SURGICAL SEALING AND CUTTING APPARATUS

• US 20080015566A1
• Filed: 07/13/2007
• Published: 01/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apyx Medical Corporation
• Original Assignee: Bovie Medical Corporation
• Inventors: Livneh, Steve
• Granted Patent: US 9,585,714 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/37
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/295 combined with cutting implements
• 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 17/32002 with continuously rotating, oscillating or reciprocating cutting instruments
• 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 2017/2912 transmission of forces to actuating rod or piston
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2919 details of linkages or pivot points
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2939 Details of linkages or pivot points
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2947 Pivots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1412 Blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1455 having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws

Abstract

An electrosurgical apparatus for sealing and cutting tissue includes forceps and a power supply. The forceps include jaws that are pivotal about a pin and at least one blade disposed between the jaws. A shaft connects a handle to the jaws for moving the jaws while also conducting electric current from the power supply through the jaws. A wire, routed through the shaft and through a hole in the pin, connects a lever to the blade for moving the blade. In a bipolar configuration, the wire also conducts the electric current through the blade.

Claims

1. A surgical apparatus for cutting tissue comprising:

a power supply having a first feed and a second feed for supplying electric current between said feeds;

a pair of jaws electrically connected to said first feed for grasping the tissue and applying the electric current to the tissue;

at least one handle operatively connected to said jaws for actuating at least one of said jaws;

a blade disposed between said jaws;

a lever operatively connected to said blade for moving said blade to cut the tissue; and

said blade electrically connected to said second feed for supplying the electric current to the tissue.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end operatively connecting said jaws to said handle.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said shaft is formed of an electrically conductive material and is electrically connected to said jaws and said first feed for conducting the electric current between said jaws and said current supply.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said shaft defines a hole disposed longitudinally between said ends of said shaft.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 4 further comprising a wire operatively connecting said blade and said lever.

6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said wire is formed of an electrically conductive material and is electrically connected to said blade and said second feed for conducting the electric current between said blade and said current supply.

7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said shaft and said wire are electrically insulated from one another such that the electric current does not flow directly between said shaft and said wire.

8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 7 further comprising a dielectric coating disposed around at least part of said wire for electrically insulating said wire from said shaft.

9. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a tube disposed between said jaws and said handle for providing a length between said jaws and said handle.

10. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 further comprising a clevis component having a proximal end and a distal end and supported by said tube.

11. An apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said clevis component defines a slot extending inward from said distal end and separating a pair of legs and defines a clevis hole through each of said legs.

12. An apparatus as set forth in claim 11 further comprising a clevis pin disposed longitudinally through said clevis hole and connected to each of said jaws for hingably supporting said jaws.

13. An apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein said clevis pin defines a clevis pin hole extending transverse through said pin.

14. An apparatus as set forth in claim 13 further comprising a wire disposed through said clevis pin hole and operatively connecting said blade and said lever.

15. A surgical apparatus for cutting tissue comprising:

a tube having a proximal end and a distal end;

a clevis component having a proximal end and a distal end and supported at said proximal end by said distal end of said tube;

said clevis component defining a slot extending inward from said distal end and separating a pair of legs and defining a clevis hole through each of said legs.

a clevis pin disposed longitudinally through said clevis hole;

a pair of jaws hingably supported by said clevis pin and actuatable for grasping the tissue;

at least one handle operatively connected to said jaws for actuating at least one of said jaws;

a blade disposed adjacent said jaws and movable for cutting the tissue;

a lever for moving said blade to cut the tissue;

a wire operatively connected to said blade and said lever for moving said blade in response to movement of said lever; and

said clevis pin defining a clevis pin hole extending transverse through said clevis pin wherein said wire is disposed through said clevis pin hole.

16. A surgical apparatus as set forth in claim 15 further comprising a power supply having a first feed and a second feed for supplying electric current between said feeds.

17. A surgical apparatus as set forth in claim 16 wherein said first feed is electrically connected to at least one of said jaws.

18. A surgical apparatus as set forth in claim 17 wherein said first feed is electrically connected to both of said jaws.

19. A surgical apparatus as set forth in claim 16 wherein said second feed is electrically connected to a conductive pad.

20. A surgical apparatus as set forth in claim 16 wherein said second feed line is electrically connected to said blade.