Vessel Sealer with Self-Aligning Jaws

• US 20110071523A1
• Filed: 09/23/2009
• Published: 03/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Dickhans, William J.
• Application Number:
  US12/565,281
• Publication Number:
  US 20110071523A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/45
• 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 2018/00404 Blood vessels other than those in or around the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00601 Cutting
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/034 abutting on parts of the device itself

Abstract

An end effector assembly of a surgical forceps, the end effector assembly including first and second jaw members disposed in opposing relation relative to one another. At least one of the jaw members is moveable from an open position to a closed position for grasping tissue therebetween. The jaw members including opposing sealing surfaces configured to grasp tissue therebetween. Each of the opposing sealing surfaces has a knife channel defined therein. The opposing sealing surfaces of the first and second jaw members are shaped complementarily to one another to align the knife channels of the first and second jaw members upon movement from the first position to the second position.

Claims

1. An end effector assembly of a surgical forceps, the end effector assembly comprising:

first and second jaw members disposed in opposing relation relative to one another, at least one of the jaw members moveable from an open position to a closed position for grasping tissue therebetween, the jaw members including opposing sealing surfaces configured to grasp tissue therebetween, each of the opposing sealing surfaces having a knife channel defined therein;

wherein the opposing sealing surfaces of the first and second jaw members are shaped complementarily to one another to align the knife channels and sealing surfaces of the first and second jaw members upon movement from the first position to the second position.

2. The end effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the opposing sealing surface of the first jaw member is concave and wherein the opposing sealing surface of the second jaw member is complementarily convex.

3. The end effector assembly according to claim 2, wherein the concave opposing sealing surface defines a radial portion having a radius from a center point of the concavity and wherein the convex opposing sealing surface defines a radial portion having a radius from a center point of the convexity, wherein the radius of the concavity is substantially equal to the radius of the opposing convexity.

4. The end effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein a horizontal axis is defined through the jaw members and wherein each opposing sealing surface angles inwardly from opposite longitudinal edges of the opposing sealing surface in the same direction with respect to the horizontal axis such that the jaw members are forced into alignment upon movement from the first position to the second position.

5. The end effector assembly according to claim 1, further comprising at least one stop member disposed on the sealing surface of at least one of the first and second jaw members.

6. A surgical forceps, the forceps comprising:

a housing having at least one shaft attached thereto, the shaft having an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end thereof, wherein the end effector assembly includes;

first and second jaw members disposed in opposing relation relative to one another, at least one of the jaw members moveable from an open position to a closed position for grasping tissue therebetween, the jaw members including opposing sealing surfaces configured to grasp tissue therebetween, each of the opposing sealing surfaces having a knife channel defined therein; and

a knife assembly disposed within the shaft, the knife assembly having a knife blade configured to translate distally from the shaft at least partially through the knife channels to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members;

wherein opposing sealing surfaces of the first and second jaw members are shaped complementarily to one another to align the knife channels of the first and second jaws members upon movement from the first position to the second position.

7. The surgical forceps according to claim 6, wherein the forceps further includes at least one handle that moves the jaw members between the first and second positions.

8. The surgical forceps according to claim 6, wherein at least one of the jaw members is adapted to connect to an electrosurgical energy source to communicate energy to tissue disposed between the jaw members.

9. A surgical forceps, the forceps comprising:

a housing having a shaft attached thereto, the shaft having an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end thereof, wherein the end effector assembly includes;

first and second jaw members disposed in opposing relation relative to one another, at least one of the jaw members moveable from an open position to a closed position for grasping tissue therebetween, the jaw members including opposing sealing surfaces configured to grasp tissue therebetween, wherein the opposing sealing surface of the first jaw member is concave and wherein the opposing sealing surface of the second jaw member is complementarily convex such that the complementary-shaped sealing surfaces operate to align the first and second jaws members upon movement from the first position to the second position.

10. A surgical forceps, the forceps comprising:

a housing having a shaft attached thereto, the shaft having an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end thereof, wherein the end effector assembly includes;

first and second jaw members disposed in opposing relation relative to one another, at least one of the jaw members moveable from an open position to a closed position for grasping tissue therebetween, the jaw members including opposing sealing surfaces configured to grasp tissue therebetween, wherein a horizontal axis is defined through the jaw members and wherein each opposing sealing surface angles inwardly from opposite longitudinal edges of the opposing sealing surface in the same direction with respect to the horizontal axis such that the jaw members are forced into alignment upon movement from the first position to the second position.