US 11,998,228 B2
Ultrasonic surgical instrument with a carrier kart and reusable stage
Andrew T. Beckman, Cincinnati, OH (US); Brian D. Black, Loveland, OH (US); Charles J. Scheib, Loveland, OH (US); and Matthew T. Stone, Mason, OH (US)
Assigned to Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed by Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed on Oct. 22, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/077,250.
Prior Publication US 2022/0125472 A1, Apr. 28, 2022
Int. Cl. A61B 17/32 (2006.01); A61B 34/00 (2016.01); A61B 34/30 (2016.01); A61B 34/37 (2016.01); A61B 17/072 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 17/320092 (2013.01) [A61B 34/25 (2016.02); A61B 34/30 (2016.02); A61B 34/37 (2016.02); A61B 34/70 (2016.02); A61B 2017/07285 (2013.01); A61B 2017/320074 (2017.08); A61B 2017/320094 (2017.08)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
(a) an end effector including a first jaw and a second jaw;
(b) a shaft assembly extending proximally from the end effector, wherein the shaft assembly defines a longitudinal axis;
(c) a carrier configured to translate the end effector along the longitudinal axis, the carrier comprising:
(i) a carriage,
(ii) an actuation driver configured to rotate along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis and including a splined shaft, and
(iii) an actuation assembly operatively coupled with the actuation driver and the carriage, wherein the actuation assembly is configured to translate a portion of the shaft assembly to cause least one of the first and second jaws to pivot relative to the other of the first and second jaws to compress tissue therebetween; and
(d) a support structure that includes a supporting portion, wherein the supporting portion is configured to reduce torsional forces exerted on the carriage as the actuation assembly transfers the rotation of the actuation driver into translation of a portion of the shaft assembly to actuate the end effector.