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:
Apr. 28, 2020
Filed:
Mar. 23, 2018
Ethicon Llc, Guaynabo, PR (US);
Gregory J. Bakos, Mason, OH (US);
Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Hillsboro, OH (US);
Gregory G. Scott, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Stephen D. Geresy, West Chester, OH (US);
Yvan D. Nguetio Tchoumkeu, Blue Ash, OH (US);
Amy M. Krumm, Bellbrook, OH (US);
Grace E. Waters, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Prudence A. Vulhop, Fort Wright, KY (US);
Nichole Y. Kwee, Cincinnati, OH (US);
John E. Brady, Liberty Township, OH (US);
Scott A. Jenkins, Mason, OH (US);
Laura A. Schoettmer, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Andrew Kolpitcke, Centerville, OH (US);
Joshua P. Morgan, Benton, KY (US);
Sarah A. Worthington, Maineville, OH (US);
Taylor W. Aronhalt, Loveland, OH (US);
Alexander R. Cuti, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Ethicon LLC, Guaynabo, PR (US);
Abstract
A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector, and an electrical contact assembly. The includes a power source, while the shaft assembly extends distally from the body. The end effector includes a channel assembly and a cartridge assembly configured to selectively couple with the channel assembly. The cartridge assembly includes an electrically activated component. The electrical contact assembly is capable of electrically coupling the power source with the electrically activated component of the cartridge assembly. The electrical contact assembly includes a first electrical contact, a second electrical contact, and an insulating membrane. The first electrical contact is associated with the channel assembly while the second electrical contact is associated with the cartridge assembly. The insulating membrane is associated with either the first electrical contact or the second electrical contact. The insulating membrane is configured to transition between a closed position and an opened position. Either the first electrical contact or the second electrical contact is configured to transition the insulation membrane to the opened position when the cartridge assembly is coupled to the channel assembly.