Ultrasonic clamp coagulator apparatus having improved clamp arm pivot mount
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 outer tubular sheath and having an end-effector extending distally of said distal end of said outer tubular sheath; and
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,said outer tubular sheath including a clamp arm mount generally at the distal end thereof on which said clamp arm is pivotally mounted, said clamp arm mount interferingly engaging said clamp arm,said clamp arm mount having a generally inverted U-shaped cross-section, with leg portions thereof interferingly engaging said clamp arm,said clamp arm mount defining an elongated slot extending longitudinally between said leg portions along a web of said inverted U-shaped cross-section.
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Abstract
An ultrasonic surgical clamp coagulator apparatus is configured to effect cutting, coagulation, and clamping of tissue during surgical procedures. The apparatus includes an elongated portion having a pivotal clamp arm at a distal end thereof for clamping tissue against an associated ultrasonic end-effector. A clamp arm mount of the apparatus interferingly engages the pivotal clamp arm to thereby maintain the clamp arm in substantial alignment with the end-effector, while accommodating normal manufacturing tolerances of the components.
1185 Citations
13 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 outer tubular sheath and having an end-effector extending distally of said distal end of said outer tubular sheath; and 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, said outer tubular sheath including a clamp arm mount generally at the distal end thereof on which said clamp arm is pivotally mounted, said clamp arm mount interferingly engaging said clamp arm, said clamp arm mount having a generally inverted U-shaped cross-section, with leg portions thereof interferingly engaging said clamp arm, said clamp arm mount defining an elongated slot extending longitudinally between said leg portions along a web of said inverted U-shaped cross-section. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. 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 outer tubular sheath and having an end-effector extending distally of said distal end of said outer tubular sheath; and 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, said outer tubular sheath including a clamp arm mount generally at the distal end thereof on which said clamp arm is pivotally mounted, said clamp arm mount including a pair of laterally spaced leg portions positioned between laterally spaced portions of said clamp arm, said leg portions interferingly engaging said clamp arm so that said leg portions are biased toward each other. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. 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 outer tubular sheath and having an end-effector extending distally of said distal end of said outer tubular sheath; and 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, said outer tubular sheath including a clamp arm mount generally at the distal end thereof on which said clamp arm is pivotally mounted, said clamp arm mount including a pair of laterally spaced leg portions positioned between laterally spaced portions of said clamp arm, said leg portions defining pivot means for pivotally mounting said clamp arm thereon for pivotable movement of said clamp arm by reciprocation of said actuating member. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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Specification