Surgical instrument with active blade member for processing tissue

Abstract

A surgical instrument for treating tissue includes an articulated elongated shaft (14), a drive shaft (124) extending through the elongated shaft and configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis defined by the drive shaft, and an end effector assembly (100) coupled to a distal end portion of the elongated shaft. The end effector assembly includes a jaw member (110) and a blade member (112) configured to vibrate in response to rotation of the drive shaft (124) to treat tissue disposed between the jaw member and the blade member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This technology generally relates to surgical instruments, and more specifically, to tissue processing machinery used in conjunction with surgical end-effector assemblies, instruments, and systems. Background Technology

[0002] Surgical forceps are forceps-like instruments that rely on mechanical action between the jaw components of their end effector assembly to grasp, clamp, and tighten tissue. Some surgical forceps utilize mechanical clamping action and force to accurately cut tissue. Therefore, many surgical forceps include a scalpel, an ultrasonic blade, or other suitable components for effectively handling (e.g., cutting and / or sealing) the tissue held by the end effector assembly.

[0003] During laparoscopic or endoscopic surgery, access to the surgical site is achieved through small incisions or by inserting a narrow cannula through a small incision in the patient. Due to the limited area accessible to the surgical site, many surgical forceps include mechanical devices that hinge their end effector assembly relative to the forceps body to improve access to the tissue to be treated. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This disclosure generally relates to surgical instruments for sealing and / or cutting tissue. According to various aspects of this disclosure, the surgical instrument includes an elongated shaft, a drive shaft extending through the elongated shaft, and an end effector assembly coupled to a distal portion of the elongated shaft. The elongated shaft has a distal portion configured to hinge relative to a proximal portion of the elongated shaft. The drive shaft is configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis defined by the drive shaft. The drive shaft has a proximal portion configured to be operatively coupled to a drive motor. The end effector assembly includes a jaw member and a blade member opposite the jaw member. The jaw member is rotatable relative to the distal portion of the elongated shaft. The blade member is configured to operatively engage the distal portion of the drive shaft such that the blade member is configured to vibrate in response to rotation of the drive shaft to process tissue disposed between the jaw member and the blade member.

[0005] In some respects, the blade component can be configured to vibrate in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis defined by the drive shaft.

[0006] In some aspects, the drive shaft may have a cam member coupled to the distal portion of the drive shaft. The blade member may have a cam follower coupled to the proximal portion of the blade member and operatively engaged with the cam member.

[0007] In some respects, the cam follower may have a protrusion, and the cam member may have a protrusion configured to selectively engage the protrusion of the cam follower during rotation of the drive shaft.

[0008] In some respects, the cam member may have a distal surface with a protrusion projecting from the distal side, and the cam follower may have a proximal surface with a protrusion projecting from the proximal surface.

[0009] In some aspects, the surgical instrument may also include a biasing member that interconnects the cam member and the cam follower. The biasing member may be configured to resiliently deflect the cam follower toward the cam member in a proximal direction.

[0010] In some respects, the blade component can be configured to vibrate in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis defined by the drive shaft.

[0011] In some aspects, the drive shaft may have an elongated cam member supported on the distal portion of the drive shaft. The elongated cam member may engage with the blade member and be configured to rotate together with the drive shaft and relative to the blade member.

[0012] In some aspects, the end effector assembly may include an elongated housing extending distally from a distal portion of an elongated shaft. The blade member may be supported by the housing and configured to vibrate relative to the housing during rotation of the cam member.

[0013] In some respects, the drive shaft can be flexible along its length, allowing it to bend when hinged to the distal portion of a slender shaft.

[0014] In some aspects, the distal portion of the elongated shaft can be configured to be hinged from a first position and a second position. In the first position, the end effector assembly can be coaxial with the longitudinal axis defined by the elongated shaft. In the second position, the end effector assembly can be deviated from the longitudinal axis defined by the elongated shaft.

