US Patent 7556185 Surgical instrument with flexible drive mechanism

A drive mechanism for use with a surgical instrument includes a rotatable drive member, a crank operatively coupled to the drive member; a clutch operatively coupled to the crank, wherein rotational motion of the drive member causes oscillating movement of the clutch; and a gear rotatably coupled to the clutch, wherein the oscillating movement of the clutch causes rotation of the gear. The drive mechanism may further include a gear configured to engage a linear member. The crank may include a pin extending distally therefrom. The clutch may include a slot dimensioned and configured to receive a pin of the crank.