# US 11,076,910 B2 · Jaw members for surgical instruments and surgical instruments incorporating the same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,076,910 B2 - Document ID: US11076910B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/876,691 - Filed: 2018-01-22 - Published: 2019-07-25 - Granted: 2021-08-03 - Earliest claimed: 2018-01-22 - Assignees: Covidien LP - Applicants: Covidien LP - Inventors: Kenneth E. Netzel; Jason L. Craig - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11076910B2 ## CPC - A61B 18/1445: {at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod} - A61B 17/282: {Jaws} - A61B 17/29: Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery - A61B 17/295: combined with cutting implements - A61B 17/320092: {with additional movable means for clamping or cutting tissue, e.g. with a pivoting jaw} - A61B 2017/2926: {Details of heads or jaws} - A61B 2017/2939: {Details of linkages or pivot points} - A61B 2017/2944: {Translation of jaw members} - A61B 2017/2945: {Curved jaws} - A61B 2017/320094: {additional movable means performing clamping operation} - A61B 2018/1455: {having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws} - A61B 2018/1457: {having opposing blades cutting tissue grasped by the jaws, i.e. combined scissors and pliers} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A jaw member for a surgical instrument includes a structural body including a proximal flange portion and an elongated distal portion extending distally from the proximal flange portion. The elongated distal portion includes a base and first and second sidewalls extending from either side of the base along at least a portion of a length of the elongated distal portion. A jaw liner is engaged with the base of the elongated distal portion and defines a tissue-contacting surface. The first and second sidewalls extend beyond the tissue-contacting surface of the jaw liner and are configured to facilitate gripping tissue between the structural body and an opposed structure. A surgical instrument including such a jaw member is also provided. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A jaw member for a surgical instrument, the jaw member comprising: a rigid structural body including a proximal flange portion and an elongated distal portion extending distally from the proximal flange portion, the elongated distal portion defining a substantially flat proximal section, a distal section and a longitudinal axis and including a base and first and second sidewalls extending from either side of the base along at least a portion of a length of the elongated distal portion; and a compliant jaw liner engaged with the base of the elongated distal portion, the compliant jaw liner defining a tissue-contacting surface, the compliant jaw liner disposed between the first and second sidewalls such that first and second lateral edges of the compliant jaw liner are positioned adjacent and inwardly of the first and second sidewalls, respectively, wherein the tissue-contacting surface of the compliant jaw liner has a curved shape along the longitudinal axis, wherein the first and second sidewalls extend beyond the tissue-contacting surface of the compliant jaw liner, the first and second sidewalls configured to facilitate gripping tissue between the rigid structural body and an opposed structure, wherein the first and second sidewalls each define a plurality of gripping teeth along the distal section of the elongated distal portion, the gripping teeth having inner walls, the inner walls sloped toward the compliant jaw liner, the gripping teeth arranged along no more than 50% of the length of the elongated distal portion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The jaw member according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of gripping teeth have substantially similar heights. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The jaw member according to claim 1, wherein at least two of the plurality of gripping teeth define different heights. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The jaw member according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of gripping teeth are substantially equally spaced along the sidewalls. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The jaw member according to claim 1, wherein at least two pairs of the plurality of gripping teeth are differently spaced along the sidewalls. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The jaw member according to claim 1, wherein the first and second sidewalls only extend along the distal section of the elongated distal portion of the rigid structural body. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The jaw member according to claim 1, wherein the first and second sidewalls extend along substantially the entire length of the elongated distal portion of the rigid structural body. ### Claim 8 A surgical instrument, comprising: an energy-delivering component; and a jaw member positioned to oppose the energy-delivering component and movable relative thereto between an open position and a closed position for clamping tissue between the jaw member and the energy-delivering component, the jaw member including: a rigid structural body including a proximal flange portion and an elongated distal portion extending distally from the proximal flange portion, the elongated distal portion defining a substantially flat proximal section, a distal section and a longitudinal axis and including a base and first and second sidewalls extending from either side of the base along at least a portion of a length of the elongated distal portion; and a compliant jaw liner engaged with the base of the elongated distal portion, the compliant jaw liner defining a tissue-contacting surface, the compliant jaw liner disposed between the first and second sidewalls such that first and second lateral edges of the compliant jaw liner are positioned adjacent and inwardly of the first and second sidewalls, respectively, wherein the tissue-contacting surface of the compliant jaw liner has a curved shape along the longitudinal axis, wherein the first and second sidewalls extend beyond the tissue-contacting surface of the compliant jaw liner, the first and second sidewalls configured to facilitate gripping tissue between the rigid structural body and the energy-delivering component, wherein the first and second sidewalls each define a plurality of gripping teeth along the distal section of the elongated distal portion, the gripping teeth having inner walls, the inner walls sloped toward the compliant jaw liner, the gripping teeth arranged along no more than 50% of the length of the elongated distal portion. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The surgical instrument according to claim 8, wherein the energy-delivering component is an ultrasonic blade. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The surgical instrument according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of gripping teeth have substantially similar heights. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The surgical instrument according to claim 8, wherein at least two of the plurality of gripping teeth have different heights. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The surgical instrument according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of gripping teeth are substantially similarly spaced along the sidewalls. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The surgical instrument according to claim 8, wherein at least two pairs of the plurality of gripping teeth are differently spaced along the sidewalls. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The surgical instrument according to claim 8, wherein the first and second sidewalls only extend along the distal section of the elongated distal portion of the rigid structural body. ### Claim 15 (depends on 8) The surgical instrument according to claim 8, wherein the first and second sidewalls extend along substantially the entire length of the elongated distal portion of the rigid structural body. ### Claim 16 An ultrasonic surgical instrument, comprising: an ultrasonic blade configured to receive ultrasonic energy for treating tissue therewith, the ultrasonic blade defining a first width; a jaw member movable relative to the ultrasonic blade between an open position and a closed position, the jaw member including: a structural body including a proximal flange portion and an elongated distal portion extending distally from the proximal flange portion, the elongated distal portion defining a substantially flat proximal section, a distal section and a longitudinal axis and including a base and first and second sidewalls extending from either side of the base along at least a portion of a length of the elongated distal portion the first and second sidewalls spaced-apart a second width greater than the first width such that, in the closed position of the jaw member, the first and second sidewalls are disposed on either side of the ultrasonic blade; and a jaw liner engaged with the base of the elongated distal portion, the jaw liner defining a tissue-contacting surface, the jaw liner disposed between the first and second sidewalls such that first and second lateral edges of the jaw liner are positioned adjacent and inwardly of the first and second sidewalls, respectively, wherein the tissue-contacting surface of the jaw liner has a curved shape along the longitudinal axis, and wherein, in the closed position of the jaw member, the jaw and the ultrasonic blade are configured to clamp tissue therebetween, wherein the first and second sidewalls extend beyond the tissue-contacting surface of the jaw liner, the first and second sidewalls configured to facilitate gripping tissue, wherein the first and second sidewalls each define a plurality of gripping teeth along the distal section of the elongated distal portion, the gripping teeth having inner walls, the inner walls sloped toward the jaw liner, the plurality of gripping teeth arranged along no more than 50% of the length of the elongated distal portion.