Surgical instrument with expandable cutting element

• US 5,797,941 A
• Filed: 02/24/1997
• Issued: 08/25/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Fox, William D., Schulze, Dale
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Application Number:
  US08/804,845
• Time in Patent Office: 547 Days
• Field of Search: 606/45, 606/46, 606/49-52, 606/170, 606/171
• US Class Current: 606/171
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32 Surgical cutting instruments A61B18/042 takes precedence; suture cutters A61B17/0467; instruments for ligaturing or cutting A61B17/128; instruments for rupturing the amniotic membrane A61B17/4208; specially adapted knives for eye surgery A61F9/0133
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1402 Probes for open surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1442 Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2945 Curved jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00404 Blood vessels other than those in or around the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00601 Cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1432 curved
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1455 having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws

Abstract

A surgical instrument is provided for clamping and cutting during surgical procedures, particularly for use with tissues of varying thicknesses. The instrument in a preferred embodiment compresses tissue between electrodes associated with jaws of the clamping device and applies electrosurgical energy to the tissue. The invention provides an expandable cutting element which is adapted to compensate for various thicknesses in tissue and contractible by providing a knife which can be contained within the jaws and expand as needed for thicker tissues. The cutting element is preferably actuated as or after the electrosurgical energy has been applied, to cut tissue engaged and treated by the jaw members.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument comprising:

a shaft having a distal end; and

an end effector located at the distal end of said shaft, said end effector comprising;

first and second elements comprised of first and second opposed tissue contacting surfaces respectively, said elements movable relative to each other from an open, spaced apart position for positioning tissue therebetween, to a closed position for approximating the tissue between the surfaces, said closed position defining a variable gap between said surfaces;

a cutting element comprising first and second cutting blades, said cutting element being movable with respect to said surfaces to divide tissue approximated between said surfaces;

wherein said end effector includes a mechanism to provide scissors-like cutting action between said blades as said cutting element is advanced;

said cutting element being adaptable in size to fit within said variable gap between said first and second surfaces.

2. The instrument of claim 1 wherein said end effector further comprises a proximal portion and a distal portion and a longitudinal axis extending proximally to distally through said end effector, and wherein said end effector includes a mechanism to cause oscillation of said cutting element about said longitudinal axis as said cutting element is advanced.

3. A surgical instrument comprising:

a shaft having a distal end;

an end effector located at the distal end of said shaft, said end effector comprising;

a cutting element;

first and second elements comprised of first and second opposed tissue contacting surfaces respectively, said elements movable relative to each other from an open, spaced apart position for positioning tissue therebetween, to a closed position for approximating the tissue between the surfaces, said closed position defining a variable gap between said surfaces, wherein at least one of said elements includes a groove therein, wherein said groove includes an oscillating surface;

said cutting element movable in said groove to divide tissue approximated between said surfaces, wherein said cutting element comprises one or more spring members biased in a cutting element expanding direction and wherein at least one of said spring members is biased towards said oscillating surface; and

said cutting element being adaptable in size to fit within said variable gap between said first and second surfaces.

4. A surgical instrument comprising:

a shaft having a distal end;

an end effector located at the distal end of said shaft said end effector comprising;

first and second elements comprised of first and second opposed tissue contacting surfaces respectively, said elements movable relative to each other from an open, spaced apart position for positioning tissue therebetween, to a closed position for approving the tissue between the surfaces, said closed position defining a variable gap between said surfaces wherein each of said first and second elements includes a groove formed therein;

a cutting element movable in said groove to divide tissue approximated between said surfaces, wherein said cutting element comprises one or more spring members, each of said spring members including a blade formed at a distal end thereof and wherein one of said spring members is biased towards said first surface and one of said spring members is biased toward said second surface; and

said cutting element being adaptable in size to fit within said variable gap between said first and second surfaces.