US 11,925,335 B2Granted

Surgical instrument with slip ring assembly to power ultrasonic transducer

AssigneeCilag GmbH International

InventorsDaniel J. Mumaw, Shawn D. Bialczak, Sora Rhee, Craig T. Davis, John A. Weed, III, Kip M. Rupp, Foster B. Stulen, Timothy G. Dietz, Kevin L. Houser

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Abstract

A surgical instrument includes a rotatable electrical coupling assembly having a first part and a second part that electrically couple and rotate relative to each other. The second part is carried by and rotates with a tube collar coupled to a transducer. A portion of the transducer is inserted through an aperture of the second part, but does not contact the second part. The first part of the assembly may electrically couple to the second part via pogo pins, brush contacts, or ball bearings. Alternatively, the first part may comprise conductive channels formed in the casing. The second part may comprise a rotatable drum with a conductive trace. In some versions, one or more components may comprise MID components. In another version, the rotatable electrical coupling assembly comprises a rotatable PC board and brush contact. Further still, a circuit board may be provided with the transducer inside a transducer casing.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A surgical instrument, comprising:

(a) an ultrasonic transducer;
(b) a body portion extending along a longitudinal axis and configured to receive the ultrasonic transducer along the longitudinal axis such that the ultrasonic transducer is rotatable about the longitudinal axis;
and
(c) an electrical coupling assembly configured to electrically connect a power supply of an electrical power to the ultrasonic transducer, the electrical coupling assembly including:
(i) a first electrical connection including a first wire and configured to electrically connect to the power supply,
(ii) a second electrical connection electrically connected to the ultrasonic transducer,
(iii) a first plurality of conductive members secured between the first and second electrical connections, wherein the first plurality of conductive members electrically connect the first and second electrical connections such that the ultrasonic transducer is configured to receive the electrical power from the power supply while rotating the ultrasonic transducer relative to the body portion about the longitudinal axis;
and
(iv) a first annular trough about the longitudinal axis, wherein at least a portion of the first wire is positioned within the first annular trough.

6 more elements

A surgical instrument, comprising:

(a) an ultrasonic transducer;
(b) a body portion extending along a longitudinal axis and configured to receive the ultrasonic transducer along the longitudinal axis such that the ultrasonic transducer is rotatable about the longitudinal axis;
and
(c) an electrical coupling assembly configured to electrically connect a power supply of an electrical power to the ultrasonic transducer, the electrical coupling assembly including:
(i) a first electrical connection configured to electrically connect to the power supply,
(ii) a second electrical connection electrically connected to the ultrasonic transducer,
(iii) a first plurality of conductive members secured between the first and second electrical connections, wherein the first plurality of conductive members electrically connect the first and second electrical connections such that the ultrasonic transducer is configured to receive the electrical power from the power supply while rotating the ultrasonic transducer relative to the body portion about the longitudinal axis,
(iv) a third electrical connection configured to electrically connect to the power supply,
(v) a fourth electrical connection electrically connected to the ultrasonic transducer, and
(vi) a second plurality of conductive members secured between the third and fourth electrical connections, wherein the second plurality of conductive members electrically connect the third and fourth electrical connections such that the ultrasonic transducer is configured to receive the electrical power from the power supply while rotating the ultrasonic transducer relative to the body portion about the longitudinal axis.

7 more elements

A surgical instrument, comprising:

(a) an ultrasonic transducer;
(b) a body portion extending along a longitudinal axis and configured to receive the ultrasonic transducer along the longitudinal axis such that the ultrasonic transducer is rotatable about the longitudinal axis;
and
(c) an electrical coupling assembly configured to electrically connect a power supply of an electrical power to the ultrasonic transducer, the electrical coupling assembly including:
(i) a first electrical connection configured to electrically connect to the power supply,
(ii) a second electrical connection electrically connected to the ultrasonic transducer,
(iii) a first plurality of conductive members secured between the first and second electrical connections, wherein the first plurality of conductive members electrically connect the first and second electrical connections such that the ultrasonic transducer is configured to receive the electrical power from the power supply while rotating the ultrasonic transducer relative to the body portion about the longitudinal axis,
(iv) a biasing element configured to urge at least one of the first plurality of conductive members into securement between the first and second electrical connections, and
(v) a first annular trough about the longitudinal axis, wherein the biasing element is positioned against the body portion and urges the at least one of the first plurality of conductive members into the first annular trough.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 17/167,476Filed 4 Feb 2021 · continuation
Priority: 5 Nov 2010
Published: US 2021/0186596 A124 Jun 2021
Granted: 12 Mar 2024
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification85 codes

A61B 17/00234
Surgical instruments, devices or methods: for minimally invasive surgery
A61B 17/2812
Surgical forceps: with a single pivotal connection
A61B 17/2909
Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery: handles
A61B 17/320068
Surgical cutting instruments: using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic

Family

Application61/410,603Us provisional application · filed 5 Nov 2010
Application61/487,846Us provisional application · filed 19 May 2011
Application13/274,480Parent of this division · filed 17 Oct 2011
Application14/992,104Parent of this continuation · filed 11 Jan 2016
US 2021/0186596 A1Pre-grant publication · published 24 Jun 2021
US 10,959,769 B2Parent of this continuation
Application14/992,104Parent of this division
US 2012/0116261 A1Published application
US 2016/0121143 A1Published application
US 11,925,335 B2This patent

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