Laparoscopic bipolar electrosurgical instrument
First Claim
1. A laparoscopic bipolar electrosurgical instrument for sealing tissue, comprising:
- a handle having an elongated tube affixed thereto, the tube including first and second jaw members attached to a distal end thereof, the jaw members being movable from a first position for approximating tissue to at least one subsequent position for grasping tissue therebetween, each of the jaw members including an electrically conductive sealing surface, the handle including a fixed handle and a movable handle, the movable handle being movable relative to the fixed handle to effect movement of the jaw members from the first position to the at least one subsequent position for grasping tissue;
means for connecting the jaw members to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the opposable seal surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween;
a stop for maintaining a minimum separation distance of at least about 0.03 millimeters between opposable sealing surfaces; and
means for maintaining a closure force in the range of about 3 kg/cm2 to about 16 kg/cm2 between opposable sealing surfaces.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A laparoscopic bipolar electrosurgical instrument (10) for sealing tissue includes a handle (14) having an elongated tube (13) affixed thereto. The tube includes first (15) and second (16) jaw members having electrically conductive sealing surfaces (39, 40) attached to a distal end (12) thereof which are movable from a first position for approximating tissue to a second position for grasping tissue therebetween. The handle (14) includes a fixed handle (50) and a handle (52) which is movable relative to the fixed handle to effect movement of the jaw members (15, 16) from the first position to the second position for grasping tissue. The jaw members connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the opposable sealing surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween. A stop (33, 90, 95) is included for maintaining a minimum separation distance between opposing sealing surfaces (39, 40). A ratchet (60, 62) is also included to maintain a closure force in the range of about 7 kg/cm2 to about 13 kg/cm2 between opposing sealing surfaces.
335 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A laparoscopic bipolar electrosurgical instrument for sealing tissue, comprising:
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a handle having an elongated tube affixed thereto, the tube including first and second jaw members attached to a distal end thereof, the jaw members being movable from a first position for approximating tissue to at least one subsequent position for grasping tissue therebetween, each of the jaw members including an electrically conductive sealing surface, the handle including a fixed handle and a movable handle, the movable handle being movable relative to the fixed handle to effect movement of the jaw members from the first position to the at least one subsequent position for grasping tissue;
means for connecting the jaw members to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the opposable seal surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween;
a stop for maintaining a minimum separation distance of at least about 0.03 millimeters between opposable sealing surfaces; and
means for maintaining a closure force in the range of about 3 kg/cm2 to about 16 kg/cm2 between opposable sealing surfaces. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A laparoscopic bipolar electrosurgical instrument for sealing tissue, comprising:
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a handle having an elongated tube affixed thereto, the tube including first and second jaw members attached to a distal end thereof, the jaw members being movable from a first position for approximating tissue to at least one subsequent position for grasping tissue therebetween, each of the jaw members including an electrically conductive sealing surface, the handle including a fixed handle and a movable handle, the movable handle being movable relative to the fixed handle to effect movement of the jaw members from the first position to the at least one subsequent position for grasping tissue, the opposable sealing surfaces including a non-stick material for reducing tissue adhesion during the sealing process;
means for connecting the jaw members to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the opposable sealing surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween;
a stop disposed on one of the opposable sealing surfaces for maintaining a minimum separation distance between the opposable sealing surfaces; and
a ratchet disposed on one of the fixed and movable handles and at least one complimentary interlocking mechanical interface disposed on the other of the fixed and movable handles, the ratchet and the complimentary interlocking mechanical interface providing at least one interlocking position to maintain a closure force in the range of about 3 kg/cm2 to about 16 kg/cm2 between opposable sealing surfaces. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification
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- Resources
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Current AssigneeCovidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
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Original AssigneeCovidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
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InventorsLands, Michael J, Schmaltz, Dale F, Lawes, Kate R, Buysse, Steven P
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Application NumberUS10/516,480Publication NumberTime in Patent OfficeDaysField of SearchUS Class Current606/50CPC Class CodesA61B 18/1445 at the distal end of a shaf...A61B 2018/00083 low, i.e. electrically insu...A61B 2018/0063 SealingA61B 2090/034 abutting on parts of the de...
