Vessel Sealing Using Microwave Energy

• US 20130144284A1
• Filed: 12/06/2011
• Published: 06/06/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Behnke, Robert J. II, Frushour, Scott E.M., Jensen, Jeffrey L., Moul, Wayne L.
• Granted Patent: US 9,259,268 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/33
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/29 Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1815 using microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0016 Energy applicators arranged in a two- or three dimensional array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00404 Blood vessels other than those in or around the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00559 Female reproductive organs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0063 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00875 Resistance or impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/183 characterised by the type of antenna

Abstract

The present disclosure provides for an end effector assembly for microwave forceps. The end effector assembly includes a pair of opposing jaw members movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least one subsequent position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. Each of the jaw members includes a microwave antenna assembly and a shielding member including a metallic plate coupled to ground and a dielectric material. The end effector assembly also includes a splitter configured to receive an active signal from a source of microwave energy and split the active signal into a first signal transmitted to the microwave antenna assembly in one of the jaw members and a second signal transmitted in the microwave antenna assembly in the other jaw member.

Claims

1. An end effector assembly for microwave forceps, comprising:

a pair of opposing jaw members, at least one jaw member is movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to the other jaw member to at least one subsequent position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween, each of the jaw members including a microwave antenna assembly and a shielding member including a metallic plate coupled to ground and a dielectric material; and

a splitter configured to receive an active signal from a source of microwave energy and split the active signal into a first signal transmitted to the microwave antenna assembly in one of the jaw members and a second signal transmitted in the microwave antenna assembly in the other jaw member.

2. The end effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein a phase of the first signal is offset in relation to a phase of the second signal.

3. The end effector assembly according to claim 2, wherein a phase of the first signal is offset by 180°

in relation to a phase of the second signal.

4. The end effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein a distal end of the antenna assembly is terminated with an open.

5. The end effector assembly according to claim 4, wherein a length of the antenna assembly is a multiple of a half wavelength.

6. The end effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein a distal end of the antenna assembly is shunted to ground.

7. The end effector assembly according to claim 4, wherein a length of the antenna assembly is an odd multiple of a quarter wavelength.

8. An end effector assembly for microwave forceps, comprising:

a splitter configured to receive an active signal from a source of microwave energy and split the active signal into a first signal and a second signal;

a pair of opposing jaw members, at least one jaw member is movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to the other jaw member to at least one subsequent position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween, each of the jaw members including;

a microwave antenna array having a first antenna and a plurality of second antennas;

a shielding member including a metallic plate coupled to ground and a dielectric material; and

a multiplexer configured to receive the first signal or the second signal from the splitter, wherein the multiplexer provides the first signal or the second signal to the first antenna or the first antenna and at least one of the plurality of second antennas in the microwave antenna array.

9. The end effector assembly according to claim 8, wherein a phase of the first signal is offset in relation to a phase of the second signal.

10. The end effector assembly according to claim 8, wherein a phase of the first signal is offset by 180°

in relation to a phase of the second signal.

11. The end effector assembly according to claim 8, wherein the first antenna and each of the plurality of second antennas is terminated with an open.

12. The end effector assembly according to claim 11, wherein a length of the first antenna and each of the plurality of second antennas is a multiple of a half wavelength.

13. The end effector assembly according to claim 8, wherein the first antenna and each of the plurality of second antennas is shunted to ground.

14. The end effector assembly according to claim 13, wherein a length of the first antenna is an odd multiple of a quarter wavelength.

15. The end effector assembly according to claim 13, wherein a length of each of the plurality of second antennas is a multiple of a half wavelength.