Ultrasonic surgical instruments

Abstract

In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to a surgical instrument that can supply mechanical energy and electrical energy to an end effector of the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument may be operated in a first operating mode in which a transducer of the surgical instrument produces mechanical energy, or vibrations, that are transmitted to the end effector and a second operating mode in which electrical energy, or current, can flow through the end effector to perform electrosurgery. In another general aspect, the surgical instrument may comprise a clamp, or jaw, which can be moved into a closed position to hold tissue against a waveguide, or blade, of the end effector. In the second operating mode of the surgical instrument, current can flow from a power source, through the waveguide, and return to the power source through a path comprising the jaw.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . An ultrasonic surgical instrument, comprising:
 a handpiece;   a shaft extending from the handpiece;   a waveguide extending through the shaft;   a power level indicator; and   an ultrasonic blade extending from the waveguide along a blade axis, wherein the ultrasonic blade comprises:
 a proximal end configured to receive ultrasonic vibrations; and 
 a distal end movable along the blade axis in accordance with the ultrasonic vibrations applied to the proximal end, wherein the power level indicator is indicative of the ultrasonic vibrations. 
   
     
     
         13 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument of  claim 12 , further comprising a clamp arm movable relative to the ultrasonic blade from an open position to a closed position to capture tissue therebetween. 
     
     
         14 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument of  claim 13 , further comprising a closure actuator configured to move the clamp arm toward the closed position, wherein the closure actuator comprises a trigger and a trigger hook extending from the trigger, and wherein an aperture is defined between the trigger and the trigger hook. 
     
     
         15 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument of  claim 14 , wherein the power level indicator is configured to provide audible feedback indicative of the ultrasonic vibrations. 
     
     
         16 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument of  claim 15 , further comprising a generator configured to provide the ultrasonic vibrations to the ultrasonic blade, wherein the handpiece and the generator form a unitary assembly when assembled. 
     
     
         17 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument of  claim 16 , further comprising a switch, wherein the generator is configured to provide the ultrasonic vibrations to the ultrasonic blade based on actuation of the switch. 
     
     
         18 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument of  claim 17 , wherein the power level indicator comprises a light emitting diode. 
     
     
         19 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument of  claim 18 , wherein the ultrasonic blade comprises a curved cross-section. 
     
     
         20 . An ultrasonic surgical instrument, comprising:
 a handpiece;   a shaft extending from the handpiece;   a waveguide extending through the shaft;   an ultrasonic blade extending from the waveguide along a blade axis, wherein the ultrasonic blade comprises:
 a proximal end configured to receive ultrasonic vibrations; and 
 a distal end movable along the blade axis in accordance with ultrasonic vibrations applied to the proximal end; 
   an input interface configured to receive an input from a user, wherein the input is indicative of a power level to apply to the ultrasonic blade; and   a power level indicator configured to provide feedback indicative of the power level.   
     
     
         21 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument of  claim 20 , further comprising a clamp arm movable relative to the ultrasonic blade from an open position to a closed position to capture tissue therebetween. 
     
     
         22 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument of  claim 21 , further comprising a closure actuator configured to move the clamp arm toward the closed position, wherein the closure actuator comprises a trigger and a trigger hook extending from the trigger, and wherein an aperture is defined between the trigger and the trigger hook. 
     
     
         23 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument of  claim 20 , wherein the feedback comprises audible feedback. 
     
     
         24 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument of  claim 20 , wherein the input interface comprises a button. 
     
     
         25 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument of  claim 20 , wherein the power level indicator comprises a light emitting diode. 
     
     
         26 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument of  claim 20 , further comprising a generator configured to receive a signal indicative of the power level, wherein the generator is configured to provide the ultrasonic vibrations to the ultrasonic blade in accordance with the power level, and wherein the handpiece and the generator form a unitary assembly when assembled. 
     
     
         27 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument of  claim 20 , wherein the ultrasonic blade comprises a curved cross-section. 
     
     
         28 . An ultrasonic surgical instrument, comprising:
 a handpiece comprising a power level indicator;   a shaft extending from the handpiece;   a waveguide extending through the shaft; and   an ultrasonic blade extending from the waveguide along a blade axis, wherein the ultrasonic blade comprises:
 a proximal end configured to receive ultrasonic vibrations; and 
 a distal end movable along the blade axis in accordance with the ultrasonic vibrations applied to the proximal end, wherein the power level indicator is indicative of the ultrasonic vibrations. 
   
     
     
         29 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument of  claim 28 , wherein the power level indicator is configured to provide tactile feedback indicative of the ultrasonic vibrations. 
     
     
         30 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument of  claim 28 , further comprising a clamp arm movable relative to the ultrasonic blade from an open position to a closed position to capture tissue therebetween. 
     
     
         31 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument of  claim 30 , further comprising a closure actuator configured to move the clamp arm toward the closed position, wherein the closure actuator comprises a trigger and a trigger hook extending from the trigger, and wherein an aperture is defined between the trigger and the trigger hook.