Apparatus, System, and Method for Performing an Electrosurgical Procedure

• US 20100179547A1
• 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: Cunningham, James S., Allen, James D. IV, Horner, Glenn A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,282,634 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/51
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1206 Generators therefor
• 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 2017/00867 shape memory effect for prostheses A61F2210/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00601 Cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0063 Sealing
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/034 abutting on parts of the device itself
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 2201/12 Shape memory

Abstract

A bipolar forceps is provided. The bipolar forceps includes a housing having a shaft including an electrically conductive distal end. A drive assembly is operable to reciprocate an actuation tube within the shaft. A portion of the actuation tube is electrically conductive. An end effector assembly operatively connects to the shaft and includes a pair of first and second jaw members biased in an open configuration. The first and second jaw members are pivotable about a living hinge. Distal reciprocation of the actuation tube causes each of the jaw members towards one another about the living hinge. One of the jaw members is in electrical communication with the distal end of the shaft and the other jaw member is in selective electrical communication with a distal end of the actuation tube such that when the jaw members are in a closed configuration a closed loop electrical circuit is formed.

Claims

1. A bipolar forceps, comprising:

a housing having a shaft that extends therefrom that defines a longitudinal axis therethrough, the shaft including an electrically conductive distal end, the housing including a drive assembly disposed therein, the drive assembly operable to reciprocate an actuation tube within the shaft, at least a portion of the actuation tube electrically conductive; and

an end effector assembly operatively connected to the shaft and having a pair of first and second jaw members biased in an open configuration, each of the first and second jaw members pivotable about a living hinge, wherein distal reciprocation of the actuation tube causes each of the jaw members towards one another about the living hinge,

wherein one of the jaw members is in electrical communication with the distal end of the shaft and the other jaw member is in selective electrical communication with a distal end of the actuation tube such that when the jaw members are in a closed configuration a closed loop electrical circuit is formed.

2. The bipolar forceps according to claim 1, wherein the jaw members are electrically isolated from each other via a non-conductive spacer disposed at a proximal end therebetween.

3. The bipolar forceps according to claim 1, wherein the distal end of the shaft includes an electrically conductive member that contacts at least a portion of one of the first and second jaw member that is not in electrical communication with the actuation tube.

4. The bipolar forceps according to claim 3, wherein the electrically conductive member is a brush contact.

5. The bipolar forceps according to claim 1, wherein the actuation tube is in electrical communication with at least one electrical lead in electrical communication with a source of electrical energy.

7. The bipolar forceps according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the actuation tube is insulated.

8. The bipolar forceps according to claim 1, wherein the drive assembly includes an actuation rod coupled to the actuation tube to actuate the jaw members.

6. The bipolar forceps according to claim t, wherein the actuation tube is made of an electrically conductive material.

9. A bipolar forceps, comprising:

a housing having a shaft that extends therefrom that defines a longitudinal axis therethrough, the housing including a drive assembly disposed therein, the drive assembly operable to reciprocate an electrically conductive actuation tube within the shaft; and

an end effector assembly operatively connected to a distal end of the shaft and having a pair of first and second jaw members biased in an open configuration, each of the first and second jaw members pivotable about a living hinge, wherein distal reciprocation of the actuation tube causes each of the jaw members towards one another about the living hinge; and

wherein both of the jaw members are in electrical communication with a distal end of the actuation tube such that when the jaw members are in a closed configuration a closed loop electrical circuit is formed.

10. The bipolar forceps according to claim 9, wherein the jaw members are electrically isolated from each other via a non-conductive spacer disposed at a proximal end therebetween.

11. The bipolar forceps according to claim 10, wherein the distal end of the shaft includes an electrically conductive member that contacts at least a portion of one of the first and second jaw members that is not in electrical communication with the actuation tube.

12. The bipolar forceps according to claim 11, wherein the electrically conductive member is a brush contact.

13. The bipolar forceps according to claim 9, wherein the actuation tube includes at least one electrical lead in electrical communication with a source of electrical energy.

14. The bipolar forceps according to claim 9, wherein the actuation tube is made of an electrically conductive material.

15. The bipolar forceps according to claim 9, wherein at least a portion of the actuation tube is insulated.

16. The bipolar forceps according to claim 9, wherein the drive assembly includes an actuation rod coupled to the actuation tube to actuate the jaw members.