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. 05, 2014
Filed:
Jun. 09, 2010
Timothy G. Dietz, Terrace Park, OH (US);
Zhifan F. Huang, Mason, OH (US);
David A. Witt, Maineville, OH (US);
Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Lebanon, OH (US);
Raymond M. Banks, Cupertino, CA (US);
Mary E. Mootoo, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Jeffrey S. Swayze, Hamilton, OH (US);
Foster B. Stulen, Mason, OH (US);
Prasanna Malaviya, Mason, OH (US);
Gregory W. Johnson, Milford, OH (US);
Paul Guerra, Los Gatos, CA (US);
Timothy G. Dietz, Terrace Park, OH (US);
Zhifan F. Huang, Mason, OH (US);
David A. Witt, Maineville, OH (US);
Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Lebanon, OH (US);
Raymond M. Banks, Cupertino, CA (US);
Mary E. Mootoo, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Jeffrey S. Swayze, Hamilton, OH (US);
Foster B. Stulen, Mason, OH (US);
Prasanna Malaviya, Mason, OH (US);
Gregory W. Johnson, Milford, OH (US);
Paul Guerra, Los Gatos, CA (US);
Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc., Cincinnati, OH (US);
Abstract
An electrosurgical surgical instrument can comprise a handle and an end effector, wherein the end effector can comprise first and second jaws which can be opened and closed to capture tissue therebetween. The second jaw can comprise a first electrode and a second electrode while the first jaw can comprise an opposing electrode positioned opposite the first electrode and the second electrode when the jaws are in their closed position. The first and second electrodes can be independently and/or sequentially operated in order to conduct current between the first and second electrodes and opposing electrode in order to draw the tissue positioned between the first and second jaws toward the center of the first and second jaws and weld the tissue. In various other embodiments, other firing sequences of the electrodes are contemplated. During and/or after such tissue welding processes, a cutting member can be advanced to cut the tissue.