Patent · US Active

User feedback through end effector of surgical instrument

US9526921B2 · kind B2 · utility

561Cited by

182References

15Claims

0Family size

Assignee

Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. · US

Inventors

Cory G. Kimball · Cincinnati, US
Daniel W. Price · Loveland, US
Geoffrey S. Strobl · Williamsburg, US

Key dates

Filing date	Oct 19, 2011
Grant date	Dec 27, 2016
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Oct 19, 2031

Classification

Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
CPC primaryY10T29/53913
WIPO fieldMedical technology
WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A surgical instrument includes a handle assembly and a transmission assembly including an end effector. The end effector includes a visual indicator, such as dots disposed on a clamp arm, to emit light from at least one LED disposed between the clamp arm and a clamp pad. The LED is connectable to a power source. An outer sheath of the end effector is extruded to include a first set of electrical conduits. A distal assembly of the end effector includes the clamp arm, clamp pad, LED, and a second set of electrical conduits to mate with the first set of electrical conduits when the distal assembly is snap-fit into the extruded outer sheath. An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes an outer sheath configured to transmit light from an internally housed LED along portions of the outer sheath.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.