Surgical instruments

• US 10,722,261 B2
• Filed: 10/16/2017
• Issued: 07/28/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon, LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Houser, Kevin L., Zwolinski, Andrew M., Lopes, Tracy D., Malaviya, Prasanna, Price, Daniel W., DeLuca, Louis T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fishback, Ashley L
• Application Number:
  US15/784,879
• Publication Number:
  US 20180168680A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,016 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320068 using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic A61B17/22012 takes precedence; dental tooth drilling devices operated by vibration A61C3/03; removing intra-ocular material using mechanical vibrations A61F9/00745
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320092 with additional movable means for clamping or cutting tissue, e.g. with a pivoting jaw
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable for prosthetic joint-implanting tools A61F2/4603
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00464 for use with different instruments with hole for different instruments A61B2017/22072
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2837 with a locking ratchet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2924 Translation movement of handle without rotating movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2946 Locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320069 for ablating tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320071 with articulating means for working tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320082 for incising tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320089 node location
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320094 additional movable means performing clamping operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320095 with sealing or cauterizing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/036 abutting on tissue or skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0807 Indication means

Abstract

A surgical instrument is disclosed comprising a housing, a transducer supported within the housing, an end-effector engaged with the transducer, and a clamp including a jaw member movably supported relative to the end-effector between an open position and a closed position. The transducer is configured to produce vibrations. The end-effector defines an axis and a distal tip. The distal tip is movable relative to the axis by vibrations produced by the transducer. The end-effector is configured to be detached from the transducer. The transducer is configured to receive a different end-effector.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a housing;

a transducer supported within said housing, wherein said transducer is configured to produce vibrations;

an end-effector engaged with said transducer, wherein said end-effector defines an axis and a distal tip, wherein said distal tip is movable relative to said axis by said vibrations produced by said transducer, wherein said end-effector is configured to be detached from said transducer, and wherein said transducer is configured to receive a different end-effector; and

a clamp including a jaw member movably supported relative to said end-effector between an open position and a closed position, wherein said clamp further includes a jaw connector connecting said jaw member to a pivot, wherein said jaw member includes a first deflectable leg and a second deflectable leg, wherein said first and second deflectable legs each include a projection extending therefrom, wherein said jaw connector includes a recess configured to receive said projections, and wherein said projections are configured to engage said recess and retain said jaw member to said jaw connector, and wherein said first and second deflectable legs are configured to be deflected toward each other to disengage said projections from said recess and detach said jaw member from said jaw connector.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein said vibrations include at least one of vibrations parallel to said axis, vibrations transverse to said axis, and vibrations torsional about said axis.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein said jaw member is detachable from said jaw connector, and wherein said jaw connector is configured receive a different jaw member.

4. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a housing;

a transducer engaged with said housing, wherein said transducer is configured to produce vibrations;

an end-effector engaged with said transducer, wherein said end-effector defines an axis and a distal tip, wherein said distal tip is movable relative to said axis by said vibrations produced by said transducer, wherein said end-effector is configured to be assembled and disassembled with said transducer, and wherein said transducer is configured to be assembled with a different end-effector; and

a clamp, wherein said clamp includes a jaw member and a pivot, wherein said jaw member is rotatable with respect to said end-effector about said pivot, wherein said jaw member is detachable from said clamp, wherein said clamp further includes a jaw connector connecting said jaw member to said pivot, wherein said jaw member includes a first deflectable leg and a second deflectable leg, wherein said first and second deflectable legs each include a projection extending therefrom, wherein said jaw connector includes a recess configured to receive said projections, wherein said projections are configured to engage said recess and retain said jaw member to said jaw connector, and wherein said first and second deflectable legs are configured to be deflected toward each other to disengage said projections from said recess and detach said jaw member from said jaw connector.

5. The surgical instrument of claim 4, wherein said vibrations include at least one of vibrations parallel to said axis, vibrations transverse to said axis, and vibrations torsional about said axis.

6. The surgical instrument of claim 4, wherein said jaw member is detachable from said jaw connector, and wherein said jaw connector is configured to receive a different jaw member.

7. The surgical instrument of claim 4, wherein said jaw member is rotatable with respect to said end-effector between an open position and a closed position about said pivot.

8. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a housing;

a transducer supported within said housing, wherein said transducer is configured to produce vibrations;

an end-effector engaged with said transducer, wherein said end-effector defines an axis and a distal tip, wherein said distal tip is movable relative to said axis by said vibrations produced by said transducer, wherein said end-effector is configured to be coupled and decoupled from said transducer, and wherein said transducer is configured to be coupled to a different end-effector; and

a clamp including a jaw member movably supported relative to said end-effector between an open position and a closed position, wherein said clamp further includes a jaw connector connecting said jaw member to a pivot, wherein said jaw member includes a first deflectable leg and a second deflectable leg, and wherein said first and second deflectable legs each include a projection extending therefrom, wherein said jaw connector includes a recess configured to receive said projections, and wherein said projections are configured to engage said recess and retain said jaw member to said jaw connector, and wherein said first and second deflectable legs are configured to be deflected toward each other to disengage said projections from said recess and detach said jaw member from said jaw connector.

9. The surgical instrument of claim 8, wherein said vibrations include at least one of vibrations parallel to said axis, vibrations transverse to said axis, and vibrations torsional about said axis.

10. The surgical instrument of claim 8, wherein said jaw member is detachable from said jaw connector, and wherein said jaw connector is configured receive a different jaw member.