Vessel sealer and divider

• US 20020188294A1
• Filed: 04/05/2002
• Published: 12/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Sherwood Services AG
• Inventors: Johnson, Kristin D., Couture, Gary M., Moses, Michael, Nguyen, Lap P.
• Granted Patent: US 7,083,618 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/51
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1445 at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0013 non-sticking
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00345 Vascular system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00404 Blood vessels other than those in or around the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0063 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1412 Blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1455 having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/034 abutting on parts of the device itself

Abstract

An endoscopic bipolar forceps for sealing and dividing tissue includes an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof which are movable relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. Each jaw member including an electrically conductive sealing surface having a non-stick coating disposed thereon which is designed to reduce tissue adherence. A source of electrical energy is connected to each jaw member such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal. A longitudinally reciprocating knife is included which severs tissue proximate the seal. The vessel sealer and divider also includes a non-conductive stop member disposed on the electrically conductive surface of one of the jaw members which controls the distance between the jaw members when tissue is held therebetween. A handle assembly is also included which is designed to maintain a closure pressure in the range of about 3 kg/cm² to about 16 kg/cm² between the electrically conductive sealing surfaces during sealing.

Claims

1. An endoscopic bipolar forceps for sealing and dividing tissue, comprising:

an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof, the jaw members being movable relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween, each jaw member including an electrically conductive sealing surface having a non-stick coating disposed thereon to reduce tissue adherence;

a source of electrical energy connected to each jaw member such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal;

a longitudinally reciprocating knife for severing tissue proximate the seal; and

at least one non-conductive stop member disposed on the electrically conductive surface of at least one of the jaw members which controls the distance between the jaw members when tissue is held therebetween, wherein the at least one non-conductive stop creates a gap between the electrically conductive sealing surfaces within the range of about 0.001 inches to about 0.006 inches.

2. An endoscopic bipolar forceps for sealing and dividing tissue according to claim 1 wherein the non-stick coating includes one of TiN, ZrN, TiAlN, CrN, chromium nitride, nickel/chrome alloys with a Ni/Cr ratio of approximately 5:

1, MedCoat 2000, Inconel 600, tin—

nickel, Ni200 and Ni201.

3. An endoscopic bipolar forceps for sealing and dividing tissue according to claim 1 wherein each jaw member includes an outer peripheral surface manufactured from a material which reduces tissue adherence, the outer peripheral surface being selected from a group of materials consisting of:

nickel-chrome, chromium nitride, Ni200, Ni201, inconel 600 and tin-nickel.

4. An endoscopic bipolar forceps for sealing and dividing tissue according to claim 1 wherein the non-conductive stop creates a gap between the electrically conductive sealing surfaces within the range of about 0.002 inches to about 0.003 inches.

5. An endoscopic bipolar forceps for sealing and dividing tissue, comprising:

an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof, the jaw members being movable relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween, each jaw member including an electrically conductive sealing surface made from a material designed to reduce tissue adherence;

a source of electrical energy connected to each jaw member such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal;

a longitudinally reciprocating knife for severing tissue proximate the seal; and

a handle assembly being dimensioned to maintain a closure pressure in the range of about 3 kg/cm² to about 16 kg/cm² between the electrically conductive sealing surfaces.

6. An endoscopic bipolar forceps for sealing and dividing tissue according to claim 5 wherein the electrically conductive sealing surfaces includes a non-stick coating disposed thereon which is designed to reduce tissue adherence.

7. An endoscopic bipolar forceps for sealing and dividing tissue according to claim 6 wherein the non-stick coating includes one of TiN, ZrN, TiAlN, CrN, nickel/chrome alloys with a Ni/Cr ratio of approximately 5:

1, Inconel 600, MedCoat 2000, Ni200 and Ni201.

8. An endoscopic bipolar forceps for sealing and dividing tissue according to claim 5 further comprising at least one non-conductive stop which creates a gap between the electrically conductive sealing surfaces within the range of about 0.001 inches to about 0.006 inches.

9. An endoscopic bipolar forceps for sealing and dividing tissue according to claim 6 wherein the non-stick coating is deposited on the electrically conductive sealing surfaces utilizing a vapor deposition manufacturing technique.

10. An endoscopic bipolar forceps for sealing and dividing tissue according to claim 5 further comprising at least one non-conductive stop member disposed on the electrically conductive surface of at least one of the jaw members which controls the distance between the jaw members when tissue is held therebetween, wherein the at least one non-conductive stop creates a gap between the electrically conductive sealing surfaces within the range of about 0.001 inches to about 0.006 inches.