Patent · US Active

Articulating radio frequency (RF) tissue seal with articulating state sensing

US10314638B2 · kind B2 · utility

169Cited by
1,250References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 7, 2015
Grant dateJun 11, 2019
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 18, 2037

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B2018/00922
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A surgical instrument is presented that may include a handle assembly, a shaft assembly, an end effector and an articulation joint coupled to the shaft assembly and the end effector. The surgical instrument also may include an articulation control mechanism configured to: control movement of the articulation joint between a first and second maximum articulation angle; determine that the articulation joint has articulated to the first maximum articulation angle; provide a first indication that the articulation joint has articulated to the first maximum articulation angle; determine that the articulation joint has articulated to the second maximum articulation angle; and provide a second indication that the articulation joint has articulated to the second maximum articulation angle.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.