US 11,998,227 B2
Ultrasonic surgical instrument with a distally grounded acoustic waveguide
Brian D. Black, Loveland, OH (US); Matthew T. Stone, Mason, OH (US); Andrew T. Beckman, Cincinnati, OH (US); and Charles J. Scheib, Loveland, OH (US)
Assigned to Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed by Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed on Oct. 22, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/076,959.
Prior Publication US 2022/0125464 A1, Apr. 28, 2022
Int. Cl. A61B 17/32 (2006.01); A61B 17/29 (2006.01); A61B 34/20 (2016.01); A61B 34/37 (2016.01)
CPC A61B 17/320092 (2013.01) [A61B 2017/2927 (2013.01); A61B 2017/320093 (2017.08); A61B 2017/320094 (2017.08); A61B 2034/2051 (2016.02); A61B 34/37 (2016.02)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An ultrasonic surgical instrument, comprising:
(a) an end effector, wherein the end effector comprises:
(i) an ultrasonic blade, and
(ii) a clamp arm configured to move relative to the ultrasonic blade between an open position and a closed position;
(b) a shaft assembly, comprising:
(i) a proximal shaft portion extending along a longitudinal axis,
(ii) an acoustic waveguide extending proximally from the ultrasonic blade to a proximal waveguide end, wherein the acoustic waveguide comprises a flexible portion,
(iii) a distal shaft portion extending along a distal axis, and
(iv) an articulation section interposed between the proximal shaft portion and the distal shaft portion, wherein the flexible portion of the acoustic waveguide extends along the articulation section, wherein the articulation section is configured to deflect the distal shaft portion and the end effector relative to the longitudinal axis between a straight configuration and an articulated configuration; and
(c) a waveguide grounding feature associated with the distal shaft portion and positioned closer to the ultrasonic blade than the proximal waveguide end, wherein the waveguide grounding feature is configured to inhibit the ultrasonic blade from shifting relative to the clamp arm along the distal axis as the end effector is driven between the straight configuration and the articulated configuration,
wherein the acoustic waveguide comprises a distal flange housed within the distal shaft portion, and wherein the waveguide grounding feature is engaged with the distal flange.