Vessel sealing instrument with electrical cutting mechanism

• US 7,270,664 B2
• Filed: 05/05/2006
• Issued: 09/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Sherwood Services AG
• Inventors: Dycus, Sean T., Garrison, David M., Johnson, Kristin D., Couture, Gary M., Weinberg, Craig, Sharp, Robert, Unger, Jeff, Hixson, David
• Primary Examiner(s): PEFFLEY, MICHAEL F
• Application Number:
  US11/418,876
• Publication Number:
  US 20060271038A1
• Time in Patent Office: 501 Days
• Field of Search: 606/41, 606 45- 52
• US Class Current: 606/51
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• 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 18/18 by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves radiation therapy A61N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00026 Conductivity or impedance, e.g. of tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2945 Curved jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00404 Blood vessels other than those in or around the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00601 Cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0063 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00702 Power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00875 Resistance or impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1432 curved
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/034 abutting on parts of the device itself
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

An end effector assembly for use with an instrument for sealing vessels and cutting vessels includes a pair of opposing first and second jaw members which are movable relative to one another from a first spaced apart position to a second position for grasping tissue therebetween. Each jaw member includes an electrically conductive tissue contacting surface connected to an electrosurgical energy source. At least one of the jaw members includes an electrically conductive cutting element disposed within an insulator defined in the jaw member. A rigid structural support is included which is configured to support the electrically conductive tissue sealing surface and includes at least one flow channel defined therein.

Claims

1. An end effector assembly for use with an instrument for sealing and/or cutting vessels and/or tissue, the end effector assembly comprising:

a pair of opposing first and second jaw members at least one of which is movable relative to the other from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween;

each jaw member including an electrically conductive tissue sealing surface extending along a length thereof, each tissue sealing surface being adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the tissue sealing surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal;

an insulative support element configured to support each electrically conductive sealing surface;

an electrically conductive cutting element disposed within a slot defined in at least one jaw member; and

a rigid structural support disposed within the insulative support of the at least one jaw member having the electrically conductive cutting element configured in general vertical registration with the electrically conductive tissue sealing surface including at least one flow channel defined therein.

2. An end effector assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a layer of insulative material disposed between the electrically conductive tissue sealing surfaces and the rigid structural support.

3. An end effector assembly according to claim 2 wherein the electrically conductive cutting element includes at least one mechanically interfacing surface configured to mate with the insulative material to retain the electrically conductive cutting element within the insulator.

4. An end effector assembly according to claim 1 wherein the rigid structural support includes perforations.

5. An end effector assembly according to claim 4 wherein the insulator is located between the perforations of the rigid structural support.

6. An end effector assembly according to claim 1 wherein the electrically conductive tissue sealing surfaces are photochemically etched onto the insulative support element.

7. An end effector assembly according to claim 1 wherein the electrically conductive tissue sealing surfaces are formed onto the insulative support element by a stamping process.

8. An end effector assembly according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the insulators is configured to at least partially extend to a position which is at least substantially flush with the cutting element.

9. An end effector assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a second electrically conductive cutting element disposed within the insulative material of the opposing jaw member, the second electrically conductive cutting element generally opposing the first electrically conductive cutting element.

10. An end effector assembly for use with an instrument for sealing and/or cutting vessels and/or tissue, the end effector assembly comprising:

a pair of opposing first and second jaw members at least one of which being movable relative to the other from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween;

each jaw member including a pair of spaced apart, electrically conductive tissue sealing surfaces extending along a length thereof, each tissue sealing surface being adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the tissue sealing surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal;

an insulator disposed between each pair of electrically conductive sealing surfaces;

the first jaw member including an electrically conductive cutting element disposed within the insulator of the first jaw member, the electrically conductive cutting element disposed in general vertical registration to the insulator on the second jaw member; and

at least one tissue tensioning mechanism configured to provide tension to tissue held between jaw members.

11. An end effector assembly according to claim 10 further including a slot defined within the second jaw member, the slot configured to receive the electrically conductive cutting element and create tension upon tissue.

12. An end effector assembly according to claim 10 wherein the electrically conductive tissue sealing surfaces are disposed in an angular relationship relative to one another.

13. An end effector assembly according to claim 10 wherein the electrically conductive cutting element is constructed of an expandable material.

14. An end effector assembly according to claim 13 wherein the expandable material is a shaped memory alloy (SMA).

15. An end effector assembly according to claim 12 wherein the electrically conductive cutting element includes a spring-like device.

16. An end effector assembly for use with an instrument for sealing and/or cutting vessels and/or tissue, the end effector assembly comprising:

a pair of opposing first and second jaw members at least one of which is movable relative to the other from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween;

each jaw member including an electrically conductive tissue sealing surface extending along a length thereof, each tissue sealing surface being adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the tissue sealing surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal;

an insulative support element configured to support each electrically conductive sealing surface;

an electrically conductive cutting element disposed within a slot defined in at least one jaw member;

a rigid structural support disposed within the insulative support of the at least one jaw member having the electrically conductive cutting element configured in general vertical registration with the electrically conductive tissue sealing surface including at least one flow channel defined therein; and

wherein tension is imparted to tissue to assist in tissue cutting.