Method of Sealing Tissue Using Radiofrequency Energy

• US 20100100122A1
• Filed: 10/20/2008
• Published: 04/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Hinton, Kristel L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,486,107 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/207
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1442 Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps
• 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 2017/2945 Curved jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0063 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1432 curved

Abstract

A forceps for sealing tissue includes a housing a having one or more shafts that extend therefrom configured to support an end effector assembly at a distal end thereof. The end effector assembly includes a pair of opposing jaw members each having a sealing plate with tissue engaging surfaces adapted to connect to an electrosurgical energy source. At least one of the sealing plates includes a predetermined surface geometry defined thereon that imprints a corresponding surface geometry onto the tissue seal to facilitate sealing the tissue with a foreign material when electrosurgical energy is applied to the forceps.

Claims

1. A forceps for sealing tissue, comprising:

a housing a having at least one shaft that extends therefrom for supporting an end effector assembly at a distal end thereof, the end effector assembly including a pair of opposing jaw members each including a sealing plate configured to engage tissue and adapted to connect to an electrosurgical energy source, at least one of the sealing plates including a predetermined surface geometry defined thereon that imprints a corresponding surface geometry onto a tissue seal to facilitate sealing tissue with a foreign material when electrosurgical energy is applied to the forceps.

2. A forceps according to claim 1 wherein the predetermined surface geometry defined on the at least one sealing plate is selected from the group consisting of geometric protrusions, geometric recesses and combinations thereof.

3. A forceps according to claim 1 wherein the foreign material is selected from the group consisting of biomaterials, mesh materials, collagen, elastin and synthetic materials.

4. A method of sealing tissue using electrosurgical energy, comprising the steps of:

providing a vessel sealing instrument having opposing jaw members selectively moveable relative to one another to compress tissue therebetween, the opposing jaw members each including a sealing plate configured to engage tissue, at least one of the sealing plates including a predetermined surface geometry defined thereon;

positioning a foreign material in abutting relation to tissue;

grasping tissue and foreign material between the sealing plates of the opposing jaw members;

compressing the foreign material and tissue between the opposing sealing plates of the jaw members;

energizing the sealing plates with electrosurgical energy to effectively seal tissue and foreign material disposed therebetween such that the predetermined surface geometry of the at least one sealing plate imprints a corresponding surface geometry on the tissue seal.

5. A method of sealing tissue using electrosurgical energy according to claim 4 wherein the predetermined surface geometry of the at least one sealing plate of the providing step is selected from the group consisting of geometric protrusions, geometric recesses and combinations thereof.

6. A method of sealing tissue using electrosurgical energy according to claim 4 wherein the foreign material of the providing step is selected from the group consisting of biomaterials, mesh materials, collagen, elastin and synthetic materials.