Tissue sealer with non-conductive variable stop members and method of sealing tissue
First Claim
1. A bipolar forceps for sealing tissue, comprising:
- an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof, each of the jaw members including an electrically conductive sealing surface affixed thereto, the jaw members being movable relative to one another from a first position wherein the electrically conductive sealing surfaces are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the electrically conductive sealing surfaces cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween;
each electrically conductive sealing surface adapted to be connected to a source of electrical energy such that the electrically conductive sealing surfaces are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal; and
a stop member assembly operatively associated with at least one jaw member, the stop member assembly including at least one non-conductive stop member, the at least one non-conductive stop member being selectively adjustable to regulate the distance between the electrically conductive sealing surfaces when tissue is held therebetween based upon a sensed pre-surgical condition during activation.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A bipolar forceps for sealing tissue includes an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof, each of the jaw members including an electrically conductive sealing surface. The jaw members are movable 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 forceps is connected to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting bipolar energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal. The forceps also includes a stop member assembly having at least one non-conductive stop member which is selectively extendible to regulate the distance between the jaw members when tissue is held therebetween.
1112 Citations
25 Claims
-
1. A bipolar forceps for sealing tissue, comprising:
-
an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof, each of the jaw members including an electrically conductive sealing surface affixed thereto, the jaw members being movable relative to one another from a first position wherein the electrically conductive sealing surfaces are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the electrically conductive sealing surfaces cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween; each electrically conductive sealing surface adapted to be connected to a source of electrical energy such that the electrically conductive sealing surfaces are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal; and a stop member assembly operatively associated with at least one jaw member, the stop member assembly including at least one non-conductive stop member, the at least one non-conductive stop member being selectively adjustable to regulate the distance between the electrically conductive sealing surfaces when tissue is held therebetween based upon a sensed pre-surgical condition during activation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A method of sealing tissue comprising the steps of:
-
providing a bipolar forceps which includes; a shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof which cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween, each of the jaw members including an electrically conductive sealing surface; at least one non-conductive stop member operatively associated with at least one of the jaw members, the non-conductive stop member being selectively adjustable to regulate the distance between the electrically conductive surfaces when tissue is held therebetween; connecting the jaw members to a source of electrosurgical energy; adjusting the distance that the stop members extend from the electrically conductive sealing surface based upon a sensed pre-surgical condition during activation; actuating the jaw members to grasp tissue between opposing jaw members; and conducting energy to the jaw members through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A method of sealing tissue comprising the steps of:
-
providing a bipolar forceps which includes; a shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof which cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween, each of the jaw members including an electrically conductive sealing surface; at least one non-conductive stop member operatively associated with at least one of the jaw members, the non-conductive stop member being selectively adjustable to regulate the distance between the electrically conductive surfaces when tissue is held therebetween; connecting the jaw members to a source of electrosurgical energy; actuating the jaw members to grasp tissue between opposing jaw members; conducting energy to the jaw members through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal; and adjusting the distance that the stop members extend from the electrically conductive sealing surface depending upon a sensed surgical condition during activation. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
-
-
19. A method of sealing tissue comprising the steps of:
-
providing a bipolar forceps which includes a shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof each of the jaw members including an electrically conductive sealing surface, at least one of the electrically conductive sealing surfaces including at least one stop member operatively associated therewith; connecting the jaw members to a source of electrosurgical energy; actuating the jaw members to grasp tissue between opposing jaw members; conducting energy to the jaw members through tissue held; and adjusting the at least one stop member to regulate the distance between the jaw members during the conducting step depending upon a sensed surgical condition during activation. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
-
-
24. A bipolar forceps for sealing tissue, comprising:
-
an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof, each of the jaw members including an electrically conductive sealing surface affixed thereto, the jaw members movable relative to one another from a first position wherein the electrically conductive sealing surfaces are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the electrically conductive sealing surfaces cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween; each electrically conductive sealing surface adapted to connect to a source of electrical energy such that the electrically conductive sealing surfaces are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal; and a stop member assembly operatively associated with at least one jaw member, the stop member assembly including at least one non-conductive stop member extending from at least one of the electrically conductive sealing surfaces, the at least one non-conductive stop member selectively adjustable to regulate the distance between the electrically conductive sealing surfaces when tissue is held therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (25)
-
Specification