Vessel sealer and divider
First Claim
1. An electrosurgical instrument for performing at least one of sealing and dividing tissue, comprising:
- a housing having a shaft attached thereto, the shaft defining a longitudinal axis;
a first jaw member movable relative to a second jaw member, the first jaw member attached to the shaft and being relatively movable from a first open position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second closed position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween;
a drive rod assembly operatively disposed within the housing which imparts movement of the jaw members between the first and second positions;
a rotating assembly attached to the housing which rotates the jaw members about the longitudinal axis;
a knife assembly attached to the housing which separates tissue grasped between the jaw members;
a handle assembly attached to the housing which actuates the drive rod assembly, the handle assembly including a four-bar mechanical linkage which includes a handle and a cam-like piston which cooperate to impart a uniform closure pressure against tissue grasped between the jaw members;
first and second electrical leads which connect the jaw members to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween; and
at least one of the first and second electrical leads including a slack loop disposed in the rotating assembly which permits rotation of the jaw members about the longitudinal axis.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electrosurgical instrument includes a housing having a shaft attached thereto which connects a pair of first and second jaw members such that the jaw members are movable relative to one another to grasp tissue therebetween. The instrument also includes a four-bar handle assembly attached to the housing for actuating a drive rod assembly. The handle assembly includes a handle and a cam-like piston which cooperate to impart a uniform closure pressure against tissue grasped between the jaw members. The instrument also includes a rotating assembly for rotating the jaw members, a knife assembly for separating tissue and a pair of electrical leads connect the jaw members to a source of electrical energy. The electrical leads include slack loops disposed in the rotating assembly which permit rotation of the jaw members about the axis.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. An electrosurgical instrument for performing at least one of sealing and dividing tissue, comprising:
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a housing having a shaft attached thereto, the shaft defining a longitudinal axis; a first jaw member movable relative to a second jaw member, the first jaw member attached to the shaft and being relatively movable from a first open position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second closed position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween; a drive rod assembly operatively disposed within the housing which imparts movement of the jaw members between the first and second positions; a rotating assembly attached to the housing which rotates the jaw members about the longitudinal axis; a knife assembly attached to the housing which separates tissue grasped between the jaw members; a handle assembly attached to the housing which actuates the drive rod assembly, the handle assembly including a four-bar mechanical linkage which includes a handle and a cam-like piston which cooperate to impart a uniform closure pressure against tissue grasped between the jaw members; first and second electrical leads which connect the jaw members to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween; and at least one of the first and second electrical leads including a slack loop disposed in the rotating assembly which permits rotation of the jaw members about the longitudinal axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification