Ultrasonic device for cutting and coagulating

A method of assembling a sterilized ultrasonic clamp coagulator apparatus comprising the steps of:

• providing:
• an ultrasonic waveguide having a proximal end and a distal end;
• an ultrasonically actuated blade attached to the distal end of the waveguide;
• a tissue pad having a flange and a tissue engaging surface having a first width and a second width less than the first width;
• a clamp member moveable with respect to the blade and having an open position in which at least a portion of the clamp member is spaced from the blade and a closed position in which the clamp member is adjacent to the blade for clamping tissue between the tissue pad and the blade, the clamp member comprising a slot for slidably receiving the flange;
• slidably engaging the flange within the slot;
• and
• sterilizing the clamp coagulator apparatus.

An ultrasonic surgical instrument comprising an ultrasonic waveguide defining a longitudinal axis, having a proximal end, a most distal node and a distal end wherein the waveguide comprises:

• an ultrasonically actuated blade positioned at the distal end of the waveguide and defining a functional asymmetry within a first plane;
• a first balance asymmetry distal to the most distal node and proximal to the blade;
• and
• a second balance asymmetry proximal to the most distal node.

An ultrasonic surgical instrument comprising:

• a housing;
• an outer shroud having a proximal end joined to the housing, the outer tube defining a longitudinal axis;
• an ultrasonic waveguide positioned within the outer tube, having a proximal end, a distal end and an ultrasonically actuated blade positioned at the distal end of the waveguide;
• an actuating lever for operating a clamp arm located at the distal end of the lever, wherein the actuating lever comprises camming members, which operatively engage the outer tube such that movement of the actuating lever positions the clamp arm between open and clamped positions relative to the blade.

An ultrasonic surgical instrument comprising:

• a housing defining a longitudinal axis;
• an ultrasonic waveguide positioned within the housing, having a proximal end, a distal end and an ultrasonically actuated blade positioned at the distal end of the waveguide;
• a transducer removably connected to the waveguide;
• a handle assembly comprising a moveable actuation lever for operating a clamp arm located at the distal end of the lever, and a stationary finger ring defining an opening having a length L;
• wherein the housing and transducer are sized to position a center of gravity of the surgical instrument at the housing within the dimension of length L.

A torque wrench for use with an ultrasonic clamp coagulator apparatus, comprising:

• a hand wrench body having an axis;
• a cantilever arm movably attached to said wrench body having proximal and distal ends annularly disposed about said axis;
• at least one tooth located at the cantilever arm's distal end;
• and
• an adaptor defining a lumen and rotatably attached to the hand wrench and comprising a cam for operatively engaging the tooth.