Vessel sealer and divider and method of manufacturing same
First Claim
1. A bipolar forceps, comprising:
- a shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof;
a drive assembly for moving said jaw members 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;
a handle having;
a first gripping portion and a first movable actuator for independently actuating said drive assembly to move said jaw members;
a second gripping portion and a second movable actuator for independently actuating said drive assembly to move said jaw members;
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 tissue seal;
a selectively advanceable knife assembly for cutting tissue along the tissue seal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A bipolar forceps includes a shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof and a drive assembly for moving the jaw members 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. The forceps also includes a handle having a first and second gripping portions which cooperate with first and second movable actuators, respectively, for independently actuating the drive assembly to move the jaw members. The forceps is connected to source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal. The forceps also includes a selectively advanceable knife assembly for cutting tissue along the tissue seal.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A bipolar forceps, comprising:
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a shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof;
a drive assembly for moving said jaw members 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;
a handle having;
a first gripping portion and a first movable actuator for independently actuating said drive assembly to move said jaw members;
a second gripping portion and a second movable actuator for independently actuating said drive assembly to move said jaw members;
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 tissue seal;
a selectively advanceable knife assembly for cutting tissue along the tissue seal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for verifying the closure pressure between jaw members of a forceps, the method comprising the steps of:
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specifying a desired closure pressure range for effective tissue sealing;
manufacturing each jaw member such that specifications of each jaw member fall within an acceptable manufacturing range, the specifications being selected from the group consisting of;
surface area of each jaw member, distance from a pivot of each jaw member to a centroid of a sealing surface of each jaw member;
angle between a cam slot of each jaw member and a line perpendicular to the sealing surface of each jaw member;
distance from the cam slot to the pivot of each jaw member; and
a width of the cam slot of each jaw member;
providing a spring with a known spring constant and a known free length;
activating the forceps the engage tissue; and
measuring the compressed length of the spring to verify that the closure pressure falls within specified range.
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Specification