SURGICAL INSTRUMENT FOR TRANSMITTING ENERGY TO TISSUE COMPRISING NON-CONDUCTIVE GRASPING PORTIONS

• US 20110087219A1
• Filed: 10/09/2009
• Published: 04/14/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Batross, Jonathan T., Boudreaux, Chad P.
• Granted Patent: US 8,747,404 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1402 Probes for open surgery
• 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 2018/1412 Blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1455 having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws

Abstract

A surgical instrument for supplying energy to tissue can comprise an end effector comprising a first jaw member and a second jaw member, wherein at least one of the first jaw member and the second jaw member is movable relative to the other of the first jaw member and the second jaw member to clamp tissue intermediate the first jaw member and the second jaw member. The instrument can further comprise an electrode configured to generate heat when electrical energy is supplied to the electrode, and, in addition, a tissue-grasping portion comprising a plurality of teeth, wherein the tissue-grasping portion is comprised of an electrically non-conductive material.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument for supplying energy to tissue, comprising:

a handle, comprising;

a trigger; and

an electrical input;

a shaft extending from said handle, wherein said shaft comprises a conductor, and wherein said trigger is selectively actuatable to electrically couple said electrical input and said conductor; and

an end effector, comprising;

a first jaw member;

a second jaw member, wherein at least one of said first jaw member and said second jaw member is movable relative to the other of said first jaw member and said second jaw member to clamp tissue intermediate said first jaw member and said second jaw member;

an electrode electrically coupled with said conductor, wherein said electrode is configured to generate heat when electrical energy is supplied to said electrode; and

a tissue-grasping portion comprising a plurality of teeth, wherein said tissue-grasping portion is comprised of an electrically non-conductive material.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein said electrode comprises:

a first lateral portion;

a second lateral portion;

a transverse portion connecting said first lateral portion and said second lateral portion, wherein said tissue-grasping portion is positioned intermediate said first lateral portion and said second lateral portion.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 2, wherein said tissue-grasping portion comprises:

a first row of teeth positioned adjacent to said first lateral portion of said electrode; and

a second row of teeth positioned adjacent to said second lateral portion.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 3, further comprising a moveable cutting member configured to transect the tissue positioned intermediate said first jaw member and said second jaw member, and wherein said movable cutting member comprises a return electrode.

5. The surgical instrument of claim 4, further comprising a slot configured to slideably receive said cutting member, wherein said slot is defined between said first row of teeth and said second row of teeth.

6. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein said tissue-grasping portion is comprised of molded plastic.

7. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein said tissue-grasping portion comprises at least one of a lubricant embedded within said electrically non-conductive material and a lubricant coated on said electrically non-conductive material.

8. A surgical instrument for supplying energy to tissue, comprising:

a handle, comprising;

a trigger; and

an electrical input;

a shaft extending from said handle, wherein said shaft comprises a conductor, and wherein said trigger is selectively actuatable to electrically couple said electrical input and said conductor; and

an end effector, comprising;

a first jaw member;

a second jaw member, wherein at least one of said first jaw member and said second jaw member is movable relative to the other of said first jaw member and said second jaw member to clamp tissue intermediate said first jaw member and said second jaw member;

an electrode electrically coupled with said conductor, wherein said electrode is configured to generate heat when electrical energy is supplied to said electrode; and

an array of electrically non-conductive teeth positioned adjacent to and extending away from said electrode.

9. The surgical instrument of claim 8, wherein said electrode comprises:

a first lateral portion;

a second lateral portion;

a transverse portion connecting said first lateral portion and said second lateral portion, wherein said array of electrically non-conductive teeth is positioned intermediate said first lateral portion and said second lateral portion.

10. The surgical instrument of claim 9, wherein said array of electrically non-conductive teeth comprises:

a first row of teeth positioned adjacent to said first lateral portion of said electrode; and

a second row of teeth positioned adjacent to said second lateral portion.

11. The surgical instrument of claim 10, further comprising a moveable cutting member configured to transect the tissue positioned intermediate said first jaw and said second jaw, and wherein said movable cutting member comprises a return electrode.

12. The surgical instrument of claim 11, further comprising a slot configured to slidably receive said cutting member, wherein said slot is defined between said first row of teeth and said second row of teeth.

13. The surgical instrument of claim 8, wherein said array of electrically non-conductive teeth is comprised of molded plastic.