Apparatus, System and Method for Performing an Electrosurgical Procedure

• US 20100076431A1
• Filed: 09/25/2008
• Published: 03/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Allen, James D. IV
• Granted Patent: US 8,968,314 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/51
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/285 combined with cutting implements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1442 Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/18 by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves radiation therapy A61N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/20 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00026 Conductivity or impedance, e.g. of tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00702 Power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00875 Resistance or impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1412 Blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1455 having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws

Abstract

An electrosurgical apparatus includes a housing having a shaft extending therefrom. The shaft includes an end effector assembly at a distal end thereof. The end effector assembly includes first and second fixed jaw members in spaced relation relative to one another. An electrically conductive tissue sealing plate is operatively coupled to each of the jaw members. The electrically conductive seal plates are adapted to connect to an electrosurgical energy source and communicate with a control system. The control system is configured to regulate the delivery of electrosurgical energy from the source of electrosurgical energy to the tissue sealing plate on each of the jaw members. A guide channel is disposed between the pair of fixed jaw members and extends proximally along the shaft from the distal end thereof. A knife is disposed at a proximal end of the guide channel and is configured to selectively cut tissue in a distal direction.

Claims

1. An electrosurgical apparatus, comprising:

a housing having a shaft extending therefrom and including an end effector assembly at a distal end thereof, the end effector assembly including first and second fixed jaw members disposed in spaced relation relative to one another;

an electrically conductive sealing plate operatively coupled to each of the jaw members, the electrically conductive sealing plates adapted to connect to an electrosurgical energy source and communicate with a control system configured to regulate the delivery of electrosurgical energy from the source of electrosurgical energy to the sealing plate on each of the jaw members;

a guide channel disposed between the pair of fixed jaw members and extending proximally along the shaft from the distal end thereof; and

a knife disposed at a proximal end of the guide channel, the knife configured to selectively cut tissue upon the application of a distal force to the electrosurgical apparatus.

2. An electrosurgical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the end effector assembly is monolithically formed with the distal end of the shaft.

3. An electrosurgical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the end effector assembly is mechanically coupled with the distal end of the shaft.

4. An electrosurgical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the sealing plates is configured to contact tissue upon a rotational movement of the end effector assembly to facilitate the sealing of tissue.

5. An electrosurgical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the knife is electrically insulated from the sealing plate on each of the jaw members.

6. An electrosurgical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the knife is at least partially made from a non-conductive material.

7. An electrosurgical apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one sensor disposed on the end effector assembly and in operative communication with the control system, the at least one sensor configured to sense at least one tissue property.

8. An electrosurgical apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control system is configured to regulate the delivery of electrosurgical energy from the source of electrosurgical energy to the sealing plates based on the at least one sensed tissue property.

9. An electrosurgical apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the at least one sensed tissue property is one of tissue impedance and tissue temperature.

10. An electrosurgical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control system is configured to quantify at least one of electrical and thermal parameters of tissue during tissue sectioning such that when a threshold value for the at least one of electrical and thermal parameters is met the control system provides a signal to a user to apply a force to tissue.

11. A method for performing an electrosurgical procedure, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an electrosurgical apparatus, including;

an end effector assembly including first and second fixed jaw members in spaced relation relative to one another;

an electrically conductive sealing plate operatively coupled to each of the jaw members;

a guide channel disposed between the first and second fixed jaw members; and

a knife disposed at a proximal end of the guide channel;

disposing tissue between the jaw members;

providing tension to the tissue disposed between the jaw members;

applying a rotational force to the end effector assembly to facilitate contact between the tissue disposed between the jaw members and the sealing plates;

delivering electrosurgical energy to each of the sealing plates to achieve a desired tissue effect; and

applying a distal force to the electrosurgical apparatus to facilitate the separation of tissue.

12. A method for performing an electrosurgical procedure according to claim 11, further comprising the step of moving the electrosurgical apparatus distally to guide the effected tissue along the guide channel prior to the application of the distal force.

13. A method for performing an electrosurgical procedure according to claim 11, wherein the step of applying a rotational force includes applying the rotational force simultaneously with delivering electrosurgical energy to the sealing plates.

14. A method for performing an electrosurgical procedure according to claim 11, wherein the step of applying a distal force includes applying the distal force subsequent to at least one of an audible indication and a visible indication.

15. A method for performing an electrosurgical procedure according to claim 11, further comprising the steps of:

quantifying at least one of an electrical parameter and a thermal parameter during tissue sectioning; and

providing a signal to a user to apply the distal force based on the at least one quantified parameter.

16. A method for performing an electrosurgical procedure according to claim 11, further comprising the steps of:

sensing at least one tissue property; and

regulating the delivery of electrosurgical energy to the sealing plates based on the at least one sensed tissue property.

17. A method for performing an electrosurgical procedure according to claim 11, wherein the providing tension step includes providing tension during at least one of the application of the rotational force and the application of the distal force.