Ultrasonic clamp coagulator apparatus having improved waveguide support member
First Claim
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1. An ultrasonic surgical clamp apparatus comprising:
- a housing;
an outer tubular sheath having a proximal end joined to said housing, and a distal end;
an inner actuating member reciprocably positioned within said outer tubular sheath;
an ultrasonic waveguide positioned within said inner tubular actuating member and having an end-effector extending distally of said distal end of said outer tubular sheath, said actuating member being reciprocable relative to said waveguide;
a clamp arm pivotally mounted on said distal end of said outer tubular sheath for pivotal movement with respect to said end-effector for clamping tissue between said clamp arm and said end-effector, said clamp arm being operatively connected to said actuating member so that reciprocable movement of said actuating member pivotally moves said clamp arm with respect to said end-effector; and
an annular support member mounted on said waveguide at a distal-most node thereof for resisting bending moments created during clamping of tissue against said end-effector by said clamp arm, and for sealing the region between said waveguide and said relatively reciprocable actuating member.
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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 ultrasonic waveguide of the apparatus is preferably provided with an improved support member at the distal-most node thereof, which support member desirably functions to resist bending moments created in the waveguide, attendant to operation of the clamping mechanism, while sealing the region adjacent to the waveguide.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. An ultrasonic surgical clamp apparatus comprising:
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a housing; an outer tubular sheath having a proximal end joined to said housing, and a distal end; an inner actuating member reciprocably positioned within said outer tubular sheath; an ultrasonic waveguide positioned within said inner tubular actuating member and having an end-effector extending distally of said distal end of said outer tubular sheath, said actuating member being reciprocable relative to said waveguide; a clamp arm pivotally mounted on said distal end of said outer tubular sheath for pivotal movement with respect to said end-effector for clamping tissue between said clamp arm and said end-effector, said clamp arm being operatively connected to said actuating member so that reciprocable movement of said actuating member pivotally moves said clamp arm with respect to said end-effector; and an annular support member mounted on said waveguide at a distal-most node thereof for resisting bending moments created during clamping of tissue against said end-effector by said clamp arm, and for sealing the region between said waveguide and said relatively reciprocable actuating member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14)
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8. An ultrasonic surgical clamp apparatus comprising:
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a housing; an outer tubular sheath having a proximal end joined to said housing, and a distal end, an inner actuating member reciprocably positioned within said outer tubular sheath; an ultrasonic waveguide positioned within said inner tubular actuating member and having an end-effector extending distally of said distal end of said outer tubular sheath, said actuating member being reciprocable relative to said waveguide; a clamp arm pivotally mounted on said distal end of said outer tubular sheath for pivotal movement with respect to said end-effector for clamping tissue between said clamp arm and said end-effector, said clamp arm being operatively connected to said actuating member so that reciprocable movement of said actuating member pivotally moves said clamp arm with respect to said end-effector; and an annular support member mounted on said waveguide at a distal-most node thereof for acoustically isolating said waveguide from said actuating member, said support member comprising elastomeric material and including a support portion positioned between said waveguide and actuating member for resisting bending moments created during clamping of tissue against said end-effector by said clamp arm, said support member further including a sealing portion spaced axially from said support portion for sealing the region between said waveguide and said relatively reciprocable actuating member. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification