US 12,213,717 B2
Combination ultrasonic and electrosurgical instrument having electrical circuits with shared return path
Stephen M. Leuck, Milford, OH (US); and Eitan T. Wiener, Cincinnati, OH (US)
Assigned to Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed by Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed on Jun. 3, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/337,885.
Application 17/337,885 is a continuation of application No. 15/967,740, filed on May 1, 2018, granted, now 11,234,750.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/509,351, filed on May 22, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2021/0353350 A1, Nov. 18, 2021
Int. Cl. A61B 17/32 (2006.01); A61B 18/00 (2006.01); A61B 18/12 (2006.01); A61B 18/14 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); A61B 17/29 (2006.01); A61B 90/00 (2016.01)
CPC A61B 18/00 (2013.01) [A61B 17/320092 (2013.01); A61B 18/1206 (2013.01); A61B 18/1445 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00017 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00137 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2929 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2932 (2013.01); A61B 2017/320072 (2013.01); A61B 2017/320074 (2017.08); A61B 2017/320075 (2017.08); A61B 2017/320078 (2017.08); A61B 2017/320088 (2013.01); A61B 2017/320094 (2017.08); A61B 2017/320095 (2017.08); A61B 2018/00077 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00083 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00607 (2013.01); A61B 2018/0063 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00988 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00994 (2013.01); A61B 2018/126 (2013.01); A61B 2018/1452 (2013.01); A61B 2018/1457 (2013.01); A61B 2090/0803 (2016.02)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
(a) a shaft assembly including an acoustic waveguide;
(b) an ultrasonic transducer, comprising:
(i) a piezoelectric element, and
(ii) a transducer electrode operatively coupled to the piezoelectric element;
(c) an end effector distally extending from the shaft assembly including:
(i) an ultrasonic blade acoustically coupled with the acoustic waveguide, wherein the ultrasonic transducer is operable to drive the acoustic waveguide and the ultrasonic blade with ultrasonic energy,
(ii) at least one RF electrode configured to seal tissue with RF energy, and
(iii) a clamp arm movable relative to the ultrasonic blade for clamping tissue therebetween;
(d) an ultrasonic electrical circuit configured to energize the ultrasonic transducer, wherein the ultrasonic electrical circuit includes an active ultrasonic path and a return ultrasonic path;
(e) an RF electrical circuit operable to deliver RF energy to the at least one RF electrode, wherein the RF electrical circuit includes an active RF path and a return RF path; and
(f) an actuation assembly, including:
(i) an actuation member operatively connected to the clamp arm and configured to selectively direct movement of the clamp arm, and
(ii) a force-limiting assembly operatively connected between the actuation member and the clamp arm, wherein the force-limiting assembly includes a retainer, wherein the retainer includes a retaining member and a sleeve, wherein the retaining member is adjustably secured along the sleeve for adjusting a predetermined force threshold,
wherein each of the return ultrasonic path and the return RF path pass through the transducer electrode.