US 12,433,665 B2
Surgical instruments incorporating ultrasonic and electrosurgical functionality
David J. Van Tol, Boulder, CO (US); and Thomas W. Meiser, Lakewood, CO (US)
Assigned to Covidien LP, Mansfield, MA (US)
Filed by Covidien LP, Mansfield, MA (US)
Filed on Dec. 22, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/087,035.
Application 18/087,035 is a division of application No. 16/238,812, filed on Jan. 3, 2019, granted, now 11,564,733.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/618,402, filed on Jan. 17, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/618,241, filed on Jan. 17, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/618,277, filed on Jan. 17, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/618,292, filed on Jan. 17, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2023/0124774 A1, Apr. 20, 2023
Int. Cl. A61B 18/12 (2006.01); A61B 17/32 (2006.01); A61B 18/14 (2006.01); A61B 17/29 (2006.01); A61B 18/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 18/1445 (2013.01) [A61B 17/320092 (2013.01); A61B 18/1447 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2926 (2013.01); A61B 2017/320075 (2017.08); A61B 2017/320082 (2017.08); A61B 2017/320094 (2017.08); A61B 2017/320095 (2017.08); A61B 2018/00196 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00601 (2013.01); A61B 2018/0063 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00916 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00922 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00946 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00994 (2013.01); A61B 2018/1452 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
an end effector assembly, including:
a first jaw member including first and second electrodes and a flexible joint interconnecting the first and second electrodes, the flexible joint defining an insulative tissue-contacting surface and the first and second electrodes defining first and second electrically-conductive tissue-contacting surfaces, respectively, disposed on either side of the insulative tissue-contacting surface, the first and second electrodes adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy; and
a second jaw member including an ultrasonic blade body adapted to receive ultrasonic energy from an ultrasonic waveguide and positioned to oppose the insulative tissue-contacting surface of the first jaw member,
wherein the first jaw member is movable relative to the second jaw member between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position, and wherein, upon movement of the first jaw member from the spaced-apart position to the approximated position, the flexible joint is flexed from a first configuration, wherein the insulative tissue-contacting surface and the first and second electrically-conductive tissue-contacting surfaces are generally co-planar, to a second configuration, wherein the first and second electrically-conductive tissue-contacting surfaces are angled inwardly towards one another.