Multi-contact forceps and method of sealing, coagulating, cauterizing and/or cutting vessels and tissue
First Claim
1. A bipolar forceps, comprising:
- a pair of jaw members operatively mounted in opposing relation relative to one another, said jaw members being selectively movable from a first open position wherein said jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second clamping position wherein said jaw members are disposed in a close juxtaposed relation;
each of said jaw members having a plurality of distally extending prongs thereon;
at least one electrode disposed on an inner facing surface of at least two prongs of one of said jaw members and at least one electrode disposed on an inner facing surface of at least one prong of the other of said jaw members; and
a switch for selectively controlling electrosurgical energy to at least two electrodes disposed on one of said jaw members and one electrode disposed on the other of said jaw members.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A bipolar forceps for sealing, cauterizing, coagulating and/or cutting vessels and vascular tissue at multiple sites includes a pair of multi-pronged jaw members pivotally attached in opposing relation relative to one another and selectively movable from an open position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second clamping position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The forceps also includes at least one electrode disposed on the inner facing surface of each prong of the jaw members and a switch for selectively controlling electrosurgical energy to each electrode. The electrodes on each of the jaw members can be activated simultaneously, sequentially, or in a multiplexed fashion. The disclosure also relates to a method of sealing, cauterizing, coagulating and/or cutting vessels and vascular tissue at multiple sites without manipulation of the forceps.
711 Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A bipolar forceps, comprising:
-
a pair of jaw members operatively mounted in opposing relation relative to one another, said jaw members being selectively movable from a first open position wherein said jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second clamping position wherein said jaw members are disposed in a close juxtaposed relation; each of said jaw members having a plurality of distally extending prongs thereon; at least one electrode disposed on an inner facing surface of at least two prongs of one of said jaw members and at least one electrode disposed on an inner facing surface of at least one prong of the other of said jaw members; and a switch for selectively controlling electrosurgical energy to at least two electrodes disposed on one of said jaw members and one electrode disposed on the other of said jaw members. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A method of applying electrosurgical energy to tissue, comprising the steps of:
-
a) providing a bipolar forceps having; a pair of jaw members operatively mounted in opposing relation relative to one another, said jaw members being selectively movable from a first open position wherein said jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second clamping position wherein said jaw members are disposed in a close juxtaposed relation; each of said jaw members having a plurality of distally extending prongs thereon; at least one electrode disposed on an inner facing surface of at least two prongs of one of said jaw members and at least one electrode disposed on an inner facing surface of at least one prong of the other of said jaw members; and a switch for selectively controlling electrosurgical energy to at least two electrodes disposed on one of said jaw members and one electrode disposed on the other of said jaw members; b) grasping tissue between said jaw members; c) selectively activating a first electrode on one of said prongs of said first jaw member; and d) selectively activating a second electrode on one of said prongs of said second jaw member such that electrosurgical energy is transferred from the first jaw member, through the tissue and to the second jaw member. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A method of sealing vessels, comprising the steps of:
-
a) providing a bipolar forceps having; a pair of jaw members operatively mounted in opposing relation relative to one another, each of said jaw members being selectively movable from a first open position wherein said jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second clamping position wherein said jaw members are disposed in a close juxtaposed relation; each of said jaw members having a plurality of distally extending prongs thereon; at least one pair of opposing electrodes disposed on each opposing pair of prongs of said jaw members, and a switch for selectively controlling electrosurgical energy to each electrode pair; b) grasping tissue between said jaw members; and c) selectively activating said electrodes pairs to form a seal between each pair of opposing electrodes without manipulation of the forceps. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
-
Specification