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:
Oct. 14, 2014
Filed:
Mar. 15, 2011
John C. Schuckmann, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Jeffrey S. Swayze, Hamilton, OH (US);
Charles J. Scheib, Loveland, OH (US);
John C. Schuckmann, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Jeffrey S. Swayze, Hamilton, OH (US);
Charles J. Scheib, Loveland, OH (US);
Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc., Cincinnati, OH (US);
Abstract
Hand-held surgical instruments that have and end effector attached to an elongate shaft are disclosed. The end effector has at least a portion that is movable in response to opening and closing motions applied thereto by a closure member. An articulation control system is provided to articulate the end effector relative to the shaft. An articulation locking system is provided to lock the end effector in a desired articulated position. The locking system interfaces with the closure member and is activated upon application of a closure motion to the end effector.