#$%^&*AU2009201826B220140724.pdf#####KNIFE/FIRING ROD CONNECTION FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ABSTRACT A surgical instrument (100) including a frame (110), an elongate portion (140), a firing rod (130) and an end effector (150) is disclosed. The elongate portion (140) 5 extends distally from the frame (110) and defines a longitudinal axis (x-x). The firing rod (130) is disposed at least partially with the elongate portion (140) and is proximally and distally translatable with respect to the elongate portion (140). The end effector (150) includes a knife (400) and is disposed at a distal portion of the elongate portion (140). Distal movement of the firing rod (130) causes a d distal end of the firing rod (130) io causes a distal end of the firing rod (130) to link with the knife (400). Proximal movement of the firing rod (130) moves the linked knife (400) proximally to a first predetermined position. The knife (400) is unlinked from the firing rod (130) when the firing rod (130) has been translated proximally to a second predetermined position.1/111 100 120 170 160 t 150 *4 FIG. 1 120 196 122 192 JA di X 300FI 2 194 FIG. 2
