Ultrasonic clamp coagulator apparatus having an improved clamping end-effector

• US 20060030848A1
• Filed: 10/05/2005
• Published: 02/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Craig H. Wayne, David C. Yates, James J. Giordano, John Cummings, Kevin Houser, Richard F. Schwemberger, Scott D. Wampler, Steven K. Neuenfeldt
• Original Assignee: Craig H. Wayne, David C. Yates, James J. Giordano, John Cummings, Kevin Houser, Richard F. Schwemberger, Scott D. Wampler, Steven K. Neuenfeldt
• Inventors: Schwemberger, Richard F., Giordano, James R., Yates, David C., Neuenfeldt, Steven K., Houser, Kevin, Wampler, Scott D., Cummings, John, Craig, H. Wayne
• Application Number:
  US11/243,585
• Publication Number:
  US 20060030848A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/49
• 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 2017/2825 Inserts of different material in jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320078 Tissue manipulating surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320093 additional movable means performing cutting operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320094 additional movable means performing clamping operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320095 with sealing or cauterizing means

Abstract

An ultrasonic surgical clamp coagulator apparatus is configured to effect cutting, coagulation and clamping of tissue by cooperation of a clamping mechanism of the apparatus with an associated ultrasonic end-effector. The clamping mechanism includes a pivotal clamp arm, which cooperates with the end-effector for gripping tissue. The clamp arm is provided with a clamp tissue pad that has at least one raised portion to achieve the desired cutting and coagulation effect on the tissue.

Claims

1. An end effector for an ultrasonic surgical instrument, said end effector comprising:

an ultrasonic blade having a proximal and a distal end;

a clamp arm having a proximal and a distal end and configured for movement with respect to the blade;

the clamp arm having a clamping surface and positioned for clamping tissue between the clamping surface and the blade; and

the clamping surface defining at least one longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axis defining a raised clamping surface.

2. The end effector of claim 1, wherein the cross section of the raised clamping surface is a rectangle.

3. The end effector of claim 1, wherein the cross section of the raised clamping surface is a triangle.

4. The end effector of claim 1, wherein the cross section of the raised clamping surface is rounded.

5. The end effector of claim 1, wherein the raised clamping surface has a first dimension at the proximal end of the clamp arm and a second dimension at the distal end of the clamp arm.

6. The end effector of claim 1, wherein the cross section of the clamping surface is rounded.

7. The end effector of claim 1, wherein the raised clamping surface is non-linear with respect to the at least one longitudinal axis.

8. The end effector of claim 7, wherein the cross section of the raised clamping surface is a rectangle.

9. The end effector of claim 1, wherein the blade has a rounded cross section.

10. An end effector for an ultrasonic surgical instrument, said end effector comprising:

an ultrasonic blade having a proximal and a distal end;

a clamp arm having a proximal and a distal end and configured for movement with respect to the blade;

the clamp arm having a clamping surface and positioned for clamping tissue between the clamping surface and the blade; and

the clamping surface defining two longitudinal axes, and each longitudinal axis defining a raised clamping surface.

11. The end effector of claim 10, wherein the cross section of at least one of the raised clamping surfaces is a rectangle.

12. The end effector of claim 10, wherein the cross section of at least one of the raised clamping surfaces is a triangle.

13. The end effector of claim 10, wherein at least one of the raised clamping surfaces has a first dimension at the proximal end of the clamp arm and a second dimension at the distal end of the clamp arm.

14. The end effector of claim 10, wherein the cross section of at least one of the clamping surfaces is rounded.

15. The end effector of claim 10, wherein at least one of the raised clamping surfaces is non-linear with respect to a longitudinal axis.

16. The end effector of claim 15, wherein the cross section of the raised clamping surface is a rectangle.

18. The end effector of claim 10, wherein the blade has a rounded cross section.

17. An end effector for an ultrasonic surgical instrument, said end effector comprising:

an ultrasonic blade having a proximal and a distal end;

a clamp arm having a proximal and a distal end and configured for movement with respect to the blade;

the clamp arm having a clamping surface and positioned for clamping tissue between the clamping surface and the blade; and

the clamping surface defining a “

U”

-shaped channel.