CPC A61B 17/320092 (2013.01) [A61B 17/295 (2013.01); A61B 17/320068 (2013.01); A61B 2017/003 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0046 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00305 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00309 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00314 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00327 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00336 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00424 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2927 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2946 (2013.01); A61B 2017/320069 (2017.08); A61B 2017/320071 (2017.08); A61B 2017/320089 (2017.08); A61B 2017/320093 (2017.08); A61B 2017/320094 (2017.08); A61B 2017/320095 (2017.08)] | 11 Claims |
1. An apparatus for operating on tissue, the apparatus comprising:
(a) a shaft, wherein the shaft defines a longitudinal axis;
(b) an acoustic waveguide, wherein the acoustic waveguide comprises a flexible portion;
(c) an articulation section coupled with the shaft, wherein the articulation section is configured to transition between a non-articulated configuration and an articulated configuration, wherein a portion of the articulation section encompasses the flexible portion of the acoustic waveguide;
(d) an end effector comprising an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide, wherein the articulation section is configured to deflect the ultrasonic blade relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft in the articulation configuration; and
(e) a rigidizing member housing the portion of the articulation section, wherein the rigidizing member comprises a rotating sheath configured to rotate relative to the portion of the articulation section between a first position and a second position while the articulation section is in the non-articulated configuration, wherein the rigidizing member is configured to selectively provide rigidity to the articulation section in the first position via direct engagement between the rotating sheath of the rigidizing member and the portion of the articulating section encompassing the flexible portion of the acoustic waveguide, wherein the rigidizing member is configured to allow the articulation section to transition between the non-articulated configuration and the articulated configuration in the second position.
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