Today’s Patent – Modular Stapling Assembly

The said invention (US12076018B2) was invented by Andrew T. Beckman, Frederick E. Shelton IV, Jerome R. Morgan, David C. Yates, Chester O. Baxter III, Joshua R. Uth, Jeffrey L. Savage, Jason L. Harris, and patented by USPTO on July 28^th, 2023. Currently, it stands assigned to the Cilag GmbH International.

This invention relates to a modular surgical shaft assembly that facilitates precise mechanical motion for surgical end effectors. The system includes one or more input mechanisms—manual, onboard, or powered—that transmit motion through a drive shaft to actuate an end effector, such as a stapler or cutting tool. The end effector may feature jaw members and a firing mechanism for deploying staples or performing incisions. Central to the device is a motorized drive shaft equipped with variable thread pitches that engage closure and firing drives. These threads are engineered with differing pitches and regions to optimize force and speed during distinct operational strokes, such as jaw closure and blade firing.

An integrated end-of-stroke switch regulates motor operation, transitioning states once the closure or firing stroke completes, ensuring safe and accurate cycle control. The variable thread pitch along the drive shaft—linear or non-linear—enables efficient energy use by modulating actuation force. The drive shaft selectively couples to different drive systems, and may incorporate multiple thread zones for differentiated motion profiles. This design provides robust control for surgical instruments, offering reliability, modularity, and precision in minimally invasive procedures.