Inventors:
Patrick A. Weizman - Liberty Township OH, US
Jeffrey L. Aldridge - Lebanon OH, US
Raymond M. Banks - Cupertino CA, US
Andrew T. Beckman - Cincinnati OH, US
John F. Cummings - Madeira OH, US
Timothy G. Dietz - Terrace Park OH, US
Craig N. Faller - Milford OH, US
James R. Giordano - Milford OH, US
Jason L. Harris - Mason OH, US
Zhifan F. Huang - Mason OH, US
Gregory W. Johnson - Milford OH, US
Cory G. Kimball - Cincinnati OH, US
Prasanna Malaviya - Mason OH, US
Matthew C. Miller - Cincinnati OH, US
Al Mirel - Redwood City CA, US
David K. Norvell - Monroe OH, US
Christopher J. Schall - Cincinnati OH, US
Foster B. Stulen - Mason OH, US
Jeffrey S. Swayze - Hamilton OH, US
Bradley E. White - Cincinnati OH, US
Tamara Widenhouse - Clarksville OH, US
David A. Witt - Maineville OH, US
Steve G. Bernath - Gilroy CA, US
Assignee:
Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. - Cincinnati OH
International Classification:
A61B 18/14
A61B 18/18
Abstract:
Various forms of surgical instruments are disclosed. In various embodiments, an end effector having operable and closable jaws is attached to a distal end of an elongate shaft such that portions of the jaws are axially offset from the elongate shaft. Other jaw embodiments are coupled to an actuation arrangement that permits portions of the jaws to be moved out of axial alignment with the elongate shaft. Other jaw embodiments are configured to facilitate tissue dissection. Electrosurgical instruments are also disclosed. One embodiment employs a flexible electrode that is conformable to tissue.