Cilag International Gmbh

Ethicon, Gmbh

Jason R Sullivan

Barry C Worrell

Gregory W Johnson

Kristen G Denzinger

Tylor C Muhlenkamp

Joseph E Hollo

Jeffrey David Messerly

Craig N Faller

Brian D Black

John B Schulte

Stephen M Leuck

Frederick L Estera

William Bruce Weisenburgh, Ii

Ryan M Asher

Benjamin D Dickerson

David James Cagle

Cara Shapiro

Kristen L D'Uva

Jeffrey S Swayze

Charles J Scheib

John A Hibner

Foster B Stulen

Richard William Timm

Matthew C Miller

Geoffrey S Strobl

Daniel J Mumaw

Rudolph Henry Nobis

Gregory A Trees

David T Martin

Jacob Spencer Gee

Michael R Lamping

Disha V Labhasetwar

Benjamin J Danziger

William A Olson

David Alexander Monroe

William B Weisenburgh

Stephen J Balek

Kristen L Pirozzi

Ii William B Weisenburgh

Cara L Shapiro

A surgical apparatus includes a body assembly, a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, an articulation section, an end effector, and a rigidizing member. The shaft extends distally from the body assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. The acoustic waveguide includes a flexible portion. The articulation section is coupled with the shaft. A portion of the articulation section encompasses the flexible portion of the waveguide. The articulation section includes a first member and a second member. The second member is longitudinally translatable relative to the first member. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the waveguide. The rigidizing member is configured to selectively engage at least a portion of the articulation section to thereby selectively provide rigidity to the articulation section.

Ultrasonic surgical instrument with movable rigidizing member

An apparatus comprises a body assembly, a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, an articulation section, an end effector, and an articulation drive assembly. The shaft extends distally from the body assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. The acoustic waveguide comprises a flexible portion. The articulation section is coupled with the shaft. A portion of the articulation section encompasses the flexible portion of the waveguide. The articulation section comprises a plurality of body portions aligned along the longitudinal axis and a flexible locking member. The flexible locking member is operable to secure the body portions in relation to each other and in relation to the shaft. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the waveguide. The articulation drive assembly is operable to drive articulation of the articulation section to thereby deflect the end effector from the longitudinal axis.

Method of operating an articulating ultrasonic surgical instrument

A surgical apparatus comprises a body, an ultrasonic transducer, a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, an articulation section, an end effector, and a rigidizing member. The ultrasonic transducer is operable to convert electrical power into ultrasonic vibrations. The shaft couples the end effector and the body together. The acoustic waveguide is coupled with the transducer. The articulation section is operable to flex to thereby deflect the end effector from a longitudinal axis defined by the shaft. The rigidizing member is operable to selectively rigidize the articulation section and thereby prevent deflection of the end effector by preventing flexibility of the articulation section. Such rigidization includes removing any 'play' or other small movement that might otherwise be provided by the articulation section due to manufacturing tolerances and/or looseness between parts.

Ultrasonic surgical instrument with articulation joint having integral stiffening members

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Morrow, OH, United States of America

Jason R Sullivan