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:
Aug. 06, 2019
Filed:
Dec. 21, 2015
Ethicon Endo-surgery, Llc, Guaynabo, PR (US);
Kristen G. Denzinger, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Ashvani K. Madan, Mason, OH (US);
Cory G. Kimball, Hamilton, OH (US);
Robert A. Kemerling, Mason, OH (US);
John A. Hibner, Mason, OH (US);
Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, Mason, OH (US);
Catherine A. Corbett, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Michael R. Lamping, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Thomas B. Remm, Milford, OH (US);
Ethicon LLC, Guaynabo, PR (US);
Abstract
A surgical instrument includes a shaft assembly, an ultrasonic blade, and a cleaning device. The shaft assembly includes a first tube and an acoustic waveguide. The first tube has a first inner diameter and a distal end. The waveguide has a first outer diameter. The waveguide extends within the first tube. The first outer diameter of the acoustic waveguide and the first inner diameter of the first tube together define a gap. The ultrasonic blade extends distally from the distal end of the first tube. The acoustic waveguide is configured to communicate ultrasonic energy to the ultrasonic blade. The cleaning device is configured to actuate within the gap to thereby clean at least a portion of the shaft assembly and/or at least a portion of the ultrasonic blade.