US 12,336,747 B2Granted

Method of operating a combination ultrasonic / bipolar RF surgical device with a combination energy modality end-effector

AssigneeCilag GmbH International

InventorsJohn M. Sarley, Chad P. Boudreaux, Tyler N. Brehm, Ellen E. Burkart, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Craig N. Faller, Robert S. Bishop, Michael A. Keenan, William A. Olson, Richard W. Flaker, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Frederick L. Estera, Bruce Brunson, Jr., Guion Y. Lucas, Demetrius N. Harris, Stephen M. Leuck, Nina Mastroianni, John E. Brady, Wei Guo, Geoffrey S. Strobl, Joseph S. Salguero, Lauren M. Valente, Joseph H. Kemper

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Abstract

Disclosed is a surgical instrument with an end-effector adapted and configured to deliver a plurality of energy modalities to tissue at a distal end thereof. The energy modalities may be applied simultaneously, independently, or sequentially. A generator is electrically coupled to the surgical instrument and is configured to supply a plurality of energy modalities to the end-effector. In one aspect, the generator is configured to supply electrosurgical energy (e.g., monopolar or bipolar radio frequency (RF) energy) and ultrasonic energy to the end-effector to allow the end-effector to interact with the tissue. The energy modalities may be supplied to the end-effector by a single generator or multiple generators.

Claims37

Dependent claims

A method of operating a combination ultrasonic/bipolar RF surgical instrument with a combination energy modality end-effector, the combination ultrasonic/bipolar RF surgical instrument comprising:

end-effector, comprising:
a clamp arm;
and
an ultrasonic blade acoustically coupled to an ultrasonic transducer and electrically coupled to a pole of an electrical generator;
wherein the clamp arm comprises:
a clamp jaw having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end pivotally movable about a pivot point;
a clamp arm pad fixed to the clamp jaw;
a gap pad comprising non-conductive material;
and
a cantilever electrode having a proximal end fixed to the proximal end of the clamp jaw and a distal end that is free to deflect, the cantilever electrode defining a surface configured to contact tissue and apply electrical energy to the tissue in contact therewith, wherein the cantilever electrode is electrically coupled to an opposite pole of the electrical generator, wherein the cantilever electrode defines an aperture, and wherein the aperture receives the gap pad in a closed configuration and wherein the gap pad is to contact the blade and set a gap between the cantilever electrode and the ultrasonic blade in the closed configuration, wherein the clamp arm comprises an electrically non-conductive clamp arm pad comprising a plurality of teeth, wherein the aperture of the cantilever electrode is one of a plurality of apertures;
the method comprising:
providing the combination ultrasonic/bipolar RF surgical instrument;
grasping tissue with the end-effector between the clamp jaw and the ultrasonic blade;
receiving a tooth of the plurality of teeth in an aperture of the plurality of apertures, wherein the tooth extends beyond the tissue contacting surface of the cantilever electrode in the closed configuration;
applying energy to either the cantilever electrode or the ultrasonic blade of the combination energy modality end-effector for a period of time;
and
sealing or cutting the grasped tissue using a combination of energy modes delivered by the generator.

14 more elements

A method of operating a combination ultrasonic/bipolar RF surgical instrument with a combination energy modality end-effector, the combination ultrasonic/bipolar RF surgical instrument comprising:

end-effector, comprising:
a clamp arm;
and
an ultrasonic blade acoustically coupled to an ultrasonic transducer and electrically coupled to a pole of an electrical generator;
wherein the clamp arm comprises:
a clamp jaw having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end pivotally movable about a pivot point;
a clamp arm pad fixed to the clamp jaw;
a gap pad comprising non-conductive material;
and
a cantilever electrode having a proximal end fixed to the proximal end of the clamp jaw and a distal end that is free to deflect, the cantilever electrode defining a surface configured to contact tissue and apply electrical energy to the tissue in contact therewith, wherein the cantilever electrode is electrically coupled to an opposite pole of the electrical generator, wherein the cantilever electrode defines an aperture, and wherein the aperture receives the gap pad in a closed configuration and wherein the gap pad is to contact the blade and set a gap between the cantilever electrode and the ultrasonic blade in the closed configuration;
the method comprising:
providing the combination ultrasonic/bipolar RF surgical instrument;
grasping tissue with the end-effector between the clamp jaw and the ultrasonic blade;
applying energy to either the cantilever electrode or the ultrasonic blade of the combination energy modality end-effector for a period of time;
and
sealing or cutting the grasped tissue using a combination of energy modes delivered by the generator,
wherein the clamp arm comprises an electrically non-conductive clamp arm pad comprising a plurality of teeth, and wherein the aperture of the cantilever electrode is one of a plurality of apertures, and wherein an aperture of the plurality of apertures is to receive a tooth of the plurality of teeth in the closed configuration, wherein the tooth extends beyond the tissue contacting surface of the cantilever electrode in the closed configuration.

14 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/887,493Filed 29 May 2020 · us provisional application
Priority: 30 Dec 2019
Published: US 2021/0196334 A11 Jul 2021
Granted: 24 Jun 2025
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification20 codes

A61B 18/00
Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to
A61B 17/320092
Using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic: with additional movable means for clamping or cutting tissue, e.g. with a pivoting jaw
A61B 18/1445
Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps: at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod
A61B 2017/2825
Jaws: inserts of different material in jaws