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:
Dec. 03, 2019
Filed:
Dec. 17, 2015
Ethicon Endo-surgery, Llc, Guaynabo, PR (US);
Candice Otrembiak, Loveland, OH (US);
Charles J. Scheib, Loveland, OH (US);
Benjamin M. Boyd, Fariborn, OH (US);
Amelia A. Pierce, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Rafael J Ruiz Ortiz, Mason, OH (US);
Ethicon LLC, Guaynabo, PR (US);
Abstract
A surgical instrument includes a shaft assembly and an end effector. The shaft assembly includes a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. A lumen extends along at least a portion of the shaft. A lateral opening is formed in the shaft at a longitudinal position between the proximal and distal ends. The lateral opening is in fluid communication with the lumen. The shaft assembly further includes a movable member that is configured to selectively cover the opening. The end effector is at the distal end of the shaft. The lumen and the lateral opening may be used to flush debris and bodily fluids from the lumen and other regions of the shaft assembly.