Vessel sealer and divider
First Claim
1. A bipolar forceps, comprising:
- a housing;
a shaft defining a longitudinal axis, extending distally from the housing, and having a movable jaw member and a fixed jaw member at a distal end thereof, each of the movable and fixed jaw members adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the movable and fixed jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue grasped therebetween;
a drive sleeve defining a proximal end and a distal end, the drive sleeve linked to the movable jaw member at the distal end of the drive sleeve and configured to move the movable jaw member relative to the fixed jaw member from a first position wherein the movable jaw member is disposed in spaced relation relative to the fixed jaw member to a second position wherein the movable jaw member is closer to the fixed jaw member;
a movable handle of unitary construction having a finger-receiving curve positioned towards a first end thereof, a drive flange positioned towards a second end thereof, and a locking flange disposed between the finger-receiving curve and the drive flange, the drive flange linked to the drive sleeve towards the proximal end of the drive sleeve such that movement of the movable handle from an open position to a closed position moves the movable jaw member relative to the fixed jaw member from the first position to the second position;
a selectively advancable knife operable to cut the tissue grasped between the movable and fixed jaw members in a distal direction; and
a selectively actuatable finger actuator linked to the selectively advancable knife, wherein, when the movable handle is disposed in the open position, the locking flange impedes actuation of the finger actuator and advancement of the selectively advancable knife.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes a housing and a shaft affixed to the housing. The shaft includes a longitudinal axis defined therethrough and a pair of jaw members attached to a distal end thereof. The forceps also includes a drive assembly for moving one of the jaw members relative to the other jaw member from a first position wherein the movable jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to each other to a second position wherein the jaw members are closer one another for manipulating tissue. A movable handle is included which is rotatable about a pivot to force a drive flange of the movable handle into mechanical cooperation with the drive assembly to move the jaw members from the open and closed positions. The pivot is located a fixed distance from the longitudinal axis and the drive flange is located generally along the longitudinal axis. The forceps is connected to a source of electrosurgical energy connected to each jaw member such that the jaw members are capable of conducting bipolar energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A bipolar forceps, comprising:
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a housing; a shaft defining a longitudinal axis, extending distally from the housing, and having a movable jaw member and a fixed jaw member at a distal end thereof, each of the movable and fixed jaw members adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the movable and fixed jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue grasped therebetween; a drive sleeve defining a proximal end and a distal end, the drive sleeve linked to the movable jaw member at the distal end of the drive sleeve and configured to move the movable jaw member relative to the fixed jaw member from a first position wherein the movable jaw member is disposed in spaced relation relative to the fixed jaw member to a second position wherein the movable jaw member is closer to the fixed jaw member; a movable handle of unitary construction having a finger-receiving curve positioned towards a first end thereof, a drive flange positioned towards a second end thereof, and a locking flange disposed between the finger-receiving curve and the drive flange, the drive flange linked to the drive sleeve towards the proximal end of the drive sleeve such that movement of the movable handle from an open position to a closed position moves the movable jaw member relative to the fixed jaw member from the first position to the second position; a selectively advancable knife operable to cut the tissue grasped between the movable and fixed jaw members in a distal direction; and a selectively actuatable finger actuator linked to the selectively advancable knife, wherein, when the movable handle is disposed in the open position, the locking flange impedes actuation of the finger actuator and advancement of the selectively advancable knife. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification