# US 12,004,742 B2 · Electrosurgical instruments and methods of using the same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,004,742 B2 - Document ID: US12004742B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/133,154 - Filed: 2023-04-11 - Published: 2023-11-02 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2022-04-28 - Assignees: Standard Bariatrics, Inc. - Applicants: Standard Bariatrics, Inc. - Inventors: Trevor Jon Barton; Adam Robert Dunki-Jacobs; Robert Taylor Means, III; Jonathan Richard Thompson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12004742B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/072: for applying a row of staples in a single action, e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously - A61B 17/068: Surgical staplers {, e.g. containing multiple staples or clamps}({staplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105;} for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; {staplers in general B25C5/00}) - A61B 17/07207: {the staples being applied sequentially} - A61B 17/3211: Surgical scalpels, knives; Accessories therefor - A61B 18/08: by means of electrically-heated probes - A61B 18/12: by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current - A61B 17/00234: {for minimally invasive surgery (A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence)} - A61B 17/1155: {Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples} - A61B 17/3201: Scissors (for biopsy A61B10/02) - A61B 34/30: Surgical robots - A61B 90/98: using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders - A61B 2017/00017: {Electrical control of surgical instruments} - A61B 2017/00115: {with audible or visual output} - A61B 2017/00398: {using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids} - A61B 2017/07214: {Stapler heads} - A61B 2017/07257: {characterised by its anvil} - A61B 2017/07271: {characterised by its cartridge} - A61B 2017/07285: {characterised by its cutter} - A61B 2018/00589: {Coagulation} - A61B 2018/00595: {Cauterization} - A61B 2018/0063: {Sealing} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract Embodiments include an end effector including an anvil that includes a first end, a second end, and an anvil face positionable on the first side of an anatomical structure, a cartridge operably configured to house a plurality of staples, the cartridge comprising a first end, a second end, and a cartridge face positionable on the second side of the anatomical structure. The end effector includes a blade assembly comprising a blade, a beam, and a nut, the blade comprising a first side and a second side joined at a cutting edge. The end effector includes first and second electrodes coupled to the first side of the blade and an electrosurgical power generating source in electrical communication with the first and second electrodes. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electrosurgical surgical instrument to staple, resect, and seal an anatomical structure of a patient, the surgical instrument comprising: (a) an end effector, the end effector comprising; (i) an anvil that includes a first end, a second end, and an anvil face positionable on a first side of the anatomical structure; (ii) a cartridge operably configured to house a plurality of staples, the cartridge comprising a first end, a second end, and a cartridge face positionable on a second side of the anatomical structure, the cartridge face defining a channel extending from the first end of the cartridge to the second end of the cartridge, wherein the first end of the cartridge is pivotally coupled with the first end of the anvil; (iii) a blade assembly comprising a blade, a beam, and a nut, the blade comprising a first side and a second side joined at a cutting edge, wherein at least a portion of the blade assembly is slidably engaged with the channel; (iv) first and second electrodes coupled to the first side of the blade; and (b) an elongate tube, the elongate tube having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is coupled with the end effector; (c) a handle, the handle having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end of the handle is coupled with the proximal end of the elongate tube; (d) a drive assembly comprising a motor to actuate the end effector; and (e) an electrosurgical power generating source, wherein circuitry connects each of the first and second electrodes to the electrosurgical power generating source, and wherein the circuitry comprises a first conductive strip coupled to an inside surface of the elongate tube and a second conductive strip coupled to an inside surface of the elongate tube. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electrosurgical surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the blade assembly comprises at least one elongated arm that urges each of the plurality of staples from the cartridge as the blade is advanced from a first position at a distal end of the cartridge to a second position at a proximal end of the cartridge. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The electrosurgical surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the blade assembly is I-shaped such that the blade assembly compresses the anvil and the cartridge during use. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The electrosurgical surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein as the blade is advanced from a first position at a distal end of the cartridge to a second position at a proximal end of the cartridge an incision having a first side and a second side is formed in the anatomical structure. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The electrosurgical surgical instrument of claim 4, wherein as the blade is advanced from the first position to the second position the first and second electrodes contact the first side of the incision. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The electrosurgical surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein as the blade is advanced from a first position at a distal end of the cartridge to a second position at a proximal end of the cartridge the first and second electrodes contact the anatomical structure. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The electrosurgical surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the nut comprises a first contact in electrical communication with the first conductive strip and a second contact in electrical communication with the second conductive strip. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The electrosurgical surgical instrument of claim 7, wherein each of the first contact and second contact are any of a brush contact and a spring contact. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The electrosurgical surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the beam comprises a first contact in electrical communication with the first conductive strip and a second contact in electrical communication with the second conductive strip. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The electrosurgical surgical instrument of claim 1, further comprising a spool assembly, wherein the handle defines a cavity and the spool assembly is positioned within the cavity. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The electrosurgical surgical instrument of claim 10, wherein the circuitry comprises a flexible printed circuit having a proximal end and a distal end. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The electrosurgical surgical instrument of claim 11, wherein the distal end of the flexible printed circuit is coupled to the beam. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The electrosurgical surgical instrument of claim 12, wherein the proximal end of the flexible printed circuit is coupled to the spool assembly. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The electrosurgical surgical instrument of claim 13, wherein the spool assembly comprises a slip ring, wherein the flexible printed circuit is in electrical communication with the electrosurgical power generating source via the slip ring. