Cam driver for surgical instruments

Abstract

An end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members movable between an open and closed position to grasp tissue therebetween. First and second proximal flanges extending proximally from the second jaw member and defining a space therebetween, a proximal flange extend proximally from a proximal portion of the first jaw member and define a cam slot. A cam driver operably is coupled to the proximal flange of the first jaw member to define a space between the cam driver and the proximal flange of the first jaw member. A cam bar is disposed within the space defined between the cam driver and the proximal flange of the first jaw member. The cam bar includes a cam pin configured to move within a cam slot of the cam driver to move the first jaw member relative to the second jaw member between the open position and the closed position.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A surgical instrument for use with a robotic surgical system, the surgical instrument comprising:
 a drive assembly configured to releasably couple to a robotic arm and including a drive rod; and   an end effector assembly operably coupled to the drive assembly and disposed at a distal end portion of the drive rod, the end effector assembly transitionable between an open position and a closed position and comprising:
 a first jaw member including a proximal flange, the proximal flange of the first jaw member defining a cam slot and including a notch; 
 a second jaw member including a first proximal flange and a second proximal flange; 
 a cam driver operably coupled to the proximal flange of the first jaw member, the cam driver defining a cam slot and including a key configured to be received within the notch of the proximal flange; and 
 a cam bar operably coupled to the drive rod and including a cam pin configured to move within the cam slot of the cam driver to transition the end effector assembly between the open position and the closed position. 
   
     
     
         22 . The surgical instrument of  claim 21 , wherein the first proximal flange is spaced apart from the second proximal flange to define a space between the first proximal flange and the second proximal flange. 
     
     
         23 . The surgical instrument of  claim 21 , wherein rotation of the cam driver in a first direction about a pivot axis causes the key to apply an upward force on the notch of the proximal flange to assist in rotating the proximal flange about the pivot axis. 
     
     
         24 . The surgical instrument of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the cam driver defines a pivot opening;   the proximal flange of the first jaw member defines a pivot opening; and   the first proximal flange defines a pivot opening, and wherein the end effector assembly further includes a pivot pin disposed within the pivot opening of the cam driver, the pivot opening of the proximal flange, and the pivot opening of the first proximal flange.   
     
     
         25 . The surgical instrument of  claim 24 , wherein the first jaw member is configured to pivot relative to the second jaw member about an axis defined by the pivot pin upon longitudinal translation of the cam bar. 
     
     
         26 . The surgical instrument of  claim 24 , further comprising a clevis defining a pivot opening, wherein the pivot pin is operably coupled to the clevis via the pivot opening. 
     
     
         27 . The surgical instrument of  claim 21 , wherein the cam pin is configured to slide along the cam slot of the cam driver and the cam slot of the proximal flange of the first jaw member. 
     
     
         28 . The surgical instrument of  claim 21 , wherein the first proximal flange defines a first cam slot, and the cam pin is configured to slide along the cam slot of the cam driver and the first cam slot of the first proximal flange. 
     
     
         29 . The surgical instrument of  claim 28 , wherein the second proximal flange defines a second cam slot, and the cam pin is configured to slide along the cam slot of the cam driver, the first cam slot of the first proximal flange, and the second cam slot of the second proximal flange. 
     
     
         30 . The surgical instrument of  claim 29 , wherein the cam slot of the proximal flange and the cam slot of the cam driver are arcuate and the first cam slot of the first proximal flange and the second cam slot of the second proximal flange are straight. 
     
     
         31 . An end effector assembly for use with a surgical instrument, the end effector assembly transitionable between an open position and a closed position, the end effector assembly comprising:
 a first jaw member including a proximal flange, the proximal flange of the first jaw member defining a cam slot and including a notch;   a second jaw member including a first proximal flange and a second proximal flange;   a cam driver operably coupled to the proximal flange of the first jaw member, the cam driver defining a cam slot and including a key configured to be received within the notch of the proximal flange; and   a cam bar including a cam pin configured to slide along the cam slot of the cam driver to transition the end effector assembly between the open position and the closed position.   
     
     
         32 . The end effector assembly of  claim 31 , wherein the first proximal flange is spaced apart from the second proximal flange to define a space between the first proximal flange and the second proximal flange. 
     
     
         33 . The end effector assembly of  claim 31 , wherein:
 the cam driver defines a pivot opening;   the proximal flange of the first jaw member defines a pivot opening; and   the first proximal flange defines a pivot opening, and wherein the end effector assembly further includes a pivot pin disposed within the pivot opening of the cam driver, the pivot opening of the proximal flange, and the pivot opening of the first proximal flange.   
     
     
         34 . The end effector assembly of  claim 33 , wherein the first jaw member is configured to pivot relative to the second jaw member about an axis defined by the pivot pin upon longitudinal translation of the cam bar. 
     
     
         35 . The end effector assembly of  claim 33 , further comprising a clevis defining a pivot opening, wherein the pivot pin is operably coupled to the clevis via the pivot opening. 
     
     
         36 . The end effector assembly of  claim 31 , wherein the cam pin is configured to slide along the cam slot of the cam driver and the cam slot of the proximal flange of the first jaw member. 
     
     
         37 . The end effector assembly of  claim 31 , wherein the first proximal flange defines a first cam slot and the cam pin is configured to slide along the cam slot of the cam driver and the first cam slot of the first proximal flange. 
     
     
         38 . The end effector assembly of  claim 37 , wherein the second proximal flange defines a second cam slot and the cam pin is configured to slide along the cam slot of the cam driver, the first cam slot of the first proximal flange, and the second cam slot of the second proximal flange. 
     
     
         39 . The end effector assembly of  claim 31 , wherein the cam bar is operably coupled to a drive rod to couple the cam bar to a drive assembly of a surgical instrument. 
     
     
         40 . The end effector assembly of  claim 31 , wherein the cam driver is fixedly coupled to the proximal flange such that rotation of the cam driver about a pivot axis drives corresponding rotation of the proximal flange about the pivot axis.