Electrode configurations for surgical instruments
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
- an end effector, comprising;
a first jaw comprising a first electrically conductive layer; and
a second jaw, wherein at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is movable relative to the other one of the first jaw and the second jaw to transition the end effector between a first configuration and a second configuration, the second jaw comprising;
a second electrically conductive layer defining a first plurality of openings arranged at a plurality of locations on the second electrically conductive layer;
an electrically non-conductive layer comprising a second plurality of openings, wherein the first electrically conductive layer and the electrically non-conductive layer are configured to be on opposite sides of the second electrically conductive layer; and
a third electrically conductive layer comprising a plurality of electrically conductive members extending from the third electrically conductive layer and projecting through the second plurality of openings and the first plurality of openings to maintain a predetermined gap between the first electrically conductive layer and the second electrically conductive layer, wherein the second electrically conductive layer and the third electrically conductive layer are on opposite sides of the electrically non-conductive layer; and
wherein the second electrically conductive layer is configured to conduct electrical energy to the first electrically conductive layer and the plurality of electrically conductive members through tissue disposed between the first jaw and the second jaw to treat the tissue.
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Abstract
An end effector includes a first electrically conductive layer and a second electrically conductive layer comprising an electrically conductive projection extending from the second electrically conductive layer, wherein at least one of the first electrically conductive layer and the electrically conductive projection is movable relative to the other one of the first electrically conductive layer and the electrically conductive projection to capture tissue therebetween.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
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an end effector, comprising; a first jaw comprising a first electrically conductive layer; and a second jaw, wherein at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is movable relative to the other one of the first jaw and the second jaw to transition the end effector between a first configuration and a second configuration, the second jaw comprising; a second electrically conductive layer defining a first plurality of openings arranged at a plurality of locations on the second electrically conductive layer; an electrically non-conductive layer comprising a second plurality of openings, wherein the first electrically conductive layer and the electrically non-conductive layer are configured to be on opposite sides of the second electrically conductive layer; and a third electrically conductive layer comprising a plurality of electrically conductive members extending from the third electrically conductive layer and projecting through the second plurality of openings and the first plurality of openings to maintain a predetermined gap between the first electrically conductive layer and the second electrically conductive layer, wherein the second electrically conductive layer and the third electrically conductive layer are on opposite sides of the electrically non-conductive layer; and wherein the second electrically conductive layer is configured to conduct electrical energy to the first electrically conductive layer and the plurality of electrically conductive members through tissue disposed between the first jaw and the second jaw to treat the tissue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An end effector for a surgical instrument, the end effector comprising:
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a first jaw comprising a first electrically conductive layer; and a second jaw comprising; a second electrically conductive layer comprising a plurality of electrically conductive projections extending from the second electrically conductive layer, wherein at least one of the first electrically conductive layer and the plurality of electrically conductive projections is movable relative to the other one of the first electrically conductive layer and the plurality of electrically conductive projections to capture tissue therebetween, and wherein the plurality of electrically conductive projections are integral with the second electrically conductive layer; a first electrically non-conductive support comprising a first plurality of apertures arranged at a plurality of locations on the first electrically non-conductive support, wherein the plurality of electrically conductive projections extend through the first plurality of apertures; and a third electrically conductive layer comprising a second plurality of apertures, wherein the plurality of electrically conductive projections extend through the second plurality of apertures, and wherein the first electrically non-conductive support is positioned between the second electrically conductive layer and the third electrically conductive layer. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A surgical end effector, comprising:
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a first jaw comprising a first electrically conductive layer; and a second jaw, wherein at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is movable relative to the other one of the first jaw and the second jaw to transition the surgical end effector between a first configuration and a second configuration, the second jaw comprising; a second electrically conductive layer comprising a plurality of electrically conductive projections extending from the second electrically conductive layer; a first electrically non-conductive support comprising first apertures arranged at locations on the first electrically non-conductive support, wherein the plurality of electrically conductive projections extend through the first apertures; and a third electrically conductive layer comprising an inner perimeter defining a longitudinal slot extending along a length of the second jaw, wherein the third electrically conductive layer comprises side cavities defined in the inner perimeter, and wherein the electrically conductive projections extend through the side cavities, and wherein the first electrically non-conductive support is positioned between the second electrically conductive layer and the third electrically conductive layer on the second jaw.
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Specification