Cutting Assembly for Surgical Instruments

• US 20110054467A1
• Filed: 08/26/2009
• Published: 03/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Mueller, Peter M., Anderson, Sara E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,287,536 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/45
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/295 combined with cutting implements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32 Surgical cutting instruments A61B18/042 takes precedence; suture cutters A61B17/0467; instruments for ligaturing or cutting A61B17/128; instruments for rupturing the amniotic membrane A61B17/4208; specially adapted knives for eye surgery A61F9/0133
• 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 2017/32006 with a cutting strip, band or chain, e.g. like a chainsaw
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/141 Snare

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an end effector assembly for use with a forceps. The end effector assembly includes a pair of jaw members and a cutting element. The pair of jaw members having at least one jaw member that is moveable relative to the other from a first, open position to a second, closed position for grasping tissue. Each of the jaw members includes a cutting channel that is defined therein and extends therealong. The cutting element includes a fixed end and a movable end. The fixed end is disposed within the cutting channel of one of the jaw members and the moveable end is disposed within the cutting channel of the other of the jaw member. The cutting element defines a movable cutting loop disposed between the cutting channels and between the fixed end and the movable end. The cutting loop has an arcuate portion that is reciprocatable to cut tissue.

Claims

1. An end effector assembly for use with a forceps, the end effector assembly comprising:

a pair of jaw members, at least one jaw member moveable relative to the other from a first, open position to a second, closed position for grasping tissue, each of the jaw members including a cutting channel defined therein that extends therealong; and

a cutting element including a fixed end and a movable end, the fixed end disposed within the cutting channel of one of the jaw members and the moveable end disposed within the cutting channel of the other of the jaw members, the cutting element defining a movable cutting loop disposed between the cutting channels and between the fixed end and the movable end, said cutting loop having an arcuate portion that is reciprocatable to cut tissue.

2. The end effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the jaw members is adapted to connect to an electrosurgical energy source to electrosurgically treat tissue.

3. The end effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cutting element includes a cutting edge to facilitate cutting tissue.

4. The end effector assembly according to claim 3, wherein the cutting edge may include at least one of an angled, blunt, serrated and sharpened configuration.

5. The end effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cutting element is adapted to connect to an electrical energy source to facilitate cutting tissue.

6. The end effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one cutting channel is configured to include a polygonal or oval cross section.

7. The end effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one cutting channel includes a ramped distal end to facilitate transition of the cutting loop toward the fixed end.

8. The end effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one cutting channel includes a curved bottom portion having a varying profile such that the cutting element remains in contact with a base portion when reciprocated.

9. The end effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the arcuate portion of the cutting loop is configured to extend beyond a distal end of the jaw members to define a mechanical snare.

10. The end effector assembly according to claim 9, wherein the mechanical snare includes a proximal cutting edge to facilitate cutting tissue when the snare is retracted.

11. The end effector assembly according to claim 9, wherein the mechanical snare is adapted to connect to an electrical energy source to facilitate cutting tissue.

12. The end effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cutting element includes a bundle of tubular wire-like elements.

13. The end effector assembly according to claim 12, wherein the bundle of tubular wire-like elements includes conductive and non-conductive elements.

14. The end effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cutting element includes a lubricous coating.

15. A forceps for use during surgical procedures, the forceps comprising:

a housing including a shaft that extends therefrom having end effector assembly engaged to a distal end thereof and an actuator operably coupled to the end effector assembly, the end effector assembly including;

a pair of jaw members, at least one jaw member operably coupled to the actuator to move the at least one jaw member relative to the other jaw member from a first, open position to a second, closed position for grasping tissue, each of the jaw members including a cutting channel defined therein that extends therealong; and

a cutting element including a fixed end and a movable end, the fixed end disposed within the cutting channel of one of the jaw members and the moveable end disposed within the cutting channel of the other of the jaw members, the cutting element defining a movable cutting loop disposed between the cutting channels and between the fixed end and the movable end, said cutting loop having an arcuate portion that is reciprocatable to cut tissue.

16. The forceps according to claim 15 further comprising:

a trigger assembly operably coupled to the cutting element and disposed on the housing, the trigger assembly actuatable to reciprocate the cutting element.

17. A method for cutting tissue, the method comprising:

clamping and compressing tissue with a substantial force between a pair of jaw members; and

selectively actuating a cutting element having a moveable cutting loop defined at a distal end thereof moveable from a first position to at least one second position within opposing cutting channels formed within the jaw members to cut tissue disposed therebetween.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the cutting loop defines an arcuate portion at a leading edge.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the size of the leading edge of the arcuate portion may be selectively varied in relation to the distance between the jaw members.