Single action tissue sealer

• US 20070043352A1
• Filed: 08/19/2005
• Published: 02/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Dycus, Sean, Garrison, David, Hermes, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 7,628,791 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/51
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/282 Jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/285 combined with cutting implements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32 Surgical cutting instruments A61B18/042 takes precedence; suture cutters A61B17/0467; instruments for ligaturing or cutting A61B17/128; instruments for rupturing the amniotic membrane A61B17/4208; specially adapted knives for eye surgery A61F9/0133
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320016 Endoscopic cutting instruments, e.g. arthroscopes, resectoscopes A61B10/0233, A61B17/29, A61B17/3207 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3205 Excision instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/00 Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body eye surgery A61F9/007; ear surgery A61F11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/085 Forceps, scissors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1206 Generators therefor
• 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 18/18 by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves radiation therapy A61N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2946 Locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00404 Blood vessels other than those in or around the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00589 Coagulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00595 Cauterization
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00601 Cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0063 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00702 Power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00916 with means for switching or controlling the main function of the instrument or device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00922 by switching or controlling the treatment energy directly within the hand-piece
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/126 bipolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1412 : Blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1455 : having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/08021 : of the patient or his organs

Abstract

An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes a housing and a shaft, the shaft having an end effector assembly at its distal end. The end effector assembly includes two jaw members for grasping tissue therebetween. The jaw members are adapted to connect to an electrosurgical energy source which enable them to conduct energy through the tissue to create a tissue seal. A drive assembly is disposed within the housing which moves the jaw members. A switch is disposed within the housing which activates the electrosurgical energy. A knife assembly is included which is advanceable to cut tissue held between the jaw members. A movable handle is connected to the housing. Continual actuation of the movable handle engages the drive assembly to move the jaw members, engages the switch to activate the electrosurgical energy source to seal the tissue, and advances the knife assembly the cut the tissue disposed between the jaw members.

Claims

1. An endoscopic bipolar forceps, comprising:

a housing;

a shaft affixed to the housing having an end effector assembly engaged at a distal end thereof, the end effector assembly including two jaw members moveable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least a second position closer to one another for grasping tissue therebetween, each of the jaw members adapted to connect to an electrosurgical energy source such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to affect a tissue seal;

a drive assembly disposed within the housing for moving the jaw members from the first position to the second position;

a switch disposed within the housing which activates the electrosurgical energy source;

a knife assembly which is advanceable to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members; and

a movable handle connected to the housing and selectively rotatable about a pivot, wherein continual actuation of the movable handle initially engages the drive assembly to move the jaw members, subsequently engages the switch to activate the electrosurgical energy source to seal the tissue, and subsequently advances the knife assembly to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members.

2. An endoscopic bipolar forceps according to claim 1 wherein the shaft includes a longitudinal axis defined therethrough and wherein the pivot is located a fixed distance above the longitudinal axis.

3. An endoscopic bipolar forceps according to claim 2 further comprising a rotating assembly which rotates the jaw members about the longitudinal axis defined through the shaft.

4. An endoscopic bipolar forceps according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the jaw members includes at least one stop member disposed thereon which regulates the distance between the jaw members.

5. An endoscopic bipolar forceps according to claim 4 wherein the distance between the jaw members is between 0.001 inches and 0.006 inches.

6. An endoscopic bipolar forceps according to claim 1 wherein a pressure range for actuating the movable handle and creating an effective seal is between 3 kg/cm² to 16 kg/cm².

7. An endoscopic bipolar forceps according to claim 1 further including at least one tactile element which provides tactile feedback to a user relating to at least one of tissue grasping, tissue sealing and tissue cutting.

8. An endoscopic bipolar forceps according to claim 1 further including a sensor which provides feedback to a user relating to the various completion stages of tissue grasping, tissue sealing and tissue cutting.

9. An endoscopic bipolar forceps according to claim 1 further comprising a ratchet latch assembly associated with the movable handle and the housing such that the movable handle locks into a first ratchet position after it cooperates to manipulate tissue, and the movable handle locks into a second ratchet position after it cooperates to seal tissue.

10. A method for using an endoscopic bipolar forceps to grasp, seal and cut tissue, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an endoscopic bipolar forceps, the forceps having a housing, a shaft affixed to the housing having an end effector assembly engaged at a distal end thereof, the end effector assembly including two jaw members moveable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least a second position closer to one another for grasping tissue therebetween, each of the jaw members adapted to connect to an electrosurgical energy source such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to affect a tissue seal, a drive assembly disposed within the housing for moving the jaw members from the first position to the second position, a switch disposed within the housing which activates the electrosurgical energy source, a knife assembly which is advanceable to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members, and a movable handle connected to the housing and selectively rotatable about a pivot, wherein continual actuation of the movable handle initially engages the drive assembly to move the jaw members, subsequently engages the switch to activate the electrosurgical energy source to seal the tissue, and subsequently advances the knife assembly to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members;

actuating the movable handle, a continued actuation of the movable handle engages the drive assembly and moves the jaw members relative to one another to grasp tissue, engages the switch and activates the electrosurgical energy to seal tissue, and advances the knife assembly to cut the tissue.