Surgical instruments incorporating ultrasonic and electrosurgical functionality

Abstract

A surgical instrument end effector assembly includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member. The second jaw member includes an ultrasonic blade body and first and second electrodes disposed on either side of the ultrasonic blade body and extending longitudinally along a majority of a length of the ultrasonic blade body. The ultrasonic blade body is adapted to receive ultrasonic energy from an ultrasonic waveguide. The first and second electrodes taper in width proximally to distally and are adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy. The first jaw member is movable relative to the second jaw member between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An end effector assembly of a surgical instrument, comprising:
 first and second jaw members, the first jaw member movable relative to the second jaw member between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween; and   first, second, and third electrodes, at least one of which is associated with the first jaw member and at least another of which is associated with the second jaw member, wherein the first, second, and third electrodes are configured to be energized with Radio-Frequency (RF) energy in a three-phase configuration for treating tissue grasped between the first and second jaw members.   
     
     
         2 . The end effector assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first, second, and third electrodes are configured to be energized with RF energy waves that are 120 degrees out of phase with respect to one another. 
     
     
         3 . The end effector assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first, second, and third electrodes are configured to be energized with RF energy waves at 50% duty cycle. 
     
     
         4 . The end effector assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first, second, and third electrodes are configured to be energized with RF energy sine waves or RF energy square waves. 
     
     
         5 . The end effector assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second electrodes are associated with the first jaw member and wherein the third electrode is associated with the second jaw member. 
     
     
         6 . The end effector assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein the first and second electrodes are disposed on the first jaw member and wherein the third electrode is defined by the second jaw member. 
     
     
         7 . The end effector assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the second jaw member is an ultrasonic blade configured to be energized with ultrasonic energy. 
     
     
         8 . The end effector assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the ultrasonic blade defines one of the first, second, or third electrodes. 
     
     
         9 . The end effector assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the ultrasonic blade is configured to be energized with ultrasonic energy and the first, second, and third electrodes are configured to be energized with RF energy simultaneously. 
     
     
         10 . The end effector assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the ultrasonic blade is configured to be energized with ultrasonic energy and the first, second, and third electrodes are configured to be energized with RF energy in alternating fashion. 
     
     
         11 . The end effector assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first, second, or third electrodes is configured to contact tissue grasped between the first and second jaw members. 
     
     
         12 . The end effector assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the first, second, and third electrodes is configured to contact tissue grasped between the first and second jaw members. 
     
     
         13 . A surgical instrument, comprising:
 a housing;   a shaft extending distally from the housing; and   an end effector assembly extending distally from the shaft, the end effector assembly including:
 first and second jaw members, the first jaw member movable relative to the second jaw member between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween; and 
 first, second, and third electrodes configured to be energized with Radio-Frequency (RF) energy in a three-phase configuration to treat tissue grasped between the first and second jaw members. 
   
     
     
         14 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a trigger selectively actuatable relative to housing to thereby move the first jaw member relative to the second jaw member between the spaced-apart position and the approximated position.   
     
     
         15 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 13 , further comprising an activation switch disposed on the housing and configured to initiate the energization of the first, second, and third electrodes with RF energy upon activation thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the first, second, or third electrodes is associated with the first jaw member and wherein at least another one of the first, second, or third electrodes is associated with the second jaw member. 
     
     
         17 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 13 , wherein the first, second, and third electrodes are configured to be energized with RF energy waves that are 120 degrees out of phase with respect to one another. 
     
     
         18 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 13 , wherein the second jaw member is an ultrasonic blade configured to be energized with ultrasonic energy, the ultrasonic blade defining one of the first, second, or third electrodes. 
     
     
         19 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 18 , wherein the ultrasonic blade is configured to be energized with ultrasonic energy and the first, second, and third electrodes are configured to be energized with RF energy simultaneously. 
     
     
         20 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 18 , wherein the ultrasonic blade is configured to be energized with ultrasonic energy and the first, second, and third electrodes are configured to be energized with RF energy in alternating fashion