Surgical Device with Overload Mechanism

#The present invention relates to surgical devices having an overload mechanism for preventing overload of a force applied to close the opposed jaws on an end effector of the device, as well as to methods for preventing overload on a surgical device.

#In recent years surgery has markedly advanced through the performance of laparoscopic and endoscopic surgical procedures such as cholecystectomies, gastrostomies, appendectomies, and hernia repair. Laparoscopic surgery, which can also be referred to as minimally invasive surgery, is a surgical technique that includes operations performed through small incisions in the body of a patient. There can be a number of advantages to the patient with laparoscopic surgery compared to open procedures where larger incisions are made. For example, pain and hemorrhaging can be reduced due to the smaller incisions and recovery times can be shorter.

#In a conventional laparoscopic procedure, a distal end of a laparoscopic or electrosurgical device can be passed through a small incision in the skin of a patient. The distal end of the laparoscopic device is then positioned at or adjacent a surgical site. One or more surgical procedures are then performed at the surgical site, which can include cutting and/or sealing tissue. The distal end of the laparoscopic device can be removed from the patient after the completion of the surgical procedure.

#The invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1A is a perspective view of one embodiment of a surgical instrument having a handle assembly and an elongate shaft extending therefrom;

#FIG. 1B is an internal perspective view of the surgical instrument of FIG. 1A, showing an actuation assembly having a trigger, a cam lever, and a sled;

#Certain exemplary embodiments will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture, and use of the devices and methods disclosed herein. One or more examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that the devices and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments and that the scope of the present invention is defined solely by the claims. The features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with the features of other embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

#Reference throughout the specification to “various embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “one embodiment,” or “an embodiment”, or the like, means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in various embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” “in one embodiment,” or “in an embodiment”, or the like, in places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Thus, the particular features, structures, or characteristics illustrated or described in connection with one embodiment may be combined, in whole or in part, with the features structures, or characteristics of one or more other embodiments without limitation.

#It will be appreciated that the terms “proximal” and “distal” may be used throughout the specification with reference to a clinician manipulating one end of an instrument used to treat a patient. The term “proximal” refers to the portion of the instrument closest to the clinician and the term “distal” refers to the portion located furthest from the clinician. It will be further appreciated that for conciseness and clarity, spatial terms such as “vertical,” “horizontal,” “up,” and “down” may be used herein with respect to the illustrated embodiments. However, surgical instruments may be used in many orientations and positions, and these terms are not intended to be limiting and absolute