Vessel sealing instrument

• US 20040249374A1
• Filed: 05/19/2004
• Published: 12/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/1998
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Kerr, Duane E., Tetzlaff, Philip M., Sherman, Jon, Schechter, Dave A., Mihaichuk, Carolyn H., Richardson, Ted, Drach, Greg
• Application Number:
  US10/849,432
• Publication Number:
  US 20040249374A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/51
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1442 Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps
• 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 2017/2945 Curved jaws
• 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 2018/00619 Welding
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0063 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/126 bipolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1432 curved

Abstract

A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for clamping, grasping, manipulating, and sealing tissue includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof. The handle being operable to effect movement of 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 bipolar instrument is connectable to a source of electrical energy having a first electrical potential connected to one of the jaw members and a second electrical potential connected to the other of the jaw members such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal. Both the first and second electrical potentials are transmitted to the jaw members through the first shaft.

Claims

1. A method of sealing tissue, comprising:

providing an electrosurgical energy source connected to a surgical instrument used for open surgical procedures, said surgical instrument including a pair of jaws members;

closing the jaw members around tissue so as to provide a gap between the jaw members in the range of about 0.001 inches to about 0.006 inches and a closure pressure of in the range of about 3 kg/cm² to about 16 kg/cm²; and

applying electrosurgical energy to the jaws so that energy passes between the jaw members and through tissue to effect a tissue seal.

2. A method of sealing tissue, comprising:

providing a surgical instrument for use with open surgical procedures, said surgical instrument including a pair of jaws members adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy;

closing the jaw members around tissue so as to provide a gap between the jaw members in the range of about 0.001 inches to about 0.006 inches and a closure pressure of in the range of about 3 kg/cm² to about 16 kg/cm²; and

applying electrosurgical energy to the jaws so that energy passes between the jaw members and through tissue to effect a tissue seal.