Surgical instruments and end effectors therefor

• US 8,685,020 B2
• Filed: 05/17/2010
• Issued: 04/01/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Weizman, Patrick A., Aldridge, Jeffrey L., Banks, Raymond M., Dietz, Timothy G., Harris, Jason L., Huang, Zhifan F., Norvell, David K., Witt, David A., Bernath, Steve G.
• Primary Examiner(s): PEFFLEY, MICHAEL F
• Application Number:
  US12/781,243
• Publication Number:
  US 20110282339A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,415 Days
• Field of Search: 606 45- 52, 606205-207
• US Class Current: 606/51
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/295 combined with cutting implements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32 Surgical cutting instruments A61B18/042 takes precedence; suture cutters A61B17/0467; instruments for ligaturing or cutting A61B17/128; instruments for rupturing the amniotic membrane A61B17/4208; specially adapted knives for eye surgery A61F9/0133
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3209 Incision instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1445 at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/148 having a short, rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously, e.g. for neurosurgery or arthroscopy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1485 having a short rigid shaft for accessing the inner body through natural openings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/003 Steerable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00738 part of the tool being offset with respect to a main axis, e.g. for better view for the surgeon
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 shape memory effect for prostheses A61F2210/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2926 Details of heads or jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2933 camming or guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2934 arcuate shaped guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2945 Curved jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320044 Blunt dissectors blunt suture needles A61B2017/06085
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0063 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/126 bipolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1412 Blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1432 curved
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1455 having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1465 Deformable electrodes

Abstract

Various forms of surgical instruments are disclosed. In various embodiments, an end effector having operable and closable jaws is attached to a distal end of an elongate shaft such that portions of the jaws are axially offset from the elongate shaft. Other jaw embodiments are coupled to an actuation arrangement that permits portions of the jaws to be moved out of axial alignment with the elongate shaft. Other jaw embodiments are configured to facilitate tissue dissection. Electrosurgical instruments are also disclosed. One embodiment employs a flexible electrode that is conformable to tissue.

Claims

1. An electrosurgical instrument, comprising:

an elongate shaft having a distal end and defining a first longitudinal axis;

an end effector operably coupled to said distal end of said elongate shaft, said end effector comprising;

a first jaw having a first elongate portion and a first curved distal end; and

a second jaw having a second elongate portion and a second curved distal end wherein said first elongate portion of said first jaw is movably coupled to said second elongate portion of said second jaw, wherein said first and second elongate portions are configured to receive tissue therebetween, wherein said first and second elongate portions define a second axis that is in parallel with said first longitudinal axis, and wherein said first and second curved distal ends curve away from said second axis.

2. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 1 wherein said elongate shaft defines an elongate footprint and wherein said first and second jaws do not protrude laterally beyond said footprint.

3. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 1 further comprising an axially translatable reciprocal member configured to operably engage said first and second jaws to pivot said first and second jaws between open and closed positions.

4. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 3 wherein said axially translatable reciprocal member is fabricated from an elastic alloy.

5. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 3 wherein said axially translatable reciprocal member comprises:

a central web portion having a distal end;

a first flange attached to said central web portion; and

a second flange attached to said central web portion apart from said first flange.

6. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 5 further comprising a plurality of cut out portions in each of said first and second flanges.

7. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 5 further comprising a tissue cutting portion on a distal end of said axially translatable reciprocal member.

8. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 7 wherein said tissue cutting portion comprises a wire extending between said first and second flanges.