Ultrasonic surgical instrument with articulation joint having plurality of locking positions

US10226274B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Ethicon, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Barry C. Worrell · Maineville, US
• Disha V. Labhasetwar · Cincinnati, US
• Benjamin D. Dickerson · Cincinnati, US
• Michael R. Lamping · Cincinnati, US
• Daniel J. Mumaw · Milford, US
• David T. Martin · Melbourne, AU

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 16, 2015
• Grant date: Mar 12, 2019
• Expiry date: Jul 20, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2018/00607
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An apparatus comprises a body assembly, a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, an articulation section, an end effector, an articulation drive assembly, and a locking feature. The shaft extends distally from the body assembly. The waveguide comprises a flexible portion. The articulation drive assembly is operable to drive articulation of the articulation section to thereby deflect the end effector from the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The articulation drive assembly comprises an actuator. The actuator is movable relative to the body assembly to drive articulation of the articulation section. The locking feature is in communication with the actuator. The locking feature is movable between an unlocked state and a locked state. The locking feature is configured to permit movement of the actuator relative to the body assembly in the unlocked state. The locking feature is configured to prevent movement of the actuator relative to the body assembly in the locked state.