Endoscopic bipolar electrosurgical forceps
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. A bipolar endoscopic forceps for sealing tissue, comprising:
- first and second jaw members pivotally attached in opposing relation relative to one another, said jaw members being relatively 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 cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween with a predetermined clamping force, said jaw members each including a tissue sealing surface;
a drive rod assembly adapted for connecting said jaw members to a source of electrical energy such that said first jaw member has a first electrical potential and said second jaw member has a second electrical potential and said jaw members are capable of conducting bipolar energy through the tissue held therebetween;
a handle attached to said drive rod assembly for imparting movement of said first and second jaw members from said first and second positions; and
at least one stop member attached to at least one of said tissue sealing surfaces of one of said jaw members for controlling the distance between opposing sealing surfaces of said jaw members.
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Abstract
A endoscopic bipolar forceps for clamping and sealing tissue includes first and second jaw members pivotally attached in opposing relation relative to one another which are movable from a first 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. A drive rod assembly connects each of the jaw members to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting bipolar energy through the tissue held therebetween. A handle attached to the drive rod assembly imparts movement of the first and second jaw members from the first and second positions. At least one stop member is attached to the jaw members for controlling the distance between the jaw members. The forceps may also include a yoke member for insulating the jaw members from one another to prevent short circuiting of the forceps. Preferably, the yoke member and jaw member interface is dimensioned to withstand the high shearing forces normally associated with sealing tissue.
787 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A bipolar endoscopic forceps for sealing tissue, comprising:
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first and second jaw members pivotally attached in opposing relation relative to one another, said jaw members being relatively 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 cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween with a predetermined clamping force, said jaw members each including a tissue sealing surface;
a drive rod assembly adapted for connecting said jaw members to a source of electrical energy such that said first jaw member has a first electrical potential and said second jaw member has a second electrical potential and said jaw members are capable of conducting bipolar energy through the tissue held therebetween;
a handle attached to said drive rod assembly for imparting movement of said first and second jaw members from said first and second positions; and
at least one stop member attached to at least one of said tissue sealing surfaces of one of said jaw members for controlling the distance between opposing sealing surfaces of said jaw members. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A bipolar endoscopic forceps for sealing tissue, comprising:
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first and second jaw members pivotally attached in opposing relation relative to one another, said jaw members being relatively 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 cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween, said jaw members each including a tissue sealing surface;
a drive rod assembly adapted for connecting said jaw members to a source of electrical energy such that said first jaw member has a first electrical potential and said second jaw member has a second electrical potential and said jaw members are capable of conducting bipolar energy through the tissue held therebetween;
a handle attached to said drive rod assembly for imparting movement of said first and second jaw members from said first and second positions;
at least one stop member attached to at least one of said tissue sealing surfaces of one of said jaw members for creating a gap distance of about 0.001 to about 0.006 inches between opposing tissue sealing surfaces of said jaw members; and
an actuator having a lost motion connection for maintaining a predetermined clamping force between opposing tissue surfaces of said jaw members. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification