ULTRASONIC AND ELECTROSURGICAL DEVICES
Disclosed are ultrasonic and electrosurgical devices. The disclosed embodiments include a surgical instrument comprising a waveguide and an end effector. The waveguide may comprise a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is coupled to an ultrasonic transducer. The end effector may be coupled to the distal end of the waveguide. The end effector may comprise an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm operatively coupled thereto. The blade may comprise one or more coated sections that are coated with a thermally and electrically insulative material and one or more exposed sections that are not coated with the thermally and electrically insulative material.
1 . A surgical instrument, comprising:
a waveguide comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is coupled to an ultrasonic transducer; and
an end effector coupled to the distal end of the waveguide, wherein the end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm operatively coupled thereto, and wherein the blade comprises one or more coated sections that are coated with a thermally and electrically insulative material and one or more exposed sections that are not coated with the thermally and electrically insulative material.
2 . The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the one or more exposed sections are symmetrical.
3 . The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the one or more exposed sections are asymmetrical.
4 . The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the one or more exposed sections are separated by the one or more coated sections.
5 . The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the waveguide is fully coated with the thermally and electrically insulative material.
6 . The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the waveguide is partially coated with the thermally and electrically insulative material.
7 . The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the one or more exposed sections are suitable for conducting electrical current therethrough.
8 . A surgical instrument, comprising:
a waveguide comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is coupled to an ultrasonic transducer; and
an end effector coupled to the distal end of the waveguide, wherein the end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm operatively coupled thereto, and wherein the clamp arm comprises one or more coated sections that are coated with a thermally and electrically insulative material and one or more exposed sections that are not coated with the thermally and electrically insulative material.
9 . The surgical instrument of claim 8 , wherein the one or more exposed sections are symmetrical.
10 . The surgical instrument of claim 8 , wherein the one or more exposed sections are asymmetrical.
11 . The surgical instrument of claim 8 , wherein the one or more exposed sections are separated by the one or more coated sections.
12 . The surgical instrument of claim 8 , wherein the waveguide is fully coated with the thermally and electrically insulative material.
13 . The surgical instrument of claim 8 , wherein the waveguide is partially coated with the thermally and electrically insulative material.
14 . The surgical instrument of claim 8 , wherein the one or more exposed sections are suitable for conducting electrical current therethrough.
15 . A surgical instrument, comprising:
a waveguide comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is coupled to an ultrasonic transducer; and
an end effector coupled to the distal end of the waveguide, wherein the end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm operatively coupled thereto, and wherein the ultrasonic blade and the clamp arm comprise one or more coated sections that are coated with a thermally and electrically insulative material and one or more exposed sections that are not coated with the thermally and electrically insulative material.
16 . The surgical instrument of claim 15 , wherein the one or more exposed sections are symmetrical.
17 . The surgical instrument of claim 15 , wherein the one or more exposed sections are asymmetrical.
18 . The surgical instrument of claim 15 , wherein the one or more exposed sections are separated by the one or more coated sections.
19 . The surgical instrument of claim 15 , wherein the waveguide is fully coated with the thermally and electrically insulative material.
20 . The surgical instrument of claim 15 , wherein the waveguide is partially coated with the thermally and electrically insulative material.
21 . The surgical instrument of claim 15 , wherein the one or more exposed sections are suitable for conducting electrical current therethrough.