Ultrasonic surgical instrument with integral blade cleaning feature

US9901358B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Ethicon, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Craig N. Faller · Batavia, US
• JoAnn M. Stegeman · Cincinnati, US
• Patrick A. Weizman · Monroe, US
• Cory G. Kimball · Cincinnati, US
• Tamara Widenhouse · Clarksville, US
• Tylor C. Muhlenkamp · Cincinnati, US
• William D. Kelly · Mason, US
• Brian D. Bertke · Stanton, US
• Karalyn R. Tellio · Cincinnati, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 15, 2013
• Grant date: Feb 27, 2018
• Expiry date: Sep 24, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2018/0097
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An ultrasonic instrument comprises a body, a shaft assembly, an ultrasonic blade, and a pivoting member. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body. The ultrasonic blade is positioned distal to the shaft assembly. The pivoting member is pivotable with respect to the blade from an open position to a closed position to thereby clamp tissue between the pivoting member and the blade. The shaft assembly comprises a feature to provide for the removal of surgical debris (e.g. tissue, coagulated blood, etc.), body fluid, etc. from the shaft assembly. The feature may remove the surgical debris, body fluid, etc. from a cavity within the shaft assembly. The feature may also prevent the collection of surgical debris, body fluid, etc. within the shaft assembly.