Endoscopic bipolar electrosurgical forceps

• US 20030040745A1
• Filed: 09/17/2002
• Published: 02/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Sherwood Services AG
• Inventors: Lands, Michael John, Lukianow, Wade, Frazier, Randel Alven
• Granted Patent: US 6,682,528 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 2018/00404 Blood vessels other than those in or around the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00601 Cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0063 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00916 with means for switching or controlling the main function of the instrument or device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/034 abutting on parts of the device itself

Abstract

A endoscopic bipolar forceps for clamping and sealing tissue includes first and second jaw members pivotally attached in opposing relation relative to one another which are movable from a first open position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second clamping position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. A drive rod assembly connects each of the jaw members to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting bipolar energy through the tissue held therebetween. A handle attached to the drive rod assembly imparts movement of the first and second jaw members from the first and second positions. At least one stop member is attached to the jaw members for controlling the distance between the jaw members. The forceps may also include a yoke member for insulating the jaw members from one another to prevent short circuiting of the forceps. Preferably, the yoke member and jaw member interface is dimensioned to withstand the high shearing forces normally associated with sealing tissue.

Claims

1. A bipolar endoscopic forceps, comprising:

first and second jaw members pivotally attached in opposing relation relative to one another, said jaw members being relatively movable from a first open position wherein said jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second clamping position wherein said jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween;

a drive rod assembly connecting said jaw members to a source of electrical energy such that said first jaw member has a first electrical potential and said second jaw member has a second electrical potential and said jaw members are capable of conducting bipolar energy through the tissue held therebetween;

a handle attached to said drive rod assembly for imparting movement of said first and second jaw members from said first and second positions; and

at least one stop member attached to at least one jaw member for controlling the distance between said jaw members.

2. A bipolar forceps according to claim 1 wherein said stop member is made from an electrically insulative material.

3. A bipolar forceps according to claim 1 wherein each of said jaw members includes a stop member.

4. A bipolar forceps according to claim 1 wherein said handle includes an actuator having a lost motion connection between said jaw members and said actuator, said lost motion connection for transferring user manipulation of said actuator to said jaw members so as to maintain a predetermined clamping force within a preferred range irrespective of the user manipulation during sealing of the tissue between said jaw members.

5. A bipolar forceps according to claim 4 wherein said lost motion connection includes a resilient arm.

6. A bipolar forceps according to claim 1 wherein said forceps further comprises a rotating assembly for controlling the rotational movement of said jaw members about a longitudinal axis of said drive rod assembly.

7. A bipolar forceps according to claim 1 wherein said drive rod assembly and said jaw members include a cam-follower mechanical linkage for imparting movement of said jaw members.

8. A bipolar forceps according to claim 1 wherein each of said jaw members includes a cam slot located therethrough and said drive rod assembly includes a yoke having at least one corresponding detent which engages said cam slots such that movement of said yoke imparts movement of said jaw members relative to one another.

9. A bipolar forceps according to claim 8 wherein each of said jaw members includes a flange which extends therefrom and said yoke includes a pair of shoulder portions which are dimensioned to abut said flanges when said jaw members are moved into said second position to relieve shear stresses on said detent during clamping and sealing of the tissue.

10. A bipolar endoscopic forceps, comprising:

first and second jaw members pivotally attached in opposing relation relative to one another, each of said jaw members including a flange which extends therefrom and said jaw members being relatively movable from a first open position wherein said jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second clamping position wherein said jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween,

a drive rod assembly connecting said jaw members to a source of electrical energy such that said first jaw member has a first electrical potential and said second jaw member has a second electrical potential and said jaw members are capable of conducting bipolar energy through the tissue held therebetween;

a yoke member attached to the distal end of said drive rod assembly and attached between said jaw members, said yoke member and said jaw member having a cam follower mechanical linkage wherein movement of said yoke member imparts movement of said jaw members from said first and second positions

a pair of shoulder portions attached to said yoke member which are dimensioned to abut said flanges of said jaw members when said jaw members are moved into said second position to relieve shear stresses on said cam follower mechanical linkage during clamping and sealing of the tissue; and

a handle attached to said drive rod assembly for imparting movement to said yoke member.

11. A bipolar forceps according to claim 10 further comprising at least one stop member attached to at least one of said jaw members.

12. A bipolar forceps according to claim 11 wherein linear movement of said yoke imparts movement of said jaw members relative to one another.

13. A bipolar forceps according to claim 11 wherein each of said jaw members includes a cam slot located therethrough and said yoke includes at least one corresponding detent which engages said cam slots such that movement of said yoke member imparts movement of said jaw members relative to one another.

14. A bipolar forceps according to claim 13 wherein the inner periphery of said cam slots are shaped to impart at least two different movements to said jaw members relative to one another.

15. A bipolar forceps according to claim 13 wherein each of said cam slots includes a cul-de-sac positioned therein to relieve shear stress on said detent approximately when said shoulder portions of said yoke member engage said flanges of said jaw members.