Drive shaft

Abstract: A drive mechanism for an endoscopic surgical instrument which has a rotatable drive shaft and a mechanism for translating the rotational force of the shaft for applying fasteners to tissue during endoscopic surgery.

Abstract: A surgical cutting and fastening instrument is disclosed. According to various embodiments, the instrument includes an end effector, a main drive shaft assembly, and a handle. The handle comprises a gear drive train connected to the main drive shaft assembly, a motor for actuating the gear drive train, and a firing trigger. Retraction of the firing trigger actuates the motor. Further, the firing trigger is connected to the gear drive train such that the loading force applied to the firing trigger is related to the loading force experienced by the cutting instrument in the end effector.

Abstract: In one general aspect, various embodiments of the present invention can include a motorized surgical cutting and fastening instrument having a drive shaft, a motor selectively engageable with the drive shaft, and a manual return mechanism configured to operably disengage the motor from the drive shaft and retract the drive shaft. In at least one embodiment, a surgeon, or other operator of the surgical instrument, can utilize the manual return mechanism to retract the drive shaft after it has been advanced, especially when the motor, or a power source supplying the motor, has failed or is otherwise unable to provide a force sufficient to retract the drive shaft.

Abstract: A surgical cutting and fastening instrument is disclosed. According to various embodiments, the instrument includes an end effector comprising a moveable cutting instrument for cutting an object positioned in the end effector, a main drive shaft assembly connected to the end effector, and a handle connected to the main drive shaft assembly. The handle includes a gear drive train connected to the main drive shaft assembly, a main motor for actuating the gear drive train, and a firing trigger such that retraction of the firing trigger causes actuation of the motor. Also, the rotational position of the firing trigger is related to the position of the cutting instrument in the end effector.

Abstract: A surgical cutting and fastening instrument is disclosed. According to various embodiments, the instrument may include a handle assembly that has an elongate shaft attached thereto. An end effector that is configured to support a staple cartridge may be pivotally coupled to the elongate shaft. The handle assembly may support a generator of rotary motion that interfaces with a rotary drive system that may include a flexible drive shaft. The flexible drive shaft may be configured to impart a driving motion to a knife supporting assembly supported within the end effector. Such arrangement enables the end effector to be fired while being articulated relative to the elongate shaft.