Ultrasonic surgical instrument with electrosurgical feature

Abstract

A surgical instrument system includes an end effector, a generator, and a controller. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade and at least one electrode surface. The generator provides power to the end effector. The end effector applies ultrasonic energy to tissue via the blade or RF energy to tissue via the at least one electrode surface. The controller is configured to select between one or both of ultrasonic energy or RF energy, and thereby control the generator to provide the selected one or both of ultrasonic energy or RF energy at the end effector, based on a sensed operating condition of the end effector. The controller may select between ultrasonic energy and RF energy based on whether a clamp arm is in an open position relative to the blade, based on which button is being activated, and based on whether tissue is sensed at the end effector.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A surgical instrument, comprising:
 (a) a shaft assembly; and   (b) an end effector located distally relative to the shaft assembly, wherein the end effector is operable to cut and seal tissue, the end effector comprising:
 (i) an ultrasonic blade configured to operatively couple with a transducer assembly such that the ultrasonic blade is configured to transmit ultrasonic energy for cutting tissue, 
 (ii) a first electrode provided by the ultrasonic blade, and 
 (iii) a second electrode provided by the ultrasonic blade, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are configured to cooperatively apply bipolar RF energy for sealing tissue cut by the ultrasonic blade. 
   
     
     
         22 . The end effector of  claim 21 , wherein the first electrode is configured to activate at an active polarity while the second electrode is configured to serve as a return electrode. 
     
     
         23 . The end effector of  claim 22 , wherein the first electrode is placed at a distal tip of the ultrasonic blade. 
     
     
         24 . The end effector of  claim 23 , wherein the second electrode is placed at the distal tip of the ultrasonic blade and spaced away from the first electrode. 
     
     
         25 . The end effector of  claim 23 , wherein the second electrode is located proximally relative to the first electrode. 
     
     
         26 . The end effector of  claim 25 , wherein the second electrode is located on a side portion of the ultrasonic blade. 
     
     
         27 . The surgical instrument of  claim 21 , wherein the surgical instrument further comprises a first actuator configured to activate the ultrasonic blade to transmit ultrasonic energy for cutting tissue. 
     
     
         28 . The surgical instrument of  claim 27 , further comprising a handle assembly attached to a proximal end of the shaft assembly, wherein the first actuator is associated with the handle assembly. 
     
     
         29 . The surgical instrument of  claim 28 , further comprising a second actuator associated with the handle assembly, wherein the second actuator is configured to active either the first electrode or the second electrode with bipolar RF energy. 
     
     
         30 . The surgical instrument of  claim 21 , further comprising a generator configured to power the ultrasonic blade and the first electrode. 
     
     
         31 . The surgical instrument of  claim 30 , further comprising a controller configured to regulate deliver of power from the generator to the ultrasonic blade and the first electrode. 
     
     
         32 . The surgical instrument of  claim 31 , wherein the controller is integrated within the generator. 
     
     
         33 . The surgical instrument of  claim 31 , wherein the controller and the generator are integral with the surgical instrument. 
     
     
         34 . The surgical instrument of  claim 33 , further comprising a handle assembly, wherein the generator and the controller are housed within the handle assembly. 
     
     
         35 . The surgical instrument of  claim 21 , wherein the end effector further comprises a clamp arm. 
     
     
         36 . The surgical instrument of  claim 35 , wherein the clamp arm is configured to pivot relative to the ultrasonic blade between an open position and a closed position. 
     
     
         37 . A surgical instrument, comprising:
 (a) a shaft assembly; and   (b) an end effector located distally relative to the shaft assembly, wherein the end effector is operable to cut and seal tissue, the end effector comprising:
 (i) an ultrasonic blade configured to transmit ultrasonic energy for cutting tissue, 
 (ii) a clamp arm configured to actuate relative to the ultrasonic blade in order to grasp tissue, 
 (iii) an active electrode attached to the ultrasonic blade, and 
 (iv) a return electrode attached to the ultrasonic blade, wherein the active electrode and the return electrode are configured to cooperatively apply bipolar RF energy for sealing tissue cut by the ultrasonic blade. 
   
     
     
         38 . The surgical instrument of  claim 37 , wherein the active electrode is located at a distal tip of the ultrasonic blade. 
     
     
         39 . The surgical instrument of  claim 37 , further comprising a proximal body attached to a proximal end of the shaft assembly. 
     
     
         40 . A surgical instrument, comprising:
 (a) a shaft assembly; and   (b) an end effector located distally relative to the shaft assembly, wherein the end effector is operable to cut and seal tissue, the end effector comprising:
 (i) an ultrasonic blade configured to transmit ultrasonic energy for cutting tissue, 
 (ii) a clamp arm configured to actuate relative to the ultrasonic blade in order to grasp tissue, 
 (iii) a bipolar RF electrode assembly fixedly attached to the ultrasonic blade, wherein the bipolar RF electrode assembly configured to apply bipolar RF energy for sealing tissue cut by the ultrasonic blade.