[0015] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a handheld surgical instrument is provided, comprising a handle assembly, an elongated shaft, a drive shaft extending longitudinally along the elongated shaft, and a blade member. The handle assembly includes a handle housing and a hinge switch movably coupled to the handle housing. The elongated shaft has a proximal portion coupled to the handle housing and a distal portion configured to hinge relative to the proximal portion in response to a drive of the hinge switch. The drive shaft is configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis defined by the drive shaft and has a proximal portion operably coupled to a drive motor. The blade member is operably engaged to the distal portion of the drive shaft such that the blade member is configured to vibrate in response to rotation of the drive shaft to process tissue in contact with the blade member.

[0016] In some respects, the cam follower may have an inclined surface, and the cam member may have a protrusion thereon and be configured to selectively engage the inclined surface during rotation of the drive shaft.

[0017] In some respects, the cam member may have a distal surface from which a protrusion protrudes, and the cam follower may have a proximal surface from which an inclined surface protrudes.

[0018] In some aspects, handheld surgical instruments may also include a biasing member that interconnects the cam member and the cam follower. The biasing member may be configured to resiliently deflect the cam follower toward the cam member in a proximal direction.

[0019] In some respects, handheld surgical instruments may also include an elongated housing extending distally from the distal portion of an elongated shaft. The blade assembly may be flexible and supported by the housing, allowing the blade assembly to vibrate relative to the housing during rotation of the cam assembly.

[0020] As used herein, the term "far side" refers to the portion described as being farther from the user, while the term "proximal side" refers to the portion described as being closer to the user. Furthermore, to a consistent degree, any or all of the aspects detailed herein may be used in conjunction with any or all of the other aspects detailed herein. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The above and other aspects and features of this disclosure will become more apparent when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals identify similar or identical elements:

[0022] Figure 1A This is a perspective view showing a handheld surgical instrument, which includes a jaw member in an open position relative to a vibrating blade member;

[0023] Figure 1B It is shown Figure 1A A perspective view of a surgical instrument in a hinged position, wherein the jaw member is in a closed position relative to the blade member;

[0024] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1A and 1B A side perspective view of the drive assembly of a surgical instrument, which is used to drive the vibration of the blade component;

[0025] Figure 3 It is shown Figure 1A and 1B A side perspective view of another aspect of the drive assembly of the surgical instrument, used to drive vibrations in another embodiment of the blade assembly; and

[0026] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a robotic surgical system that includes any of the drive components / blade components disclosed. Detailed Implementation

[0027] This disclosure generally relates to a minimally invasive surgical instrument for grasping and manipulating tissue using a blade component. Some surgical instruments have a blade component in communication with an ultrasonic transducer for vibrating the blade component at an ultrasonic frequency suitable for treating the tissue in contact with the blade component. Rigid waveguides typically interconnect the ultrasonic transducer and the blade component to deliver ultrasonic energy to the blade component. Due to the rigidity of most waveguides, it is difficult to incorporate articulation functionality into ultrasonic surgical instruments. The surgical instrument of this disclosure overcomes these and other disadvantages of ultrasonic surgical instruments.

[0028] The surgical instrument disclosed herein may be handheld or have components configured for operation by a robotic system. The surgical instrument includes an elongated shaft having an end effector assembly coupled to its distal portion. The elongated shaft has a flexible or bendable hinge portion that allows the distal portion and the attached end effector assembly to hinge in multiple directions. The end effector assembly has a rotatable jaw member and a blade member opposite the jaw member. When tissue is grasped between the jaw member and the blade member, the blade member vibrates rapidly. The vibration of the blade member is driven by a rotatable drive shaft extending through the elongated shaft. The drive shaft has a rotatable, bendable, or other flexible portion that is hinged to the elongated shaft, while also allowing rotational forces to be transmitted through the elongated shaft to the blade member.

