Surgical Forceps

• US 20110230880A1
• Filed: 03/22/2010
• Published: 09/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Olson, Jessica E. C., Chojin, Edward M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,740,898 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/45
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00589 Coagulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00595 Cauterization
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0063 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1452 including means for cutting A61B2018/146 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 2201/12 Shape memory

Abstract

A forceps includes an end effector assembly. The end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members. At least one of the jaws is moveable with respect to the other between a spaced-apart position and at least one approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. At least one of the jaw members is adapted to connect to a source of energy for sealing tissue disposed between the jaw members. A chamber is defined within and extends longitudinally along at least one of the jaw members. The chamber is configured to retain a fluid therein and includes a series of apertures disposed on a tissue-facing surface thereof such that, upon application of energy to the jaw member(s), fluid within the chamber is heated to thermally expand within the chamber and forcefully exit the apertures to divide tissue disposed between the jaw members.

Claims

1. A forceps, comprising:

an end effector assembly including;

first and second jaw members disposed in opposed relation relative to one another, at least one of the jaw members moveable with respect to the other between a spaced-apart position and at least one approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween, at least one of the jaw members adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy for sealing tissue disposed between the jaw members; and

a chamber defined within and extending longitudinally along at least one of the jaw members, the chamber configured to retain a fluid therein, the chamber including a series of apertures disposed on a tissue-facing surface thereof such that, upon application of electrosurgical energy to the at least one jaw member, fluid within the chamber is heated to thermally expand within the chamber and exit the series of apertures to divide tissue grasped between the jaw members.

2. The forceps according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the jaw members includes an electrically conductive tissue sealing surface disposed on an opposed surface thereof, each sealing surface configured to conduct electrosurgical energy through tissue disposed between the jaw members for sealing tissue.

3. The forceps according to claim 1, wherein a complementary-positioned chamber is defined within each of the jaw members, the chambers cooperating to form a complete chamber for retaining fluid on either side of tissue upon movement of the jaw members to the approximated position.

4. The forceps according to claim 1, wherein the fluid disposed within the chamber is water.

5. The forceps according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of apertures are defined within and extend longitudinally along the tissue-facing surface of the at least one jaw member.

6. A forceps, comprising:

an end effector assembly including;

first and second jaw members disposed in opposed relation relative to one another, at least one of the jaw members being moveable with respect to the other between a spaced apart position and at least one approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween, at least one of the jaw members adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy;

a chamber portion defined within each of the jaw members, the chamber portions cooperating to form a complete chamber extending on either side of tissue upon movement of the jaw members to the approximated position to grasp tissue therebetween, the complete chamber configured to retain a fluid therein on either side of tissue; and

wherein, upon application of electrosurgical energy to the at least one jaw member, the fluid is heated to thermally expand within the complete chamber such that an internal pressure within the complete chamber is increased to a burst pressure whereby tissue disposed within the chamber is divided.

7. The forceps according to claim 6, wherein the jaw members are moveable between a first approximated position for sealing tissue and a second approximated position for dividing tissue.

8. The forceps according to claim 7, wherein the jaw members are configured to apply a first clamping pressure to tissue disposed therebetween when in the first approximated position and wherein the jaw members are configured to apply a second clamping pressure to tissue disposed therebetween when in the second approximated position.

9. The forceps according to claim 6, wherein at least one of the chamber portions of the first and second jaw members includes a selectively expandable component for reducing the volume within the complete chamber.

10. The forceps according to claim 9, wherein the selectively expandable component includes one of a shape-memory insert and a moveable floor.

11. A method of sealing and dividing tissue, comprising the steps of:

providing a forceps including an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end thereof, the end effector assembly including;

first and second jaw members disposed in opposed relation relative to one another, at least one of the jaw members moveable with respect to the other between a spaced-apart position and at least one approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween, at least one of the jaw members adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy for sealing tissue disposed between the jaw members, a chamber defined within and extending longitudinally along at least one of the jaw members, the chamber configured to retain a fluid therein;

positioning the jaw members such that tissue to be sealed and divided is disposed between the jaw members;

moving the jaw members to the approximated position to grasp tissue disposed therebetween; and

supplying electrosurgical energy to at least one of the jaw members to seal tissue grasped therebetween, the application of electrosurgical energy to at least one of the jaw members heating the fluid within the chamber to thermally expand the fluid and divide tissue grasped between the jaw members.