Surgical system for applying ultrasonic energy to tissue

A surgical instrument for delivering energy to tissue, comprising:

• an introducer member having a working end that defines opposing jaw portions for engaging tissue;
• a reciprocatable ultrasonic waveguide carried by said introducer member;
• wherein at least one moveable jaw portion and the reciprocatable waveguide define respective first and second engagement surfaces for engaging one another to move said at least one jaw portion toward a closed position;
• wherein in the closed position, the second engagement surface of the reciprocatable waveguide engages the first engagement surfaces of said at least one jaw portion substantially from a proximal end to a distal end of said jaw portion;
• at least one energy delivery mechanism coupled to said working end for delivering energy to tissue;
• and
• wherein the energy delivery mechanism comprises an ultrasound source coupled to at least one of said jaw portions.

A surgical instrument for delivering energy to tissue, comprising:

• an introducer member having a working end that defines opposing jaw portions for engaging tissue;
• a reciprocatable ultrasonic waveguide carried by said introducer member;
• wherein at least one moveable jaw portion and the reciprocatable waveguide define respective first and second engagement surfaces for engaging one another to move said at least one jaw portion toward a closed position;
• wherein in the closed position, the second engagement surface of the reciprocatable waveguide engages the first engagement surfaces of said at least one jaw portion substantially from a proximal end to a distal end of said jaw portion;
• at least one energy delivery mechanism coupled to said working end for delivering energy to tissue;
• and
• wherein the energy delivery mechanism comprises an ultrasound source coupled to a cutting element.

A surgical instrument for delivering energy to tissue, comprising:

• an introducer member having a working end that defines opposing jaw portions for engaging tissue;
• a reciprocatable ultrasonic waveguide carried by said introducer member;
• wherein at least one moveable jaw portion and the reciprocatable member define respective first and second engagement surfaces for engaging one another to move said at least on jaw portion toward a closed position;
• wherein in the closed position, the second engagement surface of the reciprocatable waveguide engages the first engagement surfaces of said at least one jaw portion substantially from a proximal end to a distal end of said jaw portion;
• at least one energy delivery mechanism coupled to said working end for delivering energy to tissue;
• and
• wherein the reciprocatable waveguide and jaw portions source comprise portions of a tuned acoustic assembly.

An ultrasonic surgical instrument for delivering energy to tissue, comprising:

• an introducer portion;
• paired jaw elements carried at a distal end of said introducer portion wherein outwardly facing portions of at least one jaw element define a first engagement plane;
• a reciprocatable member carried within said introducer portion, wherein at least one channel in said reciprocatable member defines a second engagement plane that slidably engages said first engagement plane to thereby move at least one jaw element toward a closed position as said reciprocatable member moves from a first retracted position and a second extended position;
• and
• an ultrasound source operatively coupled to the reciprocatable member wherein said reciprocatable member comprises a waveguide.

A surgical instrument for delivering energy to tissue, comprising:

• an introducer having a working end that defines opposing jaw portions for engaging tissue;
• a reciprocatable member carried by within said introducer;
• wherein at least one jaw portion is moveable and defines a first engagement surface and wherein the reciprocatable member defines a second engagement surface that engages said first engagement surface to move said opposing jaw portions toward a closed position;
• an energy delivery source coupled to said reciprocatable member for delivering energy to tissue engaged between said opposing jaw portions;
• and
• at least one antenna carried by said reciprocatable member and wherein the energy delivery mechanism comprises a microwave source coupled to said at least one antenna.

A surgical instrument for delivering energy to tissue, comprising:

• an introducer having a working end that defines opposing jaw portions for engaging tissue;
• a reciprocatable member carried by within said introducer;
• wherein at least one jaw portion is moveable and defines a first engagement surface and wherein the reciprocatable member defines a second engagement surface that engages said first engagement surface to move said opposing jaw portions toward a closed position;
• an energy delivery source coupled to said reciprocatable member for delivering energy to tissue engaged between said opposing jaw portions;
• at least one antenna carried by said reciprocatable member and wherein the energy delivery mechanism comprises a microwave source coupled to said at least one antenna;
• and
• a tissue-contacting surface layer of the opposing jaws portions made of a microwave responsive material that is elevated in temperature in response to selected parameters of microwave transmission from said at least one antenna.

A surgical instrument for delivering energy to tissue, comprising:

• an introducer having a working end that defines opposing jaw portions for engaging tissue;
• a reciprocatable member carried by within said introducer;
• wherein at least one jaw portion is moveable and defines a first engagement surface and wherein the reciprocatable member defines a second engagement surface that engages said first engagement surface to move said opposing jaw portions toward a closed position;
• an energy delivery source coupled to said reciprocatable member for delivering energy to tissue engaged between said opposing jaw portions;
• and
• wherein said microwave responsive material comprises a substantially thin layer of a polymer.