[0029] General Reference Figure 1A and 1B The handheld surgical instrument 10 for an endoscope includes a handle assembly 12, an endoscope portion such as an elongated shaft 14 extending distally from the handle assembly 12, and an end effector assembly 100 coupled to the distal portion 14b of the elongated shaft 14. The handle assembly 12 includes a handle housing 16 having a fixed handle 18 integrally connected thereto, and a movable handle 20 movable relative to the fixed handle 18. The movable handle 20 is operatively coupled to a drive assembly (not shown) configured to move the jaw member 110 of the end effector assembly 100 about a pivot 103 relative to the blade member 112 of the end effector assembly 100.

[0030] The jaw member 110 is configured at a position spaced apart from the blade member 120. Figure 1A ) and the proximity position relative to the blade member 120 ( Figure 1B The jaws move between the jaws 110 and the blade assembly 120 to grip the tissue between them. Figure 1A As shown, the movable handle 20 is positioned at a spaced-out location relative to the fixed handle 18, and correspondingly, the end effector assembly 100 is positioned at a spaced-out location. The movable handle 20 can be pressed down from the spaced-out location to the position corresponding to the end effector assembly 100. Figure 1B The pressure position of the instrument near the jaw. In some respects, the surgical instrument may be without the jaw member 110.

[0031] The handle assembly 12 also includes a plurality of hinge actuators 24 and triggers 26, each movably coupled to the handle housing 16. The hinge actuators 24 are configured to be in a non-hinged position ( Figure 1A ) and at least one hinge position ( Figure 1B The end effector assembly 100 is hinged between the handle housing 16 and the handle housing 16. In the non-hinged position, the end effector assembly 100 is coaxial with or parallel to the longitudinal axis "X" defined by the elongated shaft 14, while in the hinged position, the end effector assembly 100 is deviated from the longitudinal axis "X" defined by the elongated shaft 14. The trigger 26 may be pivotable relative to the handle housing 16 and configured to actuate the drive motor 122 to drive the vibration of the blade member 112 of the end effector assembly 100. As an alternative to the pivot trigger 26, a slide trigger, button, toggle switch, or other suitable actuator may be provided. The surgical instrument 100 may be powered by an internal power source (e.g., an internal battery, not explicitly shown) or, alternatively, by an external power source via cable 28.

[0032] The proximal portion 14a of the elongated shaft 14 is non-rotatably coupled to a knob housing 30, which is rotatably coupled to a handle housing 16, such that the elongated shaft 14 and the attached end effector assembly 100 are configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis “X” defined by the elongated shaft 14. The proximal portion 14a of the elongated shaft 14 may be rigid along its length to maintain a linear configuration during use. The distal portion 14b of the shaft 14 has a rigid distal portion 32 connected to the end effector assembly 100 and a hinge portion 34 disposed between the rigid distal portion 32 and the proximal portion 14a. The hinge portion 34 includes a plurality of hinge links 36 having a plurality of hinged cable cords 38 extending therethrough. Each cable 38 is operably engaged at its distal end to a rigid distal portion 32 and at its proximal end to one of the articulated actuators 24, so that, when one or more articulated actuators 24 are actuated, the rigid distal portion 32 and the end effector assembly 100 are articulated relative to the proximal portion 14a. In some aspects, the articulated portion 34 and the articulated actuator 24 may be omitted, such that the elongated shaft 14 is not articulated.

[0033] refer to Figure 2 The surgical instrument 10 includes a drive assembly 120 for driving the blade member 112 of the end effector assembly 100 to vibrate. The term vibration, as used herein, describes the rapid back-and-forth movement of the blade member 112 along a linear path at a speed sufficient to seal and / or cut tissue in contact with the vibrating blade member 112.

