Electrosurgical cutting instrument

• US 6,361,534 B1
• Filed: 04/14/2000
• Issued: 03/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Skula, Emil Richard, Regula, Donald W., Chen, Chao
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee
• Application Number:
  US09/549,825
• Time in Patent Office: 711 Days
• Field of Search: 606/45, 606/46, 606/48-52, 606/170, 606/174, 606/208
• US Class Current: 606/45
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/2804 with two or more pivotal connections A61B17/29 takes precedence
• 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 2017/2939 Details of linkages or pivot points
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2944 Translation of jaw members
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/305 Tweezer like handles with tubular extensions, inner slidable actuating members and distal tools, e.g. microsurgical instruments
• 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 2018/145 wherein the effectors remain parallel during closing and opening
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/146 Scissors

Abstract

Open surgery and endoscopic versions of an electrosurgical cutting instrument incorporating a unique cutting arrangement for opening and closing the cutting edge parallel to an anvil surface resulting in a simultaneous cutting of a linear section of tissue, large vessels, or a group of vessels. Simultaneous with the cutting, the instrument further being capable of either a monopolar or bipolar cauterization of tissue. Also disclosed herein, are methods for use of the various electrosurgical cutting instruments.

Claims

1. A method for using an electrosurgical cutting instrument for cutting and cauterizing tissue, the electrosurgical cutting instrument being shaped, sized, and configured to be suitable for open surgical procedures and comprising:

a first member having at least one cutting edge;

a second member having an anvil surface opposing the cutting edge;

means for maintaining the cutting edge substantially parallel to the anvil surface in which at least one of the first and second members moves relative to the other member between an open and closed position such that the cutting edge comes into substantial contact with the anvil surface when the members are in their closed position;

at least one electrode disposed on or integral with the first member and at least one other electrode disposed on or integral with the second member, at least two of the electrodes being of opposite polarity for providing electrical energy for cauterization of tissue;

isolating means for electrically isolating the first member from the second member; and

scissorlike actuation means for moving the first and second members between the open and closed positions, the method comprising the steps of;

providing access to the tissue to be cauterized and cut by exposing the interior of a body cavity;

locating the tissue to be cauterized and cut;

positioning the tissue to be cauterized and cut between the first and second members of the instrument;

cutting a section of the tissue by actuating the instrument into a closed position;

cauterizing the section of tissue by energizing the electrodes with RF energy supplied by an electrosurgical generator; and

closing the access provided to the tissue.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cutting and cauterizing steps are done simultaneously.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cauterizing is done in a bipolar fashion.

4. A method for using an electrosurgical cutting instrument for cutting and cauterizing tissue, the electrosurgical cutting instrument being shaped, sized, and configured to be suitable for endoscopic surgical procedures and comprising:

a first member having at least one cutting edge;

a second member having an anvil surface opposing the cutting edge;

means for maintaining the cutting edge substantially parallel to the anvil surface in which at least one of the first and second members moves relative to the other member between an open and closed position such that the cutting edge comes into substantial contact with the anvil surface when the members are in their closed position;

at least one electrode disposed on or integral with the first member and at least one other electrode disposed on or integral with the second member, at least two of the electrodes being of opposite polarity for providing electrical energy for cauterization of tissue;

isolating means for electrically isolating the first member from the second member; and

scissorlike actuation means for moving the first and second members between the open and closed positions, the method comprising the steps of;

making incisions in the patient'"'"'s skin for facilitating the entry of trocars and trocar tubes;

inserting at least two trocars comprising a cutter and a port, in the incisions by puncturing body wall corresponding to the incisions to provide access to the tissue to be cauterized and cut in a body cavity corresponding to the body wall;

removing the cutters from the trocar ports for providing access into the body cavity through the trocar ports;

inserting an endoscope into a trocar port providing a view of the body cavity on a monitor receiving video signals from the endoscope;

inserting the instrument into another trocar port whereby its distal end is inside the body cavity;

locating the tissue to be cauterized and cut;

positioning the tissue to be cauterized and cut between the first and second members of the instrument;

cutting a section of the tissue by actuating the instrument into a closed position;

cauterizing the section of tissue by energizing the electrodes with RF energy supplied by an electrosurgical generator;

removing the instrument and endoscope from the trocar ports;

removing the trocar ports from the punctures and incisions; and

closing the incisions and punctures providing access to the cauterized tissue.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the cutting and cauterizing steps are done simultaneously.

6. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the cauterizing is done in a bipolar fashion.