System and method for disabling handswitching on an electrosurgical instrument

• US 20080033428A1
• Filed: 08/04/2006
• Published: 02/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sherwood Services AG
• Original Assignee: Sherwood Services AG
• Inventors: Hushka, Dylan, Artale, Ryan
• Application Number:
  US11/499,590
• Publication Number:
  US 20080033428A1
• 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 2018/0063 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00922 by switching or controlling the treatment energy directly within the hand-piece

Abstract

The present disclosure provides for an electrosurgical forceps for treating tissue. The forceps comprises at least one handle having at least one shaft member attached thereto. The at least one shaft member has an end effector attached at a distal end thereof. The end effector includes a pair of jaw members being movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least one subsequent position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. Each of the jaw members includes an electrically conductive sealing plate for communicating electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween to treat the tissue, the electrically conductive sealing plates adapted to connect to an electrosurgical generator. The forceps also include a handswitch coupled to at least one of the at least one handle and the at least one shaft member. The handswitch is adapted to connect to the electrosurgical generator and is selectively actuatable to initiate electrosurgical activation of the forceps. The forceps further include a lockout switch coupled to at least one of the at least one handle and the at least one shaft member. The lockout switch is movable from a first configuration wherein the lockout switch allows actuation of the handswitch to a second configuration wherein the lockout switch prevents actuation of the handswitch.

Claims

1. An electrosurgical forceps for treating tissue, comprising:

at least one handle having at least one shaft member attached thereto, the at least one shaft member having an end effector attached at a distal end thereof, the end effector including a pair of jaw members being movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least one subsequent position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween, each of the jaw members including an electrically conductive sealing plate for communicating electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween to treat the tissue, the electrically conductive sealing plates adapted to connect to an electrosurgical generator;

a handswitch coupled to at least one of the at least one handle and the at least one shaft member, the handswitch adapted to connect to the electrosurgical generator, the handswitch being selectively actuatable to initiate electrosurgical activation of the forceps; and

a lockout switch coupled to at least one of the at least one handle and the at least one shaft member, the lockout switch being movable from a first configuration wherein the lockout switch allows actuation of the handswitch to a second configuration wherein the lockout switch prevents actuation of the handswitch.

2. An electrosurgical forceps according to claim 1, wherein the handswitch is a toggle switch and the lockout switch prevents depression of the toggle switch.

3. An electrosurgical forceps according to claim 2, wherein the lockout switch includes a lockout bar and an actuating knob extending transversally therefrom, the actuating knob is dimensioned to protrude from the first shaft.

4. An electrosurgical forceps according to claim 3, wherein the lockout bar is a U-shaped lock.

5. An electrosurgical forceps according to claim 2, wherein the toggle switch includes a toggle plate, a circuit board and a switch button disposed therebetween.

6. An electrosurgical forceps according to claim 5, wherein the lockout switch in the second configuration is disposed at least partially between the toggle plate and the switch button preventing depression of the switch button.

7. An electrosurgical forceps according to claim 1, wherein the lockout switch is selectively slideable to prevent activation of the handswitch.

8. An electrosurgical forceps according to claim 1, wherein the lockout switch is made from an electrically insulative material.

9. An electrosurgical forceps for treating tissue, comprising:

at least one handle having at least one shaft member attached thereto, the at least one shaft member having an end effector attached at a distal end thereof, the end effector including a pair of jaw members being movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least one subsequent position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween, each of the jaw members including an electrically conductive sealing plate for communicating electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween to treat the tissue, the electrically conductive sealing plates adapted to connect to an electrosurgical generator;

a handswitch coupled to at least one of the at least one handle and the at least one shaft member, the handswitch adapted to connect to the electrosurgical generator, the handswitch being selectively actuatable to initiate electrosurgical activation of the forceps; and

a lockout switch coupled to at least one of the at least one handle and the at least one shaft member, the lockout switch being configured in electrical communication with the handswitch such that both the lockout switch and the handswitch must be electrically closed to allow activation of the forceps.

10. An electrosurgical forceps according to claim 9, further comprising:

a second lockout switch coupled to at least one of the at least one handle and the at least one shaft member, the lockout switch being movable from a first configuration wherein the lockout switch allows actuation of the handswitch to a second configuration wherein the lockout switch prevents actuation of the handswitch.

11. An electrosurgical forceps according to claim 10, wherein the handswitch is a toggle switch and the second lockout switch prevents depression of the toggle switch.

12. An electrosurgical forceps according to claim 10, wherein the second lockout switch includes a lockout bar and an actuating knob extending transversally therefrom, the actuating knob is dimensioned to protrude from the first shaft.

13. An electrosurgical forceps according to claim 10, wherein the second lockout switch is selectively slideable to prevent activation of the handswitch.

14. An electrosurgical forceps according to claim 9, wherein the forceps includes first and second handles each having a ratchet interface, and further comprising a second lockout switch coupled to one of the ratchet interfaces, the second lockout switch having a first configuration wherein the ratchet interfaces are disposed in spaced, non-operative engagement with one another that prevents actuation of the handswitch and a second configuration wherein the ratchet interfaces are operatively engaged with one another that allows actuation of the handswitch.

15. A method of treating tissue with electrosurgical energy, comprising:

providing an electrosurgical forceps having an end effector that includes a pair of jaw members, the electrosurgical forceps also including a handswitch that is adapted to connect to an electrosurgical generator;

providing a footswitch with the electrosurgical generator, the footswitch operable to activate the electrosurgical generator in order to provide electrosurgical energy to the pair of jaw members;

disabling the handswitch;

grasping tissue between the pair of jaw members; and

activating the electrosurgical generator via the footswitch to treat the tissue.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein disabling the handswitch comprises moving a lockout switch from a first configuration wherein the lockout switch allows actuation of the handswitch to a second configuration wherein the lockout switch prevents actuation of the handswitch.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the handswitch is a toggle switch and further comprising preventing depression of the toggle switch.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein the lockout switch includes a lockout bar and an actuating knob extending transversally therefrom, the actuating knob is dimensioned to protrude from the first shaft.

19. A method according to claim 15, wherein disabling the handswitch comprises causing a lockout switch in electrical communication with the handswitch to be open.

20. An electrosurgical forceps for sealing tissue, comprising:

an end effector having a pair of jaw members being movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least one subsequent position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween, each of the jaw members including an electrically conductive sealing plate for communicating electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween to treat the tissue;

a footswitch associated with the forceps;

a handswitch coupled to the forceps, the handswitch being selectively actuatable to initiate electrosurgical activation of the forceps; and

a lockout switch coupled to the forceps, the lockout switch operable to prevent actuation of the handswitch.