Bipolar electrosurgical instrument for cutting desiccating and sealing tissue
First Claim
1. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for clamping, sealing and cutting tissue comprising:
- (a) a handle;
(b) a body joined to the handle;
(c) a jaw assembly joined to the body and arranged such that manipulation of the handle allows tissue at a surgical site to be clamped between opposed jaws of the jaw assembly, the jaw assembly having length, height and width axes;
(d) a first of said opposed jaws having at least a first sealing electrode, the jaw being formed with a recess formed longitudinally along the length axis, said recess having first and second sidewalls, each side wall having at least a portion extending at an oblique angle to the width axis of the jaw assembly(e) the other of said opposed jaws having at least a second sealing electrode, the jaw having a cross-section exhibiting a raised central zone adapted to conform to the recess of the first jaw for pinching and tensioning the tissue when at least one of the jaws is made to close relative to the other jaw; and
(f) a cutting electrode supported by one of said opposed jaws.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Electrosurgical forceps are described that have jaws capable of being closed relative to one another, the jaws each supporting electrode structures especially shaped to enhance the ability of the instrument to desiccate/seal or cut tissue structures clamped between the opposed jaws. One of the opposed jaws has a generally arcuate cross-section with a raised central zone and the other electrode has a recess adapted to accommodate the raised central zone of the cooperating electrode. By appropriating the shaping the mating electrode surfaces, tissue structures placed between the jaws are stretched laterally as clamping occurs. The stretching action prevents bunching of the tissue and results in improved desiccation, sealing and cutting. A fine, uninsulated conductor disposed on the one jaw, but insulated from the electrode surface on that jaw, serves as a cutting electrode.
1688 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for clamping, sealing and cutting tissue comprising:
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(a) a handle; (b) a body joined to the handle; (c) a jaw assembly joined to the body and arranged such that manipulation of the handle allows tissue at a surgical site to be clamped between opposed jaws of the jaw assembly, the jaw assembly having length, height and width axes; (d) a first of said opposed jaws having at least a first sealing electrode, the jaw being formed with a recess formed longitudinally along the length axis, said recess having first and second sidewalls, each side wall having at least a portion extending at an oblique angle to the width axis of the jaw assembly (e) the other of said opposed jaws having at least a second sealing electrode, the jaw having a cross-section exhibiting a raised central zone adapted to conform to the recess of the first jaw for pinching and tensioning the tissue when at least one of the jaws is made to close relative to the other jaw; and (f) a cutting electrode supported by one of said opposed jaws. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification