# US 12,178,493 B2 · Supplying electrical energy to electrosurgical instruments

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- Number: US 12,178,493 B2
- Document ID: US12178493B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/509,555
- Filed: 2021-10-25
- Published: 2022-05-05
- Granted: 2024-12-31
- Earliest claimed: 2018-03-13
- Assignees: Cilag GmbH International
- Applicants: Cilag GmbH International
- Inventors: Barry Christian Worrell
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12178493B2

## CPC

- A61B 18/1206: {Generators therefor}
- A61B 18/1445: {at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod}
- A61B 34/30: Surgical robots
- A61B 17/00234: {for minimally invasive surgery (A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence)}
- A61B 17/29: Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery
- A61B 17/3201: Scissors (for biopsy A61B10/02)
- A61B 34/35: for telesurgery
- A61B 2017/00477: {Coupling (A61B2017/0046 takes precedence)}
- A61B 2017/2927: {the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft}
- A61B 2018/00178: {Electrical connectors}
- A61B 2018/00601: {Cutting}
- A61B 2018/0063: {Sealing}
- A61B 2018/00702: {Power or energy}
- A61B 2018/1226: {powered by a battery}
- A61B 2018/1253: {monopolar}
- A61B 2018/126: {bipolar}
- A61B 2034/302: {specifically adapted for manipulations within body cavities, e.g. within abdominal or thoracic cavities}
- A61B 2034/305: {Details of wrist mechanisms at distal ends of robotic arms}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

An end effector for a surgical tool includes a distal clevis, first and second jaws rotatably mounted to the distal clevis at a first axle, a proximal clevis rotatably coupled to the distal clevis at a second axle, and an electrical conductor extending through and electrically bypassing the proximal clevis and terminating at the distal clevis to supply electrical energy to at least one of the first and second jaws via conduction. A portion of the electrical conductor provides a conductive spring member that allows the electrical conductor to flex as the distal clevis articulates.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An end effector, comprising:
a distal clevis;
a first and second jaws rotatably mounted to the distal clevis at a first axle;
a proximal clevis rotatably coupled to the distal clevis at a second axle;
and a conductive wire connected to an elongated circuit board that extends distally from the conductive wire through and electrically bypasses the proximal clevis;
the elongated circuit board comprising a first aperture to accommodate the second axle, a second aperture to accommodate a third axle proximal to the second axle, a printed circuit extending from the conductive wire, around the second aperture to an annular conductive pad arranged at the first aperture;
wherein the annular conductive pad places the elongated circuit board into electrical communication with the first and second jaw via the distal clevis.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The end effector of claim 1, wherein the elongated circuit board comprises a substantially flat film.