Patents Assigned to THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CARLOINA AT CHARLOTTE
  • Patent number: 11596476
    Abstract: An end effector assembly for an optical surgical instrument includes a jaw member and a plurality of optical elements positioned within a cavity of the jaw member. The jaw member has a tissue contacting surface. The jaw member has a proximal portion that is configured to secure a fiber optic cable thereto such that a distal end of the fiber optical cable extends into the cavity. The plurality of optical elements are arranged in a staircase-like manner that rises towards the tissue contacting surface as the plurality of optical elements extends distally within the cavity. The plurality of optical elements is configured to direct a beam of light exiting the fiber optic cable towards the tissue contacting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignees: Covidien LP, THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CARLOINA AT CHARLOTTE
    Inventors: William H. Nau, Jr., Eric R. Larson, Duane E. Kerr, Nathaniel M. Fried, Thomas C. Hutchens, Thomas W. Meiser, Luke A. Hardy