ULTRASONIC SURGICAL INSTRUMENT CLAMP ARM WITH SNAP-ON CLAMP PAD

摘要

An apparatus for operating on tissue includes a body, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body and includes an acoustic waveguide. The waveguide is configured to acoustically couple with an ultrasonic transducer. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade, a clamp arm, and a clamp pad. The blade is in acoustic communication with the waveguide. The clamp arm is configured to pivot about a first pivot point toward and away from the ultrasonic blade and includes a coupling feature. The clamp pad is selectively attachable to the blade to acoustically isolate the clamp arm from the ultrasonic blade. The coupling feature of the clamp arm is configured to provide a snap fit between the clamp pad and the clamp arm and thereby permit manipulation of the clamp pad for removal of the clamp pad from the clamp arm.

主权项

1. An apparatus for operating on tissue, the apparatus comprising:
(a) a body; (b) a shaft assembly, wherein the shaft assembly extends distally from the body, wherein the shaft assembly comprises an acoustic waveguide, wherein the waveguide is configured to acoustically couple with an ultrasonic transducer; and (c) an end effector, wherein the end effector comprises:
(i) an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the waveguide,(ii) a clamp arm, wherein the clamp arm is configured to pivot about a first pivot point toward and away from the ultrasonic blade, wherein the clamp arm comprises a coupling feature, and(iii) a clamp pad, wherein the clamp pad is selectively attachable to the clamp arm to acoustically isolate the clamp arm from the ultrasonic blade, wherein the coupling feature of the clamp arm is configured to provide a snap fit between the clamp pad and the clamp arm and thereby permit manipulation of the clamp pad for removal of the clamp pad from the clamp arm.