Patent ID: 6068647
Filing Date: 2000-05-30
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An ultrasonic surgical clamp apparatus comprising:a housing;an outer tubular sheath having a proximal end joined to said housing, and a distal end;an inner actuating member reciprocably positioned within said outer tubular sheath;an ultrasonic waveguide positioned within said outer tubular sheath and having an end-effector extending distally of said distal end of said outer tubular sheath;a clamp arm pivotally mounted on said distal end of said outer tubular sheath for pivotal movement with respect to said end-effector for clamping tissue between said clamp arm and said end-effector, said clamp arm being operatively connected to said actuating member so that reciprocal movement of said actuating member pivotally moves said clamp arm with respect to said end-effector;said clamp arm having a clamping surface positioned for cooperation with said end-effector, said clamp arm including a plurality of gripping teeth each extending continuously transversely thereof for cooperation with said end-effector to grip tissue between said clamp arm and said end-effector, said teeth collectively defining a cylindrical gripping surface, spaced from root portions of said teeth, for cutting tissue along a line and for compressing tissue along regions on opposite sides of said line.