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:
Sep. 26, 2006
Filed:
Jul. 09, 2003
Kenneth S. Wales, Mason, OH (US);
Douglas B. Hoffman, Harrison, OH (US);
Frederick E. Shelton, Iv, Hillsboro, OH (US);
Jeffrey S. Swayze, Hamilton, OH (US);
Kenneth S. Wales, Mason, OH (US);
Douglas B. Hoffman, Harrison, OH (US);
Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Hillsboro, OH (US);
Jeffrey S. Swayze, Hamilton, OH (US);
Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc., Cincinnati, OH (US);
Abstract
A surgical instrument particularly suited to endoscopic articulates an end effector by including an end effector having a geared articulation mechanism that converts rotational motion from a handle portion. A hollow articulation drive tube transfers the rotation motion in some versions to a spear gear, bevel gear or snaggle tooth gear articulation mechanism. Alternatively, one or more threaded drive rod offset from a longitudinal axis engages a worm gear or flex-neck articulation mechanism.