Knife coupler mechanism for an endoscopic instrument

• US 5,827,279 A
• Filed: 12/06/1996
• Issued: 10/27/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Nobis, Rudolph H., Hughett, J. David
• Primary Examiner(s): PEFFLEY, MICHAEL F
• Application Number:
  US08/761,411
• Time in Patent Office: 690 Days
• Field of Search: 606/41, 606/42, 606/45-52, 606/205-208
• US Class Current: 606/45
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1447 wherein sliding surfaces cause opening/closing of the end effectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2929 with a head rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00196 reciprocating lengthwise

Abstract

An electrosurgical instrument according to the present invention includes a handle, an elongated tube, an end effector, a pair of wireform conductors extending through the elongated tube from the handle to the end effector and a working tool such as, for example, a knife blade. The working tool being connected to the handle through a push bar which passes through the elongated tube. In an electrosurgical instrument according to the present invention, the push bar is positioned between the wireform conductors and is axially moveable with respect to the wireform conductors. In addition, in an electrosurgical instrument according to the present invention, the handle includes a coupling element to allow the wireform conductors and push bar to rotate with respect to the handle and to allow the push bar to move axially with respect to the wireform conductors and the handle.

Claims

1. An electrosurgical instrument comprising:

a handle;

an end effector operatively connected to said handle through an elongated tube;

first wireform conductor means for transmitting electrical current to a first jaw of said end effector, wherein said first wireform conductor means extends from said handle to said jaw through said elongated tube;

second wireform conductor means for transmitting electrical current to a second jaw of said end effector wherein said second wireform conductor means extends from said handle to said jaw through said elongated tube;

a knife means for cutting tissue, said knife means being moveable within said end effector;

button means on said handle for moving said knife means;

a push bar operatively connecting said knife to said button through a coupling means, wherein said first wireform conductor means passes through said coupling means on a first side of said push bar and said second wireform conductor means passes through said coupling means on a second side of said push bar and wherein said coupling means comprises;

a hub;

attachment means adapted to connect said coupling means to said push bar;

a connector disposed within said hub, said connector comprising first and second leg elements, and said attachment means comprising hook sections on said first and second leg elements.

2. An electrosurgical instrument according to claim 1 wherein said coupling element comprises:

a hub including first and second guide slots;

a latch slot disposed within said hub, between said guide slots, wherein said attachment means comprises a rib disposed within said latch slot.