Insulating Mechanically-Interfaced Boot and Jaws for Electrosurgical Forceps

• US 20090088746A1
• Filed: 09/23/2008
• Published: 04/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Guerra, Paul, Hushka, Dylan, Dumbauld, Patrick L., Wagner, Robert S.
• Granted Patent: US 9,023,043 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/51
• 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 18/148 having a short, rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously, e.g. for neurosurgery or arthroscopy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00083 low, i.e. electrically insulating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00345 Vascular system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00404 Blood vessels other than those in or around the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00619 Welding
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0063 Sealing

Abstract

An electrosurgical forceps includes a shaft having a pair of jaw members at a distal end thereof, the jaw members being movable about a pivot from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members are closer to one another for grasping tissue. A movable handle actuates a drive assembly to move the jaw members relative to one another. One (or both) of the jaw members is adapted to connect to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy to tissue held therebetween. A flexible insulating boot is disposed on an exterior surface of one or both jaw members and about the pivot and at least one retention element is configured to operably couple to both a proximal end of the jaw members and a distal end of the flexible insulating boot.

Claims

1. An electrosurgical forceps, comprising:

a shaft having a pair of jaw members at a distal end thereof, the jaw members being movable about a pivot from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members are closer to one another for grasping tissue;

a movable handle that actuates a drive assembly to move the jaw members relative to one another;

at least one of the jaw members being adapted to connect to a source of electrical energy such that the at least one jaw member is capable of conducting energy to tissue held therebetween;

a flexible insulating boot disposed on at least a portion of an exterior surface of at least one jaw member and about the pivot; and

at least one retention element configured to operably couple to both a proximal end of the jaw members and a distal end of the flexible insulating boot.

2. An electrosurgical forceps according to claim 1 wherein said at least one retention element includes a pair of weather strip-like interfaces to retain the boot atop the jaw members.

3. An electrosurgical forceps according to claim 1 wherein a proximal end of each jaw member is overmolded with an insulative material and the retention element is dimensioned to operably engage the insulative material.

4. An electrosurgical forceps according to claim 1 wherein retention element includes a plastic wedge-like material disposed transversally between the jaw members and the flexible insulating boot that allows the jaw members to pivot about the pivot.

5. An electrosurgical forceps according to claim 1 wherein the retention element includes an elastic ring that radially retains the flexible insulating boot atop the distal end of the shaft and the jaw members.

6. An electrosurgical forceps according to claim 5 wherein the elastic ring is made from an insulating material.

7. An electrosurgical forceps according to claim 5 wherein the elastic ring is made from silicone.