Patent ID: 8672959
Filing Date: 2014-03-18
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A curved clamp arm configured for use with an ultrasonic surgical instrument that comprises an ultrasonic transmission member having a proximal end and a distal end and an ultrasonically actuated blade attached to the distal end of the transmission member, wherein the blade comprises an ultrasonically actuated motion in substantially a single plane, and the curved clamp arm has an open position in which at least a portion of the curved clamp arm is spaced from the blade and a closed position in which the curved clamp arm is adjacent to the blade, the curved clamp arm comprising: a) a plane of curvature substantially parallel to the plane of motion of the blade when the curved clamp arm is in the closed position, and wherein the plane of curvature is not parallel to the plane of motion of the blade when the curved clamp arm is in the open position, wherein the motion of the curved clamp arm from the open position to the closed position occurs in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of motion of the blade.