Bipolar electrosurgical instrument for sealing vessels
First Claim
1. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument, comprising:
- inner and outer members each including an opposable sealing surface disposed thereon, the inner and outer members being movable from a first position wherein the opposable sealing surfaces are disposed in spaced apart relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the opposable sealing surfaces grasp tissue therebetween;
at least one connector adapted to electrically couple the inner and outer members to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the opposable sealing surfaces are capable of conducting bipolar energy through tissue held therebetween;
a stop operatively associated with at least one of the opposable sealing surfaces to maintain a minimum separation distance between the opposable sealing surfaces; and
a ratchet disposed on one of the members and at least one complimentary interlocking mechanical interface disposed on the other of the members, the ratchet and the complimentary interlocking mechanical interface providing at least one interlocking position to maintain a closure pressure in the range of about 3 kg/cm2 to about 16 kg/cm2 between opposable sealing surfaces.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A bipolar electrosurgical instrument has opposable seal surfaces on its jaws for grasping and sealing vessels and vascular tissue. Inner and outer instrument members allow arcuate motion of the seal surfaces. An open lockbox provides a pivot with lateral support to maintain alignment of the lateral surfaces. Ratchets on the instrument members hold a constant closure force on the tissue during the seal process. A shank portion on each member is tuned to provide an appropriate spring force to hold the seal surfaces together. During surgery, the instrument can be used to grasp and clamp vascular tissue and apply bipolar electrosurgical current through the clamped tissue. In one embodiment, the seal surfaces are partially insulated to prevent a short circuit when the instrument jaws are closed together. In another embodiment, the seal surfaces are removably mounted on the jaws.
446 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument, comprising:
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inner and outer members each including an opposable sealing surface disposed thereon, the inner and outer members being movable from a first position wherein the opposable sealing surfaces are disposed in spaced apart relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the opposable sealing surfaces grasp tissue therebetween;
at least one connector adapted to electrically couple the inner and outer members to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the opposable sealing surfaces are capable of conducting bipolar energy through tissue held therebetween;
a stop operatively associated with at least one of the opposable sealing surfaces to maintain a minimum separation distance between the opposable sealing surfaces; and
a ratchet disposed on one of the members and at least one complimentary interlocking mechanical interface disposed on the other of the members, the ratchet and the complimentary interlocking mechanical interface providing at least one interlocking position to maintain a closure pressure in the range of about 3 kg/cm2 to about 16 kg/cm2 between opposable sealing surfaces. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A bipolar electrosurgical system, comprising:
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an electrosurgical generator for generating electrosurgical energy;
a forceps including inner and outer members each having a tissue contacting surface disposed thereon, the inner and outer members being movable from a first position wherein the tissue contacting surfaces are disposed in spaced apart relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the tissue contacting surfaces grasp tissue therebetween;
at least one connector adapted to electrically couple the forceps to the electrosurgical generator such that the tissue contacting surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween;
a ratchet disposed on one of the members having at least one complimentary interlocking mechanical interface disposed on the other of the members, the ratchet and the complimentary interlocking mechanical interface providing at least one interlocking position to maintain a closure pressure between tissue contacting surfaces; and
means for regulating the electrosurgical energy to the tissue as a function of at least one of;
impedance of the output load on the electrosurgical generator;
phase angle between the output voltage and the output current;
output current flowing through the tissue; and
temperature of the tissue.- View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A bipolar electrosurgical system, comprising:
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an electrosurgical generator;
a forceps including inner and outer members each having a tissue contacting surface disposed thereon, the inner and outer members being movable from a first position wherein the tissue contacting surfaces are disposed in spaced apart relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the tissue contacting surfaces grasp tissue therebetween;
at least one connector adapted to electrically couple the forceps to the electrosurgical generator such that the tissue contacting surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween;
a ratchet disposed on one of the members having at least one complimentary interlocking mechanical interface disposed on the other of the members, the ratchet and the complimentary interlocking mechanical interface providing at least one interlocking position to maintain a closure pressure between tissue contacting surfaces; and
wherein the electrosurgical generator includes a feedback control which monitors the impedance of the tissue and adjusts the electrosurgical energy accordingly to minimize damage to the tissue. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A bipolar electrosurgical system, comprising:
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an electrosurgical generator;
a forceps including inner and outer members each having a tissue contacting surface disposed thereon, the inner and outer members being movable from a first position wherein the tissue contacting surfaces are disposed in spaced apart relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the tissue contacting surfaces grasp tissue therebetween;
at least one connector adapted to electrically couple the forceps to the electrosurgical generator such that the tissue contacting surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween;
a ratchet disposed on one of the members having at least one complimentary interlocking mechanical interface disposed on the other of the members, the ratchet and the complimentary interlocking mechanical interface providing at least one interlocking position to maintain a closure pressure between tissue contacting surfaces; and
wherein the electrosurgical generator includes means for controlling the level of electrosurgical energy delivered to the tissue, wherein the controlling means supplies energy in stages to minimize thermal damage to tissue. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29)
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30. A method for sealing tissue utilizing a bipolar electrosurgical system, comprising the steps of:
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providing;
an electrosurgical generator including means for controlling the level of electrosurgical energy delivered to the tissue;
a forceps including inner and outer members each having a tissue contacting surface disposed thereon, the inner and outer members being movable from a first position wherein the tissue contacting surfaces are disposed in spaced apart relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the tissue contacting surfaces grasp tissue therebetween;
at least one connector adapted to electrically couple the forceps to the electrosurgical generator such that the tissue contacting surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween;
a ratchet for maintaining selectable closure forces between tissue contacting surfaces;
grasping tissue between opposing tissue contacting surfaces;
engaging the ratchet to apply a selectable closure force between tissue contacting surfaces;
initially delivering electrosurgical energy to the tissue up to a first impedance breakpoint;
maintaining electrosurgical energy to the tissue until the tissue collagen reaches a melting point; and
lowering electrosurgical energy to the tissue to a second impedance breakpoint. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
substantially terminating electrosurgical energy to the tissue;
allowing the tissue to cool into a fused mass;
releasing the ratchet.
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35. A method for sealing tissue according to claim 34 wherein the generator of said providing step includes an audible indicator which signals completion of the sealing process and between the step of allowing the tissue to cool into a fused mass and releasing the ratchet, the method further comprises the step of:
awaiting audible indication from the generator.
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36. A method for sealing tissue utilizing a bipolar electrosurgical system, comprising the steps of:
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providing;
an electrosurgical generator including means for controlling the level of electrosurgical current delivered to the tissue;
a forceps including inner and outer members each having a tissue contacting surface disposed thereon, the inner and outer members being movable from a first position wherein the tissue contacting surfaces are disposed in spaced apart relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the tissue contacting surfaces grasp tissue therebetween;
at least one connector adapted to electrically couple the forceps to the electrosurgical generator such that the tissue contacting surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical current through tissue held therebetween;
a ratchet for maintaining selectable closure forces between tissue contacting surfaces;
grasping tissue between opposing tissue contacting surfaces;
engaging the ratchet to apply a selectable closure force between tissue contacting surfaces;
initially delivering electrosurgical current through the tissue, the current having a value greater than two amperes;
maintaining electrosurgical current through the tissue until the tissue collagen reaches a melting point; and
lowering electrosurgical current through the tissue to allow the tissue to cool to form a permanent seal of the vessel.
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Specification