# US 11,896,256 B2 · Jaw guard for surgical forceps > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,896,256 B2 - Document ID: US11896256B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/346,503 - Filed: 2021-06-14 - Published: 2021-09-30 - Granted: 2024-02-13 - Earliest claimed: 2018-05-02 - Assignees: Covidien LP - Applicants: Covidien LP - Inventors: John A Hammerland, III - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11896256B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/295: combined with cutting implements - A61B 17/2804: {with two or more pivotal connections (A61B17/29 takes precedence)} - A61B 17/2816: {Pivots} - A61B 17/29: Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery - A61B 18/1442: {Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps} - A61B 18/1445: {at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod} - A61B 2017/293: {with means preventing relative rotation between the shaft and the actuating rod} - A61B 2017/2947: {Pivots} - A61B 2018/0063: {Sealing} - A61B 2018/1452: {including means for cutting (A61B2018/146 takes precedence)} - A61B 2018/1455: {having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws} - A61B 2090/08021: {of the patient or his organs} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract An end effector assembly for a forceps includes first and second jaw members, each including a proximal flange extending therefrom. Each proximal flange defines an aperture extending therethrough configured to receive a pivot assembly including first and second pivot pins. The second proximal flange includes a U-shaped cross section having first and second legs defining a slot therebetween. A guard is disposed between the proximal flanges of the first and second jaw members and includes a U-shaped cross section with first and second legs configured to receive the proximal flange of the first jaw member and seat within the slot of the second jaw member. The guard is configured to eliminate gaps between the proximal flanges of the first and second jaw members during angular rotation of the first and second jaw members between a first, spaced apart position to a second, closer position. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An end effector assembly for a forceps, comprising: first and second jaw members, each of the jaw members including a proximal flange extending therefrom, each proximal flange defining an aperture extending therethrough receiving a pivot assembly including first and second pivot pins, the proximal flange of the second jaw member defining a slot therein; and a guard disposed between the proximal flanges of the first and second jaw members, the guard receiving the proximal flange of the first jaw member and seating within the slot of the proximal flange of the second jaw member, the guard eliminating gaps between the proximal flanges of the first and second jaw members during angular rotation of the first and second jaw members between a first, spaced apart position and a second, closer position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The end effector assembly of claim 1 wherein the guard includes an aperture defined therein receiving the first and second pivot pins, the guard rotatable about the first and second pivot pins during movement of the jaw members between the first and second positions. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The end effector assembly of claim 2 wherein the aperture of the guard is hourglass-shaped defining a stop that is limiting angular rotation of the guard when the jaw members are moved from the second position to the first position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The end effector assembly of claim 1 wherein an aperture defined in the proximal flange of the second jaw member is hourglass-shaped defining a stop limiting angular rotation of the second jaw member when the jaw members are moved from the second position to the first position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The end effector assembly of claim 3 wherein an aperture defined in the proximal flange of the second jaw member is hourglass-shaped defining a stop limiting angular rotation of the second jaw member when the jaw members are moved from the second position to the first position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The end effector assembly of claim 5 wherein the hourglass-shaped aperture in the proximal flange of the second jaw member is larger than the hourglass-shaped aperture in the guard such that the degree of angular rotation of the second jaw member is greater than the degree of angular rotation of the guard. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The end effector assembly of claim 1 wherein the pivot assembly is mechanically engaged to the proximal flange of the first jaw member by snap-fit, overmolding, injection molding or friction fit. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The end effector assembly of claim 1 wherein the pivot assembly is integrally associated with the proximal flange of the first jaw member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The end effector assembly of claim 1 wherein the first and second pivot pins extend on either side of the pivot assembly to pivotably engage the guard and the proximal flange of the second jaw member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 3) The end effector assembly of claim 3 wherein at least one of the first or second pivot pins abuts the stop on the aperture of the guard to limit angular rotation of the guard when the first and second jaw members move from the second to first positions. ### Claim 11 (depends on 4) The end effector assembly of claim 4 wherein at least one of the first or second pivot pins abuts the stop on the aperture of the proximal flange of the second jaw member to limit angular rotation of the first and second jaw members from the second to first positions. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The end effector assembly of claim 1 wherein the guard includes a geometric configuration selected from the group consisting of: half U-shaped, nestled, offset, and multicomponent. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The end effector assembly of claim 1 wherein when the first and second jaw members are moved to the closer position, the guard and the proximal flange of the first jaw member align to permit reciprocation of a knife therethrough. ### Claim 14 An end effector assembly for a forceps, comprising: first and second jaw members, each of the jaw members including a proximal flange extending therefrom, each proximal flange defining an aperture extending therethrough receiving a pivot assembly including at least one pivot pin, the proximal flange of the second jaw member defining a slot therein; and a guard disposed between the proximal flanges of the first and second jaw members, the guard receiving the proximal flange of the first jaw member and seating within the slot of the proximal flange of the second jaw member, the guard eliminating gaps between the proximal flanges of the first and second jaw members during angular rotation of the first and second jaw members between a first, spaced apart position and a second, closer position. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The end effector assembly of claim 14 wherein the pivot pin is eccentric. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The end effector assembly of claim 14 wherein when the first and second jaw members are moved to the closer position, the guard and the proximal flange of the first jaw member align to permit reciprocation of a knife therethrough. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The end effector assembly of claim 16 wherein the guard is U-shaped. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The end effector assembly of claim 17 wherein at least one of the proximal flanges of the first and second jaw members is U-shaped.