Multi-layer clamp arm pad for enhancing versatility and performance of surgical devices

An end effector configured to grasp tissue is disclosed herein. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade configured to deliver ultrasonic energy to tissue, and a clamp arm. The clamp arm includes a clamp arm pad including an electrically conductive material and an electrically non-conductive material. The clamp arm pad is configured as an electrode of a radio frequency energy circuit, where the electrode is configured as a return electrode capable of transferring radio frequency energy through the tissue to the radio frequency energy circuit, and wherein the non-conductive material is configured to reduce the likelihood of electrical shorting between the conductive material and the ultrasonic blade as the clamp arm pad deteriorates throughout the service life of the end effector. 本文公开了一种被构造成能够抓持组织的端部执行器。该端部执行器包括：被构造为能够将超声能量传递到组织的超声刀，以及夹持臂。该夹持臂包括夹持臂垫，该夹持臂垫包括导电材料和不导电材料。该夹持臂垫被构造为射频能量电路的一个电极，其中，该电极被构造为能够将射频能量穿过该组织传递到该射频能量电路的返回电极，并且其中该不导电材料被构造为能够随着该夹持臂垫在该端部执行器的整个使用寿命期间劣化而减小该导电材料与该超声刀之间发生电短路的可能性。