US 12,433,630 B2
Ultrasonic surgical instrument with opposing thread drive for end effector articulation
John A. Hibner, Mason, OH (US); Rudolph H. Nobis, Mason, OH (US); and Benjamin J. Danziger, Kenmore, WA (US)
Assigned to Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed by Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed on Oct. 22, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/508,068.
Application 17/508,068 is a continuation of application No. 16/420,372, filed on May 23, 2019, granted, now 11,399,860.
Application 16/420,372 is a continuation of application No. 14/688,663, filed on Apr. 16, 2015, granted, now 10,342,567, issued on Jul. 9, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0110653 A1, Apr. 14, 2022
Int. Cl. A61B 17/32 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); A61B 17/29 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 17/320092 (2013.01) [A61B 17/320016 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00314 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00327 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00367 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00424 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2925 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2943 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2946 (2013.01); A61B 2017/320052 (2013.01); A61B 2017/320094 (2017.08); A61B 2017/320095 (2017.08)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An ultrasonic surgical device, comprising:
(a) a first assembly including a body configured to receive an ultrasonic transducer, wherein the first assembly is configured to be operated a first predetermined number of uses;
(b) a second assembly configured to removably connect to the first assembly, wherein the second assembly is configured to be operated a second predetermined number of uses such that the second predetermined number of uses is different than the first predetermined number of uses, the second assembly, including:
(i) a shaft assembly defining a longitudinal axis and including an acoustic waveguide configured to removably connect to the ultrasonic transducer,
(ii) an end effector distally projecting from the shaft assembly,
(iii) an articulation section coupled with the shaft assembly and configured to articulate to thereby deflect the end effector relative to the longitudinal axis, and
(iv) an articulation control assembly operatively connected to the articulation section and including a drive feature, wherein the drive feature is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation to thereby drive articulation of the articulation section, wherein the axis of rotation of the drive feature is oriented obliquely or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft assembly; and
(c) a first counter connected to the first assembly and configured to track usage of the first assembly distinct from usage of the second assembly.