Surgical instrument with pivoting coupling to modular shaft and end effector

US9011471B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Richard W. Timm · Cincinnati, US
• Kyle P. Moore · Alpharetta, US
• Gregory W. Johnson · Milford, US
• John B. Schulte · Sharonville, US
• Daniel J. Mumaw · Milford, US
• David A. Witt · Maineville, US
• Gregory A. Trees · Loveland, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 11, 2011
• Grant date: Apr 21, 2015
• Expiry date: Oct 11, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T29/53913
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A surgical instrument comprises a body and a shaft assembly. The body includes an energy source such as an ultrasonic transducer. The shaft assembly comprises an end effector and a transmission member such as an acoustic waveguide. The end effector may include a harmonic blade and a pivoting clamp member. One or both of the body or the shaft assembly includes a pivot feature. The pivot feature is operable to secure the shaft assembly to the body. The pivot feature may include a bar defining a pivot axis about which the shaft assembly pivots to secure the shaft assembly to the body. The pivot axis may be perpendicular to a longitudinal axis defined by the shaft assembly. The pivot feature may also include a pivoting cover configured to cover a recess in the body in which a proximal portion of the shaft assembly is received.