# US 2026/0130705 A1 · Electrosurgical instruments for sealing and dissection > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2026/0130705 A1 - Document ID: US20260130705A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 19/032,094 - Filed: 2025-01-19 - Published: 2026-05-14 - Earliest claimed: 2019-12-12 - Assignees: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc. - Applicants: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc. - Inventors: Adam Ross; Robert Reid - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20260130705A1 ## CPC - A61B 18/1447: {wherein sliding surfaces cause opening/closing of the end effectors} - A61B 18/1445: {at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod} - A61B 34/30: Surgical robots - A61B 17/2909: {Handles} - A61B 17/295: combined with cutting implements - A61B 18/1482: {having a long rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously in minimal invasive surgery, e.g. laparoscopy} - A61B 34/35: for telesurgery - A61B 34/71: {Manipulators operated by drive cable mechanisms} - A61B 2017/00314: {Separate linked members} - A61B 2017/00353: {one mechanical instrument performing multiple functions, e.g. cutting and grasping} - A61B 2017/2932: {Transmission of forces to jaw members} - A61B 2017/2933: {camming or guiding means} - A61B 2017/2934: {arcuate shaped guiding means} - A61B 2017/2936: {Pins in guiding slots} - A61B 2017/2944: {Translation of jaw members} - A61B 2018/00077: {high, i.e. electrically conducting} - A61B 2018/00083: {low, i.e. electrically insulating} - A61B 2018/0013: {non-sticking} - A61B 2018/00178: {Electrical connectors} - A61B 2018/00589: {Coagulation} - A61B 2018/00601: {Cutting} - A61B 2018/0063: {Sealing} - A61B 2018/126: {bipolar} - A61B 2018/1452: {including means for cutting (A61B2018/146 takes precedence)} - A61B 2018/1467: {using more than two electrodes on a single probe} - A61B 2034/302: {specifically adapted for manipulations within body cavities, e.g. within abdominal or thoracic cavities} - A61B 2034/305: {Details of wrist mechanisms at distal ends of robotic arms} - A61B 2034/306: {Wrists with multiple vertebrae} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A surgical instrument comprises first and second jaws movable relative to each other between open and closed positions, a cutting electrode with a cutting surface for tissue dissection and at least one sealing electrode for sealing or coagulating tissue. The cutting electrode includes one or more insulation layers for securing the cutting electrode to one of the jaws and for protecting the jaws from the heat and energy generated at the cutting surface during operation. An actuator mechanism is coupled to the first and second jaws for moving the jaws between the open and closed positions. At least one portion of the actuator mechanism comprises a conductive pathway for electrically coupling the cutting and/or sealing electrode(s) to a source of energy. Thus, the mechanical components of the actuator mechanism include electrically conductive pathways to reduce the number of conductors extending through the device, thereby providing a more compact and maneuverable instrument. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A surgical instrument comprising: first and second jaws, at least one of which being pivotable with respect to the other between an open position and a closed position around a non-conductive pivot pin, wherein the first jaw comprises a first slot and the second jaw comprises a second slot; an electrode coupled to the first jaw; an electrically conductive cam pin positioned within the first and second slots such that longitudinal translation of the cam pin through the first and second slots rotates the jaws between the open and closed positions; and wherein the first slot comprises a conductive material such that contact between the cam pin and the first slot electrically couples the electrode to a source of energy and the second slot comprises an insulating material that insulates the cam pin from the second jaw. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument of claim 1, further comprising a drive rod for translating the cam pin through the first and second slots, wherein the drive rod comprises a conductive pathway electrically coupling the cam pin with the source of energy. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument of claim 1, further comprising an elongate shaft and a coupling member coupling the elongate shaft with the first and second jaws, wherein the coupling member includes a conductive member configured for coupling to the source of energy. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The surgical instrument of claim 3, further comprising a second electrode on the second jaw, wherein the second electrode is electrically coupled to the conductive member within the coupling member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The surgical instrument of claim 4, wherein the coupling member comprises an articulation mechanism configured to articulate the first and second jaws relative to the elongate shaft. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The surgical instrument of claim 5, wherein the articulation mechanism comprises a wrist assembly, wherein the wrist assembly comprises a conductive material, the instrument further comprising an insulating sheath disposed around the wrist assembly. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The surgical instrument of claim 5, wherein the articulation mechanism is coupled to a control device of a robotic surgical system. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the first slot comprises a proximal substantially linear portion and a distal non-linear portion, and the second slot is substantially linear. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The surgical instrument of claim 8, wherein the first and second jaws define a first angle therebetween in the open position, and wherein the first and second jaws define a second angle therebetween when the pin is located at a junction between the distal and proximal portions of the first slot, wherein the second angle is equal to or less than about 50% of the first angle. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The surgical instrument of claim 9, wherein the second angle is equal to or less than about 20% of the first angle. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The surgical instrument of claim 9, wherein the distal non-linear portion of the first slot has a continuous curvature from the junction to a distal end of the first slot. ### Claim 12 A surgical instrument comprising: first and second jaws, wherein the first jaw is configured to move relative to the second jaw between an open position and a closed position, wherein the first jaw comprises a first surface with an internal recess and a second surface opposite the first surface with an opening, wherein the second surface is an outer surface of the first jaw; an electrode having a cutting surface, the electrode disposed within the internal recess; a first insulating layer covering a first portion of the electrode; a post extending from the cutting electrode through the first surface of the first jaw and through the opening in the second surface of the first jaw such that the post extends completely through the first jaw to attach the electrode to the first jaw; and a second insulating layer covering a second portion of the electrode such that the cutting surface remains exposed. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The surgical instrument of claim 12, wherein the post is deformed to secure the post within the opening of the first jaw. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The surgical instrument of claim 13, wherein the post is heat staked to the opening in the first jaw. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The surgical instrument of claim 12, wherein the electrode comprises a first row of holes, the first insulating layer extending through the first row of holes. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The surgical instrument of claim 15, wherein the electrode comprises a second row of holes, the second insulating layer extending through the second row of holes. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The surgical instrument of claim 12, wherein the electrode further comprises a tab on an opposite surface as the cutting surface, the tab being configured to receive a wire to create a conductive junction between the electrode and a power source. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The surgical instrument of claim 12, wherein the first jaw and the first insulating layer each comprise a pivot hole for receiving a non-conductive pivot pin therethrough, wherein the pivot pin is configured to allow the first jaw to pivot relative to the second jaw. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The surgical instrument of claim 12, wherein the electrode is a cutting electrode configured for dissecting tissue, the first jaw further comprising one or more sealing electrodes configured for sealing tissue. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The surgical instrument of claim 12, wherein the second jaw comprises one or more sealing electrodes configured for sealing tissue and wherein the first jaw comprises one or more spacers extending from the first jaw towards the second jaw to space the one or more sealing electrodes on the first jaw from the one or more sealing electrodes on the second jaw when the first and second jaws are in the closed position.