Ultrasonic end effectors with increased active length

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9414853-B2
Application number	US-201313849627-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 25, 2013
Priority date	Jul 27, 2007
Publication date	Aug 16, 2016
Grant date	Aug 16, 2016

Abstract

A surgical instrument includes an end effector having a proximal end segment, a distal end segment, and an insert segment. The proximal end segment and the distal end segment are composed of a first material. The insert segment is composed of a second material. The insert segment is located between the proximal end segment and the distal end segment along the longitudinal axis of the end effector. The insert segment functions to bridge or fill the nodal energy gap. A surgical instrument includes a transducer configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis as a predetermined frequency. An ultrasonic blade extends along the longitudinal axis coupled to the transducer. An insert segment or a pad is positioned adjacent to the blade such that it engages the blade when the surgical instrument is in a closed position and generates heat filling the nodal energy gap.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
a transducer configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency;
an ultrasonic blade extending along the longitudinal axis coupled to the transducer, wherein the ultrasonic blade comprises a body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is movable along the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer; and
a non-vibrating clamp arm assembly having a proximal end and a distal end and pivotally positioned adjacent to the body, wherein the clamp arm assembly is pivotally movable from an open position to a closed position, wherein the clamp arm assembly comprises a proximal tissue pad segment, a distal tissue pad segment, and a tissue pad insert segment positioned between the proximal tissue pad segment and the distal tissue pad segment;
wherein the tissue pad insert segment is raised relative to a nominal height of the proximal tissue pad segment and the distal tissue pad segment.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the tissue pad insert segment is positioned at a location corresponding to a nodal gap region when the clamp arm assembly is in the closed position.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the tissue pad insert segment is positioned at a location offset from a nodal gap when the clamp arm assembly is in the closed position.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the tissue pad insert segment comprises polyimide.

5. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the proximal tissue pad segment and the distal tissue pad segment comprise polytetrafluoroethylene.

6. A surgical instrument, comprising:
a transducer configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency;
an ultrasonic blade extending along the longitudinal axis coupled to the transducer, wherein the ultrasonic blade comprises a body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is movable along the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer; and
a non-vibrating clamp arm assembly having a proximal end and a distal end and pivotally positioned adjacent to the body, wherein the clamp arm assembly is pivotally movable from an open position to a closed position, wherein the clamp arm assembly comprises a proximal tissue pad segment, a distal tissue pad segment, and a tissue pad insert segment positioned between the proximal tissue pad segment and the distal tissue pad segment;
wherein the clamp arm assembly further comprises biasing means configured to force the tissue pad insert segment against the ultrasonic blade with increased force relative to the proximal tissue pad segment and the distal tissue pad segment when the clamp arm assembly is in the closed position.

7. The surgical instrument of claim 6 , wherein the tissue pad insert segment is positioned at a location corresponding to a nodal gap region when the clamp arm assembly is in the closed position.

8. The surgical instrument of claim 6 , wherein the tissue pad insert segment is positioned at a location offset from a nodal gap when the clamp arm assembly is in the closed position.

9. The surgical instrument of claim 6 , wherein the tissue pad insert segment comprises polyimide.

10. The surgical instrument of claim 6 , wherein the proximal tissue pad segment and the distal tissue pad segment comprise polytetrafluoroethylene.

11. A surgical instrument, comprising:
a transducer configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency;
an ultrasonic blade extending along the longitudinal axis coupled to the transducer, wherein the ultrasonic blade comprises a body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is movable along the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer; and
a non-vibrating clamp arm assembly having a proximal end and a distal end and pivotally positioned adjacent to the body, wherein the clamp arm assembly is pivotally movable from an open position to a closed position, wherein the clamp arm assembly comprises a proximal tissue pad segment, a distal tissue pad segment, and a tissue pad insert segment positioned between the proximal tissue pad segment and the distal tissue pad segment;
wherein the clamp arm assembly further comprises a leaf spring configured to force the tissue pad insert segment against the ultrasonic blade with increased force relative to the proximal tissue pad segment and the distal tissue pad segment when the clamp arm assembly is in the closed position.

12. The surgical instrument of claim 11 , wherein the tissue pad insert segment is positioned at a location corresponding to a nodal gap region when the clamp arm assembly is in the closed position.

13. The surgical instrument of claim 11 , wherein the tissue pad insert segment is positioned at a location offset from a nodal gap when the clamp arm assembly is in the closed position.

14. The surgical instrument of claim 11 , wherein the tissue pad insert segment comprises polyimide.

15. The surgical instrument of claim 11 , wherein the proximal tissue pad segment and the distal tissue pad segment comprise polytetrafluoroethylene.

Assignees

• Ethicon Endo Surgery Inc
• Ethicon Endo Surgery Llc

Inventors

• Stulen Foster B
• Houser Kevin L
• Battaglia Jr Vincent P
• Bertke Brian D

Classifications

• A61B2017/320071

  with articulating means for working tip · CPC title

• A61B2017/320094

  additional movable means performing clamping operation · CPC title

• A61B2017/320078

  Tissue manipulating surface · CPC title

• A61B2017/320072

  Working tips with special features, e.g. extending parts · CPC title

• A61B2017/320069

  for ablating tissue · CPC title