Surgical instrument comprising a shaft including a housing arrangement
A surgical instrument insertable through a trocar comprising a shaft including a frame, an end effector, and an articulation joint, wherein the end effector is rotatable about the articulation joint. The shaft further comprises an outer housing slidable relative to the shaft frame including a distal non-round housing portion adjacent the articulation joint and a longitudinal round housing portion extending proximally from the distal housing portion, wherein the longitudinal round housing portion comprises a first diameter, and wherein the distal housing portion comprises a second diameter which is less than the first diameter. The surgical instrument further comprises an articulation lock configured to prevent the rotation of the end effector, wherein the articulation lock is positioned within the distal non-round housing portion.
1. A surgical instrument insertable through a trocar, wherein said surgical instrument comprises:
a handle; and
a shaft extending from said handle, comprising:
a longitudinal axis;
a frame;
a proximal portion connected to said handle;
a distal portion comprising an end effector;
an articulation joint, wherein said end effector is rotatable about said articulation joint;
an articulation actuator operably coupled to said end effector, wherein said articulation actuator is selectively movable to rotate said end effector in a first direction and a second direction;
an outer housing slidable relative to said frame, comprising:
a distal non-round housing portion adjacent said articulation joint, wherein said distal non-round housing portion comprises flat sides and edges on an outer surface of said distal non-round housing portion, wherein said flat sides and edges run substantially parallel with respect to said longitudinal axis;
a longitudinal round housing portion extending between said proximal portion and said distal non-round housing portion, wherein said longitudinal round housing portion comprises a first width, wherein said distal non-round housing portion comprises a second width, wherein said first width is less than said second width, wherein said distal non-round housing portion and said longitudinal round housing portion are sized and configured to be inserted through the trocar into a surgical site; and
a tapered portion, wherein said flat sides and said longitudinal round housing portion are connected by said tapered portion; and
an articulation lock configured to engage said articulation actuator and prevent the rotation of said end effector, wherein said articulation lock is positioned within said distal non-round housing portion.
2. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein said end effector comprises a staple cartridge including staples removably stored therein.
3. The surgical instrument of claim 2 , wherein said end effector further comprises an anvil configured to deform said staples, and wherein said anvil is rotatable relative to said staple cartridge.
4. The surgical instrument of claim 2 , wherein said end effector further comprises an anvil configured to deform said staples, and wherein said staple cartridge is rotatable relative to said anvil.
5. The surgical instrument of claim 2 , wherein said staple cartridge is replaceable.
6. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein said end effector is replaceable.
7. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein said longitudinal round housing portion defines a longitudinal axis, and wherein said distal non-round housing portion is eccentrically offset with respect to said longitudinal axis of said longitudinal round housing portion.
8. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein said proximal portion of said shaft comprises a connector including a latch configured to releasably hold said shaft to said handle.
9. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein said articulation lock is entirely positioned in said distal non-round housing portion.
10. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein said articulation lock comprises a fixed portion mounted to said frame and a lock portion movable within said distal non-round housing portion.
11. The surgical instrument of claim 10 , wherein said fixed portion is in said longitudinal round housing portion.