ULTRASONIC AND ELECTROSURGICAL DEVICES

1 . A surgical instrument, comprising:

an ultrasonic waveguide comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is configured to couple to an ultrasonic transducer;

a tube defining a lumen, wherein the waveguide is located within the lumen;

an end effector coupled to the distal end of the waveguide, the end effector comprising an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm comprising a movable jaw member; and

a shaft assembly configured to counteract deflection of the blade.

2 . The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the tube comprises a counter deflection element to enable deflection of the blade to counteract forces applied to the blade by the movable jaw member when in a clamped position against the blade.

3 . The surgical instrument of claim 2 , wherein the counter deflection element is provided on the tube at a node of the blade that is proximal to the distal node of the blade to counteract deflection of the blade by the movable jaw member.

4 . The surgical instrument of claim 3 , wherein a downward deflection of the blade by the movable jaw member is counteracted by a downward reaction force of the counter deflection element at the node proximal to the distal node.

5 . The surgical instrument of claim 2 , wherein the counter deflection element comprises a bulge formed into the lumen defined of the tube to provide a downward counter force to a clamping force exerted against the blade by the movable jaw member.

6 . The surgical instrument of claim 2 , wherein the counter deflection element comprises a window defined in the tube to enable a downward force to deflect the blade without making contact with an opposing wall of the inner tube.

7 . A surgical instrument, comprising:

a waveguide comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is configured to couple to an ultrasonic transducer;

a tube defining a lumen, wherein the waveguide is disposed within the lumen;

an end effector comprising an ultrasonic blade defining a hole to receive a first pivot pin and a movable clamp arm operatively coupled to the cam surface; and

a cam surface formed on an outer surface of the tube to receive a second pivot pin attached to the movable clamp arm.

8 . The surgical instrument of claim 7 , further comprising a first pivot pin located in the hole defined by the blade.

9 . The surgical instrument of claim 8 , wherein the tube is actuatable and wherein the clamp arm is cammed open and closed against the blade through relative motion between the tube and the blade, such that the movable clamp arm rotates about the first pivot pin when there is relative motion between the blade and the tube.

10 . The surgical instrument of claim 7 , further comprising a second pivot pin located within a hole defined by the clamp arm and operatively coupled therewith, wherein the clamp arm pivots about the second pivot pin.

11 . The surgical instrument of claim 10 , wherein the clamp arm is rotatably attached to the blade.

12 . The surgical instrument of 11 , wherein the clamp arm is rotatably attached to the blade by attaching the clamp arm at a proximal node of the blade or a distal node of the waveguide to minimize interference of the acoustical train.

13 . The surgical instrument of claim 12 , wherein the clamp arm is rotatably attached to the blade by a through hole and insulated pivot pin attached to the movable clamp arm.

14 . The surgical instrument of claim 13 , wherein the cam surface define in the tube locates the second pivot pin attached to the movable clamp arm such that the movable clamp arm rotates about the first pivot at pin located in the blade when there is relative motion between the blade and the tube.

15 . A surgical instrument, comprising:

a waveguide comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is configured to couple to a transducer;

an end effector comprising an ultrasonic blade defining a hole to receive a first pivot pin and a movable clamp arm operatively coupled movable about the hole;

a first pivot pin disposed within the hole; and

a linkage operatively coupled to the clamp arm and the first pivot pin, wherein the linkage is actuatable to move the clamp arm.

16 . The surgical instrument of claim 15 , comprising a tube coupled to the linkage to actuate the clamp arm from a first position to a second position through relative motion between the tube and the blade.

17 . The surgical instrument of claim 15 , wherein the linkage comprises multiple bars.

18 . The surgical instrument of claim 15 , wherein the linkage is pinned to the blade.

19 . The surgical instrument of claim 15 , wherein the pivot pin is located either at a proximal node of the blade or a distal node of the waveguide to minimize interference of the acoustical train.

20 . The surgical instrument of claim 15 , wherein the linkage enables the clamp arm to rotate as the tube is displaced longitudinally.

21 . An ultrasonic energy driven rongeur device, comprising:

at least one elongate member;

a linkage connected to a distal end of the at least one elongate member;

an ultrasonic transducer coupled to the at least one elongate member; and

a pivot located at an ultrasonic node of the at least one elongate member.

22 . The ultrasonic energy driven rongeur device of claim 21 , comprising:

a second linkage connected to a proximal end of the at least one elongate member; and

a second pivot located at a second ultrasonic of the at least one elongate member.

23 . The ultrasonic energy driven rongeur device of claim 21 , comprising:

a second elongate member above the at least one elongate member; and

a damping material disposed between the least one elongate member and the second elongate member.