Non-linear jaw gap for electrosurgical instruments
First Claim
1. An end effector for an electrosurgical instrument, comprising:
- a first jaw comprising a first energy delivery surface, a first distal end, and a first proximal end;
a second jaw comprising a second energy delivery surface, a second distal end, and a second proximal end, whereinthe first and second jaws are pivotally coupled at the first and second proximal ends, such that at least one of the first and second jaws is configured for pivotal movement between a closed position where the first and second distal ends are in proximity and the first and second energy delivery surfaces face each other, and an open position where the first and second distal ends are separated apart,the first energy delivery surface comprises a first curved portion that is outwardly curved, andthe second energy delivery surface comprises a second curved portion that is inwardly curved; and
an electrically conductive member protruding from the first jaw or second jaw and configured to contact a conductive surface of the other one of the first jaw or second jaw in the closed position, wherein the electrically conductive member is in proximity to the first and second distal ends in the closed position, and wherein the electrically conductive member defines a minimum gap distance between the first energy delivery surface and the second energy delivery surface in the closed position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An end effector for an electrosurgical instrument is disclosed which comprises a first jaw comprising a first energy delivery surface, a first distal end, and a first proximal end; and a second jaw comprising a second energy delivery surface, a second distal end, and a second proximal end, wherein the first energy delivery surface comprises a first curved portion that is outwardly curved, and the second energy delivery surface comprises a second curved portion that is inwardly curved. The first jaw or the second jaw is configured for pivotal movement between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the first and second distal ends are separated apart. In the closed position, the first and second distal ends are in proximity. The end effector also comprises an electrically conductive member which protrudes from either the first or second jaw.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An end effector for an electrosurgical instrument, comprising:
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a first jaw comprising a first energy delivery surface, a first distal end, and a first proximal end; a second jaw comprising a second energy delivery surface, a second distal end, and a second proximal end, wherein the first and second jaws are pivotally coupled at the first and second proximal ends, such that at least one of the first and second jaws is configured for pivotal movement between a closed position where the first and second distal ends are in proximity and the first and second energy delivery surfaces face each other, and an open position where the first and second distal ends are separated apart, the first energy delivery surface comprises a first curved portion that is outwardly curved, and the second energy delivery surface comprises a second curved portion that is inwardly curved; and an electrically conductive member protruding from the first jaw or second jaw and configured to contact a conductive surface of the other one of the first jaw or second jaw in the closed position, wherein the electrically conductive member is in proximity to the first and second distal ends in the closed position, and wherein the electrically conductive member defines a minimum gap distance between the first energy delivery surface and the second energy delivery surface in the closed position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An end effector for an electrosurgical instrument, comprising:
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an upper jaw comprising a first energy delivery surface, a first distal end, and a first proximal end; a lower jaw comprising a second energy delivery surface, a second distal end, and a second proximal end, wherein the upper and lower jaws are pivotally coupled at the first and second proximal ends, such that at least one of the upper and lower jaws is configured for pivotal movement between a closed position where the first and second distal ends are in proximity and the first and second energy delivery surfaces face each other, and an open position where the first and second distal ends are separated apart, the first energy delivery surface comprises a first angled portion extending to the first distal end, the first angled portion tilted at a first angle, the second energy delivery surface comprises a second angled portion extending to the second distal end, the second angled portion tilted at a second angle; and an electrically conductive member protruding from the upper jaw or lower jaw and configured to contact a conductive surface of the other one of the upper jaw or lower jaw in the closed position, wherein the electrically conductive member is in proximity to the first and second distal ends in the closed position, and wherein the electrically conductive member defines a minimum gap distance between the first energy delivery surface and the second energy delivery surface in the closed position. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification