Bipolar electrosurgical scissors

• US 6,464,701 B1
• Filed: 09/29/2000
• Issued: 10/15/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Atricure, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Enable Medical Corporation (Atricure, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hooven, Michael D., Richardson, Theodore A.
• Primary Examiner(s): COHEN, LEE S
• Application Number:
  US09/675,832
• Time in Patent Office: 746 Days
• Field of Search: 606/46, 606/48, 606/50, 606/51, 606/170, 606/174, 606/205, 606/206
• US Class Current: 606/50
• 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 18/1815 using microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0088 ceramic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2945 Curved jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00107 Coatings on the energy applicator
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00136 with polymer
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/126 bipolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1412 Blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1432 curved
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/146 Scissors

Abstract

Bipolar electrosurgical scissors are disclosed having a pair of blades joined for relative movement in a scissor-like action between open and closed positions. The blades comprise a tissue contacting surface and first and second spaced apart electrodes extending along the surface. Current flow between the first and second electrodes of each blade and between each blade to promote hemostasis in tissue contacting the surface.

Claims

1. An endoscopic surgical scissors including a pair of blades relatively moveable in a scissors-like action between open and closed positions, a handle operatively connected to the blades for effecting relative movement of the blades, the improvement comprising means for imparting pivotal movement to the blades including:

a lever pivotally secured to the handle and moveable about a pivot axis between first and second positions, said lever including a generally cylindrical aperture having an axis generally parallel to and spaced from said pivot axis and a pivot connector rotatably received within said cylindrical aperture;

a push rod having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end being secured to the pivot connector for axial movement upon the pivotal movement of the lever between first and second positions;

a clevis attached to the distal end of the push rod and having a pair of spaced-apart arms;

each blade having a proximal end containing an inclined slot, the slots being relatively obliquely oriented, and the proximal ends of the blades being received between the spaced-apart arms of the clevis; and

a pin secured to the spaced-apart arms of the clevis and extending through the obliquely-oriented slots in the blades so that as the pin moves axially in response to axial movement of the push rod, the pin moves in the slots of the blades to pivot the blades between open and closed positions.