The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 24, 2018
Filed:
Apr. 16, 2015
Ethicon Endo-surgery, Llc, Guaynabo, PR (US);
Cara L. Shapiro, Milford, OH (US);
Ryan M. Asher, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Kristen Denzinger, Cincinnati, OH (US);
William B. Weisenburgh, II, Maineville, OH (US);
David J. Cagle, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Benjamin D. Dickerson, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Barry C. Worrell, Centerville, OH (US);
Gregory W. Johnson, Milford, OH (US);
Joseph E. Hollo, Liberty Township, OH (US);
Jason R. Sullivan, Morrow, OH (US);
Tylor C. Muhlenkamp, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Stephen J. Balek, Springboro, OH (US);
Ethicon LLC, Guaynabo, PR (US);
Abstract
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.