Surgical stapling instrument incorporating an electroactive polymer actuated firing bar track through an articulation joint
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United States of America Patent
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May 8, 2007
Issued Date -
N/A
app pub date -
Mar 18, 2005
filing date -
Jul 9, 2003
priority date (Note) -
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status (Latency Note)
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Abstract
A surgical stapling instrument particularly suited to endoscopic use articulates an end effector (e.g., stapling and severing) that is actuated by a firing bar. An articulation mechanism in an elongate shaft incorporates electrically actuated polymer (EAP) actuators that laterally support the firing bar so that the firing bar is sufficiently constrained to avoid a blow-out, yet is guided without excessive friction and binding. Thereby, effective, consistent firing is accomplished without an undue increase in firing force required when the end effector is articulated.
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