Electrosurgical instrument with light accumulator end effector and fiber optics

1 . A surgical instrument, comprising:

(a) a shaft assembly having a distal end; and

(b) an end effector at the distal end of the shaft assembly, the end effector longitudinally extending along a longitudinal axis and including:

(i) a first jaw,

(ii) a second jaw movably coupled relative to the first jaw for clamping tissue therebetween, wherein the second jaw is configured to selectively and transversely move toward the longitudinal axis and thereby toward a closed configuration with the first jaw for clamping the tissue therebetween and

(iii) at least one lightbox for detecting the tissue, wherein the at least one lightbox includes:

(A) a housing having at least one optically transmissive surface configured to face the tissue,

(B) a first illuminating element secured to the housing,

(C) a second illuminating element secured to the housing,

(D) a first optically reflective angled surface configured to redirect light transmitted from the first illuminating element, and

(E) a second optically reflective angled surface configured to redirect light transmitted from the second illuminating element,

wherein the first optically reflective angled surface is closer to the longitudinal axis in a transverse direction than the second optically reflective angled surface in the transverse direction,

wherein at least one of the first or second jaws includes an electrode surface configured to apply radiofrequency energy to the tissue, wherein the at least one of the first or second jaws includes a recess opening toward the electrode surface, wherein the at least one lightbox is received within the recess.

2 . The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the at least one lightbox is configured to transmit light to the tissue for reflection by the tissue back to the at least one lightbox.

3 . The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the at least one lightbox includes a first lightbox positioned on the first jaw and a second lightbox positioned on the second jaw.

4 . The surgical instrument of claim 3 , wherein the first lightbox is configured to transmit light through the tissue, wherein the second lightbox is configured to receive the light transmitted through the tissue.

5 . The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second optically reflective angled surfaces is configured to reflect light at an angle of between approximately 30° and approximately 90°.

6 . The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second optically reflective angled surfaces is oriented at an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal axis.

7 . The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second optically reflective angled surfaces includes at least one parabolic surface.

8 . The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a translucent body.

9 . The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the at least one lightbox includes at least one lens configured to condition light.

10 . The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the at least one lightbox includes at least one port for receiving the first illuminating element.

11 . The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the first illuminating element includes at least one optical fiber.

12 . The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the first illuminating element includes at least one vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL).

13 . The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the first and second jaws define a knife pathway for directing a knife member therealong, wherein the at least one lightbox is positioned adjacent to the knife pathway.

14 . The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the first and second optically reflective angled surfaces are unitarily formed together.

15 . The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the second optically reflective angled surface is longitudinally closer to the shaft assembly than the first optically reflective angled surface.

16 . A surgical instrument, comprising:

(a) a shaft assembly having a distal end; and

(b) an end effector at the distal end of the shaft assembly, the end effector including:

(i) a first jaw,

(ii) a second jaw movably coupled relative to the first jaw for clamping tissue therebetween, and

(iii) at least one lightbox for detecting the tissue, wherein the at least one lightbox includes:

(A) a housing having at least one optically transmissive surface configured to face the tissue,

(B) at least one of an illuminating element or a light receiving element, wherein the at least one of an illuminating element or a light receiving element is secured to the housing,

(C) a first optically reflective angled surface configured to redirect light, and

(D) a second optically reflective angled surface configured to redirect light,

wherein the housing, the first optically reflective angled surface, and the second optically reflective angled surface are integrally formed together as a unitary piece.

17 . The surgical instrument of claim 16 , wherein the at least one lightbox further includes a third optically reflective angled surface configured to redirect light, wherein the housing, the first optically reflective angled surface, the second optically reflective angled surface, and the third optically reflective angled surface are integrally formed together as a unitary piece.

18 . A surgical instrument, comprising:

(a) a shaft assembly having a distal end; and

(b) an end effector at the distal end of the shaft assembly, the end effector including:

(i) a first jaw,

(ii) a second jaw movably coupled relative to the first jaw for clamping tissue therebetween, and

(iii) a first lightbox for detecting the tissue including:

(A) a first distal body being formed of a transparent material or a translucent material, and

(B) a first proximal body having at least one of an illuminating element or a light receiving element, wherein the first proximal body is secured to the first distal body,

wherein the first lightbox is received within the first jaw, and

(iv) a second lightbox for detecting the tissue including:

(A) a second distal body being formed of a transparent material or a translucent material, and

(B) a second proximal body having at least one of an illuminating element or a light receiving element, wherein the second proximal body is secured to the second distal body,

wherein the second lightbox is received within the second jaw.

19 . The surgical instrument of claim 18 , wherein the first distal body is integrally formed as a unitary piece.

20 . The surgical instrument of claim 19 , wherein the second distal body is integrally formed as another unitary piece.