Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
1 . An ultrasonic surgical instrument comprising: an end effector including blade and clamp means for the engagement of tissues located therebetween; an elongated shaft element having said end effector arranged at a first end thereof; an elongated tubular member extending about said elongated shaft element in coaxial relationship, said clamp means being movable relative to said blade and said tubular member, said elongated tubular member having a first end in operative engagement with said end effector; a handle portion for receiving second opposite ends of respectively said elongated shaft element and said elongated tubular member, said handle portion including finger-actuatable scissors-like thumb and finger ring structure for imparting axial displacement between said elongated shaft element and said elongated tubular member, said tubular member biasing said clamp means so as to cause said blade and clamp means to selective open and close relative to each other.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
1 . An ultrasonic surgical instrument comprising: an end effector including blade and clamp means for the engagement of tissues located therebetween; an elongated shaft element having said end effector arranged at a first end thereof; an elongated tubular member extending about said elongated shaft element in coaxial relationship, said clamp means being movable relative to said blade and said tubular member, said elongated tubular member having a first end in operative engagement with said end effector; a handle portion for receiving second opposite ends of respectively said elongated shaft element and said elongated tubular member, said handle portion including finger-actuatable scissors-like thumb and finger ring structure for imparting axial displacement between said elongated shaft element and said elongated tubular member, said tubular member biasing said clamp means so as to cause said blade and clamp means to selective open and close relative to each other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
66 words
2 . An ultrasonic surgical instrument as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said elongated tubular member is fixedly attached to said handle portion, said thumb and finger ring structure having a pivotable portion hingedly connected to the second end of said elongated shaft element, whereby actuation of said pivotable portion imparts said axial displacement to said elongated shaft element relative to said elongated tubular member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
3 . An ultrasonic surgical instrument as claimed in claim 2 , wherein said pivotable portion is rotatable about a pivot boss fixed to a stationary part of said handle portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
4 . An ultrasonic surgical instrument as claimed in claim 3 , wherein an insertion arm on said pivotable portion is operatively engaged with said elongated shaft element for imparting axial movement thereto responsive to rotation of said pivotable portion about said pivot surfaces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
81 words
5 . An ultrasonic surgical instrument as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said elongated tubular member has the second end thereof slidably journaled in said handle portion, said elongated shaft element being fixedly attached to said handle portion, said thumb and finger ring assembly having a pivotable portion operatively connected with said second end of said elongated tubular member, whereby actuation of said pivotable portion imparts said axial displacement to said elongated tubular member relative to said elongated shaft element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
6 . An ultrasonic surgical instrument as claimed in claim 5 , wherein said pivotable portion is rotatable about a pin fastened to said handle portion, said pivotable portion including an actuating extension engageable into an aperture in said elongated tubular member for imparting the axial displacement thereto responsive to rotational movement of said pivotable portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
7 . An ultrasonic surgical instrument as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said first end of said elongated shaft element and of said elongated tubular member comprise cooperative camming structure for selectively opening and closing said blade and clamp means responsive to relative axial movement between said shaft element and tubular member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
8 . An ultrasonic surgical instrument as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the blade of said end effector comprises a coaxial tip on said elongated shaft element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
9 . An ultrasonic surgical instrument as claimed in claim 8 , wherein said blade comprises a stub shaft integrally formed at the first end of said elongated shaft element, whereby said shaft element forms an ultrasonic blade extender.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
10 . An ultrasonic surgical instrument as claimed in claim 8 , wherein said blade comprises a stub shaft which is detachably fastened to the first end of said elongated shaft element, whereby said shaft element forms an ultrasonic blade extender.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
11 . An ultrasonic surgical instrument as claimed in claim 10 , wherein said blade is fastened to said elongated shaft element through a screw threaded connection.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
12 . An ultrasonic surgical instrument as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said cam means comprises a cam arm mounted on said blade for pivotal movement relative thereto.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
13 . An ultrasonic surgical instrument as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said handle portion includes latching pushbutton means for release of said blade and clamp assembly.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
53 words
14 . An ultrasonic surgical instrument as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a plurality of axially spaced silastic rings are formed at nodes along the length of said elongated shaft element and blade so as to prevent dispersion of ultrasonic waves to said surrounding elongated tubular member during operation of said instrument.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
15 . An ultrasonic surgical instrument as claimed in claim 1 , wherein spring limiter means are formed on said elongated tubular member so as to absorb excessive operating forces and stresses generated responsive to actuation of said handle portion.