Vessel Sealing Instrument With Cutting Mechanism
First Claim
1. An end effector assembly for use with an instrument for sealing and cutting tissue, the end effector assembly comprising:
- a pair of opposing first and second jaw members at least one of which being movable relative to the other 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 cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween;
each jaw member including a jaw housing and an electrically conductive surface, the electrically conductive surfaces being disposed in spaced apart opposing registration relative to one another, each electrically conductive surface being adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the electrically conductive surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal; and
at least one electrically conductive surface including a channel defined therein extending along a length thereof, the channel communicating with a nozzle disposed in the jaw housing which is configured to direct high pressure fluid from a fluid source into the channel for cutting tissue grasped between the jaw members.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An end effector assembly for use with an instrument for sealing and cutting tissue includes a pair of opposing first and second jaw members movable relative to the to grasp tissue therebetween. Each jaw member including a jaw housing and an electrically conductive surface adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the electrically conductive surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal. One of the electrically conductive surfaces including a channel defined therein and extending along a length thereof that communicates with a nozzle disposed in the jaw housing. The nozzle is configured to direct high pressure fluid from a fluid source into the channel for cutting tissue grasped between the jaw members.
208 Citations
19 Claims
-
1. An end effector assembly for use with an instrument for sealing and cutting tissue, the end effector assembly comprising:
-
a pair of opposing first and second jaw members at least one of which being movable relative to the other 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 cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween; each jaw member including a jaw housing and an electrically conductive surface, the electrically conductive surfaces being disposed in spaced apart opposing registration relative to one another, each electrically conductive surface being adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the electrically conductive surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal; and at least one electrically conductive surface including a channel defined therein extending along a length thereof, the channel communicating with a nozzle disposed in the jaw housing which is configured to direct high pressure fluid from a fluid source into the channel for cutting tissue grasped between the jaw members. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
-
6. An end effector assembly for use with an instrument for sealing and cutting tissue, the end effector assembly comprising:
-
a pair of opposing first and second jaw members at least one of which being movable relative to the other 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 cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween; each jaw member including a jaw housing and an electrically conductive surface, the electrically conductive surfaces being disposed in spaced apart opposing registration relative to one another, each electrically conductive surface being adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the electrically conductive surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal; and at least one adhesive strip disposed along a length of at least one electrically conductive surface, wherein after electrical activation of the electrically conductive surfaces to effect a tissue seat, the at least one adhesive strip retains a portion of the tissue seal to essentially tear the portion of the tissue seal away from remaining tissue when the tissue is removed from between the jaw members. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. An end effector assembly for use with an instrument for sealing and cutting tissue, the end effector assembly comprising:
-
a pair of opposing first and second jaw members at least one of which being movable relative to the other 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 cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween; each jaw member including a jaw housing and an electrically conductive surface, the electrically conductive surfaces being disposed in spaced apart opposing registration relative to one another, each electrically conductive surface being adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the electrically conductive surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal; and a cutting mechanism having a sharpened leading edge, the cutting mechanism being fixed between the jaw members near a proximal end thereof, the sharpened edge of the cutting mechanism being positioned to cut tissue between the jaw members upon forward movement of the jaw members along the tissue seal. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
-
-
18. An end effector assembly for use with an instrument for sealing and cutting tissue, the end effector assembly comprising:
-
a pair of opposing first and second jaw members at least one of which being movable relative to the other 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 cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween; each jaw member including a jaw housing and an electrically conductive surface, the electrically conductive surfaces being disposed in spaced apart opposing registration relative to one another, each electrically conductive surface being adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the electrically conductive surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal; and at least one of the jaw members including an elongated perforation strip that extends inwardly from the electrically conductive surface thereof, the elongated perforation strip being dimensioned to perforate the tissue upon closure of the jaw members against tissue and activation of the electrically conductive surfaces to effect a tissue seal. - View Dependent Claims (19)
-
Specification