Biopolar instrument for vessel sealing

• US 6,334,861 B1
• Filed: 08/17/1999
• Issued: 01/01/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Sherwood Services AG
• Inventors: Chandler, James Gilbert, Frazier, Randel Alven
• Primary Examiner(s): Mulcahy, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ruddy, David M.
• Application Number:
  US09/376,779
• Time in Patent Office: 868 Days
• Field of Search: 606/41-52
• US Class Current: 606/50
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1442 Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps
• 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 2017/00296 mounted on an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2945 Curved jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1432 curved
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1495 Electrodes being detachable from a support structure

Abstract

A bipolar instrument for use by a surgeon to seal tissue with bipolar electrosurgery. The bipolar instrument is a modified hemostat including two elongate members. Each elongate member has a proximal end to be held by a surgeon and a distal end. The elongate members substantially defining a plane and are electrically conductive for transmitting high frequency electrosurgery. A pivot transverse to the plane connects the two elongate members for scissors-like motion between the distal ends. A first tissue contacting pole integral with one elongate member and positioned at its distal end is electrically conductive for transmitting high frequency electrosurgery. Latching elements extend from each elongate member for cooperative interengagement with opposed ramps and abutting stops for sliding conjugation to hold the first and second tissue contacting poles with a predetermined force. An insulated over shoe for placement on the other elongate member at its distal end attaches with a slip fit to prevent longitudinal or transverse movement. That distal end has a reduced cross section for receiving the insulated over shoe in an opening extending thereinto in tunnel fashion. The insulating over shoe has clips for engagement with and about the other elongate member. A second tissue contacting pole affixed to the insulated over shoe and disposed in mirror relationship to the first tissue contacting pole. Two electrical terminals located proximal relative to the pivot to receive bipolar electrosurgery from a source. A first conductor between one terminal and the first tissue contacting pole and a second conductor between the other terminal and the second tissue contacting pole pass bipolar electrosurgery. A switch interrupts continuity in the second conductor for controlled electrosurgery. The switch is atop the pivot in position for surgeon control. A method of assembling the bipolar instrument has the steps of slipping the insulated over shoe onto the other elongate member at its distal end, and attaching the insulated over shoe to the elongate member to prevent longitudinal or transverse movement between the insulated over shoe, the elongate member and the other elongate member.

Claims

1. A bipolar instrument for use by a surgeon to seal tissue with bipolar electrosurgery, the bipolar instrument comprising:

two elongate members, each elongate member having a proximal end to be held by a surgeon and a distal end, the elongate members substantially defining a plane, the elongate members made of at least some electrically conductive material for transmitting high frequency electrosurgery therethrough;

a pivot connecting the two elongate members in a manner that provides for scissors-like motion between the elongate members, the pivot transverse to the plane, the pivot disposed away from the distal ends for allowing transverse motion of the distal ends;

a first tissue contacting pole integral with one elongate member and positioned at its distal end, the first tissue contacting pole electrically conductive for transmitting high frequency electrosurgery;

an insulated over shoe for placement on the other elongate member at its distal end, the insulating over shoe for attachment to the other elongate member in slip fit relation about that distal end to prevent longitudinal or transverse movement between the insulated over shoe, the elongate member and the other distal end;

a second tissue contacting pole affixed onto the insulated over shoe, the second tissue contacting pole disposed in mirror relationship to the first tissue contacting pole;

two electrical terminals located proximal relative to the pivot and configured to receive bipolar electrosurgical energy;

a first conductor between one terminal and the first tissue contacting pole, and

a second conductor electrically coupling the other terminal and the second tissue contacting pole for providing a circuit to pass bipolar electrosurgical energy from the first tissue contacting pole to the second tissue contacting pole.

2. The bipolar instrument according to claim 1, wherein latching elements near the proximal ends extend from each elongate member for cooperative interengagement, the latching elements having at least opposed first and second ramps and stops for sliding conjugating for holding the first and second tissue contacting poles with a first or a second predetermined force therebetween.

3. The bipolar instrument according to claim 1, wherein the instrument is a modified hemostat with the pivot for scissors-like motion between the distal ends, the modified hemostat with the distal ends curved to extend transverse relative to the plane and generally parallel to but spaced from the pivot.

4. The bipolar instrument according to claim 3 wherein a switch interrupts the continuity of the second conductor between its terminal so the second tissue contacting pole is controlled to permit selective passage of bipolar electrosurgery between the first tissue contacting pole and the second tissue contacting pole, the switch being disposed atop the pivot in position for the surgeon to control the flow of electrosurgery and a prong located near the terminals connects to the switch to signal the need for electrosurgery.

5. The bipolar instrument according to claim 1, wherein the other member at its distal end has a reduced cross section for receiving the insulated over shoe.

6. The bipolar instrument according to claim 5, wherein the insulating over shoe has an opening extending thereinto in tunnel fashion for slip fit relation of the reduced cross section of the other distal end to prevent longitudinal or transverse movement between the insulated over shoe, the elongate member and the other distal end.

7. The bipolar instrument according to claim 1, wherein the insulating over shoe has clips for engagement with and about the other elongate member.

8. The bipolar instrument according to claim 1, wherein the instrument is a modified hemostat with the pivot between the proximal and distal ends for scissors-like motion of the elongate members between the distal ends.

9. The bipolar instrument according to claim 1 wherein a source of bipolar electrosurgery connects separately to the terminals to supply, respectively bipolar high frequency electrosurgery thereto.

10. A method of assembling a bipolar instrument for use by a surgeon to seal tissue with bipolar electrosurgery, the bipolar instrument including two elongate members, each elongate member having a proximal end to be held by a surgeon and a distal end, the elongate members substantially defining a plane, The elongate members of an electrically conductive material for transmitting high frequency electrosurgery;

a pivot connecting the two elongate members in a manner that provides for scissors-like motion between the elongate members, the pivot transverse to the plane, the pivot disposed away from the distal ends for allowing transverse motion of the distal ends;

a first tissue contacting pole integral with the one elongate member and positioned at its distal end, the first tissue contacting pole of an electrically conductive material for transmitting high frequency electrosurgery;

an insulated over shoe for placement on the other distal end;

a second tissue contacting pole affixed to the insulated over shoe, the second tissue contacting pole located for mirror relationship to the first tissue contacting pole;

two electrical terminals located proximal relative to the pivot and configured to receive bipolar electrosurgery;

a first conductor between one terminal and the first tissue contacting pole, and a second conductor between the other terminal and the second tissue contacting pole for passage of bipolar electrosurgery between the first tissue contacting pole and the second tissue contacting pole, the method of assembly having the steps of;

slipping the insulated over shoe onto the other elongate member at its distal end, and

attaching the insulated over shoe to the elongate member to prevent longitudinal or transverse movement between the insulated over shoe, the elongate member and the other elongate member.

11. A bipolar instrument for use by a surgeon to seal tissue with bipolar electrosurgery, the bipolar instrument is a modified hemostat comprising:

two elongate members, each elongate member having a proximal end to be held by a surgeon and a distal end, the elongate members substantially defining a plane, the elongate members electrically conductive for transmitting high frequency electrosurgery;

a pivot connecting the two elongate members in a manner that provides for scissors-like motion between the distal ends and the distal ends are curved to extend transverse relative to the plane and generally parallel to but spaced from the pivot, the pivot transverse to the plane and disposed away from the distal ends for allowing transverse motion of the distal ends.