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The electrosurgical surgical instrument of claim 10, wherein the circuitry comprises a first conductor having a proximal end and a distal end and a second conductor having a proximal end and a distal end. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The electrosurgical surgical instrument of claim 15, wherein the distal ends of each of the first and second conductors are coupled to the beam. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The electrosurgical surgical instrument of claim 16, wherein the proximal ends each of the first and second conductors are coupled to the spool assembly. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The electrosurgical surgical instrument of claim 17, wherein the spool assembly comprises a slip ring, wherein the first and second conductors are in electrical communication with the electrosurgical power generating source via the slip ring. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The electrosurgical surgical instrument of claim 1, further comprising beam circuitry extending along a length of the beam. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The electrosurgical surgical instrument of claim 19, wherein the beam defines a lengthwise slot and at least a portion of the beam circuitry is positioned within the lengthwise slot. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The electrosurgical surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes each have a generally planar outer surface. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The electrosurgical surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes each have a curved outer surface. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The electrosurgical surgical instrument of claim 1, further comprising a circuit board, wherein the handle defines a cavity, and wherein the circuit board is positioned inside the cavity. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The electrosurgical surgical instrument of claim 23, further comprising a follower nut comprising at least one pin, wherein the circuitry comprises at least one conductor, wherein a distal end of the at least one conductor is coupled to the beam and a proximal end of the at least one conductor is coupled to the circuit board, wherein a portion of the least one conductor between the proximal end of the distal end wraps around the pin. ### Claim 25 (depends on 1) The electrosurgical surgical instrument of claim 1, further comprising third and fourth electrodes coupled to the second side of the blade, and wherein the electrosurgical power generating source is in electrical communication with the third and fourth electrodes. ### Claim 26 An electrosurgical surgical instrument to staple, resect, and seal an anatomical structure of a patient, the surgical instrument comprising: (a) an end effector, the end effector comprising; (i) an anvil that includes a first end, a second end, and an anvil face positionable on a first side of the anatomical structure; (ii) a cartridge operably configured to house a plurality of staples, the cartridge comprising a first end, a second end, and a cartridge face positionable on a second side of the anatomical structure, the cartridge face defining a channel extending from the first end of the cartridge to the second end of the cartridge, wherein the first end of the cartridge is pivotally coupled with the first end of the anvil; (iii) a blade assembly comprising a blade, a beam, and a nut, the blade comprising a first side and a second side joined at a cutting edge, wherein at least a portion of the blade assembly is slidably engaged with the channel; (iv) at least one resistive heating element coupled to the first side of the blade; and (b) an elongate tube, the elongate tube having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is coupled with the end effector; (c) a handle, the handle having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end of the handle is coupled with the proximal end of the elongate tube; (d) a drive assembly comprising a motor to actuate the end effector; (e) an electrosurgical power generating source, the electrosurgical power generating source in electrical communication with the at least one resistive heating element; and (f) beam circuitry extending along a length of the beam, wherein the beam defines a lengthwise slot and at least a portion of the beam circuitry is positioned within the lengthwise slot. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The electrosurgical surgical instrument of claim 26, further comprising at least one resistive heating element coupled to the second side of the blade. ### Claim 28 An electrosurgical surgical instrument to staple, resect, and seal an anatomical structure of a patient, the surgical instrument comprising: (a) an end effector, the end effector comprising; (i) an anvil that includes a first end, a second end, and an anvil face positionable on a first side of the anatomical structure; (ii) a cartridge operably configured to house a plurality of staples, the cartridge comprising a first end, a second end, and a cartridge face positionable on a second side of the anatomical structure, the cartridge face defining a channel extending from the first end of the cartridge to the second end of the cartridge, wherein the first end of the cartridge is pivotally coupled with the first end of the anvil; (iii) a blade assembly comprising a blade, a beam, and a nut, the blade comprising a first side and a second side joined at a cutting edge, wherein at least a portion of the blade assembly is slidably engaged with the channel; (iv) first and second electrodes coupled to the first side of the blade; and (b) an elongate tube, the elongate tube having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is coupled with the end effector; (c) a handle, the handle having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end of the handle is coupled with the proximal end of the elongate tube; (d) a drive assembly comprising a motor to actuate the end effector; (e) an electrosurgical power generating source, the electrosurgical power generating source in electrical communication with the first and second electrodes; and (f) a first conductive strip and a second conductive strip, wherein the anvil defines a channel and the first conductive strip is positioned in the channel defined by the anvil and the second conductive strip is positioned in the channel defined by the cartridge, wherein the blade assembly comprises a first contact to engage the first conductive strip and a second contact to engage the second conductive strip, wherein the first contact is in electrical communication with the first electrode and the second contact is in electrical communication with the second electrode. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The electrosurgical surgical instrument of claim 28, wherein the first electrode is in electrical communication with the electrosurgical power generating source through the first conductive strip and the second electrode is in electrical communication with the electrosurgical power generating source through the second conductive strip. ### Claim 30 (depends on 28) The electrosurgical surgical instrument of claim 28, wherein the blade assembly comprises at least one elongated arm that urges each of the plurality of staples from the cartridge as the blade is advanced from a first position at a distal end of the cartridge to a second position at a proximal end of the cartridge. ### Claim 31 (depends on 28) The electrosurgical surgical instrument of claim 28, wherein the blade assembly is I-shaped such that the blade assembly compresses the anvil and the cartridge during use. ### Claim 32 (depends on 28) The electrosurgical surgical instrument of claim 28, wherein as the blade is advanced from a first position at a distal end of the cartridge to a second position at a proximal end of the cartridge an incision having a first side and a second side is formed in the anatomical structure. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) The electrosurgical surgical instrument of claim 32, wherein as the blade is advanced from the first position to the second position the first and second electrodes contact the first side of the incision.