[0034] Drive assembly 120 includes components mounted on handle housing 16 ( Figure 1AThe drive motor 122 in the ) and the extension through the slender shaft 14 ( Figure 1A The drive shaft 124. The drive motor 122 may be an electric motor operatively coupled to the proximal portion 124a of the drive shaft 124. The drive motor 122 drives the drive shaft 124 to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft 124. In some aspects, the drive motor 122 may be mounted outside the handle housing 16 and / or incorporated into the robotic arm.

[0035] The proximal portion 124a of the drive shaft 124 can be directly and operably coupled to the drive motor 122, or indirectly and operably coupled to the drive motor 122 via a series of gears, belts, screws, connecting rods, etc. The drive shaft 124 can be made of a flexible material, such as rubber, plastic, metal, etc., to allow the drive shaft 124 to be hinged at the hinge portion 34 of the elongated shaft 14. Figure 1B The drive shaft 124 can be bent or otherwise bent during its hinge, while maintaining the ability to transmit rotational force from the drive motor 122 to the cam member 126 located at the distal portion 124b of the drive shaft 124. In some aspects, the drive shaft 124 may be a tube, a non-hollow shaft, including a metal wire harness, and / or include a universal joint.

[0036] The cam member 126 is fixed to the distal portion 124b of the drive shaft 124 and may be disc-shaped. In some aspects, the cam member 126 may take other suitable shapes, such as elongated, square, tapered, etc. The cam member 126 has a distally facing surface 128 and a protrusion, such as a bump 130 extending distally from the distally facing surface 128. The bump 130 is arranged radially outward from the center point of the cam member 126 (e.g., offset from the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft 124). In some aspects, the protrusion 130 may include an inclined surface, a corrugated shape, an arcuate surface, a helical interdigitated structure, a pin, a block, etc.

[0037] The blade member 112 has a proximal portion 112a supported in the distal portion 14b of the elongated shaft 14, while allowing axial movement in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis "X" of the elongated shaft 14. The blade member 112 has a cam follower 132 fixed to its proximal portion 112a. The cam follower 132 has a disc-shaped configuration, but it is contemplated that the cam follower 132 may take other suitable shapes, such as elongated, square, tapered, etc. The cam follower 132 has a proximal-facing surface 134 and a protrusion, such as an inclined surface 136 extending proximally from the proximal-facing surface 134. It is contemplated that the protrusion 136 may include various alternative configurations, similar to those listed for the protrusion 130. In some aspects, surface 128 may include a groove (not shown), while surface 134 includes a protrusion, and vice versa. An inclined surface 136 is positioned radially outward from the center point of the cam follower 132 (e.g., offset from the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft 124). The cam member 126 is operatively engaged to the cam follower 132 by the interaction between the protrusion 130 of the cam member 126 and the inclined surface 136 of the cam follower 132. A biasing member 138, such as a coil spring, interconnects the cam follower 132 to the cam member 126 and elastically offsets the cam follower 132 proximally toward the cam member 126. In some aspects, the biasing member 138 can be any suitable spring, such as a torsion spring, leaf spring, etc. In some aspects, instead of using the biasing member 138, the cam follower 132 and the cam member 126 can be coupled via an annular track received in an annular raceway.

[0038] The distal portion 112b of the blade member 112 extends distally from the cam follower 132 and is opposite the jaw member 110. The blade member 112 may have a cylindrical configuration and may be made of metal with a rough outer surface to increase frictional engagement between the blade member 112 and the tissue. In some aspects, the blade member 112 may have any suitable shape, such as rectangular, triangular, spherical, etc., and may be made of any suitable material, such as plastic, metal, etc. The blade member 112 may have a smooth outer surface or surface protrusions, such as multiple spikes extending from its outer surface. In some aspects, the blade member 112 may include knurling, splines, or any other suitable surface feature.

