Feedback light apparatus and method for use with an electrosurgical instrument

• US 6,676,660 B2
• Filed: 01/23/2002
• Issued: 01/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Vaitekunas, Jeffrey J., Speeg, Trevor W. V., Wampler, Scott D., Niezgoda, Ryan, Van Drake, Vance V. III, Yates, David C.
• Primary Examiner(s): PEFFLEY, MICHAEL F
• Application Number:
  US10/055,782
• Publication Number:
  US 20030139742A1
• Time in Patent Office: 720 Days
• Field of Search: 606/32, 606/34, 606/37-41, 606/49-52
• US Class Current: 606/51
• 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 2017/2945 Curved jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1226 powered by a battery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1412 Blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1432 curved
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1455 having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws

Abstract

The present invention relates, in general, to electrosurgical instruments and, more particularly, to a feedback light used in cooperation with an electrosurgical instrument. The present invention further comprises first and second moveable jaws. A first electrode is housed within the first moveable jaw and a second electrode is housed within the second moveable jaw, where the electrodes are connectable to a power source for providing an electric current between the electrodes. The present invention further comprises a feedback light connectable to a first lead and a second lead in order to form a second circuit, where the second circuit is adjacent to the first circuit in order to facilitate capacitive coupling between the first and second circuits in order to light a feedback light.

Claims

1. An electrosurgical apparatus comprising:

first and second moveable jaws, each jaw including a tissue contacting surface in face-to-face relation with the tissue contacting surface of the other jaw;

said grasping jaws being relatively movable for grasping tissue between said tissue contacting surfaces;

said tissue contacting surfaces of said jaws comprising an insulating material;

a first and second electrode housed within said first moveable jaw and said second moveable jaw, respectively, wherein said first and second electrodes are connectable to a first circuit for providing an electrical current between said first and second electrodes; and

a feedback light, wherein said feedback light is positioned on said first moveable jaw, wherein said feedback light is connectable to a first lead and a second lead, whereby forming a second circuit, wherein said second circuit is adjacent to said first circuit, whereby facilitating capacitive coupling between said first circuit and said second circuit, whereby lighting said feedback light.

2. Apparatus of claim 1, wherein said feedback light is an LED.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a biased power source, wherein said biased power source is coupled to said second circuit, wherein said biased power source delivers direct current through said second circuit.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a first Zener diode, wherein said first Zener diode is positioned on said second circuit, wherein said first Zener diode has an established voltage threshold.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a second Zener diode, wherein said second Zener diode is positioned on said second circuit.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a feedback means for indicating when a first level of impedance has been reached.

7. An electrosurgical apparatus comprising:

first and second moveable jaws, each jaw including a tissue contacting surface in face-to-face relation with the tissue contacting surface of the other jaw;

said grasping jaws-being-relatively movable for grasping tissue between said tissue contacting surfaces;

said tissue contacting surfaces of said jaws comprising an insulating material;

a first and second electrode housed within said first moveable jaw and said second moveable jaw, respectively, wherein said first and second electrodes are connectable to a first circuit for providing an electrical current between said first and second electrodes; and

a feedback light, wherein said feedback light is positioned on said first moveable jaw, wherein said feedback light is connectable to a first lead, a second lead, and a toroid, wherein said second lead is wound around said toroid, whereby forming a second circuit, wherein a third lead of said first circuit passes through said toroid, whereby facilitating inductive coupling between said first circuit and said second circuit, whereby lighting said feedback light.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said insulating material of said tissue contacting surface comprises a transparent material.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said insulating material houses said feedback light.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a first Zener diode, wherein said first Zener diode is positioned along said second circuit.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a second Zener diode, wherein said second Zener diode is positioned along said second circuit.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said first Zener diode is electrically biased by a battery.