Switch arrangements for ultrasonic surgical instruments

US10517627B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Ethicon, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Richard W. Timm · Cincinnati, US
• Emron J. Henry · Seattle, US
• James W. Voegele · Cincinnati, US
• Gregory W. Johnson · Milford, US
• Daniel W. Price · Loveland, US
• Jeffery T. Kirk · Monroe, US
• Jose Domingo Vasquez · Cincinnati, US
• Timothy G. Dietz · Wayne, US
• Richard C. Smith · Milford, US
• Ryan M. Asher · Cincinnati, US
• Jeffrey L. Aldridge · Lebanon, US
• Craig T. Davis · Cincinnati, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 9, 2016
• Grant date: Dec 31, 2019
• Expiry date: Jan 11, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F04C2270/041
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Ultrasonic surgical instruments including a handle housing, a switch frame, and a switch assembly are disclosed. The switch assembly may include a first switch arrangement movably supported on a distal portion of the handle housing and selectively movable relative to a first switch contact supported by the switch frame. The switch assembly may further include a second switch arrangement including a right switch button movably supported on a right side of the handle housing and selectively movable relative to a right switch contact supported by the switch frame, and a left switch button movably supported on a left side of the handle housing and selectively movable relative to a left switch contact supported by the switch frame. The first and second switch arrangements may be configured to be selectively actuatable by a single hand supporting the handle housing.