US6589200B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Articulating ultrasonic surgical shears
Assignee: Ethicon Endo Surgery Inc
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Filing: 1999-12-16
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Granted: 2003-07-08
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Expires: 2019-12-16
Abstract
Abstract A therapeutic ultrasound instrument is described for cutting, dissecting, or cauterizing tissue. Ultrasonic vibrations, when transmitted to organic tissue at suitable energy levels and using a suitable end-effector, may be used for the safe and effective treatment of many medical conditions. An ultrasonic surgical instrument is described which incorporates an articulating shearing end-effector. The instrument comprises an ultrasonic transducer, an ultrasonically activatable end-effector, and a substantially solid ultrasonic waveguide that connects the ultrasonic transducer to the end-effector. The waveguide comprises a transmission section extending from the transducer to a fixed node, and an articulation section extending from the fixed node to a pivoting node. The end-effector includes a bifurcated waveguide segment. A handle is adapted to hold the transducer. An outer sheath extends from the handle to the end-effector and surrounds the waveguide. An actuation trigger is rotatably positioned on the handle, and an actuation arm extends from a distal end of the actuation trigger to the pivoting node. Such instruments are particularly suited for use in minimally invasive procedures, such as endoscopic or laparoscopic procedures.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard F. Schwemberger
- 👤 John C. Wright
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:17
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B17/320068; A61B17/320016; A61B17/3201; A61B17/28; A61B17/29; A61B2017/2926; A61B2017/2927; A61B2017/320069; A61B2017/320071; A61B2017/320088; A61B2017/320089
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
201 words
A surgical instrument comprising: a handle; a surgical end-effector, said surgical end-effector having a proximal end, a distal end, and a length; wherein said length from said proximal end of said surgical end-effector to said distal end of said surgical end-effector defines a longitudinal axis; said surgical end-effector further comprising a bifurcated portion, said bifurcated portion comprising: a first arm and a second arm; wherein said first arm and said second arm are moveable with respect to said longitudinal axis; an elongated ultrasonic transmission rod assembly operatively coupled between said handle and said surgical end-effector, said elongated ultrasonic transmission rod assembly defining an instrument axis, wherein said transmission rod assembly comprises: an ultrasonic waveguide transmission segment having a proximal end and a distal end; a flexible ultrasonic waveguide segment having a proximal and a distal end, wherein said proximal end of said flexible segment is coupled to said distal end of said ultrasonic waveguide transmission segment and said distal end of said flexible segment is coupled to said surgical end-effector; and an actuating arm extending from said handle to said distal end of said flexible segment, wherein said actuating arm is operatively connected to said flexible segment and to said handle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
201 words
A surgical instrument comprising: a handle; a surgical end-effector, said surgical end-effector having a proximal end, a distal end, and a length; wherein said length from said proximal end of said surgical end-effector to said distal end of said surgical end-effector defines a longitudinal axis; said surgical end-effector further comprising a bifurcated portion, said bifurcated portion comprising: a first arm and a second arm; wherein said first arm and said second arm are moveable with respect to said longitudinal axis; an elongated ultrasonic transmission rod assembly operatively coupled between said handle and said surgical end-effector, said elongated ultrasonic transmission rod assembly defining an instrument axis, wherein said transmission rod assembly comprises: an ultrasonic waveguide transmission segment having a proximal end and a distal end; a flexible ultrasonic waveguide segment having a proximal and a distal end, wherein said proximal end of said flexible segment is coupled to said distal end of said ultrasonic waveguide transmission segment and said distal end of said flexible segment is coupled to said surgical end-effector; and an actuating arm extending from said handle to said distal end of said flexible segment, wherein said actuating arm is operatively connected to said flexible segment and to said handle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
A surgical instrument according to claim 1 wherein said flexible segment is fixed at a said proximal end and rotatable at said distal end, wherein a rotation of said distal end of said flexible segment causes said longitudinal axis to deviate from said instrument axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
A surgical instrument according to claim 1 , wherein said rotation of said distal end causes deviation of said longitudinal axis from said instrument axis in a first range of rotation, and wherein a second range of rotation causes said first arm and said second arm to move with respect to said longitudinal axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
110 words
A surgical instrument comprising: an ultrasonic transducer having a distal end; a handle including an actuation trigger; an ultrasonic surgical end-effector; an ultrasonic waveguide extending from said distal end of said ultrasonic transducer to said ultrasonic surgical end-effector; an outer sheath extending from said handle to said distal end of said ultrasonic waveguide; an articulation segment of said ultrasonic waveguide having a proximal end and a distal end; an articulation collar operatively coupled to said actuation trigger and to said distal end of said articulation segment of said ultrasonic waveguide, said articulation collar comprising: an articulation means for articulating said surgical end-effector; and an actuation means for actuating said end-effector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
110 words
A surgical instrument comprising: an ultrasonic transducer having a distal end; a handle including an actuation trigger; an ultrasonic surgical end-effector; an ultrasonic waveguide extending from said distal end of said ultrasonic transducer to said ultrasonic surgical end-effector; an outer sheath extending from said handle to said distal end of said ultrasonic waveguide; an articulation segment of said ultrasonic waveguide having a proximal end and a distal end; an articulation collar operatively coupled to said actuation trigger and to said distal end of said articulation segment of said ultrasonic waveguide, said articulation collar comprising: an articulation means for articulating said surgical end-effector; and an actuation means for actuating said end-effector.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
87 words
An ultrasonic scissors apparatus comprising: a housing; an outer tube having a proximal end joined to said housing, and a distal end, said outer tube defining a longitudinal axis; an inner tube rotatably positioned within said outer tube; and an ultrasonic waveguide positioned within said inner tube, said ultrasonic waveguide having an end-effector extending distally of said distal end of said outer tube, said end-effector initially positioned along said longitudinal axis; wherein initial rotation of said inner tube causes said end-effector to deviate from said longitudinal axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
87 words
An ultrasonic scissors apparatus comprising: a housing; an outer tube having a proximal end joined to said housing, and a distal end, said outer tube defining a longitudinal axis; an inner tube rotatably positioned within said outer tube; and an ultrasonic waveguide positioned within said inner tube, said ultrasonic waveguide having an end-effector extending distally of said distal end of said outer tube, said end-effector initially positioned along said longitudinal axis; wherein initial rotation of said inner tube causes said end-effector to deviate from said longitudinal axis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
An ultrasonic scissors apparatus in accordance with claim 5 , wherein continued rotation of said inner tube actuates said end-effector.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-07-07 | 2007-01-06 | 2007-07-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-07-07 | 2011-01-06 | 2011-07-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-07-07 | 2015-01-06 | 2015-07-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |