# US 11,896,280 B2 · Clamp arm comprising a circuit

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 11,896,280 B2
- Document ID: US11896280B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/131,105
- Filed: 2020-12-22
- Published: 2021-06-17
- Granted: 2024-02-13
- Earliest claimed: 2016-01-15
- Assignees: Cilag GmbH International
- Applicants: Cilag GmbH International
- Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV; David C. Yates; Kevin L. Houser; Jeffrey D. Messerly; Jason L. Harris; Geoffrey S. Strobl
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11896280B2

## CPC

- A61B 18/00: Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body (eye surgery A61F9/007; ear surgery A61F11/00)
- A61B 18/1445: {at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod}
- A61B 2017/00039: {Electric or electromagnetic phenomena other than conductivity, e.g. capacity, inductivity, Hall effect}
- A61B 2017/00123: {and automatic shutdown}
- A61B 2017/003: {Steerable}
- A61B 2017/00314: {Separate linked members}
- A61B 2017/00398: {using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids}
- A61B 2017/00464: {for use with different instruments}
- A61B 2017/00734: {battery operated}
- A61B 2017/2927: {the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft}
- A61B 2017/2929: {with a head rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft}
- A61B 2017/320078: {Tissue manipulating surface}
- A61B 2017/320094: {additional movable means performing clamping operation}
- A61B 2017/320095: {with sealing or cauterizing means}
- A61B 2018/00297: {Means for providing haptic feedback}
- A61B 2018/00607: {Coagulation and cutting with the same instrument}
- A61B 2018/00648: {using more than one sensed parameter}
- A61B 2018/00666: {using a threshold value}
- A61B 2018/00684: {using lookup tables}
- A61B 2018/00708: {switching the power on or off}
- A61B 2018/00767: {Voltage}
- A61B 2018/00875: {Resistance or impedance}
- A61B 2018/00886: {Duration}
- A61B 2018/00898: {Alarms or notifications created in response to an abnormal condition}
- A61B 2018/00904: {Automatic detection of target tissue}
- A61B 2018/00922: {by switching or controlling the treatment energy directly within the hand-piece}
- A61B 2018/00946: {slidable}
- A61B 2018/00958: {for switching between different working modes of the main function}
- A61B 2018/00994: {combining two or more different kinds of non-mechanical energy or combining one or more non-mechanical energies with ultrasound}
- A61B 2018/1226: {powered by a battery}
- A61B 2018/1273: {including multiple generators in one device}
- A61B 2018/1455: {having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws}
- A61B 2018/146: {Scissors}
- A61B 2034/252: {indicating steps of a surgical procedure}
- A61B 2034/731: {Arrangement of the coils or magnets}
- A61B 2090/061: {for measuring dimensions, e.g. length}
- A61B 2560/0209: adapted for power saving
- A61B 2560/0475: Special features of memory means, e.g. removable memory cards
- A61B 2562/0219: Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

An end effector is disclosed comprising an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm pivotable relative to the ultrasonic blade to capture tissue therebetween. The clamp arm defines an arcuate surface configured to at least partially surround the ultrasonic blade. The clamp arm comprises a circuit positioned on the arcuate surface. The circuit comprises an electrode layer configured to transmit RF energy to the tissue positioned between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade, a compressible layer positioned between the electrode layer and the arcuate surface, first pressure sensor layer positioned beneath the compressible layer between the compressible layer and the arcuate surface, and a second pressure sensor layer positioned above the compressible layer. The compressible layer is compressible to allow the electrode layer to deflect away from the ultrasonic blade. The compressible layer is compressible to allow the second pressure sensor layer to deflect away from the ultrasonic blade.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An end effector, comprising:
an ultrasonic blade; and
a clamp arm pivotable relative to the ultrasonic blade to capture tissue therebetween, wherein the clamp arm defines an arcuate surface configured to at least partially surround the ultrasonic blade, wherein the clamp arm comprises a circuit positioned on the arcuate surface, and wherein the circuit comprises:
an electrode layer configured to transmit RF energy to the tissue positioned between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade;
a compressible layer positioned between the electrode layer and the arcuate surface, wherein the compressible layer is compressible to allow the electrode layer to deflect away from the ultrasonic blade;
a first pressure sensor layer positioned beneath the compressible layer between the compressible layer and the arcuate surface; and
a second pressure sensor layer positioned above the compressible layer, wherein the compressible layer is compressible to allow the second pressure sensor layer to deflect away from the ultrasonic blade.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The end effector of claim 1, wherein the circuit further comprises a sensor configured to measure a parameter of the tissue.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The end effector of claim 2, wherein the circuit further comprises an insulative layer positioned between the electrode layer and the sensor.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The end effector of claim 2, wherein the sensor comprises a force sensor configured to measure a force applied to the tissue by the clamp arm.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The end effector of claim 2, wherein the sensor comprises an impedance sensor configured to measure an impedance of the tissue.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

The end effector of claim 2, wherein the sensor comprises a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the tissue.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The end effector of claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic blade extends along a longitudinal axis, and wherein the ultrasonic blade is rotatable about the longitudinal axis.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The end effector of claim 1, wherein the circuit is a first circuit, wherein the first circuit is positioned on a first lateral side of the arcuate surface, and wherein the end effector further comprises a second circuit positioned on a second lateral side of the arcuate surface.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The end effector of claim 8, wherein the second circuit comprises:
a second electrode layer configured to transmit RF energy to the tissue positioned between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade; and
a second compressible layer configured to permit the second electrode layer to deflect away from the ultrasonic blade.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The end effector of claim 9, wherein the electrode layer of the first circuit and the second electrode layer of the second circuit are independently actuatable.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The end effector of claim 1, wherein the electrode layer is operably coupled a first pole of an RF energy source, wherein the ultrasonic blade is operably coupled to a second pole of the RF energy source, and wherein the second pole is opposite of the first pole.

### Claim 12

A surgical system, comprising:
an ultrasonic waveguide;
an ultrasonic blade extending from the ultrasonic waveguide; and
a clamp arm rotatable relative to the ultrasonic blade to capture tissue therebetween, wherein the clamp arm defines a curved surface configured to curve at least partially around a perimeter of the ultrasonic blade, wherein the clamp arm comprises a flex circuit positioned on the curved surface, and wherein the flex circuit comprises:
an electrode layer configured to transmit RF energy to the tissue positioned between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade;
a compressible layer positioned between the electrode layer and the curved surface, wherein the compressible layer is compressible to allow the electrode layer to move away from the ultrasonic blade;
a first pressure sensor layer positioned beneath the compressible layer between the compressible layer and the curved surface; and
a second pressure sensor layer positioned above the compressible layer, wherein the compressible layer is compressible to allow the second pressure sensor layer to move away from the ultrasonic blade.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The surgical system of claim 12, wherein the flex circuit further comprises a sensor configured to measure a parameter of the tissue.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The surgical system of claim 13, wherein the flex circuit further comprises an insulative layer positioned between the electrode layer and the sensor.

### Claim 15 (depends on 12)

The surgical system of claim 12, wherein the flex circuit is a first flex circuit, wherein the first flex circuit is positioned on a first lateral side of the curved surface, and wherein the clamp arm further comprises a second flex circuit positioned on a second lateral side of the curved surface.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The surgical system of claim 15, wherein the second flex circuit comprises:
a second electrode layer configured to transmit RF energy from to the tissue positioned between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade; and
a second compressible layer positioned between the second electrode layer and the curved surface, wherein the compressible layer is compressible to allow the second electrode layer to move away from the ultrasonic blade.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The surgical system of claim 16, wherein the electrode layer of the first flex circuit and the second electrode layer of the second flex circuit are independently actuatable.

### Claim 18 (depends on 12)

The surgical system of claim 12, wherein the electrode layer is operably coupled a first pole of an RF energy source, wherein the ultrasonic blade is operably coupled to a second pole of the RF energy source, and wherein the second pole is opposite of the first pole.

### Claim 19

An end effector, comprising:
an ultrasonic blade operably coupled to a first pole of an RF energy source; and
a clamp arm movable relative to the ultrasonic blade to capture tissue therebetween, wherein the clamp arm defines a bowed surface configured to extend at least partially around a perimeter of the ultrasonic blade, and wherein the clamp arm comprises a flex circuit assembly, comprising:
a first flex circuit positioned on a first lateral side of the bowed surface, wherein the first flex circuit comprises:
a first electrode layer configured to transmit RF energy to the tissue positioned between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade, wherein the first electrode layer is operably coupled a second pole of the RF energy source, and wherein the second pole is opposite of the first pole;
a first compressible layer positioned between the first electrode layer and the bowed surface, wherein the first compressible layer is compressible to allow the first electrode layer to deflect away from the ultrasonic blade;
a first pressure sensor layer positioned beneath the first compressible layer between the first compressible layer and the bowed surface; and
a second pressure sensor layer positioned above the first compressible layer, wherein the first compressible layer is compressible to allow the second pressure sensor layer to deflect away from the ultrasonic blade;
a second flex circuit positioned on a second lateral side of the bowed surface, wherein the second flex circuit comprises:
a second electrode layer configured to transmit RF energy to the tissue positioned between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade, wherein the second electrode layer is operably coupled the second pole of the RF energy source;
a second compressible layer positioned between the second electrode layer and the bowed surface, wherein the second compressible layer is compressible to allow the second electrode layer to deflect away from the ultrasonic blade;
a third pressure sensor layer positioned beneath the second compressible layer between the second compressible layer and the bowed surface; and
a fourth pressure sensor layer positioned above the second compressible layer, wherein the second compressible layer is compressible to allow the fourth pressure sensor layer to deflect away from the ultrasonic blade.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The end effector of claim 19, wherein the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer are independently actuatable.