Systems and methods facilitating reprocessing of surgical instruments
AssigneeCovidien LP
InventorsJohn R. Twomey, James D. Allen, IV
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of sharpening a cutting edge of a knife of a surgical instrument includes manipulating an end effector assembly of a surgical instrument such that first and second jaw members of the end effector assembly are disposed in a spaced-apart position, retaining the first and second jaw members in the spaced-apart position, advancing a knife of the surgical instrument to an extended position wherein the knife extends between the first and second jaw members, retaining the knife in the extended position, and sharpening a cutting edge of the knife.
Claims20
A method of sharpening a cutting edge of a knife of a surgical instrument, comprising:
- manipulating an end effector assembly of a surgical instrument such that first and second jaw members of the end effector assembly are disposed in a spaced-apart position;
- maintaining the first and second jaw members in the spaced-apart position;
- advancing a knife of the surgical instrument to an extended position wherein the knife extends between the first and second jaw members;
- retaining the knife in the extended position;
- and
- sharpening a cutting edge of the knife.
A method of sharpening a cutting edge of a knife of a surgical instrument, comprising:
- disassembling a surgical instrument to remove a front end assembly therefrom, the front end assembly including an elongated shaft assembly, an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end of the elongated shaft assembly, and a knife operably disposed within the elongated shaft assembly;
- manipulating the end effector assembly such that first and second jaw members of the end effector assembly are disposed in a spaced-apart position;
- maintaining the first and second jaw members in the spaced-apart position;
- advancing the knife to an extended position wherein the knife extends between the first and second jaw members;
- retaining the knife in the extended position;
- and
- sharpening a cutting edge of the knife.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.