# US 2014/0194915 A1 · Electrosurgical cutting and sealing instruments with jaws having a parallel closure motion > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0194915 A1 - Document ID: US20140194915A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/202,892 - Filed: 2014-03-10 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2010-04-12 - Assignees: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. - Applicants: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. - Inventors: Gregory W. Johnson; Jeffrey S. Swayze; Jason L. Harris; Foster B. Stulen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140194915A1 ## CPC - A61B 17/3205: Excision instruments - A61B 17/2804: {with two or more pivotal connections (A61B17/29 takes precedence)} - A61B 18/1445: {at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod} - A61B 18/1447: {wherein sliding surfaces cause opening/closing of the end effectors} - A61B 18/1492: {having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation (A61B18/1477 takes precedence)} - A61B 2017/2933: {camming or guiding means} - A61B 2018/1412: {Blade} - A61B 2018/145: {wherein the effectors remain parallel during closing and opening} - A61B 2018/1455: {having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract Various embodiments are directed to a surgical instrument comprising, a shaft, and an end effector. The shaft may be coupled to the handle and may extend distally along a longitudinal axis. The end effector may be positioned at a distal end of the shaft and may comprise first and second jaw members and a reciprocating member. The first and second jaw members may define first and second longitudinal slots. The reciprocating member may be translatable distally and proximally parallel to the longitudinal axis and through the first and second longitudinal slots. A distal portion of the reciprocating member may define a blade. The end effector may additionally comprise a first push rod member having a distally directed end pivotably coupled to the first jaw member and a proximally directed end pivotably coupled to the shaft at a first pivot point as well as a first linkage member having a distally directed end pivotably coupled to the first jaw member and a proximally directed end pivotably coupled to a second pivot point. In this way, distal motion of the reciprocating member may exert a force on the first and second jaw members causing the first and second jaw members to translate towards one another in a substantially parallel motion. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-19. (canceled) ### Claim 20 A surgical instrument comprising: an end effector, wherein the end effector comprises: a first jaw member defining a first longitudinal slot; a second jaw member defining a second longitudinal slot; a first push rod member having a distally directed end pivotably coupled to the first jaw member and a proximally directed end pivotably coupled at a first pivot point; and a reciprocating member translatable distally and proximally through the first longitudinal slot and the second longitudinal slot, wherein the reciprocating member defines: a blade at a distal portion of the reciprocating member; a transverse element positioned to pass through the first longitudinal slot; and a first shoulder element coupled to the transverse element and substantially perpendicular to the transverse element, wherein upon distal motion of the reciprocating member, the first shoulder element contacts the first push rod member, exerting a force on at least the first jaw member causing the first jaw member to translate towards the second jaw member in a substantially parallel motion. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The surgical instrument of claim 20, wherein the end effector further comprises a second push rod member having a distally directed end pivotably coupled to the second jaw member and a proximally directed end pivotably coupled at the first pivot point, wherein the reciprocating member further defines a second shoulder element coupled to the transverse element opposite the first shoulder element, wherein upon the distal motion of the reciprocating member, the second shoulder element contacts the second push rod member, exerting a force on at least the second jaw member causing the second jaw member to translate towards the first jaw member in a substantially parallel motion. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The surgical instrument of claim 21, wherein the end effector further comprises: a third push rod member having a distally directed end pivotably coupled to the first jaw member and a proximally directed end pivotably coupled at a second pivot point; and a fourth push rod member having a distally directed end pivotably coupled to the second jaw member and a proximally directed end pivotably coupled at the second pivot point. ### Claim 23 (depends on 20) The surgical instrument of claim 20, further comprising a first linkage member having a distally directed end pivotably coupled to the second jaw at the first pivot point. ### Claim 24 (depends on 20) The surgical instrument of claim 20, further comprising a shaft, wherein the end effector is coupled to a distal end of the shaft. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The surgical instrument of claim 24, wherein the first push rod member is pivotably coupled to the first jaw member and the shaft at the first pivot point. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) The surgical instrument of claim 24, further comprising a clevis coupled to a distal portion of the shaft, wherein the first push rod member is pivotably coupled to the first jaw member and the clevis at the first pivot point. ### Claim 27 (depends on 24) The surgical instrument of claim 24, wherein the first push rod member is positioned between the first jaw member and an interior portion of the shaft. ### Claim 28 (depends on 20) The surgical instrument of claim 20, wherein the second jaw member is coupled to the shaft. ### Claim 29 (depends on 20) The surgical instrument of claim 20, wherein the force on at least the first jaw member also causes the first jaw member to translate distally while it translates towards the second jaw member. ### Claim 30 (depends on 20) The surgical instrument of claim 20, wherein the first push rod member is positioned substantially proximal relative to the first and second jaw members. ### Claim 31 (depends on 20) The surgical instrument of claim 20, wherein the reciprocating member defines a longitudinal slot and wherein the slot receives at least a portion of the first pivot point. ### Claim 32 (depends on 20) The surgical instrument of claim 20, wherein the end effector further comprises a second push rod member having a distally directed end pivotably coupled to the first jaw member and a proximally directed end pivotably coupled a second pivot point, wherein upon the distal motion of the reciprocating member, the first shoulder element contacts the second push rod member, exerting a force on at least the first jaw member causing the first jaw member to translate towards the second jaw member in a substantially parallel motion. ### Claim 33 (depends on 20) The surgical instrument of claim 20, wherein the end effector further comprises at least one electrode for treating tissue between the first jaw member and the second jaw member. ### Claim 34 A surgical instrument defining a parallel-closing jaw, the surgical instrument comprising: a first jaw member defining a first longitudinal slot; a second jaw member defining a second longitudinal slot; a first push rod member having a distally directed end pivotably coupled to the first jaw member and a proximally directed end pivotably coupled at a first pivot point; and a reciprocating member translatable distally and proximally through the first longitudinal slot and the second longitudinal slot, wherein the reciprocating member defines: a blade at a distal portion of the reciprocating member; a transverse element positioned to pass through the first longitudinal slot; and a first shoulder element coupled to the transverse element and substantially perpendicular to the transverse element. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) The surgical instrument of claim 34, further comprising a first linkage member having a distally directed end pivotably coupled to the second jaw at the first pivot point. ### Claim 36 (depends on 34) The surgical instrument of claim 34, further comprising a shaft, wherein the first jaw member and the second jaw member are coupled to a distal end of the shaft. ### Claim 37 (depends on 34) The surgical instrument of claim 34, wherein the surgical instrument further comprises a second push rod member having a distally directed end pivotably coupled to the second jaw member and a proximally directed end pivotably coupled at the first pivot point. ### Claim 38 (depends on 37) The surgical instrument of claim 37, wherein the end effector further comprises: a third push rod member having a distally directed end pivotably coupled to the first jaw member and a proximally directed end pivotably coupled at a second pivot point; and a fourth push rod member having a distally directed end pivotably coupled to the second jaw member and a proximally directed end pivotably coupled at the second pivot point. ### Claim 39 (depends on 37) The surgical instrument of claim 37, wherein the end effector further comprises a second push rod member having a distally directed end pivotably coupled to the first jaw member and a proximally directed end pivotably coupled a second pivot point.