Retraction mechanism with clutch-less drive for use with a surgical apparatus
A retraction mechanism allows the full distal retraction of the firing drive from various positions. The retraction mechanism has been developed for use with a hand held surgical apparatus. An embodiment of the retraction mechanism includes a drive member, a first pulley, a second pulley, and a firing drive. The drive mechanism is configured to be driven by a motor. The first pulley is configured to rotate when the motor drives the drive mechanism. The second pulley is movable relative to the first pulley between a proximal position and a distal position. The firing drive is movable relative to the first pulley between proximal and distal positions. In operation, the first pulley rotates in a first direction in response to a distal translation of the firing drive and wherein the firing drive moves proximally upon rotation of the first pulley in a second direction.
1. A retraction mechanism for use with a surgical apparatus, comprising:
a drive mechanism;
a first pulley operatively associated with the drive mechanism, the first pulley being movable in a longitudinal direction with respect to the drive mechanism between a proximal position and a distal position; and
a sensor adapted to detect a location of the first pulley and configured to determine whether the first pulley has reached a distal-most position.
2. The retraction mechanism according to claim 1 , further comprising a second pulley disposed in mechanical cooperation with the first pulley, the second pulley configured to rotate when the drive mechanism is actuated.
3. The retraction mechanism according to claim 2 , further comprising a firing drive operatively coupled to the second pulley.
4. The retraction mechanism according to claim 3 , wherein the second pulley rotates in a first direction in response to a distal translation of the firing drive.
5. The retraction mechanism according to claim 4 , wherein the firing drive moves proximally upon rotation of the second pulley in a second direction.
6. The retraction mechanism according to claim 1 , further comprising a spring configured to bias the first pulley towards the distal position.
7. The retraction mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor is adapted to detect a longitudinal position of the first pulley.
8. A retraction mechanism for use with a surgical apparatus, comprising:
a drive mechanism;
a first pulley operatively associated with the drive mechanism,
a firing drive operatively coupled to the first pulley, the firing drive being movable in a longitudinal direction with respect to the drive mechanism between a proximal position and a distal position; and
a first sensor adapted to detect a location of the firing drive.
9. The retraction mechanism according to claim 8 , further comprising a second pulley disposed in mechanical cooperation with the first pulley, the second pulley configured to rotate when the drive mechanism is actuated.
10. The retraction mechanism according to claim 9 , wherein the firing drive is operatively coupled to the second pulley and the second pulley rotates in a first direction in response to a distal translation of the firing drive.
11. The retraction mechanism according to claim 10 , wherein the firing drive moves proximally upon rotation of the second pulley in a second direction.
12. The retraction mechanism according to claim 8 , wherein the first pulley is movable in a longitudinal direction with respect to the drive mechanism between a proximal position and a distal position.
13. The retraction mechanism according to claim 12 , further comprising a second sensor adapted to detect a location of the first pulley.
14. The retraction mechanism according to claim 8 , further comprising a spring configured to bias the first pulley towards the distal position.
15. The retraction mechanism according to claim 8 , wherein the sensor is adapted to detect a longitudinal position of the firing drive.
16. The retraction mechanism according to claim 8 , wherein the sensor is configured to detect when the firing drive is positioned in a proximal-most location.
17. A retraction mechanism for use with a surgical apparatus, comprising:
a drive mechanism;
a pulley operatively associated with the drive mechanism, the pulley including a wheel that is rotatable about a wheel axis, a center of the wheel of the pulley being movable in a longitudinal direction with respect to the drive mechanism between a proximal position and a distal position; and
a sensor adapted to detect a location of the pulley.
18. The retraction mechanism according to claim 17 , further comprising a flexible member engaged with the wheel of the pulley.
19. The retraction mechanism according to claim 17 , wherein the pulley is biased towards the distal position.
20. The retraction mechanism according to claim 17 , further comprising a firing drive operatively coupled to the pulley, the firing drive being movable in a longitudinal direction with respect to the drive mechanism between a proximal position and a distal position.