Electrosurgical cutting and sealing instruments with jaws having a parallel closure motion
First Claim
1. A surgical instrument comprising:
- a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis;
an end effector, comprising;
a first jaw member defining a first longitudinal slot;
a second jaw member defining a second longitudinal slot, wherein, in an open position, the first jaw member and the second jaw member are arranged parallel to and offset from the longitudinal axis; and
a first push rod member having a distally directed end pivotably coupled to the first jaw member and a proximally directed end pivotably coupled at a first pivot point; and
a reciprocatable member translatable distally and proximally through the first longitudinal slot and the second longitudinal slot, wherein the reciprocatable member comprises;
a blade at a distal portion of the reciprocatable member;
a transverse element positioned to pass through the first longitudinal slot; and
a first shoulder element coupled to and substantially perpendicular to the transverse element;
wherein the first shoulder element is configured to slidably contact the first jaw member to cause the first push rod member to pivot about the first pivot point such that the first jaw member translates toward the second jaw member in a substantially parallel motion.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical instrument comprising an end effector comprising a first jaw member defining a first longitudinal slot, a second jaw member defining a second longitudinal slot, and a first push rod member having a distally directed end pivotably coupled to the first jaw member and a proximally directed end pivotably coupled at a first pivot point. The surgical instrument additionally comprises a reciprocating member translatable distally and proximally through the first and second longitudinal slots, wherein the reciprocating member comprises a blade, a transverse element, and a first shoulder element coupled to and substantially perpendicular to the transverse element. Upon distal motion of the reciprocating member, the first shoulder element contacts the first push rod member to exert a force on at least the first jaw member causing the first jaw member to translate towards the second jaw member in a substantially parallel motion.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A surgical instrument comprising:
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a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis; an end effector, comprising; a first jaw member defining a first longitudinal slot; a second jaw member defining a second longitudinal slot, wherein, in an open position, the first jaw member and the second jaw member are arranged parallel to and offset from the longitudinal axis; and a first push rod member having a distally directed end pivotably coupled to the first jaw member and a proximally directed end pivotably coupled at a first pivot point; and a reciprocatable member translatable distally and proximally through the first longitudinal slot and the second longitudinal slot, wherein the reciprocatable member comprises; a blade at a distal portion of the reciprocatable member; a transverse element positioned to pass through the first longitudinal slot; and a first shoulder element coupled to and substantially perpendicular to the transverse element; wherein the first shoulder element is configured to slidably contact the first jaw member to cause the first push rod member to pivot about the first pivot point such that the first jaw member translates toward the second jaw member in a substantially parallel motion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A surgical instrument defining a parallel-closing jaw, the surgical instrument comprising:
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a first jaw member defining a first longitudinal slot; a second jaw member defining a second longitudinal slot, wherein, in an open position, the first jaw member is positioned parallel to and offset from the second jaw member; a first push rod member having a distally directed end pivotably coupled to the first jaw member and a proximally directed end pivotably coupled at a first pivot point; and a reciprocatable member translatable distally and proximally through the first longitudinal slot and the second longitudinal slot, wherein the reciprocatable member comprises; a blade at a distal portion of the reciprocatable member; a transverse element positioned to pass through the first longitudinal slot; and a first flange coupled to and substantially perpendicular to the transverse element; wherein the first flange is configured to interact with the first jaw member, during distal translation of the reciprocatable member, to cause the first push rod member to rotate about the first pivot point such that the first jaw member translates toward the second jaw member in a substantially parallel motion. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification