Ultrasonic end effectors with increased active length

• US 9,414,853 B2
• Filed: 03/25/2013
• Issued: 08/16/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Stulen, Foster B., Houser, Kevin L., Battaglia, Vincent P. Jr., Bertke, Brian D.
• Primary Examiner(s): FISHBACK, ASHLEY LAUREN
• Application Number:
  US13/849,627
• Publication Number:
  US 20130226207A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,240 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320068 using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic A61B17/22012 takes precedence; dental tooth drilling devices operated by vibration A61C3/03; removing intra-ocular material using mechanical vibrations A61F9/00745
• 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 2017/320069 for ablating tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320071 with articulating means for working tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320072 Working tips with special features, e.g. extending parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320078 Tissue manipulating surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320088 with acoustic insulation, e.g. elements for damping vibrations between horn and surrounding sheath
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320089 node location
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320094 additional movable means performing clamping operation

Abstract

A surgical instrument includes an end effector having a proximal end segment, a distal end segment, and an insert segment. The proximal end segment and the distal end segment are composed of a first material. The insert segment is composed of a second material. The insert segment is located between the proximal end segment and the distal end segment along the longitudinal axis of the end effector. The insert segment functions to bridge or fill the nodal energy gap. A surgical instrument includes a transducer configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis as a predetermined frequency. An ultrasonic blade extends along the longitudinal axis coupled to the transducer. An insert segment or a pad is positioned adjacent to the blade such that it engages the blade when the surgical instrument is in a closed position and generates heat filling the nodal energy gap.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a transducer configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency;

an ultrasonic blade extending along the longitudinal axis coupled to the transducer, wherein the ultrasonic blade comprises a body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is movable along the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer; and

a non-vibrating clamp arm assembly having a proximal end and a distal end and pivotally positioned adjacent to the body, wherein the clamp arm assembly is pivotally movable from an open position to a closed position, wherein the clamp arm assembly comprises a proximal tissue pad segment, a distal tissue pad segment, and a tissue pad insert segment positioned between the proximal tissue pad segment and the distal tissue pad segment;

wherein the tissue pad insert segment is raised relative to a nominal height of the proximal tissue pad segment and the distal tissue pad segment.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the tissue pad insert segment is positioned at a location corresponding to a nodal gap region when the clamp arm assembly is in the closed position.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the tissue pad insert segment is positioned at a location offset from a nodal gap when the clamp arm assembly is in the closed position.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the tissue pad insert segment comprises polyimide.

5. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the proximal tissue pad segment and the distal tissue pad segment comprise polytetrafluoroethylene.

6. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a transducer configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency;

an ultrasonic blade extending along the longitudinal axis coupled to the transducer, wherein the ultrasonic blade comprises a body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is movable along the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer; and

a non-vibrating clamp arm assembly having a proximal end and a distal end and pivotally positioned adjacent to the body, wherein the clamp arm assembly is pivotally movable from an open position to a closed position, wherein the clamp arm assembly comprises a proximal tissue pad segment, a distal tissue pad segment, and a tissue pad insert segment positioned between the proximal tissue pad segment and the distal tissue pad segment;

wherein the clamp arm assembly further comprises biasing means configured to force the tissue pad insert segment against the ultrasonic blade with increased force relative to the proximal tissue pad segment and the distal tissue pad segment when the clamp arm assembly is in the closed position.

7. The surgical instrument of claim 6, wherein the tissue pad insert segment is positioned at a location corresponding to a nodal gap region when the clamp arm assembly is in the closed position.

8. The surgical instrument of claim 6, wherein the tissue pad insert segment is positioned at a location offset from a nodal gap when the clamp arm assembly is in the closed position.

9. The surgical instrument of claim 6, wherein the tissue pad insert segment comprises polyimide.

10. The surgical instrument of claim 6, wherein the proximal tissue pad segment and the distal tissue pad segment comprise polytetrafluoroethylene.

11. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a transducer configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency;

an ultrasonic blade extending along the longitudinal axis coupled to the transducer, wherein the ultrasonic blade comprises a body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is movable along the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer; and

a non-vibrating clamp arm assembly having a proximal end and a distal end and pivotally positioned adjacent to the body, wherein the clamp arm assembly is pivotally movable from an open position to a closed position, wherein the clamp arm assembly comprises a proximal tissue pad segment, a distal tissue pad segment, and a tissue pad insert segment positioned between the proximal tissue pad segment and the distal tissue pad segment;

wherein the clamp arm assembly further comprises a leaf spring configured to force the tissue pad insert segment against the ultrasonic blade with increased force relative to the proximal tissue pad segment and the distal tissue pad segment when the clamp arm assembly is in the closed position.

12. The surgical instrument of claim 11, wherein the tissue pad insert segment is positioned at a location corresponding to a nodal gap region when the clamp arm assembly is in the closed position.

13. The surgical instrument of claim 11, wherein the tissue pad insert segment is positioned at a location offset from a nodal gap when the clamp arm assembly is in the closed position.

14. The surgical instrument of claim 11, wherein the tissue pad insert segment comprises polyimide.

15. The surgical instrument of claim 11, wherein the proximal tissue pad segment and the distal tissue pad segment comprise polytetrafluoroethylene.