US 12,310,615 B2
Articulating ultrasonic surgical instruments and systems
James R. Fagan, Erie, CO (US); Thomas E. Drochner, Longmont, CO (US); Michael B. Lyons, Boulder, CO (US); David J. Van Tol, Boulder, CO (US); and Matthew S. Cowley, Frederick, CO (US)
Assigned to Covidien LP, Mansfield, MA (US)
Appl. No. 17/797,175
Filed by Covidien LP, Mansfield, MA (US)
PCT Filed Mar. 2, 2021, PCT No. PCT/US2021/020473
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Aug. 3, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/202035, PCT Pub. Date Oct. 7, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/003,985, filed on Apr. 2, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0053012 A1, Feb. 16, 2023
Int. Cl. A61B 17/32 (2006.01); A61B 34/37 (2016.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); A61B 17/29 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 17/320092 (2013.01) [A61B 34/37 (2016.02); A61B 2017/00402 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2927 (2013.01); A61B 2017/320071 (2017.08); A61B 2017/320075 (2017.08); A61B 2017/320094 (2017.08); A61B 2017/320098 (2017.08)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
19. An articulating ultrasonic surgical end effector, comprising:
an articulating section including a plurality of articulating links configured to enable articulation in at least two different planes; and
a transducer assembly extending distally from the articulating section, the transducer assembly articulable in the least two different planes via the articulating section, the transducer assembly including:
a transducer housing;
an ultrasonic transducer disposed within the transducer housing;
a waveguide disposed within the transducer housing, operably coupled to the ultrasonic transducer, and extending distally from the ultrasonic transducer;
an ultrasonic blade disposed at a distal end of the waveguide and extending from the transducer housing, wherein ultrasonic energy produced by the ultrasonic transducer is transmitted along the waveguide to the ultrasonic blade for treating tissue; and
a clamp arm pivotably coupled to the transducer housing and movable relative to the ultrasonic blade between an open position and a clamping position.