Vessel sealing forceps with disposable electrodes

• US 7,118,570 B2
• Filed: 04/06/2001
• Issued: 10/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Sherwood Services AG
• Inventors: Romero, Paul R., Johnson, Kristin D., Cunningham, James S., Smith, Roger F., Moses, Michael C., Tetzlaff, Philip M.
• Primary Examiner(s): ROLLINS, ROSILAND STACIE
• Application Number:
  US10/474,227
• Publication Number:
  US 20040236325A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,013 Days
• Field of Search: 606/41, 606/45, 606/48, 606 49- 52, 606/174, 606205-207
• US Class Current: 606/48
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1442 Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps
• 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 2018/1432 curved
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/145 wherein the effectors remain parallel during closing and opening
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/146 Scissors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1495 Electrodes being detachable from a support structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/034 abutting on parts of the device itself

Abstract

A removable electrode assembly for use in combination with a forcep having opposing end effectors and a handle for effecting movement of the end effectors relative to one another. The electrode assembly includes a housing which is removably engageable with the forceps and a pair of electrodes which are attachable to a distal end of the housing. The electrodes are removably engageable with the end effectors of the forceps such that the electrodes reside in opposing relation relative to one another. The electrode assembly also includes a cover plate which is removably attachable to the housing and at least one stop member (439) for controlling the distance between the opposing electrodes. The stop member is selectively engageable with the electrodes.

Claims

1. A removable electrode assembly for use with a forceps having opposing end effectors and a handle for effecting relative movement of the end effectors with respect to one another, the electrode assembly comprising:

a cover plate having at least one portion which removably engages at least a portion of the forceps;

an electrode housing having at least one portion which removably engages at least a portion of the forceps;

a pair of electrodes attachable to a distal end of the housing, the electrodes being removably engageable with the end effectors of the forceps such that the electrodes are disposed in opposing relation to one another; and

at least one stop member for controlling the distance between the opposing electrodes, the stop member being selectively engageable with the electrodes.

2. A removable electrode assembly according to claim 1 wherein each of the electrodes includes an electrically conductive sealing surface and an insulating substrate and the stop member is removably attached to the insulating substrate.

3. A removable electrode assembly according to claim 2 wherein the insulating substrate of each of the electrodes includes at least one mechanical interface which engages a complimentary mechanical interface disposed on the corresponding end effector of the forceps.

4. A removable electrode assembly according to claim 3 wherein the mechanical interface of at least one of the substrates includes at least one detent and the mechanical interface of the corresponding end effector includes at least one complimentary key-like socket for slideably and securely receiving the detent.

5. A removable electrode assembly according to claim 1 wherein the stop member is attached to at least one of the electrodes by thermal spraying.

6. A removable electrode assembly according to claim 1 wherein the stop member protrudes about 0.001 inches to about 0.005 inches from an inner facing surface of at least one of the end effectors.

7. A removable electrode assembly according to claim 1 wherein the stop member protrudes about 0.002 inches to about 0.003 inches from an inner facing surface of at least one of the end effectors.

8. A removable electrode assembly for use with a forceps having opposing end effectors and a handle for effecting relative movement of the end effectors with respect to one another, the electrode assembly comprising:

a cover plate having at least one portion which removably engages at least a portion of the forceps;

an electrode housing having at least one portion which removably engages at least a portion of the forceps;

a pair of electrodes attachable to a distal end of the housing, the electrodes being removably engageable with the end effectors of the forceps such that the electrodes are disposed in opposing relation to one another, each of the electrodes including an electrically conductive sealing surface and an insulating substrate; and

at least one stop member for controlling the distance between the opposing electrodes, the stop member being selectively engageable with the electrodes, the stop member being removably attached to the insulating substrate.

9. A removable electrode assembly according to claim 8 wherein the mechanical interface of at least one of the substrates includes at least one detent and the mechanical interface of the corresponding end effector includes at least one complimentary key-like socket for slideably and securely receiving the detent.

10. A removable electrode assembly according to claim 8 wherein the stop member protrudes about 0.001 inches to about 0.005 inches from an inner facing surface of at least one of the end effectors.

11. A removable electrode assembly according to claim 8 wherein the stop member protrudes about 0.002 inches to about 0.003 inches from an inner facing surface of at least one of the end effectors.