsboro, OH (US);
Michael W. Goldenbogen, Xenia, OH (US);
Taylor W. Aronhalt, Loveland, OH (US);
Jason L. Harris, Lebanon, OH (US);
Gregory J. Bakos, Mason, OH (US);
Cilag GmbH International, Zug, CH;
Abstract
A surgical instrument comprising an end effector, a shaft, and an articulation joint is disclosed. The shaft comprises a frame defining a longitudinal shaft axis and, in addition, a closure actuator translatable relative to the frame. The closure actuator comprises a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a link rotatably connected to the proximal and distal portions about proximal and distal link axes, wherein the proximal and distal link axes define a longitudinal link axis therebetween. The end effector is rotatably connected to the shaft about an articulation axis defined by the articulation joint, wherein the end effector is articulable between an unarticulated position and an articulated position, wherein the articulation axis is offset from the longitudinal shaft axis, and wherein the longitudinal link axis is not collinear with the longitudinal shaft axis when the end effector is in either the unarticulated position or the articulated position.