Ultrasonic surgical blades
An ultrasonic surgical blade includes a body having a proximal end, a distal end, and an outer surface. The distal end is movable relative to a longitudinal axis in accordance with ultrasonic vibrations applied to the proximal end. At least a portion of the outer surface of the body comprises a lubricious coating adhered thereto. The lubricious coating has a coefficient of friction that is less than the coefficient of friction of the outer surface of the body.
1. An ultrasonic end effector, comprising:
a clamp arm assembly; and
an ultrasonic blade, comprising:
a proximal end; and
a distal end movable relative to a longitudinal axis in accordance with ultrasonic vibrations applied to the ultrasonic blade by an ultrasonic transducer, wherein the distal end comprises a coating, wherein the coating comprises a first layer and a second layer, wherein the second layer is positioned on top of the first layer, wherein the second layer is distal to the first layer, wherein the first layer comprises a primer layer, and wherein the second layer comprises a polymeric lubricious coating.
2. The ultrasonic end effector of claim 1 , wherein the clamp arm assembly comprises a clamp arm and a tissue pad.
3. The ultrasonic end effector of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic blade further comprises a surface treatment.
4. The ultrasonic end effector of claim 3 , wherein the coating is positioned on top of the surface treatment.
5. The ultrasonic end effector of claim 1 , wherein the first layer comprises a first material, and wherein the second layer comprises a second material.
6. The ultrasonic end effector of claim 5 , wherein the first material is different than the second material.
7. An ultrasonic surgical instrument, comprising:
a waveguide extending along a longitudinal axis; and
an end effector, comprising:
a clamp arm assembly; and
an ultrasonic blade, comprising:
a proximal end operably coupled to the waveguide; and
a distal end movable relative to the longitudinal axis in accordance with ultrasonic vibrations applied to the waveguide by an ultrasonic transducer, wherein the distal end comprises a coating, wherein the coating comprises a first layer and a second layer, wherein the second layer is positioned on top of the first layer, wherein the second layer is distal to the first layer, wherein the first layer comprises a primer layer, and wherein the second layer comprises a polymeric lubricious coating.
8. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 7 , wherein the clamp arm assembly comprises a clamp arm and a tissue pad.
9. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 7 , wherein the ultrasonic blade further comprises a surface treatment.
10. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 9 , wherein the coating is positioned on top of the surface treatment.
11. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 7 , wherein the first layer comprises a first material, and wherein the second layer comprises a second material.
12. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 11 , wherein the first material is different than the second material.
13. An ultrasonic surgical system, comprising:
an ultrasonic transducer;
a waveguide operably coupled to the ultrasonic transducer, wherein the waveguide extends along a longitudinal axis; and
an end effector, comprising:
a clamp arm assembly; and
an ultrasonic blade, comprising:
a proximal end operably coupled to the waveguide; and
a distal end movable relative to the longitudinal axis in accordance with ultrasonic vibrations applied to the waveguide by the ultrasonic transducer, wherein the distal end comprises a coating, wherein the coating comprises a first layer and a second layer, wherein the second layer is positioned on top of the first layer, wherein the second layer is distal to the first layer, wherein the first layer comprises a primer layer, and wherein the second layer comprises a polymeric lubricious coating.
14. The ultrasonic surgical system of claim 13 , wherein the ultrasonic blade further comprises a surface treatment.
15. The ultrasonic surgical system of claim 14 , wherein the coating is positioned on top of the surface treatment.
16. The ultrasonic surgical system of claim 13 , wherein the first layer comprises a first material, and wherein the second layer comprises a second material.
17. The ultrasonic surgical system of claim 16 , wherein the first material is different than the second material.