Vessel sealer and divider with non-conductive stop members
First Claim
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;
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;
at least one non-conductive stop member disposed on an inner facing surface of at least one of the jaw members which controls the distance between the jaw members when tissue is held therebetween; and
a longitudinally reciprocating knife for severing tissue proximate the seal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An endoscopic bipolar forceps for sealing and dividing tissue includes an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof. The jaw members 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. The jaws members are connected to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal. At least one non-conductive and spaced-apart stop member is disposed on an inner-facing surface of the jaw members to regulate the gap distance between the jaw members when tissue is held therebetween. The forceps also includes a longitudinally reciprocating knife which severs the tissue after sealing at a location which is proximate the sealing site.
1297 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An endoscopic bipolar forceps for sealing and dividing tissue, comprising:
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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;
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;
at least one non-conductive stop member disposed on an inner facing surface of at least one of the jaw members which controls the distance between the jaw members when tissue is held therebetween; and
a longitudinally reciprocating knife for severing tissue proximate the seal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An endoscopic bipolar forceps for sealing and dividing tissue, comprising:
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at least one 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;
a drive rod assembly which connects the jaw members to a source of electrical energy such that the first jaw member has a first electrical potential and the second jaw member has a second electrical potential and the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal;
a handle attached to the drive rod assembly for imparting movement of the first and second jaw members from the first and second positions;
at least one non-conductive and spaced-apart stop member disposed on an inner facing surface of at least one of the jaw members which controls the distance between the jaw members when tissue is held therebetween; and
a trigger which mechanically activates a knife for severing tissue proximate the seal.
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Specification