Apparatus for performing an electrosurgical procedure
First Claim
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1. An endoscopic forceps, comprising:
- a housing having a shaft extending distally therefrom and defining a longitudinal axis therethrough;
an end effector assembly operatively connected to a distal end of the shaft and including a first and second jaw members pivotably coupled to one another, at least one of the first and second jaw members movable relative to the other between an open position, wherein the first and second jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another, and a clamping position, wherein the first and second jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween;
a driving structure slidably disposed within the shaft; and
a link assembly including first and second links each having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal ends of the first and second links pivotably coupled to each other and the driving structure at a first pivot point, the distal ends of the first and second links pivotably coupled to the respective first and second jaw members at respective second and third pivot points, the second and third pivot points defining a center line extending therebetween,wherein, sliding the driving structure distally through the shaft from a first position to a second position urges the first and second jaw members from the open position to the clamping position and urges the proximal ends of the first and second links from an unlatched position, wherein the first pivot point is disposed on a first side of the center line, to a latched position, wherein the first pivot point is disposed in an over-center position on a second, opposite side of the center line to thereby latch the first and second jaw members in the clamping position.
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Abstract
An endoscopic forceps is provided and includes a housing having a shaft that extends therefrom. An end effector assembly is operatively connected to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of pivotably coupled first and second jaw members. The jaw members are movable relative to one another. A drive mechanism includes a driving structure. A link assembly includes two or more links that are operably coupled to each other and the drive structure. The two or more links are operably coupled to respective ones of the first and second jaw members.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. An endoscopic forceps, comprising:
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a housing having a shaft extending distally therefrom and defining a longitudinal axis therethrough; an end effector assembly operatively connected to a distal end of the shaft and including a first and second jaw members pivotably coupled to one another, at least one of the first and second jaw members movable relative to the other between an open position, wherein the first and second jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another, and a clamping position, wherein the first and second jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween; a driving structure slidably disposed within the shaft; and a link assembly including first and second links each having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal ends of the first and second links pivotably coupled to each other and the driving structure at a first pivot point, the distal ends of the first and second links pivotably coupled to the respective first and second jaw members at respective second and third pivot points, the second and third pivot points defining a center line extending therebetween, wherein, sliding the driving structure distally through the shaft from a first position to a second position urges the first and second jaw members from the open position to the clamping position and urges the proximal ends of the first and second links from an unlatched position, wherein the first pivot point is disposed on a first side of the center line, to a latched position, wherein the first pivot point is disposed in an over-center position on a second, opposite side of the center line to thereby latch the first and second jaw members in the clamping position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An endoscopic forceps, comprising:
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a housing having a shaft extending distally therefrom and defining a longitudinal axis therethrough; an end effector assembly operatively connected to a distal end of the shaft and including a first and second jaw members pivotably coupled to one another, at least one of the first or second jaw members movable relative to the other between an open position, wherein the first and second jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another, and a clamping position, wherein the first and second jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween; a driving structure slidably disposed within the shaft; a link assembly including first and second links each having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal ends of the first and second links pivotably coupled to each other and the driving structure at a first pivot point, the distal ends of the first and second links pivotably coupled to the respective first and second jaw members at respective second and third pivot points, the second and third pivot points defining a center line extending therebetween, wherein sliding the driving structure through the shaft from a first position to a second position urges the first and second jaw members from the open position to the clamping position and urges the proximal ends of the first and second links from an unlatched position, wherein the first pivot point is disposed on a first side of the center line, to a latched position, wherein the first pivot point is disposed in an over-center position on a second, opposite side of the center line to thereby latch the first and second jaw members in the clamping position; and first and second stop members operably positioned relative to the first and second links, respectively, each of the first and second stop members defining an edge configured to contact the respective first and second links to facilitate retention of the first and second links in the latched position. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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Specification