Vessel sealer and divider

• US 7,384,420 B2
• Filed: 05/19/2004
• Issued: 06/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Sherwood Services AG
• Inventors: Dycus, Sean T., Primavera, Michael, Fowler, David N., Farascioni, David, Brown, Dax D.
• Primary Examiner(s): PEFFLEY, MICHAEL F
• Application Number:
  US10/848,773
• Publication Number:
  US 20040249371A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,483 Days
• Field of Search: 606/46, 606 48- 52, 606205-207
• US Class Current: 606/51
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32 Surgical cutting instruments A61B18/042 takes precedence; suture cutters A61B17/0467; instruments for ligaturing or cutting A61B17/128; instruments for rupturing the amniotic membrane A61B17/4208; specially adapted knives for eye surgery A61F9/0133
• 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 2018/00404 Blood vessels other than those in or around the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00601 Cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1412 Blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1455 having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws

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.

Claims

1. A method of sealing tissue, comprising:

providing an electrosurgical energy source connected to a surgical instrument used for endoscopic surgical procedures, said surgical instrument including a shaft having a pair of jaw members attached to a distal end thereof;

providing a pair of opposing channels defined about said shaft, said channels extending along an outer periphery of said shaft from a proximal end of said shaft to said distal end of said shaft, said channels each having an electrical conductor disposed therein, each of said electrical conductors having a first end being connected to said electrosurgical energy source and a second end connected to said jaws members;

closing the jaw members around tissue so as to provide a gap between the jaw members in the range of about 0.001 inches to about 0.006 inches and a closure pressure of in the range of about 3 kg/cm² to about 16 kg/cm²; and

applying electrosurgical energy to the jaws so that energy passes between the jaw members and through tissue to effect a tissue seal.

2. A method of sealing tissue, comprising:

providing a surgical instrument for use with endoscopic surgical procedures, said surgical instrument including a shaft having pair of jaws members attached to a distal end thereof, said jaw members adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy;

providing a pair of opposing channels defined about said shaft, said channels extending along an outer periphery of said shaft from a proximal end of said shaft to said distal end of said shaft, said channels each having an electrical conductor disposed therein, each of said electrical conductors having a first end being connected to said electrosurgical energy source and a second end connected to said jaws members;

closing the jaw members around tissue so as to provide a gap between the jaw members in the range of about 0.001 inches to about 0.006 inches and a closure pressure of in the range of about 3 kg/cm² to about 16 kg/cm²; and

applying electrosurgical energy to the jaws so that energy passes between the jaw members and through tissue to effect a tissue seal.

3. A method of sealing tissue, comprising:

providing an electrosurgical energy source connected to a surgical instrument used for endoscopic surgical procedures, said surgical instrument including a shaft having a pair of jaw members attached to a distal end thereof;

providing a pair of opposing channels defined about said shaft, said channels extending along an outer periphery of said shaft from a proximal end of said shaft to said distal end of said shaft, said channels each having an electrical conductor disposed therein, each of said electrical conductors having a first end being connected to said electrosurgical energy source and a second end connected to said jaws members;

providing a four-bar mechanical linkage system;

closing the jaw members around tissue so as to provide a gap between the jaw members in the range of about 0.001 inches to about 0.006 inches and a closure pressure of in the range of about 3 kg/cm² to about 16 kg/cm², said closure pressure being generated by said four-bar mechanical linkage system; and

applying electrosurgical energy to the jaws so that energy passes between the jaw members and through tissue to effect a tissue seal.