Surgical instruments with articulating shafts
US9408622B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 29, 2012 |
| Grant date | Aug 9, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 30, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2018/1452
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Various embodiments are directed to articulatable surgical instruments. Some embodiments comprise an end effector to treat tissue, where the end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade. A hollow shaft may extend proximally from the end effector along a longitudinal axis. A waveguide may extend through the shaft and may be acoustically coupled to the ultrasonic blade. The waveguide may comprise a distally positioned flange positioned within the hollow shaft proximally from the blade and may be held stationary at a first pivot point positioned within the hollow shaft proximally from the flange. A reciprocating wedge may be positioned within the hollow shaft such that distal motion of the wedge pushes the wedge between the flange and the hollow shaft, causing the ultrasonic blade to pivot about the first pivot point in a first direction.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.