Patent ID: 6589200
Filing Date: 2003-07-08
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A surgical instrument comprising:a handle; a surgical end-effector, said surgical end-effector having a proximal end, a distal end, and a length; wherein said length from said proximal end of said surgical end-effector to said distal end of said surgical end-effector defines a longitudinal axis; said surgical end-effector further comprising a bifurcated portion, said bifurcated portion comprising: a first arm and a second arm; wherein said first arm and said second arm are moveable with respect to said longitudinal axis; an elongated ultrasonic transmission rod assembly operatively coupled between said handle and said surgical end-effector, said elongated ultrasonic transmission rod assembly defining an instrument axis, wherein said transmission rod assembly comprises: an ultrasonic waveguide transmission segment having a proximal end and a distal end; a flexible ultrasonic waveguide segment having a proximal and a distal end, wherein said proximal end of said flexible segment is coupled to said distal end of said ultrasonic waveguide transmission segment and said distal end of said flexible segment is coupled to said surgical end-effector; and an actuating arm extending from said handle to said distal end of said flexible segment, wherein said actuating arm is operatively connected to said flexible segment and to said handle.