[0039] During operation, the tissue is positioned between the jaw member 110 and the blade member 112, with the end effector assembly 100 in a spaced-out position, such as... Figure 1A As shown. In order to handle tissue during the procedure, the movable handle 20 is actuated toward the depressed position ( Figure 1B Thus, the jaw member 110 pivots toward the blade member 112 to surround the tissue closure end effector assembly 100. Figure 1BAs shown, with the end effector assembly 100 in the closed position, trigger 26 can be actuated to start the drive motor 122 of the drive assembly 120. The drive motor 122 drives the rotation of the drive shaft 124, thereby causing the cam member 126 to rotate with it and relative to the blade member 112.

[0040] As the cam member 126 rotates relative to the cam follower 132, the protrusion 130 of the cam member 126 slides across the inclined surface 136 of the cam follower 132 during each rotation to push or translate the blade member 112 distally against the elastic offset of the biasing member 138. After the protrusion 130 passes the inclined surface 136, the biasing member 138 pulls proximally or otherwise translates the blade member 112 to reset the cam follower 132. Thus, during each rotation of the cam member 126, the blade member 112 is translated distally by a distance equal to the thickness of the inclined surface 136, and then proximally by the same distance.

[0041] Due to the high friction between the blade member 112 and the tissue, the blade member 112 vibrates at a rate sufficient to cut or seal the tissue. For example, the blade member 112 may have a frequency from about 0.5 kHz to about 100 kHz, and in some aspects, a frequency from about 7 kHz to about 40 kHz. In some aspects, the surgical instrument 10 can seal the tissue without having to clamp the tissue between the jaw member 110 and the blade member 112. In some aspects, to increase the vibration frequency of the cam member 126 during each revolution, the cam member 126 may have a plurality of circumferentially spaced protrusions 130, and the cam follower 132 may have a corresponding number of circumferentially spaced inclined surfaces 136. In some aspects, RF energy may be applied to aid in sealing the tissue.

[0042] Figure 3 It shows the applicable Figure 1A and 1B The surgical instrument 10 includes another drive assembly 220 and a blade member 212. The drive assembly 220 includes an electric drive motor 222 and an elongated drive shaft 224 having a proximal portion 224a operably coupled to the drive motor 222. The drive shaft 224 has an elongated cam member 226 supported on a distal portion 224b and engaging with the blade member 212. The elongated cam member 226 is configured to rotate relative to the blade member 212 along with the drive shaft 224 in response to actuation of the drive motor 222. The elongated cam member 226 has a cam-shaped cross-sectional profile along its length, such as pear-shaped, heart-shaped, elliptical, teardrop-shaped, etc. In some aspects, the elongated cam member 226 may have one or more cam surfaces projecting radially outward from it.

[0043] An elongated jaw housing 230 may be provided, which extends distally from the distal portion 14b of the elongated shaft 14 and is connected to the jaw member 110. Figure 1A The distal portion 224b of the drive shaft 224 and the elongated cam member 226 extend through a cavity 232 defined by the jaw housing 230. The jaw housing 230 may be pivotally coupled to the distal portion 14b of the elongated shaft 14, or may be fixed relative to the elongated shaft 14. The elongated jaw housing 230 has a tissue-facing surface 234 that defines an elongated groove 237 in which the blade member 212 is held.

[0044] The blade component 212 may be made of a flexible material, such as various plastics, rubber, metal sheets, etc. In some aspects, the blade component 212 may be made of a rigid material. The blade component 212 has a bottom surface 212a extending into a cavity 232 of the jaw housing 230 and a top surface 212b extending from a tissue-facing surface 234 of the jaw housing 230. The entire or at least most of the bottom surface 212a of the blade component 212 engages with an elongated cam component 226. The blade component 212 is configured to vibrate within a slot 237 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis defined by the drive shaft 212 and relative to the jaw housing 230 during rotation of the elongated cam component 226. Alternatively or additionally, the blade component 212 may be configured to vibrate in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis defined by the drive shaft 212. In some aspects, the blade member 212 may have a thickness that tapers proximally, such that the distal end of the blade member 212 is closer to the jaw member 110 than the proximal end of the blade member 212. In some aspects, the blade member 212 may be rigid along its length, and the blade member 212 may be slidably supported within the cavity 232 of the jaw housing 230 via, for example, a pin-type slot connection to allow vibration therein.

