Vessel Sealer and Divider

• US 20100179545A1
• Filed: 01/14/2009
• Published: 07/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Kingsley, Dylan E., Twomey, John R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,632,539 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 18/16 Indifferent or passive electrodes for grounding
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0013 non-sticking
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00345 Vascular system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00404 Blood vessels other than those in or around the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00601 Cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00619 Welding
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0063 Sealing
• 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 instrument for treating tissue includes a housing having a shaft extending therefrom having an axis A-A defined therethrough. The shaft is at least partially flexible and includes first and second jaw members attached at a distal end thereof. Each jaw member includes an electrically conductive tissue contacting surface adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the electrically conductive tissue contacting surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween. A drive assembly is disposed in the housing and has a first actuator operably coupled to a drive rod for reciprocation thereof to move the jaw members from a first position in spaced relation to one another to a second position closer to one another for engaging tissue. A second actuator is disposed on the housing and is actuatable to articulate the shaft

Claims

1. A bipolar endoscopic forceps, comprising:

an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof, the jaw members being movable relative to one another about a pivot from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in a spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween, each jaw member including an electrically conductive sealing surface; and

a blade guide operatively disposed between the jaw members and configured to facilitate translation of a knife through a knife channel defined in the jaw members, the blade guide having an aperture defined therethrough for housing the pivot.

2. The endoscopic bipolar forceps of claim 1, wherein the blade guide includes at least one channel defined therein for routing at least one electrical connection to the jaw members.

3. The endoscopic bipolar forceps of claim 1, wherein a distal end of the blade guide is dimensioned to prevent the ingress of tissue proximally relative to the electrically conductive sealing surfaces.

4. The endoscopic bipolar forceps of claim 1, wherein the blade guide is dimensioned to control splaying of the knife during translation thereof.

5. The endoscopic bipolar forceps of claim 1, wherein the blade guide includes opposing channels defined therein that are dimensioned to guidingly receive the knife for translation therein.

6. A bipolar endoscopic forceps, comprising:

an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof, the jaw members being movable relative to one another about a pivot from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in a spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween, each jaw member including an electrically conductive sealing surface, the electrically conductive sealing surface of at least one jaw member having a ribbed texture; and

a blade guide operatively disposed between the jaw members and configured to facilitate translation of a knife through a knife channel defined in the jaw members, the blade guide having an aperture defined therethrough for housing the pivot.

7. A bipolar endoscopic forceps, comprising:

an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof, the jaw members being movable relative to one another about a pivot from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in a spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween, each jaw member including an electrically conductive sealing surface;

a blade guide operatively disposed between the jaw members and configured to facilitate translation of a knife through a knife channel defined in the jaw members, the blade guide having an aperture defined therethrough for housing the pivot; and

at least one non-conductive stop member operatively associated with the electrically conductive sealing surface of at least one of the jaw members, the at least one non-conductive stop member being dimensioned to control the distance between the jaw members when tissue is held therebetween.