Jaw structure for electrosurgical instrument
First Claim
1. A jaw assembly for a medical device, comprising:
- an instrument working end that carries openable-closable paired jaws that define first and second pivot locations to thereby provide first and second jaw-closed positions;
an elongate jaw defining a first surface portion and a second surface portion for cooperating with moveable cam elements;
an axially-moveable extension member carried by the working end, the extension member defining a first cam element for engaging said first surface portion to rotate the jaw about the first pivot location to move the jaws toward the first jaw closed position wherein the jaw faces are substantially parallel;
the extension member defining a second cam element for engaging said second surface portion to rotate the jaw about the second pivot location to move the jaws toward the second jaw closed position wherein the jaw faces are non-parallel with approximated distal jaw tips.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrosurgical medical device for creating thermal welds in engaged tissue that provides general grasping and dissecting functionality. In an exemplary embodiment, at least one jaw of the instrument defines a tissue engagement plane carrying electrosurgical energy delivery means. The jaw assembly, in one mode of operation, can be used for general grasping and dissecting purposes wherein the jaws close in a non-parallel manner so that the distalmost jaw tip only engage tissue with little movement of the actuator lever in the handle of the instrument. In another mode of operation, the jaw assembly closes close in a parallel manner under very high compression to enable tissue welding.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A jaw assembly for a medical device, comprising:
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an instrument working end that carries openable-closable paired jaws that define first and second pivot locations to thereby provide first and second jaw-closed positions;
an elongate jaw defining a first surface portion and a second surface portion for cooperating with moveable cam elements;
an axially-moveable extension member carried by the working end, the extension member defining a first cam element for engaging said first surface portion to rotate the jaw about the first pivot location to move the jaws toward the first jaw closed position wherein the jaw faces are substantially parallel;
the extension member defining a second cam element for engaging said second surface portion to rotate the jaw about the second pivot location to move the jaws toward the second jaw closed position wherein the jaw faces are non-parallel with approximated distal jaw tips. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A jaw assembly for a medical device, comprising:
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an instrument working end extending along an axis with an openable-closable jaw structure that provides a first parallel jaw-closed position and a second non-parallel jaw-closed position;
an extension member that is axially moveable within the working end between non-extended and extended positions, the extension member defining a first cam element for slidably engaging a first upper surface of a particular jaw and a second cam element for slidably engaging a second lower surface of said particular jaw;
wherein movement of the extension member from the non-extended position to a first partially extended position causes the jaws to move toward said first parallel jaw-closed position; and
wherein movement of the extension member from said first partially-extended position to a second partially-extended position causes the jaws to move to the second non-parallel jaw-closed position with approximated distal jaw tips. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A jaw assembly for a medical device, comprising:
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an instrument working end carrying an openable-closable jaw structure that provides a jaw-open position, a first jaw-closed position and a second jaw-closed position;
an extension member that is axially moveable within the working end between non-extended and extended positions, the extension member defining a first cam element for slidably engaging a first jaw surface and a second cam element for slidably engaging a second jaw surface;
wherein the extension member in a partially extended position engages said first cam element with said first jaw surface to rotate the jaw structure to said first jaw-closed position; and
wherein extension member in an extended position engages said second cam element with said second jaw surface to rotate the jaw structure to said second jaw-closed position in which the distal jaw tips are approximated. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification