US 11,452,539 B2Granted

Surgical instrument with multi-function button

AssigneeCilag GmbH International

InventorsJohn A. Hibner, Kevin L. Houser, David A. Monroe, David J. Cagle, Geoffrey S. Strobl, Timothy P. Lessek, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Ryan M. Asher, Mary E. Mootoo, Eric B. Smith, Gregory W. Johnson, David M. Locke

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Abstract

An ultrasonic instrument includes a body, an actuation assembly, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The actuation assembly includes an activation member that is operable to move in a first direction to select a mode of operation. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body and includes an acoustic waveguide. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade that is in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide. The activation member is operable to move in a second direction to activate the end effector in a mode of operation selected by movement of the activation member in the first direction.

Claims18

Dependent claims

An ultrasonic surgical instrument comprising:

(a) a shaft assembly that defines a longitudinal axis, wherein the shaft assembly comprises an acoustic waveguide;
(b) an end effector comprising an ultrasonic blade, wherein the ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide;
(c) a handle assembly extending proximally from the shaft assembly, the handle assembly comprising:
(i) a pistol grip configured to be gripped by a first hand of a user, and
(ii) an actuation assembly comprising a multi-directional button, wherein the multi-directional button includes first, second, and third actuators which are each configured to be directly contacted and actuated by the first hand of the user, wherein the multi-directional button includes a first switch and a second switch respectively associated with different operating modes of the end effector;
and
(d) a control logic configured to:
(i) provide a power level in response to closure of one of the first and second switches, and
(ii) subsequently activate the end effector at the power level in response to closure of both of the first and second switches.

6 more elements

An ultrasonic surgical instrument comprising:

(a) a shaft assembly that defines a longitudinal axis, wherein the shaft assembly comprises an acoustic waveguide;
(b) an end effector comprising an ultrasonic blade, wherein the ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide;
(c) a handle assembly extending proximally from the shaft assembly, the handle assembly comprising:
(i) a pistol grip configured to be gripped by a user, and
(ii) an actuation assembly comprising an activation member, wherein the activation member includes a user contact surface including first, second, third, and fourth actuators which are each configured to be directly contacted and actuated by the user, wherein the user contact surface faces distally away from the handle assembly, wherein the activation member includes a first switch, a second switch, a third switch, and a fourth switch respectively associated with different operating modes of the end effector, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth switches are disposed under the first, second, third, and fourth actuators of the user contact surface of the activation member such that at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth switches is closed when the activation member is directly contacted and actuated;
(d) a control logic configured to:
(i) provide a power level in response to closure of one of the first and second switches, and
(ii) subsequently activate the end effector at the power level in response to closure of both of the first and second switches.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/266,578Filed 4 Feb 2019 · continuation
Priority: 16 Dec 2015
Published: US 2019/0239915 A18 Aug 2019
Granted: 27 Sep 2022
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification18 codes

A61B 17/320068
Surgical cutting instruments: using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic
A61B 17/320092
Using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic: with additional movable means for clamping or cutting tissue, e.g. with a pivoting jaw
A61B 18/1445
Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps: at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod
A61B 2017/00389
Details of actuation of instruments, e.g. relations between pushing buttons, or the like, and activation of the tool, working tip, or the like:…

Family

Application14/970,632Parent of this continuation · filed 16 Dec 2015
US 2019/0239915 A1Pre-grant publication · published 8 Aug 2019
US 10,238,413 B2Parent of this continuation
US 2017/0172605 A1Published application
US 11,452,539 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.