Electrically Conductive/Insulative Over Shoe for Tissue Fusion

• US 20090048596A1
• Filed: 09/18/2008
• Published: 02/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Meagher, Edward C., Shields, Chelsea
• Granted Patent: US 9,095,347 B2
• 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 2017/00296 mounted on an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2829 with a removable cover
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00077 high, i.e. electrically conducting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00083 low, i.e. electrically insulating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0013 non-sticking
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00619 Welding
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0063 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1246 characterised by the output polarity
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1495 Electrodes being detachable from a support structure

Abstract

An over shoe for use with electrosurgical instruments having a pair of juxtaposed jaw members pivotably associated with one another, at least one of which includes an electrically conductive surface disposed thereon which is in electrical engagement with an electrosurgical energy source. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the over shoe includes a tissue contacting wall configured and dimensioned to selectively and substantially overlie the electrically conductive surface of the electrosurgical instrument. The tissue contacting wall is fabricated from a non-conductive material and includes a plurality of apertures formed therethrough. In another embodiment, the tissue contacting wall is electrically conductive and is configured for selective engagement atop on of the jaw members.

Claims

1. An over shoe for use with electrosurgical instruments capable of performing tissue sealing between two opposing jaw members, the over shoe comprising:

a tissue contacting wall fabricated from a conductive material, the tissue contacting wall being disposed in electrical communication with a source of electrosurgical energy, the tissue contacting wall including at least one sidewall which depends therefrom that defines a slot for selectively receiving at least one jaw member, the tissue contacting wall including at least one aperture extending therethrough.

2. The over shoe according to claim 1, wherein the at least one jaw member is made from an insulative material.

3. The over shoe according to claim 1, further comprising a second over shoe which is designed to substantially overlie the second jaw member such that the jaw members are capable of conducting bipolar energy therethrough.

4. The over shoe according to claim 1, wherein the tissue contacting wall includes a plurality of apertures are arranged in pairs along a length of the electrically conductive surface.

5. The over shoe according to claim 4, wherein the apertures are randomly arranged.

6. The over shoe according to claim 5, wherein the apertures are evenly sized.

7. The over shoe according to claim 5, wherein the apertures are generally circular.

8. The over shoe according to claim 7, wherein the apertures have a diameter of about 10 μ

m to about 1000 μ

m.

9. The over shoe according to claim 5, wherein the apertures are elongated slots.

10. The over shoe according to claim 9, wherein the elongated slots are in at least one of a parallel orientation with respect to the longitudinal axis and at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis.

11. An over shoe for use with electrosurgical instruments capable of performing tissue sealing between two opposing jaw members, the over shoe comprising:

a tissue contacting wall fabricated from a non-conductive material, the tissue contacting wall including at least one sidewall which depends therefrom that defines a slot for selectively receiving at least one jaw member, the tissue contacting wall including at least one protrusion extending therefrom, the protrusion being disposed in electrical communication with a source of electrosurgical energy.

12. The over shoe according to claim 11, wherein both of the jaw members are designed to receive an electrically conductive over shoe such that the two opposing jaw members are capable of conducting bipolar energy through tissue held therebetween.

13. The over shoe according to claim 11, wherein the at least one protrusion is configured to create a pattern of tissue welds for treating tissue.

14. The over shoe according to claim 11, wherein the at least one protrusion is coated with non-stick material.

15. The over shoe according to claim 14, wherein the non-stick material is selected from the group consisting of nickel-chrome, chromium nitride, Inconel 600 and tin-nickel.