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. 31, 2018
Filed:
Apr. 16, 2015
Ethicon Endo-surgery, Llc, Guaynabo, PR (US);
David A. Monroe, Milford, OH (US);
Richard W. Timm, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Craig N. Faller, Batavia, OH (US);
Kristen L. Pirozzi, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Jacob S. Gee, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Jeffrey D. Messerly, Cincinnati, OH (US);
John B. Schulte, West Chester, OH (US);
Benjamin D. Dickerson, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Ryan M. Asher, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Cara L. Shapiro, Milford, 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 an articulation lock assembly. 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 and includes a flexible portion. The articulation section is coupled with the shaft and encompasses the flexible portion of the waveguide. The articulation section comprises a first member and a second member. The second member is longitudinally translatable relative to the first member. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the ultrasonic transducer. The articulation lock comprises a tensioning feature, which is configured to selectively apply tension to at least one of the first member and the second member of the articulation section to thereby increase rigidity in the articulation section.