STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH SHORT CIRCUIT PREVENTION FEATURES
First Claim
1. A surgical instrument comprising:
- (a) a body comprising a power source;
(b) a shaft assembly extending distally from the body;
(c) an end effector at a distal end of the shaft assembly, wherein the end effector comprises;
(i) a channel assembly, and(ii) a cartridge assembly configured to selectively couple with the channel assembly, wherein the cartridge assembly comprises an electrically activated component; and
(d) an electrical contact assembly configured to electrically couple the power source with the electrically activated component of the cartridge assembly, wherein the electrical contact assembly comprises;
(i) a first electrical contact associated with the channel assembly,(ii) a second electrical contact associated with the channel assembly, and(iii) a hydrophobic layer extending between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector, and an electrical contact assembly. The body includes a power source. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body, the end effector is distal of the shaft assembly. The end effector includes a channel assembly and a cartridge assembly. The cartridge assembly may selectively couple with the channel assembly. The cartridge assembly includes an electrically activated component. The electrical contact assembly is configured to electrically couple the power source with the electrically activated component. The electrical contact assembly includes a first electrical contact associated with the channel assembly, a second electrical contact associated with the channel assembly, and a hydrophobic layer extending between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A surgical instrument comprising:
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(a) a body comprising a power source; (b) a shaft assembly extending distally from the body; (c) an end effector at a distal end of the shaft assembly, wherein the end effector comprises; (i) a channel assembly, and (ii) a cartridge assembly configured to selectively couple with the channel assembly, wherein the cartridge assembly comprises an electrically activated component; and (d) an electrical contact assembly configured to electrically couple the power source with the electrically activated component of the cartridge assembly, wherein the electrical contact assembly comprises; (i) a first electrical contact associated with the channel assembly, (ii) a second electrical contact associated with the channel assembly, and (iii) a hydrophobic layer extending between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A surgical instrument comprising:
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(a) a body comprising a power source; (b) a shaft assembly extending distally from the body; (c) an end effector at a distal end of the shaft assembly, wherein the end effector comprises; (i) a channel assembly, and (ii) a cartridge assembly configured to selectively couple with the channel assembly, wherein the cartridge assembly comprises an electrically activated component; and (d) an electrical contact assembly configured electrically couple the power source with the electrically activated component of the cartridge assembly, wherein the electrical contact assembly comprises; (i) a first electrical contact assembly, wherein the first electrical contact assembly comprises a first plurality of electrical contacts and a wiper, and (ii) a second electrical contact assembly, wherein the second electrical contact assembly comprises a second plurality of electrical contacts, wherein the wiper is configured to clean fluid from the second plurality of electrical contacts as the cartridge assembly couples with the channel assembly. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A surgical instrument comprising:
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(a) a body comprising a power source; (b) a shaft assembly extending distally from the body; (c) an end effector at a distal end of the shaft assembly, wherein the end effector comprises; (i) a channel assembly, and (ii) a cartridge assembly configured to selectively couple with the channel assembly, wherein the cartridge assembly comprises an electrically activated component; and (d) an electrical contact assembly configured electrically couple the power source with the electrically activated component of the cartridge assembly, wherein the electrical contact assembly comprises; (i) a first electrical contact assembly, wherein the first electrical contact assembly comprises a first electrical contact and a gasket, wherein the gasket is configured to prevent the first electrical contact from exposure to fluid, and (ii) a second electrical contact assembly, wherein the second electrical contact assembly comprises a second electrical contact configured to open the gasket and electrically couple with the first electrical contact when the cartridge assembly is coupled with the channel assembly.
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Specification