Vessel sealing instrument
First Claim
1. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for use in open surgery, comprising:
- first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof for effecting movement of the jaw members relative to one another about a pivot 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 of said jaw members including a channel extending from a proximal end of the jaw member to the distal end of the jaw member;
a source of electrosurgical energy having first and second electrical potentials, the first electrical potential being connected to one of the jaw members via a conductive lead and a second electrical potential being connected to the other of the jaw members via a conductive tube such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal;
a distal connector disposed between the jaw members for electrically isolating said first and second electrical potentials, said distal connector including a donut-like mechanical interface which mechanically engages a distal end of said conductive lead; and
a knife disposed within each of said channels between the first and second jaw members, said knife being selectively translatable within each of said channels from a first position proximal to tissue grasped between said jaw members to a distal position to sever tissue held between said jaw members.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for clamping, grasping, manipulating, and sealing tissue includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof. The handle being operable to effect movement of the jaw members relative to one another 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. The bipolar instrument is connectable to a source of electrical energy having a first electrical potential connected to one of the jaw members and a second electrical potential connected to the other of the jaw members such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal. Both the first and second electrical potentials are transmitted to the jaw members through the first shaft.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for use in open surgery, comprising:
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first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof for effecting movement of the jaw members relative to one another about a pivot 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 of said jaw members including a channel extending from a proximal end of the jaw member to the distal end of the jaw member; a source of electrosurgical energy having first and second electrical potentials, the first electrical potential being connected to one of the jaw members via a conductive lead and a second electrical potential being connected to the other of the jaw members via a conductive tube such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal; a distal connector disposed between the jaw members for electrically isolating said first and second electrical potentials, said distal connector including a donut-like mechanical interface which mechanically engages a distal end of said conductive lead; and a knife disposed within each of said channels between the first and second jaw members, said knife being selectively translatable within each of said channels from a first position proximal to tissue grasped between said jaw members to a distal position to sever tissue held between said jaw members. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for use in open surgery, comprising:
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first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof for effecting movement of the jaw members relative to one another about a pivot 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; a source of electrical energy having first and second electrical potentials, the first electrical potential being connected to one of the jaw members via a conductive lead and a second electrical potential being connected to the other of the jaw members via a conductive tube such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal; a distal connector disposed between the jaw members for electrically isolating said first and second electrical potentials, said distal connector including a donut-like mechanical interface which mechanically engages a distal end of said conductive lead; and one of said jaw members including a recess defined in a proximal end thereof, said recess housing a knife therein and having a cam-like profile such that selective, distal movement of said knife deflects said knife into and through tissue held between jaw members. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification