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.
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.
Abstract:
Surgical devices are provided having power-assisted or fully powered jaw closure. The devices herein generally include a handle portion, an elongate shaft, and an effector having first and second jaws configured to engage tissue. A motor and one or more compression springs can be operatively coupled, and activation of the motor can compress the spring(s) to reduce the amount of user supplied force to compress tissue between the jaws. In some embodiments, the devices can be configured to regulate an amount of compression applied by the jaws prior to, during, and/or after cutting of the tissue to promote hemostasis. For example, the devices can include sensors, processors, and/or other components that analyze data indicative of tissue type and tissue load. Based on this feedback, the device can automatically adjust the amount of compression or energy applied to the tissue to seal the tissue.
Abstract:
A surgical instrument includes a temperature sensor and a control unit that is operable to deactivate an end effector of the surgical instrument. In some versions the temperature sensor detects the temperature of a transducer, while in others the temperature sensor detects the temperature of the end effector. The surgical instrument may also include a trigger and a trigger position sensor. A force sensor or a position sensor may be included to determine the force and/or position of the transmission assembly. The end effector may also include a force sensor or a micro coil. A surgical instrument having a sensor may be included in a surgical system that includes a control unit and a remote controller. In some instances the remote controller may have one or more force-feedback components. In addition, a device interface and a surgeon interface may be included to remotely adjust the settings of the control unit.
Abstract:
An electrosurgical device includes a body, an end effector, a cutting member, and a shaft. The end effector comprises a pair of jaws and at least one electrode that is 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 body includes a controller operable to selectively actuate the articulation section. The controller may include a rotary knob, a pivoting knob, or a pivoting fin, among other things. An electrical coupling may contact a conductive moving member along at least two axes. A resiliently biased lever may assist a trigger in returning from an actuated position to a home position.
Abstract:
In one embodiment, a surgical instrument comprises a handle assembly. The handle assembly comprises a closure trigger defining an energy button hole, an energy button located within the energy button hole, and a firing trigger. A shaft assembly is coupled to the handle assembly and comprises an outer tube, a closure actuator coupled to the closure trigger, and a firing actuator operatively coupled to the firing trigger. An end effector is coupled to a distal end of the shaft assembly. The end effector comprises a jaw assembly having a proximal end and a distal end. The jaw assembly comprises a first and a second jaw member. The first and second jaw members define a longitudinal slot. The closure actuator is coupled to the first jaw member to pivotally move the first jaw member from an open position to a closed position. A cutting member is deployable within the longitudinal slot.
Abstract:
An end effector for operating on tissue comprises an upper jaw, a lower jaw, a flexible member, and a pair of conductive members. The upper jaw and the lower jaw are configured to receive tissue when in an open position and the upper jaw is movable toward the lower jaw. The flexible member is coupled to either the upper jaw or the lower jaw, and is configured to deform in response to compression of tissue between the jaws. One of the conductive members is associated with the flexible member and is configured to move with the flexible member in response to compression of tissue between the jaws. The end effector may be configured to manipulate the position of muscle within tissue in response to compression of tissue between the jaws.
Abstract:
An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a reusable handle assembly and a removable and disposable shaft assembly. The handle assembly includes a trigger, a housing having a distal aperture formed in a distal end of the housing, and a drive member in communication with the trigger to actuate the drive member. The shaft assembly includes a proximal shaft portion, a rotator knob having a coupling feature, a transmission assembly extending distally from the proximal shaft portion, and an end effector coupled to the distal end of the transmission assembly. The drive member of the handle assembly is removably coupled to the proximal shaft portion of the shaft assembly. Another version includes a drive member of the handle assembly configured to removably engage a proximal shaft portion of the shaft assembly via a biasing member. Another version includes a waveguide of the transmission assembly non-threadably coupled to a transducer.
Abstract:
An electrosurgical device comprises a body, an end effector, a cutting member, and a shaft. The end effector includes a pair of jaws that are operable to deliver RF energy to tissue that is clamped between the jaws. The cutting member is operable to sever tissue that is clamped between the jaws. The shaft extends between the body and the end effector. 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. Some versions include a rotation section that is distal to the articulation section. The rotation section is operable to rotate the end effector relative to the articulation section.
Abstract:
An electrosurgical device includes a body, an end effector, a cutting member, and a shaft. The end effector comprises a pair of jaws and at least one electrode that is 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 articulate the end effector relative to the shaft. The body includes a controller operable to selectively actuate the articulation section. The controller may include a trigger that also drives the cutting member, a rotator that also rotates the shaft and end effector, a wedge- shaped pivoting member, a pivotally coupled pair of housing portions, or a pivoting cam member, etc. A release member may selectively release the articulation section from the controller, allowing a resilient bias to return the end effector into alignment with the shaft.