Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.

Steve G Bernath

Jason L Harris

Jeffrey L Aldridge

Timothy G Dietz

David A Witt

Zhifan F Huang

David Keith Norvell

Patrick A Weizman

Raymond M Banks

Frederick E Shelton, IV

Jeffrey S Swayze

Foster B Stulen

Andrew T Beckman

Cory G Kimball

Gregory W Johnson

Matthew C Miller

James R Giordano

Craig N Faller

Prasanna Malaviya

Tamara S Widenhouse

Christopher J Schall

John F Cummings

Bradley E White

Al Mirel

Gregory M Johnson

An end effector for use with a surgical instrument is disclosed. The end effector comprises a first jaw, a second jaw, wherein the first jaw is movable relative to the second jaw to transition the end effector between an open configuration and an approximated configuration to clamp tissue between the first jaw and the second jaw, and a camming assembly. The camming assembly comprises a first camming member comprising a first distal camming portion, a first proximal camming portion, and a first flexible portion extending between the first distal camming portion and the first proximal camming portion. The camming assembly further comprises a second camming member and a connector at least partially disposed between the first camming member and the second camming member, wherein the camming assembly is movable relative to the end effector to transition the end effector to the approximated configuration.

Surgical instruments and end effectors therefor

Various forms of surgical instruments are disclosed. In various embodiments, an end effector having operable and closable jaws is attached to a distal end of an elongate shaft such that portions of the jaws are axially offset from the elongate shaft. Other jaw embodiments are coupled to an actuation arrangement that permits portions of the jaws to be moved out of axial alignment with the elongate shaft. Other jaw embodiments are configured to facilitate tissue dissection. Electrosurgical instruments are also disclosed. One embodiment employs a flexible electrode that is conformable to tissue.

Growing community of inventors

San Martin, CA, United States of America

Steve G Bernath