Surgical stapling apparatus including an articulation system
A surgical stapling apparatus for use with a surgical instrument system is disclosed. The surgical stapling apparatus comprises a housing assembly, a shaft, a proximal segment, a distal segment, and an articulation system. The proximal segment comprises a first proximal end and a first distal end comprising an articulating segment. The distal segment comprises a second proximal end and a second distal end. The second proximal end comprises a pivot segment configured to be coupled with the articulating segment. The second distal end is configured to be attached to a stapling assembly. The articulation system is operably engaged with the distal segment to transmit a first articulation motion to the distal segment to cause the stapling assembly to articulate in a first plane and a second articulation motion to the distal segment to cause the stapling assembly to articulate in a second plane that is different than the first plane.
1. A surgical stapling apparatus for use with a surgical instrument system, wherein said surgical stapling apparatus comprises:
a housing assembly, comprising:
a stationary housing; and
a rotatable portion movable relative to said stationary housing;
an actuation shaft configured to transmit an actuation motion in response to the movement of said rotatable portion;
a proximal segment protruding from said stationary housing, wherein said proximal segment comprises:
a first proximal end; and
a first distal end comprising an articulating segment; and
a distal segment, comprising:
a second proximal end comprising a pivot segment configured to receive said articulating segment; and
a second distal end configured to be attached to a disposable loading unit, wherein the disposable loading unit comprises staples removably stored therein; and
an articulation system at least partially supported by said housing assembly, wherein said articulation system interfaces with said distal segment to selectively transmit:
at least one first articulation motion to said distal segment to cause said distal segment to articulate in a first plane; and
at least one second articulation motion to said distal segment to cause said distal segment to articulate in a second plane that is orthogonal to said first plane.
2. A surgical stapling apparatus for use with a surgical instrument system, wherein said surgical stapling apparatus comprises:
a housing assembly, comprising:
a housing; and
a rotatable portion movable relative to said housing;
a shaft configured to transmit an actuation motion in response to the movement of said rotatable portion;
a proximal segment extending from said housing, wherein said proximal segment comprises:
a first proximal end; and
a first distal end comprising an articulating segment; and
a distal segment, comprising:
a second proximal end comprising a pivot segment configured to be coupled with said articulating segment; and
a second distal end configured to be attached to a replaceable end effector; and
an articulation system supported by said housing assembly, wherein said articulation system is engaged with said distal segment and is selectively operable to transmit:
at least one first articulation motion to said distal segment to cause said distal segment to articulate in a first plane; and
at least one second articulation motion to said distal segment to cause said distal segment to articulate in a second plane that is orthogonal to said first plane.
3. A surgical stapling apparatus for use with a surgical instrument system, wherein said surgical stapling apparatus comprises:
a housing assembly, comprising:
a housing; and
a rotatable portion movable relative to said housing;
a shaft configured to transmit an actuation motion in response to the movement of said rotatable portion;
a proximal segment extending from said housing, wherein said proximal segment comprises:
a first proximal end; and
a first distal end comprising an articulating segment; and
a distal segment, comprising:
a second proximal end comprising a pivot segment configured to be coupled with said articulating segment; and
a second distal end configured to be attached to a stapling assembly; and
an articulation system supported by said housing assembly, wherein said articulation system is operably engaged with said distal segment to transmit:
a first articulation motion to said distal segment to cause the stapling assembly to articulate in a first plane; and
a second articulation motion to said distal segment to cause the stapling assembly to articulate in a second plane that is different than said first plane.