US 11,925,406 B2
End effector assemblies for surgical instruments
Dylan R. Kingsley, Broomfield, CO (US); Crystal A. Adams, Westminster, CO (US); Jason G. Weihe, Longmont, CO (US); William Whitney, Boulder, CO (US); Russell W. Holbrook, Longmont, CO (US); Zachary S. Heiliger, Nederland, CO (US); and Curtis M. Siebenaller, Frederick, CO (US)
Assigned to COVIDIEN LP, Mansfield, MA (US)
Filed by Covidien LP, Mansfield, MA (US)
Filed on Sep. 14, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/020,117.
Prior Publication US 2022/0079663 A1, Mar. 17, 2022
Int. Cl. A61B 34/00 (2016.01); A61B 18/14 (2006.01); A61B 34/37 (2016.01); A61B 18/00 (2006.01); A61B 34/30 (2016.01)
CPC A61B 18/1445 (2013.01) [A61B 34/37 (2016.02); A61B 34/74 (2016.02); A61B 2018/00077 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00601 (2013.01); A61B 2018/1455 (2013.01); A61B 2034/305 (2016.02)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An end effector assembly of a surgical instrument, comprising:
a first jaw member including:
a first structural jaw;
a first internal spacer disposed on the first structural jaw, the first internal spacer including a first wing extending from a side edge thereof in spaced relation relative to a side surface of the first internal spacer;
a first electrically-conductive plate disposed on the first internal spacer, the first electrically-conductive plate having a first tissue contacting surface defining a first longitudinally extending knife channel therethrough, the first structural jaw disposed within a gap defined between the first wing and the side surface of the first internal spacer, wherein the first electrically-conductive plate is configured to connect to a first electrical lead wire at a portion of the first electrically-conductive plate that is disposed laterally outward from the first wing such that the first wing is disposed between the side surface of the first internal spacer and the connection between the first electrical lead wire and the first electrically-conductive plate; and
a first outer housing disposed about the first internal spacer, a portion of the first structure jaw, and a portion of the first electrically-conductive plate; and
a second jaw member pivotably coupled to the first jaw member.