US 12,336,747 B2
Method of operating a combination ultrasonic / bipolar RF surgical device with a combination energy modality end-effector
John M. Sarley, Mason, OH (US); Chad P. Boudreaux, Cincinnati, OH (US); Tyler N. Brehm, Cincinnati, OH (US); Ellen E. Burkart, Liberty Township, OH (US); Jeffrey D. Messerly, Cincinnati, OH (US); Craig N. Faller, Batavia, OH (US); Robert S. Bishop, Cincinnati, OH (US); Michael A. Keenan, Cincinnati, OH (US); William A. Olson, Lebanon, OH (US); Richard W. Flaker, Fairfield, OH (US); Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Hillsboro, OH (US); Frederick L. Estera, Cincinnati, OH (US); Bruce Brunson, Jr., Cincinnati, OH (US); Guion Y. Lucas, Cincinnati, OH (US); Demetrius N. Harris, Cincinnati, OH (US); Stephen M. Leuck, Milford, OH (US); Nina Mastroianni, Cincinnati, OH (US); John E. Brady, Cincinnati, OH (US); Wei Guo, Mason, OH (US); Geoffrey S. Strobl, Williamsburg, OH (US); Joseph S. Salguero, North Plainfield, NJ (US); Lauren M. Valente, Macomb, MI (US); and Joseph H. Kemper, Cincinnati, OH (US)
Assigned to Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed by Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed on May 29, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/887,493.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/955,292, filed on Dec. 30, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0196334 A1, Jul. 1, 2021
Int. Cl. A61B 18/00 (2006.01); A61B 18/14 (2006.01); A61B 17/32 (2006.01); A61B 18/12 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 18/00 (2013.01) [A61B 18/1445 (2013.01); A61B 2017/320075 (2017.08); A61B 2017/320094 (2017.08); A61B 2017/320095 (2017.08); A61B 2018/00077 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00083 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00601 (2013.01); A61B 2018/0063 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00994 (2013.01); A61B 2018/126 (2013.01); A61B 2018/1452 (2013.01)] 37 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of operating a combination ultrasonic/bipolar RF surgical instrument with a combination energy modality end-effector, the combination ultrasonic/bipolar RF surgical instrument comprising:
end-effector, comprising:
a clamp arm; and
an ultrasonic blade acoustically coupled to an ultrasonic transducer and electrically coupled to a pole of an electrical generator;
wherein the clamp arm comprises:
a clamp jaw having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end pivotally movable about a pivot point;
a clamp arm pad fixed to the clamp jaw;
a gap pad comprising non-conductive material; and
a cantilever electrode having a proximal end fixed to the proximal end of the clamp jaw and a distal end that is free to deflect, the cantilever electrode defining a surface configured to contact tissue and apply electrical energy to the tissue in contact therewith, wherein the cantilever electrode is electrically coupled to an opposite pole of the electrical generator, wherein the cantilever electrode defines an aperture, and wherein the aperture receives the gap pad in a closed configuration and wherein the gap pad is to contact the blade and set a gap between the cantilever electrode and the ultrasonic blade in the closed configuration, wherein the clamp arm comprises an electrically non-conductive clamp arm pad comprising a plurality of teeth, wherein the aperture of the cantilever electrode is one of a plurality of apertures;
the method comprising:
providing the combination ultrasonic/bipolar RF surgical instrument;
grasping tissue with the end-effector between the clamp jaw and the ultrasonic blade;
receiving a tooth of the plurality of teeth in an aperture of the plurality of apertures, wherein the tooth extends beyond the tissue contacting surface of the cantilever electrode in the closed configuration;
applying energy to either the cantilever electrode or the ultrasonic blade of the combination energy modality end-effector for a period of time; and
sealing or cutting the grasped tissue using a combination of energy modes delivered by the generator.