User feedback through end effector of surgical instrument

摘要

A surgical instrument includes a handle assembly and a transmission assembly including an end effector. The end effector includes a visual indicator, such as dots disposed on a clamp arm, to emit light from at least one LED disposed between the clamp arm and a clamp pad. The LED is connectable to a power source. An outer sheath of the end effector is extruded to include a first set of electrical conduits. A distal assembly of the end effector includes the clamp arm, clamp pad, LED, and a second set of electrical conduits to mate with the first set of electrical conduits when the distal assembly is snap-fit into the extruded outer sheath. An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes an outer sheath configured to transmit light from an internally housed LED along portions of the outer sheath.

主权项

1. A surgical instrument comprising:
(a) a body; (b) a transmission assembly extending distally from the body; (c) an end effector at a distal end of the transmission assembly, wherein the end effector is operable to deliver ultrasonic energy from the transmission assembly to a surgical site; and (d) a visual indicator disposed within the transmission assembly or the end effector, wherein the transmission assembly or the end effector comprises at least one light emitting feature formed in the transmission assembly or the end effector, wherein the at least one light emitting feature is configured to emit light produced by the visual indicator from within the transmission assembly or the end effector to an exterior of the transmission assembly or the end effector, wherein the visual indicator is operable to visually indicate an operating parameter associated with the end effector via the at least one light emitting feature; wherein the end effector comprises an upper clamp arm, wherein the visual indicator comprises one or more LEDs, wherein the at least one light transmitting feature comprises a series of holes formed in the upper clamp arm configured to transmit light from the one or more LEDs.