[0045] During operation, in order to process tissue during a selected surgical procedure, trigger 26 can be activated to actuate drive motor 222 of drive assembly 220 to rotate drive shaft 224, thereby causing elongated cam member 226 to rotate with and relative to blade member 212. Due to the cam profile of elongated cam member 226, as elongated cam member 226 rotates relative to blade member 212, elongated cam member 226 pushes upward or otherwise bends blade member 212 relative to tissue-facing surface 234 of jaw housing 230. After elongated cam member 226 has rotated 180 degrees, cam surface 236 of elongated cam member 226 separates from blade member 212, thereby allowing blade member 212 to freely bend downward back to its rest position due to the elastic properties of blade member 212. Thus, during each rotation of elongated cam member 226, blade member 212 is moved upward and then downward twice. In some respects, blade member 212 may follow cam member 226. In the aspect that the elongated cam member 226 has a plurality of cam surfaces spaced apart from each other circumferentially around the elongated cam member 226, the blade member 212 vibrates by an equal amount during each rotation of the elongated cam member 226.

[0046] Due to the high friction between the blade member 212 and the tissue, the blade member 212 vibrates at a rate sufficient to cut or seal the tissue. For example, the blade member 212 may have a frequency from about 0.5 kHz to about 100 kHz, and in some aspects, a frequency from about 7 kHz to about 40 kHz. In some aspects, the surgical instrument 10 can process tissue without having to clamp the tissue between the jaw member 110 and the blade member 212.

[0047] Generally speaking, refer to Figure 4 The accompanying drawing illustrates a robotic surgical system that exemplifies aspects and features of the present disclosure, generally identified by reference numeral 1000. For the purposes of this document, the robotic surgical system 1000 is generally described. Aspects and features of the robotic surgical system 1000 that are not closely related to the understanding of the present disclosure are omitted to avoid obscuring the aspects and features of the present disclosure with unnecessary detail.

[0048] The robotic surgical system 1000 includes multiple robotic arms 1002, 1003; a control device 1004; and an operation console 1005 coupled to the control device 1004. The operation console 1005 may include a display device 1006, which may be specifically configured to display three-dimensional images. The surgeon can remotely manipulate the robotic arms 1002, 1003 in a first operating mode via manual input devices 1007, 1008. The robotic surgical system 1000 can be configured for minimally invasive use on a patient 1013 lying on a patient table 1012. The robotic surgical system 1000 may further include a database 1014, specifically coupled to the control device 1004, which stores, for example, preoperative data and / or anatomical atlases from the patient 1013.

[0049] Each of the robotic arms 1002 and 1003 may include multiple components connected by joints, and attachment devices 1009 and 1011 that can be respectively connected, for example, to end effector assemblies 1100 and 1200. End effector assembly 1100 is similar to end effector assembly 100 (…). Figure 1A and 1B However, other suitable end effector components for connection to attachment device 1009 may also be considered. End effector component 1200 can be any end effector component, such as an endoscope camera, other surgical instruments, etc. Robotic arms 1002, 1003 and end effector components 1100, 1200 can be driven by electrical drives (e.g., motors) connected to control device 1004. Control device 1004 (e.g., a computer) can be configured to specifically activate the motors by means of a computer program, such that robotic arms 1002, 1003, their attachment devices 1009, 1011, and end effector components 1100, 1200 perform desired movements and / or functions according to corresponding inputs from manual input devices 1007, 1008, respectively. Control device 1004 can also be configured to regulate the movement of robotic arms 1002, 1003 and / or motors.

