SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS AND METHODS FOR PERFORMING TONSILLECTOMY, ADENOIDECTOMY, AND OTHER SURGICAL PROCEDURES

• US 20160338719A1
• Filed: 05/22/2015
• Published: 11/24/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: SONI, PURVISH, ALLEN, JAMES D. IV, OLSON, JESSICA E.C., WEIHE, JASON G.
• Granted Patent: US 9,795,435 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0218 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0281, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/26 Tonsillotomes, with or without means for stopping bleeding
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/29 Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/295 combined with cutting implements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/12 by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
• 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 18/1447 wherein sliding surfaces cause opening/closing of the end effectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1485 having a short rigid shaft for accessing the inner body through natural openings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00353 one mechanical instrument performing multiple functions, e.g. cutting and grasping
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00424 ergonomic, e.g. fitting in fist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00526 Methods of manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2912 transmission of forces to actuating rod or piston
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2919 details of linkages or pivot points
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/292 connection of actuating rod to handle, e.g. ball end in recess
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2925 Pistol grips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2926 Details of heads or jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2936 Pins in guiding slots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320044 Blunt dissectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00178 Electrical connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00184 Moving parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00327 : Ear, nose or throat
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00607 : Coagulation and cutting with the same instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0091 : Handpieces of the surgical instrument or device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00928 : by sending a signal to an external energy source
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1455 : having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/03 : Automatic limiting or abutting means, e.g. for safety

Abstract

An end effector assembly for a surgical instrument includes first and second jaw members, each including a jaw frame, spacer, electrically-conductive plate, and outer housing. The jaw frame includes at least one proximal flange and a distal jaw support extending distally therefrom. The spacer defines a body and a wing disposed on either side of the body. The body defines a channel configured to receive the distal jaw support while each wing defines a slot. The plate defines a tissue-contacting portion and first and second legs extending perpendicularly from the tissue-contacting portion. The tissue-contacting portion is configured to sit atop the body of the spacer. Each of the legs is configured for receipt within the slot defined within one of the wings. The outer housing at least partially surrounds the distal jaw support, spacer, and legs and is configured to retain these components in position relative to one another.

Claims

1. An end effector assembly for a surgical instrument, comprising:

first and second jaw members, each of the first and second jaw members including;

a jaw frame including at least one proximal flange and a distal jaw support extending distally from the at least one proximal flange;

a spacer defining a body and a wing disposed on either side of the body, the body defining a channel configured to receive the distal jaw support, each wing defining a slot;

an electrically-conductive plate defining a tissue-contacting portion and first and second legs extending from the tissue-contacting portion in perpendicular orientation relative thereto, the tissue-contacting portion configured to sit atop the body of the spacer, each of the first and second legs configured for receipt within the slot defined within one of the wings of the spacer; and

an outer housing at least partially surrounding the distal jaw support, spacer, and first and second legs of the electrically-conductive plate and configured to retain the distal jaw support, spacer, and electrically-conductive plate in position relative to one another.

2. The end effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second legs of the electrically-conductive plate or the spacer includes a plurality of apertures defined therethrough, and wherein a portion of the outer housing extends through each of the apertures to facilitate engagement of the outer housing.

3. The end effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein a tunnel is defined between the spacer and the distal jaw support, the tunnel configured to receive a wire for supplying energy to the electrically-conductive plate.

4. The end effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the spacer is configured to electrically isolate the electrically-conductive plate from the jaw frame.

5. The end effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the body of the spacer further defines a knife slot extending longitudinally therethrough, the knife slot of the body of the spacer and the channel of the body of the spacer offset relative to one another and open to opposite surfaces of the body of the spacer.

6. The end effector assembly according to claim 5, wherein the electrically-conductive plate defines a knife slot disposed in alignment with the knife slot of the body of the spacer.

7. The end effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the electrically-conductive plate further includes a distal tip extending distally from the tissue-contacting portion, the distal tip defining an exposed edge configured to facilitate grasping tissue.

8. The end effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the electrically-conductive plate, spacer, and outer housing define lengths greater than that of the distal jaw support so as to extend distally beyond the distal jaw support.

9. The end effector assembly according to claim 8, wherein the length of the distal jaw support is between 50% and 75% of the length each of the electrically-conductive plate, spacer, and outer housing.

10. The end effector assembly according to claim 8, wherein a window is defined through portions of the electrically-conductive plate, spacer, and outer housing that extend distally beyond the distal jaw support.

11. The end effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the jaw frame of each of the first and second jaw members includes a pair of spaced-apart proximal flanges, the proximal flanges of the first and second jaw members coupled to one another to permit pivotable movement of the first and second jaw members between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position.

12. The end effector assembly according to claim 11, wherein the proximal flanges of the second jaw member are disposed between the proximal flanges of the first jaw member.

13. The end effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first and second jaw members each define lengths and thicknesses that decrease along the lengths thereof in a proximal to distal direction.

14. The end effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the spacer is overmolded onto the jaw frame via a first overmold.

15. The end effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the jaw housing is overmolded about the distal jaw support, spacer, and first and second legs of the electrically-conductive plate via a second overmold.

16. A method of manufacturing a jaw member of an end effector assembly of a surgical instrument, comprising:

overmolding a spacer onto a jaw support, the spacer including a body and a wing disposed on either side of the body, each wing defining a slot;

positioning an electrically-conductive plate defining a tissue-contacting portion and first and second legs extending from the tissue-contacting portion in perpendicular orientation relative thereto atop the spacer such that the tissue-contacting portion is disposed atop the body of the spacer and the first and second legs are received within the slots defined within the wings;

overmolding an outer housing about the jaw support, spacer, and first and second legs of the electrically-conductive plate to retain the distal jaw support, spacer, and electrically-conductive plate in position relative to one another.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein at least one of the first and second legs of the electrically-conductive plate or the spacer includes a plurality of apertures defined therethrough such that, during overmolding of the outer housing about the jaw support, spacer, and first and second legs of the electrically-conductive plate, a portion of the outer housing extends through each of the apertures to facilitate engagement of the outer housing.

18. The method according to claim 16, further including routing a wire through a tunnel defined between the spacer and the jaw support.

19. The method according to claim 18, further including coupling the wire to the electrically-conductive plate.