Electrosurgical cutting instrument

• US 6,364,879 B1
• Filed: 04/13/2000
• Issued: 04/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Regula, Donald W., Chen, Chao, Skula, Emil Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): COHEN, LEE S
• Application Number:
  US09/549,084
• Time in Patent Office: 719 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 scissorlike electrosurgical cutting instrument comprising:

a first member having at least one conductive cutting edge;

a second member having a conductive 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;

an electrode in electrical communication with at least one of the conductive cutting edge and conductive anvil surface of the first and second members, respectively, for providing electrical energy for cauterization of tissue; and

scissorlike actuation means for moving the first and second members between the open and closed positions.

2. The instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cutting edge and anvil surface are electrodes of the same polarity.

3. The instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second members move relative to each other.

4. The instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein the anvil surface further having a recessed portion for acceptance of the cutting edge when the first and second members are in their closed position.

5. The instrument as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means to bias the first and second members in one of their open or closed positions.

6. The instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein the instrument is shaped, sized, and configured to be suitable for open surgical procedures.

7. The instrument as claimed in claim 6, wherein the means for maintaining the cutting edge parallel to the anvil surface comprises a mechanical linkage.

8. The instrument as claimed in claim 7, wherein the mechanical linkage comprises:

a first rigid member extending from the first member, the first rigid member having a cantilevered end;

a second rigid member extending from the second member, equal in length to the first rigid member and parallel to the first rigid member, the second rigid member having a cantilevered end opposing the cantilevered end of the first rigid member;

a first linkage comprising two link elements of equal length, each link element having a first and second pivot point, the link elements being pivotally connected at their first pivot points and pivotally connected to the cantilevered ends of the first and second rigid members at their second pivot points;

a second linkage comprising two link elements of equal length and of the same length as the link elements of the first linkage, each link element having a first and second pivot point, the link elements being pivotally connected at their first pivot points and pivotally connected to the cantilevered ends of the first and second rigid members at their second pivot points;

a third linkage comprising two link elements of equal length and of the same length as the link elements of the first and second linkages, each link element having a first and second pivot point, the link elements being pivotally connected at their first pivot points and pivotally connected to opposite points on the first and second rigid members at their second pivot points; and

a fixed member pivotally connected to the first pivot point of the first linkage and slidably connected to the first pivot points of the second and third linkages such that rotation of the link elements of the first linkage causes the cutting edge and anvil surface of the first and second members to move parallel relative to each other.

9. The instrument as claimed in claim 8, wherein the actuation means comprises first and second conductive handle levers, each handle lever having a distal and proximal end, the distal ends of the handle levers being connected to the link elements of the first linkage wherein the handle levers pivot about the first pivot point of the first linkage.

10. The instrument as claimed in claim 9 further comprising:

a finger loop disposed on each of the proximal ends of the handle levers for actuating the first and second members between their open and closed positions;

a connector port disposed on one of the finger loops of the first and second handle levers for transferring electrical energy through the handle lever to the conductive cutting edge and conductive anvil surface of the first and second members, respectively; and

insulating means for preventing electrical conduction from portions of the instrument other than the conductive cutting edge and conductive anvil surface.

11. The instrument as claimed in claim 10, wherein the insulating means is a nylon coating secured to portions of the instrument other than the conductive cutting edge, conductive anvil surface, and connector port.

12. The instrument as claimed in claim 7, wherein the mechanical linkage comprises:

a first parallel linkage comprising first and second link members, each link member being of equal length to each other and having a distal and proximal end, the distal ends of the link members being pivotally connected to the first member;

a second parallel linkage comprising first and second link members, each link member being of equal length to each other and to the link members of the first parallel linkage, the first and second link members of the second parallel linkage further having a distal and proximal end, the distal ends of the link members being pivotally connected to the second member;

a perpendicular link member pivotally connected at one end to the proximal ends of the first link member of the first parallel linkage and the second link member of the second parallel linkage, the perpendicular link member being pivotally connected at its other end to the proximal ends of the first link member of the second parallel linkage and the second link member of the first parallel linkage, such that the link members of the first parallel linkage and the link members of the second parallel linkage are in a parallel relationship to one another and wherein pivoting of the parallel linkages toward each other about the perpendicular link member causes the cutting edge and anvil surface to move parallel relative to each other.

13. The instrument as claimed in claim 12, wherein the actuation means comprises first and second handle levers, each handle lever having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end of the first handle lever being connected to the proximal end of the second link member of the first parallel linkage, the distal end of the second handle lever being connected to the proximal end of the second link member of the second parallel linkage such that pivoting of the proximal ends of the handle levers toward each other about the perpendicular link member causes the first and second parallel linkages to move towards each other.

