Articulation joint features for articulating surgical device

US9220559B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Barry C. Worrell · Maineville, US
• Sean P. Conlon · Loveland, US
• Gary W. Knight · Sharonville, US
• Matthew C. Miller · Cincinnati, US
• Charles J. Scheib · Loveland, US
• Frederick E. Shelton, IV · Hillsboro, US
• Geoffrey S. Strobl · Williamsburg, US
• Jeffrey S. Swayze · Hamilton, US
• Aaron C. Voegele · Loveland, US
• Charles S. Black · Cincinnati, US
• Kreena R. Modi · Akron, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 19, 2011
• Grant date: Dec 29, 2015
• Expiry date: Dec 18, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2018/1455
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An electrosurgical device comprises a body, an end effector, a cutting member, and a shaft extending between the body and the end effector. The end effector includes a pair of jaws and at least one electrode operable to deliver RF energy to tissue clamped between the jaws. The cutting member is operable to cut tissue clamped between the jaws. The shaft includes an articulation section that is operable to selectively position the end effector at non-parallel positions relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The articulation section may include beads, segments, asymmetric features, preformedly bent features, an integral hinge, a helical cutout or spring, clevis features, an angled joint, a beaded actuation linkage, and/or an offset pivot, among other things. The device may also include a crimped cutting member, a retroacting cutting member, dual pivoting jaws, and/or a wire tensioning assembly.