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Vessel sealer and divider

  • US 7,101,372 B2
  • Filed: 04/06/2001
  • Issued: 09/05/2006
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2001
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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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.

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