END EFFECTOR WITH DETECTABLE CONFIGURATIONS

摘要

A surgical end effector has a first jaw comprising a first electrode and a second jaw, wherein at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is movable relative to the other one of the first jaw and the second jaw to transition the end effector between an open configuration, an approximated configuration, and a fully approximated configuration. The second jaw includes a second electrode and a spacer extending from the second electrode, wherein the spacer is configured to maintain a predetermined distance between the first electrode and the second electrode when the end effector is in the fully approximated configuration, wherein the spacer is in contact with the first electrode in the fully approximated configuration, wherein the spacer is spaced apart from the first electrode in the open configuration, and wherein the spacer is comprised of a semi-conductive material.

主权项

1. A surgical end effector, comprising:
a first jaw comprising a first electrode; a second jaw, wherein at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is movable relative to the other one of the first jaw and the second jaw to transition the end effector between an open configuration, an approximated configuration, and a fully approximated configuration, the second jaw comprising:
a second electrode; andat least one spacer extending from the second electrode, wherein the at least one spacer is configured to maintain a minimum predetermined distance between the first electrode and the second electrode when the end effector is in the fully approximated configuration, wherein the at least one spacer is in contact with the first electrode in the fully approximated configuration, wherein the at least one spacer is spaced apart from the first electrode in the open configuration, and wherein the at least one spacer is comprised of a semi-conductive material.