US 11,786,268 B2
Ultrasonic surgical shears with clamping feature
Jeffrey D. Messerly, Cincinnati, OH (US); David A. Witt, Maineville, OH (US); Foster B. Stulen, Mason, OH (US); Christopher A. Papa, Cincinnati, OH (US); and Vincent P. Battaglia, Jr., Lebanon, OH (US)
Assigned to Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed by Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed on Jul. 28, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/941,000.
Application 16/941,000 is a continuation of application No. 15/860,896, filed on Jan. 3, 2018, granted, now 10,772,656.
Application 15/860,896 is a continuation of application No. 13/834,248, filed on Mar. 15, 2013, granted, now 9,895,161, issued on Feb. 20, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2021/0007770 A1, Jan. 14, 2021
Int. Cl. A61B 17/32 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 17/320092 (2013.01) [A61B 2017/320093 (2017.08); A61B 2017/320094 (2017.08); A61B 2017/320095 (2017.08); A61B 2017/320097 (2017.08)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An ultrasonic surgical instrument, comprising:
(a) an acoustic waveguide configured to transmit ultrasonic vibration;
(b) an end effector defining a first longitudinal region and a second longitudinal region, the end effector, including:
(i) an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide and extending along the first and second longitudinal regions, and
(ii) a clamp arm movably secured relative to the ultrasonic blade from an open position configured to receive a tissue and a closed position configured to clamp the tissue against the ultrasonic blade, wherein the clamp arm in the closed position is positioned proximate to the ultrasonic blade in the first longitudinal region such that the clamp arm is configured to clamp the tissue against the ultrasonic blade in the first longitudinal region and further such that the ultrasonic blade is configured to sever the tissue in the second longitudinal region; and
(c) a blade support engaged with the ultrasonic blade at a demarcation position thereby supporting the ultrasonic blade thereon, wherein the demarcation position of the blade support is longitudinally between the first and second longitudinal regions of the end effector.