# US 2015/0148833 A1 · Shielding features for ultrasonic blade of a surgical instrument

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- Number: US 2015/0148833 A1
- Document ID: US20150148833A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/552,552
- Filed: 2014-11-25
- Published: 2015-05-28
- Earliest claimed: 2013-11-26
- Assignees: Ethicon, Inc.
- Applicants: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
- Inventors: Michael J. Stokes; Jacob S. Gee; Kevin D. Felder; Tylor C. Muhlenkamp; Patrick J. Scoggins; Craig N. Faller; Jeffrey D. Messerly; David J. Cagle; William B. Weisenburgh, II
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20150148833A1

## CPC

- A61B 17/2812: {with a single pivotal connection (A61B17/29 takes precedence)}
- A61N 7/00: Ultrasound therapy (lithotripsy A61B17/22, A61B17/225; massage using supersonic vibration A61H23/00 {; using ultrasound for introducing media into the body A61M37/0092})
- A61B 17/32: Surgical cutting instruments ({A61B18/042 takes precedence; suture cutters A61B17/0467;} implements for ligaturing and cutting {A61B17/122, A61B17/12; instruments for rupturing the amniotic membrane A61B17/4208; specially adapted knives for eye surgery A61F9/0133})
- A61B 17/320068: {using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic (A61B17/22012 takes precedence; dental tooth drilling devices operated by vibration A61C3/03; removing intra-ocular material using mechanical vibrations A61F9/00745)}
- A61B 17/320092: {with additional movable means for clamping or cutting tissue, e.g. with a pivoting jaw}
- A61B 18/1442: {Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps}
- A61B 2017/00353: {one mechanical instrument performing multiple functions, e.g. cutting and grasping}
- A61B 2017/2825: {Inserts of different material in jaws}
- A61B 2017/2829: {with a removable cover}
- A61B 2017/32004: {having a laterally movable cutting member at its most distal end which remains within the contours of said end}
- A61B 2017/320071: {with articulating means for working tip}
- A61B 2017/320077: {double edge blade, e.g. reciprocating}
- A61B 2017/320078: {Tissue manipulating surface}
- A61B 2017/320084: {Irrigation sleeves}
- A61B 2017/320089: {node location}
- A61B 2017/320093: {additional movable means performing cutting operation}
- A61B 2017/320094: {additional movable means performing clamping operation}
- A61B 2018/00011: {with fluids}
- A61B 2018/00107: {Coatings on the energy applicator}
- A61B 2018/0063: {Sealing}
- A61B 2090/0436: {Shielding}
- A61B 2090/0472: {against ultrasound energy}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B)

## Abstract

An apparatus comprises a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector, and a shield member. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body. The end effector is located at a distal end of the shaft assembly. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. The ultrasonic blade is configured to vibrate at an ultrasonic frequency. The clamp arm is movable toward the ultrasonic blade to compress tissue against the ultrasonic blade. The shield member is selectively movable from a first position to a second position in response to movement of the clamp arm toward the ultrasonic blade. The shield member is configured cover at least a first portion of the ultrasonic blade in the first position. The shield member is configured to uncover the first portion of the ultrasonic blade in the second position.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus comprising:
(a) a body;
(b) a shaft assembly extending distally from the body;
(c) an end effector located at a distal end of the shaft assembly, wherein the end effector comprises:
(i) an ultrasonic blade, wherein the ultrasonic blade is configured to vibrate at an ultrasonic frequency, and
(ii) a clamp arm, wherein the clamp arm is movable toward the ultrasonic blade to compress tissue against the ultrasonic blade; and
(d) a shield member, wherein the shield member is selectively movable from a first position to a second position in response to movement of the clamp arm toward the ultrasonic blade, wherein the shield member is configured cover at least a first portion of the ultrasonic blade in the first position, wherein the shield member is configured to uncover the first portion of the ultrasonic blade in the second position.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shield member comprises a thermally insulative coating or a sheath coaxially disposed about the ultrasonic blade.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the shield member comprises a sheath, wherein the sheath is configured to translate proximally toward the second position in response to movement of the clamp arm toward the ultrasonic blade, wherein the sheath is configured to translate distally toward the first position in response to movement of the clamp arm away from the ultrasonic blade.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the shield member comprises a sheath, the apparatus further comprising a clamp arm shank pivotably coupled with the shaft assembly, wherein the clamp arm is positioned at a distal end of the clamp arm shank.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a link, wherein the link is pivotably coupled with the clamp arm shank, wherein the link is further pivotably coupled with the sheath such that the link is operable to translate the sheath longitudinally in response to pivotal movement of the clamp arm shank relative to the shaft assembly.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shield member comprises a bent beam.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the beam includes a bend contoured to press a portion of the beam into contact with the ultrasonic blade when the shield member is in the first position.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the beam extends longitudinally along at least one lateral side of the ultrasonic blade.

### Claim 9 (depends on 6)

The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the clamp arm includes a camming feature configured to drive the beam outwardly and thereby away from the ultrasonic blade in response to movement of the clamp arm toward the ultrasonic blade.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shield member is resiliently biased toward the first position.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the clamp is configured to travel along a first plane as the clamp arm moves toward and away from the ultrasonic blade, wherein the shield member is configured to travel along a second plane as the shield member moves between the first and second positions, wherein the second plane is transverse to the first plane.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the clamp is configured to travel along a first plane as the clamp arm moves toward and away from the ultrasonic blade, wherein the shield member is configured to also travel along the first plane as the shield member moves between the first and second positions.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shield member is configured to deform when moving between the first and second positions.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shield is configured to surround the ultrasonic blade and defines a laterally presented opening along a region of the ultrasonic blade facing the clamp arm.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the shield comprises silicone.

### Claim 16 (depends on 14)

The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the shield is configured to slide transversely along the ultrasonic blade, allowing the first portion of the ultrasonic blade to pass into the laterally presented opening, as the shield travels from the first position to the second position, such that the first portion of the ultrasonic blade is exposed through passage into the laterally presented opening.

### Claim 17

An apparatus comprising:
(a) a body;
(b) a shaft assembly extending distally from the body;
(c) an end effector located at a distal end of the shaft assembly, wherein the end effector comprises:
(i) an ultrasonic blade, wherein the ultrasonic blade is configured to vibrate at an ultrasonic frequency, and
(ii) a clamp arm, wherein the clamp arm is movable toward the ultrasonic blade to compress tissue against the ultrasonic blade; and
(d) a shield member, wherein the shield member is configured cover at least a first portion of the end effector, wherein the shield member defines a gap between an interior of the shield member and the exterior of the first portion of the end effector, wherein the gap is sized to receive fluid from a surgical site and thereby cool the end effector with the fluid received from the surgical site.

### Claim 18

An apparatus comprising:
(a) a body;
(b) a shaft assembly extending distally from the body;
(c) an end effector located at a distal end of the shaft assembly, wherein the end effector comprises:
(i) an ultrasonic blade, wherein the ultrasonic blade is configured to vibrate at an ultrasonic frequency, and
(ii) a clamp arm, wherein the clamp arm is movable toward the ultrasonic blade to compress tissue against the ultrasonic blade; and
(d) a shield member, wherein the shield member is configured cover at least a first portion of the end effector and thereby reduce transfer of heat from the first portion of the end effector, wherein the shield member is formed of a deformable material.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the shield member is configured to snap onto the clamp arm.

### Claim 20 (depends on 18)

The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the clamp arm comprises an arm portion and a pad portion, wherein the shield member comprises a sleeve, wherein the sleeve is disposed about a distal end of the arm portion, wherein a portion of the sleeve is captured between the pad portion and the arm portion.