14. The instrument as claimed in claim 13 further comprising:

a finger loop disposed on each of the proximal ends of the handle levers for actuating the first and second members between their open and closed positions;

a connector port disposed on one of the finger loops of the first and second handle levers for transferring electrical energy through the handle lever to the conductive cutting edge and conductive anvil surface of the first and second members, respectively; and

insulating means for preventing electrical conduction from portions of the instrument other than the conductive cutting edge and conductive anvil surface.

15. The instrument as claimed in claim 14, wherein the insulating means is a nylon coating secured to portions of the instrument other than the conductive cutting edge, conductive anvil surface, and connector port.

16. The instrument as claimed in claim 7, wherein the mechanical linkage comprises:

a parallel linkage comprising first and second link members, each link member being of equal length to each other and having a distal and a proximal end, the distal ends of the first and second link members being pivotally connected to the first member; and

a rigid link member having a distal end, a proximal end, and an upturned portion disposed between the distal and proximal ends, the distal end of the rigid link being connected to the second member, the proximal ends of the first and second link members being pivotally connected to the rigid link member at the upturned portion such that the first and second link members are in a parallel relationship to each other and whereby pivoting of the parallel linkage towards the rigid link member about the upturned portion causes the cutting edge to move parallel relative to the anvil surface.

17. The instrument as claimed in claim 16, wherein the actuation means comprises first and second handle levers, each handle lever having a distal and a proximal end, the distal end of the first handle lever being connected to the proximal end of the second link member of the parallel linkage and the distal end of the second handle lever being connected to the proximal end of the rigid link member such that pivoting of the proximal ends of the handle levers toward each other causes the parallel linkage to move towards the rigid link member.

18. The instrument as claimed in claim 17 further comprising:

a finger loop disposed on each of the proximal ends of the handle levers for actuating the first and second members between their open and closed positions;

a connector port disposed on one of the finger loops of the first and second handle levers for transferring electrical energy through the handle lever to the conductive cutting edge and conductive anvil surface of the first and second members, respectively; and

insulating means for preventing electrical conduction from portions of the instrument other than the conductive cutting edge and conductive anvil surface.

19. The instrument as claimed in claim 18, wherein the insulating means is a nylon coating secured to portions of the instrument other than the conductive cutting edge, conductive anvil surface, and connector port.

20. The instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein the instrument is shaped, sized, and configured to be suitable for endoscopic surgical procedures.

21. The instrument as claimed in claim 20, wherein the means for maintaining the cutting edge parallel to the anvil surface comprises a mechanical linkage.

22. The instrument as claimed in claim 21, wherein the mechanical linkage comprises:

a first rigid member extending from the first member, the first rigid member having a length, a cantilevered end, and a pivot point located halfway along its length;

a second rigid member extending from the second member, equal in length to the first rigid member, the second rigid member having a cantilevered end intersecting the cantilevered end of the first rigid member, and a pivot point located halfway along its length;

a first linkage comprising two link elements of equal length and half the length of the first and second rigid members, each link element having a first and second pivot point, the link elements being pivotally connected at their first pivot points, the first pivot points being fixed to the instrument, the second pivot points of the first and second link elements being pivotally connected to the pivot points of the first and second rigid members;

a slide, pivotally connected to the cantilevered ends of the first and second rigid members; and

means to limit the motion of the slide along an axis intersecting the cantilevered ends of the first and second rigid members and the fixed point such that movement of the slide along the axis causes the cutting edge and anvil surface of the first and second members to move parallel relative to each other.

23. The instrument as claimed is claim 22, further comprising an elongated tube having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen, and wherein the actuation means comprises:

a first handle lever secured to the proximal end of the elongated tube;

a second handle lever pivotally connected to the first handle lever; and

means for connecting the second handle lever to the slide of the mechanical linkage such that pivoting of the second handle lever relative to the first handle lever moves the slide along the axis and actuates the first and second members between their open and closed positions.

24. The instrument as claimed in claim 23 further comprising am insulating means for preventing electrical conduction from portions of the instrument other than the conductive cutting edge and conductive anvil surface.

25. The instrument as claimed in claim 23, wherein the means for connecting comprises a wire member disposed through the lumen of the elongated tube, the wire member having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the wire member being pivotally connected to the second handle lever, the distal end of the wire member being pivotally connected to the slide such that pivoting of the second handle lever relative to the first handle lever moves the slide along the axis and actuates the first and second members between their open and closed positions.