Covidien LP

Matthias Lester

Kenneth E Netzel

Jason L Craig

Matthew S Cowley

Michael J Brown

Jeremy P Green

A method of testing a jaw force of an ultrasonic surgical instrument includes securing a blade of an end effector of the ultrasonic surgical instrument, clamping a jaw member of the end effector against the blade such that a sensor is received within a notch of the jaw member of the end effector, and measuring the jaw force of the end effector using the sensor.

Surgical instrument and method facilitating testing jaw force of the surgical instrument

A surgical instrument includes a support frame defining first and second non-circular apertures each defining at least one stop surface, and a jaw member having a structural body including a proximal flange portion and an elongated distal portion extending distally from the proximal flange portion. A jaw liner is engaged with the elongated distal portion and defines a tissue-contacting surface. A first and a second pivot boss protrude from opposite sides of the proximal flange portion and at least partially into the first and second non-circular apertures, respectively. Each pivot boss is non-circular and defines at least one stop surface configured to mate with the at least one stop surface of the respective non-circular aperture to stop rotation of the jaw member before the jaw liner is forced into contact with a blade from the surgical instrument. A surgical instrument including such a jaw member is also provided.

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Longmont, CO, United States of America

Matthias Lester