Tissue Fusion Jaw Angle Improvement

• US 20100057084A1
• Filed: 08/28/2008
• Published: 03/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Hanna, D. Alan
• Granted Patent: US 8,795,274 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 2018/145 wherein the effectors remain parallel during closing and opening

Abstract

A bipolar forceps for sealing tissue includes an end effector assembly having opposing first and second jaw members having a proximal end and a distal end. The jaw members are moveable relative to one another from a first spaced apart position to a second position in which the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue. Each of the jaw members includes an electrode having an electrically conductive tissue sealing surface. An electrical energy source may be connected to the tissue sealing surfaces so that the sealing surfaces can conduct energy to tissue. Each electrode may be hingedly connected to the respective jaw member to promote parallel closure of the sealing surfaces against tissue between the jaw members.

Claims

1. A bipolar forceps, comprising:

an end effector assembly having opposing first and second jaw members having proximal and distal ends and selectively moveable relative to one another from a first spaced apart position to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween, each of the jaw members including an electrode having an electrically conductive tissue sealing surface adapted to connect to an electrical energy source such that the electrically conductive tissue sealing surfaces are capable of conducting energy to tissue disposed therebetween,

wherein at least one of the electrodes is hingedly connected to a respective jaw member at the distal end thereof to promote parallel closure of the electrically conductive tissue sealing surfaces against tissue disposed between the jaw members.

2. The bipolar forceps of claim 1, wherein both electrodes are hingedly connected to a respective jaw member to promote parallel closure of the respective electrically conductive tissue sealing surfaces against tissue disposed between the jaw members.

3. The bipolar forceps of claim 1, wherein at least one of the electrically conductive tissue sealing surfaces includes at least one insulating member disposed along a length thereof to prevent unintended shorting between the two electrically conductive tissue sealing surfaces when the forceps is disposed in the second position.

4. The bipolar forceps of claim 1, wherein the at least one electrode is hingedly connected to the jaw member at a distal end of the electrode.

5. The bipolar forceps of claim 1, wherein the at least one electrode is hingedly connected to the jaw member via a resilient member.

6. The bipolar forceps of claim 1, wherein the resilient member is a piece of spring metal.

7. The bipolar forceps of claim 1, wherein at least one of the jaws defines a recess therein for at least partially housing the resilient member.