Tissue pad for an ultrasonic device for cutting and coagulating

Abstract

A tissue pad for use with an ultrasonic clamp coagulator assembly that is configured to permit selective cutting, coagulation, and fine dissection required in fine and delicate surgical procedures. The tissue pad defines a first end and a second end and has a first surface adapted for engaging tissue against an ultrasonic end effector. The tissue pad defines a width dimension from the first end to the second end, and the width at the first end is greater than a second width located halfway between the first end and the second end. The second end has a width smaller than the width halfway between both ends.

1 . A tissue pad defining a first end and a second end and having a first surface adapted for engaging tissue against an ultrasonic end effector, the tissue pad defining a width dimension from the first end to the second end, wherein a first width at the first end is greater than a second width at a first location, located halfway between the first end and the second end, and the second width is greater than a third width at the second end. 
     
     
         2 . The tissue pad in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the first tissue pad is formed from polytetraflouroethylene (PTFE). 
     
     
         3 . The tissue pad in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the surface is a rough surface. 
     
     
         4 . The tissue pad in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein the The tissue pad according to  claim 5 , wherein the rough surface comprises a saw tooth configuration 
     
     
         5 . The tissue pad in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the tissue pad comprises a second surface adapted for engaging a clamp arm. 
     
     
         6 . The tissue pad in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the second surface comprises a flange. 
     
     
         7 . The tissue pad according to  claim 6 , wherein the flange is substantially T-shaped. 
     
     
         8 . The tissue pad according to  claim 1 , wherein the width dimension from the first end to the first location decreases linearly. 
     
     
         9 . A method of mounting a tissue pad defining i) a first end and a second end and having a first surface adapted for engaging tissue against an ultrasonic end effector, the tissue pad defining a width dimension from the first end to the second end, wherein a first width at the first end is greater than a second width at a first location, located halfway between the first end and the second end, and the second width is greater than a third width at the second end, and ii) a second surface for engaging a clamp arm, the mounting method comprising the step of:
 a) gluing the second surface to the clamp arm.   
     
     
         10 . A method of mounting a tissue pad defining i) a first end and a second end and having a first surface adapted for engaging tissue against an ultrasonic end effector, the tissue pad defining a width dimension from the first end to the second end, wherein a first width at the first end is greater than a second width at a first location, located halfway between the first end and the second end, and the second width is greater than a third width at the second end, and ii) a second surface comprising a flange for engaging a clamp arm having a slot formed therein, the mounting method comprising the step of:
 a) inserting the flange formed on the second surface into the slot formed on the clamp arm.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 8 , further comprising the step of gluing the second surface to the clamp arm.