Ultrasonic surgical instrument with dual modes

US10327796B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Ethicon, Inc. · US

Inventors

• John A. Hibner · Maineville, US
• Jeffrey D. Messerly · Cincinnati, US
• Richard W. Timm · Cincinnati, US
• Paul F. Riestenberg · North Bend, US
• Craig N. Faller · Batavia, US
• Richard C. Smith · Milford, US
• David A. Witt · Maineville, US
• Benjamin D. Dickerson · Cincinnati, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 11, 2015
• Grant date: Jun 25, 2019
• Expiry date: Aug 27, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2018/0063
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A surgical apparatus comprises a body, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The end effector comprises a clamp arm and an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with an ultrasonic transducer via an acoustic waveguide that extends through the shaft assembly. The clamp arm is configured to pivot about a first pivot point toward and away from the ultrasonic blade along a first angular path from a first position to a second position to thereby provide a tissue sealing mode of operation. The clamp arm is further configured to pivot about a second pivot point toward and away from the ultrasonic blade along second angular path from the second position to a third position to thereby provide a tissue cutting and sealing mode of operation. The second pivot point is proximal to the first pivot point.