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US 2014/0155878 A1Published application
Surgical instrument with curved blade firing path
AssigneeEthicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
InventorsGregory A. Trees, Bingshi Wang, Nathaniel F. Barbera
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus includes an end effector having a first jaw and a second jaw. The first and second jaws are able to clamp tissue. The first jaw and the second jaw define a curved path. The apparatus further includes a blade that is operable to translate along a curved path in the end effector. At least a portion of the blade is precurved. The blade may further include a laminate of sheets that slide relative to each other to accommodate travel along the curved path.
Claims20
An apparatus for operating on tissue, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) an end effector comprising
- (i) a first jaw, and
- (ii) a second jaw,
- wherein the first jaw and the second jaw are configured to clamp tissue, wherein the first jaw and the second jaw define a curved path;
- and
- (b) a blade, wherein the blade comprises:
- (i) a head portion presenting a cutting edge operable to sever tissue clamped between the first jaw and the second jaw, and
- (ii) a body operable drive the head portion, wherein the body is operable to translate along the curved path defined by the first jaw and the second jaw,
- wherein at least a portion of the blade is precurved.
6 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- (a) an end effector comprising
- (i) a first jaw, and
- (ii) a second jaw,
- wherein the first jaw is pivotable relative to the second jaw, wherein the first jaw and the second jaw define a curved path;
- and
- (b) a blade, wherein the blade comprises:
- (i) a cutting edge operable to sever tissue captured by the first jaw and the second jaw, and
- (ii) a body operable drive the cutting edge, wherein the body is operable to translate along the curved path defined by the first jaw and the second jaw, wherein the body comprises at least two laminate sheets, wherein the at least two laminate sheets are configured to displace in relation to each other in response to the body translating along the curved path.
5 more elements
A blade comprising:
- (a) a plurality of laminate sheets configured to advance longitudinally along an end effector, wherein the laminate sheets are flexible, wherein the laminate sheets are configured to slide relative to each other;
- (b) one or more pins extending transversely relative to the plurality of laminate sheets;
- and
- (c) a head portion coupled with the plurality of laminate sheets, wherein the head portion is positioned distally in relation to the laminate sheets, wherein the head portion includes a cutting edge distal to the one or more pins, wherein the cutting edge is configured to transect tissue.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.