# US 2014/0155878 A1 · Surgical instrument with curved blade firing path > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0155878 A1 - Document ID: US20140155878A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/692,202 - Filed: 2012-12-03 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-12-03 - Assignees: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. - Applicants: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. - Inventors: Gregory A. Trees; Bingshi Wang; Nathaniel F. Barbera - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140155878A1 ## CPC - A61B 18/18: by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves - A61B 17/295: combined with cutting implements - A61B 2017/2945: {Curved jaws} - A61B 2018/1452: {including means for cutting (A61B2018/146 takes precedence)} - A61B 2018/1455: {having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws} - A61B 2018/1457: {having opposing blades cutting tissue grasped by the jaws, i.e. combined scissors and pliers} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the head portion is approximately 0.5 inches long. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the curvature of the precurved portion of the blade complements the curvature of the curved path. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the blade comprises stainless steel coated with tungsten disulfide or vanadium nitride. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first jaw comprises a first electrode, wherein the second jaw comprises a second electrode, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are configured to deliver RF energy. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are configured to activate after the blade has translated along the curved path in the end effector. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a portion the blade comprises spinodal bronze. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body portion defines a plurality of openings along the length of the body portion. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body portion of the blade comprises a laminated set of sheets. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the sheets are configured to slide in relation to one another. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the sheets comprise three metal sheets. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the sheets are flexible. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the blade includes at least one pin, wherein the at least one pin is configured to travel along the first jaw. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the blade and the at least one pin are integrally formed. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the head portion comprises a keyed portion, wherein the body defines an interface, wherein the keyed portion is configured to selectively fit in the interface. ### Claim 16 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. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the at least two laminate sheets define a plurality of openings along the at least two laminate sheets. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the blade further comprises a head presenting the cutting edge, wherein the head comprises a pre-curved structure. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the blade further comprises a head presenting the cutting edge, wherein the head is in selective communication with the at least two laminate sheets. ### Claim 20 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.