US 11,957,345 B2
Articulatable surgical instruments with conductive pathways for signal communication
Gary S. Jaworek, Cincinnati, OH (US); Robert L. Koch, Jr., Cincinnati, OH (US); and Michael D. Auld, Blue Ash, OH (US)
Assigned to Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed by Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed on Dec. 19, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/084,141.
Application 18/084,141 is a continuation of application No. 16/154,143, filed on Oct. 8, 2018, granted, now 11,529,138.
Application 16/154,143 is a continuation of application No. 15/274,939, filed on Sep. 23, 2016, granted, now 10,226,249, issued on Mar. 12, 2019.
Application 15/274,939 is a continuation of application No. 13/782,295, filed on Mar. 1, 2013, granted, now 9,700,309, issued on Jul. 11, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2023/0270438 A1, Aug. 31, 2023
Int. Cl. A61B 17/072 (2006.01); A61B 17/32 (2006.01); A61B 18/14 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); A61B 17/29 (2006.01); A61B 17/34 (2006.01); A61B 18/00 (2006.01); A61B 34/00 (2016.01); A61B 90/00 (2016.01); A61B 90/98 (2016.01)
CPC A61B 17/07207 (2013.01) [A61B 17/320068 (2013.01); A61B 18/1442 (2013.01); A61B 18/1445 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00017 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00022 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00039 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00106 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00123 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00221 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00398 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0046 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00464 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00734 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07271 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07278 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2927 (2013.01); A61B 17/3423 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00619 (2013.01); A61B 2018/0063 (2013.01); A61B 2018/1455 (2013.01); A61B 2034/742 (2016.02); A61B 2090/033 (2016.02); A61B 2090/064 (2016.02); A61B 2090/0811 (2016.02); A61B 90/98 (2016.02)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
8. A cover for an articulation joint that is supported in an elongate shaft assembly of a surgical instrument that is operably coupled to a surgical end effector, the cover comprising:
a hollow body including a distal end, a proximal end, and a joint-receiving passage extending between the distal end and the proximal end for receiving the articulation joint therein, the hollow body configured to permit portions of the articulation joint to be selectively articulated relative to each other while enclosing the portions within the hollow body; and
at least one electrically conductive pathway extending between the distal end of the hollow body and the proximal end of the hollow body, each of the at least one electrically conductive pathway having a distal end portion configured to electrically contact the surgical end effector when the surgical end effector is coupled to the elongate shaft assembly and a proximal end portion configured to electrically contact the elongate shaft assembly.