Variable Resistor Jaw

• US 20100016857A1
• Filed: 07/21/2008
• Published: 01/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Wham, Robert H., McKenna, Nicole
• Granted Patent: US 8,469,956 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/51
• 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 18/1482 having a long rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously in minimal invasive surgery, e.g. laparoscopy
• 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 2018/00178 Electrical connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0063 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00642 with feedback, i.e. closed loop control
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00702 Power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00827 Current
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00869 Phase
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00875 Resistance or impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00892 Voltage
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00904 Automatic detection of target tissue

Abstract

A bipolar forceps includes an end effector assembly having opposing first and second jaw members each having a proximal end and a distal end. The jaw members are movable relative to each other in order to grasp tissue therebetween. An electrically conductive surface having two or more conductive sealing plates and a dielectric layer is operably coupled to the first jaw member. Each sealing plate is connected to a reactive element and positioned along the electrically conductive surface from the proximal end to the distal end. The reactive element of the sealing plate positioned on the proximal end of the first jaw member has a different impedance than the reactive element positioned on the distal end. An electrically conductive surface having one or more conductive sealing plates is operably coupled to the second jaw member. Each electrically conductive surface on the jaw members connects to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the sealing plates are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal.

Claims

1. A bipolar forceps, comprising:

an end effector assembly having opposing first and second jaw members each having a proximal end and a distal end and movable relative to one another to grasp tissue therebetween;

a first electrically conductive surface having at least two conductive sealing plates and a dielectric layer operably coupled to the first jaw member, each of the sealing plates connected to at least one reactive element positioned along the first electrically conductive surface from the proximal end to the distal end, the reactive element of the sealing plate positioned on the proximal end of the first jaw member having a different impedance than the reactive element of the sealing plate positioned on the distal end; and

a second electrically conductive surface having at least one conductive sealing plate operably coupled to the second jaw member,

wherein each electrically conductive surface is adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the sealing plates are capable of conducting energy through tissue grasped therebetween,

2. The bipolar forceps of claim 1, wherein the reactive element is at least one of a capacitor, resistor, variable resistor, resistor series, capacitor series, and variable resistor network.

3. The bipolar forceps of claim 1, wherein the dielectric layer is disposed between adjacent sealing plates along a length of the jaw member.

4. The bipolar forceps of claim 1, wherein the dielectric layer varies in thickness along the length of the jaw member.

5. The bipolar forceps of claim 1, wherein the dielectric layer is composed of a shape memory material.

6. The bipolar forceps of claim 1, wherein the dielectric layer acts as a stop member to regulate distance between jaw members.

7. The bipolar forceps of claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive surfaces have stop members.

8. The bipolar forceps of claim 1, further comprising a sensor operable to measure at least one tissue property and configure the reactive elements based on tissue property to effectively seal tissue.

9. The bipolar forceps of claim 8, wherein the at least one tissue property measured by the sensor includes at least one of tissue thickness, tissue hydration level, tissue impedance, tissue density, tissue type, voltage, current, impedance, and phase.

10. The bipolar forceps of claim 8, wherein the reactive element is at least one of a capacitor, resistor, variable resistor, resistor series, capacitor series, and variable resistor network.

11. A method of sealing tissue, comprising the steps of:

connecting a pair of jaw members to a source of electrosurgical energy;

actuating the jaw members to grasp tissue between the jaw members;

conducting electrosurgical energy to electrically conductive surfaces disposed on each of the jaw members; and

controlling a series of reactive elements on the first jaw member to regulate the electrosurgical energy along the jaw members to effect a tissue seal.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising adjusting, in real-time, at least one of the series of reactive elements based on at least one tissue property.