[0050] It should be understood that the various aspects disclosed herein can be combined in different combinations than those specifically presented in the specification and figures. It should also be understood that, based on examples, certain actions or events of any of the processes or methods described herein may be performed in a different order, and may be added, combined, or omitted entirely (e.g., all described actions or events may not be necessary for performing the technique). Furthermore, although some aspects of this disclosure are described for clarity as being performed by a single module or unit, it should be understood that the techniques of this disclosure can be performed by a combination of units or modules associated with, for example, a medical device.

[0051] In one or more embodiments, the described techniques can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functionality can be stored as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium and executed by a hardware-based processing unit. The computer-readable medium can include non-transitory computer-readable media, which corresponds to tangible media such as data storage media (e.g., RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory, or any other medium that can be used to store the required program code in the form of instructions or data structures and is accessible by a computer).

[0052] The instructions can be executed by one or more processors, such as one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), general-purpose microprocessors, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable arrays (FPGAs), or other equivalent integrated or discrete logic circuit systems. Therefore, the term "processor" as used in this disclosure can refer to any of the foregoing structures or any other physical structure suitable for implementing the described techniques. Furthermore, the techniques can be fully implemented in one or more circuit or logic elements.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument for treating tissue, comprising: An elongated shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion being configured to be hinged relative to the proximal portion; A drive shaft extending through the elongated shaft and configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis defined by the drive shaft, the drive shaft having a proximal portion configured to be operatively coupled to a drive motor and a cam member coupled to a distal portion of the drive shaft; and An end effector assembly coupled to the distal portion of the elongated shaft, and comprising: A jaw member that is pivotable relative to the distal portion of the elongated shaft; as well as A blade member, opposite the jaw member, wherein the blade member has a cam follower coupled to and operably engaged with the cam member at its proximal end, such that the blade member is configured to vibrate in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis in response to rotation of the drive shaft, to process tissue disposed between the jaw member and the blade member.

2. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein, The cam follower has a first protrusion, and the cam member has a second protrusion configured to selectively engage the first protrusion of the cam follower during rotation of the drive shaft.

3. The surgical instrument according to claim 2, wherein, The cam member has a distal surface, from which the second protrusion protrudes distally, and the cam follower has a proximal surface, from which the first protrusion protrudes proximally.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 1 further includes a biasing member that interconnects the cam member and the cam follower and is configured to resiliently offset the cam follower toward the cam member in a proximal direction.

5. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein, The drive shaft is flexible along its length, allowing it to bend when the distal portion of the elongated shaft is hinged.

6. The surgical instrument according to claim 5, wherein, The distal portion of the elongated shaft is configured to be hinged from a first position and at least one second position, in which the end effector assembly is coaxial with a longitudinal axis defined by the elongated shaft, and in which the end effector assembly is offset from the longitudinal axis defined by the elongated shaft.

7. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein, The cam follower has an inclined surface, and the cam member has a protrusion that protrudes from the cam member and is configured to selectively engage the inclined surface during rotation of the drive shaft.

8. A handheld surgical instrument, comprising: Handle assembly, comprising: Handle shell; and A hinged switch, which is movably coupled to the handle housing; An elongated shaft having a proximal portion coupled to the handle housing and a distal portion configured to hinge relative to the proximal portion in response to a drive of the hinge switch; A drive shaft extending longitudinally along the elongated shaft and configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis defined by the drive shaft, the drive shaft having a proximal portion operatively coupled to a drive motor; and A blade member, operably engaged with the distal portion of the drive shaft, is configured to vibrate in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis in response to rotation of the drive shaft to process tissue in contact with the blade member. The drive shaft has an elongated cam member supported on the distal portion of the drive shaft and engaged with the blade member, the elongated cam member being configured to rotate together with the drive shaft relative to the blade member.

9. The handheld surgical instrument of claim 8, further comprising an elongated housing extending distally from the distal portion of the elongated shaft, the blade member being flexible and supported by the elongated housing such that the blade member vibrates relative to the elongated housing during rotation of the elongated cam member.

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