Surgical instrument with selectively actuated gap-setting features for end effector

US11116532B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Cilag GmbH International · CH

Inventors

• Ryan M. Asher · Cincinnati, US
• Brian D. Black · Loveland, US
• John E. Brady · Cincinnati, US
• Joseph Dennis · Wyoming, US
• Geni M. Giannotti · Allendale, US
• Bryce Loring Heitman · Cincinnati, US
• Timothy S. Holland · Madison, US
• Joseph E. Hollo · Kyles, US
• Andrew Kolpitcke · Centerville, US
• Amy M. Krumm · Cincinnati, US
• Jason R. Lesko · Cadiz, US
• Matthew C. Miller · Cincinnati, US
• David A. Monroe · Milford, US
• Ion V. Nicolaescu · San Clemente, US
• Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz · Mason, US
• Matthew S. Schneider · Blue Ash, US
• Richard C. Smith · Milford, US
• Shawn C. Snyder · Lawrenceburg, US
• Sarah A. Worthington · Cincinnati, US
• Monica L. Zeckel · Zionsville, US
• Fajian Zhang · Cincinnati, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 31, 2017
• Grant date: Sep 14, 2021
• Expiry date: Aug 12, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2090/0813
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A surgical instrument, has an end effector that includes an ultrasonic blade, and a clamp arm that moves relative to the ultrasonic blade from an opened position toward an intermediate position and a closed position. The clamp arm is offset from the ultrasonic blade to define a predetermined gap in the intermediate position between the opened position and the closed position. A clamp arm actuator connects to the clamp arm and moves from an opened configuration to a closed configuration to direct the clamp arm from the opened position toward the intermediate position and the closed position. A spacer connects with the clamp arm to inhibit movement of the clamp arm from the intermediate position toward the closed position for maintaining the predetermined gap between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade.