Ultrasonic Surgical Instrument with Clamping Force Sensors Patent Application

ChangeBridge: Patent Apps - Diagnosis & Surgery (A61B)

Published December 1st, 2025

Detected March 30th, 2026

Summary

The USPTO has published a new patent application (US20260083472A1) for an ultrasonic surgical instrument with integrated clamping force sensors. This innovation aims to provide real-time feedback during robotic surgeries, potentially enhancing precision and safety.

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What changed

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has published a new patent application, US20260083472A1, detailing an ultrasonic surgical instrument designed for robotic surgical systems. The instrument features an end effector with an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm, incorporating at least one sensor to measure clamping force and provide real-time feedback. This technology aims to improve the precision and safety of surgical procedures by offering immediate data on the force applied to tissue.

This publication represents a new patent application and does not impose immediate compliance obligations on regulated entities. However, medical device manufacturers and healthcare providers involved in surgical robotics should be aware of this technological development. Companies developing or utilizing ultrasonic surgical instruments may consider this patent's claims in their own research, development, and intellectual property strategies.

Source document (simplified)

← USPTO Patent Applications

SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH CLAMPING SENSOR FEEDBACK

Application US20260083472A1 Kind: A1 Mar 26, 2026

Inventors

Brian D. Black, Matthew T. Stone, Andrew T. Beckman, Charles J. Scheib

Abstract

An ultrasonic surgical instrument that can be used in a robotic surgical system includes an end effector having an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm pivotally secured relative to the ultrasonic blade for clamping a tissue therebetween. A shaft assembly extends proximally from the end effector and includes a tube, an acoustic waveguide received within the tube, and a sheath positioned between the acoustic waveguide and the tube to damp acoustic vibrations from the acoustic waveguide toward the tube. At least one sensor is positioned on at least one of the end effector or the sheath to measure a force applied at the end effector or the sheath as a measured force, respectively, and thereby provide real-time feedback of a clamping force applied between the ultrasonic blade and the clamp arm.