Vessel Sealer and Divider With Captured Cutting Element

• US 20110087221A1
• Filed: 10/09/2009
• Published: 04/14/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Gerhardt, Thomas J. JR., Johnson, Larry, Kappus, John J., Siebrecht, Wayne, Reschke, Arlen J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,343,151 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 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 2017/2911 rings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2922 toggle linkages
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2936 Pins in guiding slots
• 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

A forceps includes a housing having a shaft extending therefrom. The shaft has an end effector assembly that defines a longitudinal axis therethrough. The end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members disposed in opposed relation and moveable from a first, open position to a second, closed position for grasping tissue therebetween and a knife. One or more jaw members include knife blade channels defined therein. Each knife blade channel includes a polygonal longitudinal cross-section defined therein. The knife includes a knife edge and a knife base. The knife base includes a corresponding polygonal longitudinal cross-section. The knife is configured to translate through the knife blade channels and the knife base is configured to slidingly engage the knife base channel having the polygonal cross section upon translation of the knife. In embodiments, the knife blade channel and the knife base have a T-shaped longitudinal cross-section.

Claims

1. A forceps, comprising:

an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members disposed in opposed relation and moveable from a first, open position to a second, closed position for grasping tissue therebetween, wherein the jaw members include knife blade channels defined therein and wherein at least one of the knife blade channels includes a polygonal longitudinal cross-section defined therein; and

a knife including a knife edge and a knife base, the knife base including a polygonal longitudinal cross-section corresponding to the at least one knife blade channel having a polygonal longitudinal cross-section, wherein the knife is configured to translate through the knife blade channels and the knife base is configured to slidingly engage the at least one knife blade channel having the polygonal longitudinal cross-section upon translation of the knife.

2. The forceps according to claim 1, wherein the polygonal cross-section of the at least one knife blade channel having a polygonal longitudinal cross-section is dimensioned to capture the knife base therein to prevent the knife from escaping the knife blade channel upon distal translation thereof.

3. The forceps according to claim 1, 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.

4. The forceps according to claim 1, wherein distal portions of the knife blade channels are curved.

5. The forceps according to claim 4, wherein the jaw members are curved.

6. The forceps according to claim 1, wherein at least one knife blade channel defines a rectangular cross-section therein and the knife base defines a corresponding rectangular cross-section.

7. The forceps according to claim 1, wherein the knife base includes a full radii curved distal tip.

8. The forceps according to claim 1, wherein the knife edge is disposed substantially perpendicular to the knife base.

9. The forceps according to claim 1, wherein a portion of at least one knife blade channel is dimensioned to have a width that is less than the width of the remaining knife blade channel to secure and retain the knife base therein.

10. The forceps according to claim 1, wherein the knife edge is disposed in vertical registration with the knife base.

11. A forceps, comprising:

a housing having a shaft extending therefrom, the shaft having an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end thereof, wherein the end effector assembly defines a longitudinal axis therethrough and includes;

first and second jaw members disposed in opposed relation and moveable from a first, open position to a second, closed position for grasping tissue therebetween, wherein the jaw members include knife blade channels defined therein and wherein at least one of the knife blade channels includes a T-shaped or L-shaped longitudinal cross-section defined therein; and

a knife including a knife edge and a knife base, the knife base including a T-shaped or L-shaped longitudinal cross-section corresponding to the at least one knife blade channel having a T-shaped or L-shaped longitudinal cross-section, wherein the knife is configured to translate through the knife blade channels and the knife base is configured to slidingly engage the at least one knife blade channel having the T-shaped or L-shaped longitudinal cross-section upon translation of the knife.

12. The forceps according to claim 11, wherein the T-shaped or L-shaped longitudinal cross-section of the at least one knife base channel having the T-shaped or L-shaped longitudinal cross-section is dimensioned to capture the knife base therein to prevent the knife from escaping the knife blade channel upon distal translation thereof.

13. The forceps according to claim 11, 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.

14. The forceps according to claim 11, wherein distal portions of the knife blade channels are curved.

15. The forceps according to claim 14, wherein the jaw members are curved.

16. The forceps according to claim 11, wherein at least one knife blade channel defines a T-shaped or L-shaped longitudinal cross-section therein and the knife base defines a corresponding T-shaped or L-shaped longitudinal cross-section.

17. The forceps according to claim 11, wherein the knife edge is disposed substantially perpendicular to the knife base.

18. The forceps according to claim 11, wherein a portion of at least one knife blade channel is dimensioned to have a width that is less than the width of the remaining knife blade channel to secure and retain the knife base therein.

19. The forceps according to claim 11, wherein the knife edge is disposed vertical registration with the knife base.