Vessel sealing instrument

• US 7,553,312 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2007
• Issued: 06/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Sherman, Jon, Richardson, Ted, Drach, Greg, Kerr, Duane E., Tetzlaff, Philip M., Schechter, David A., Mihaichuk, Carolyn H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen; Lee S
• Application Number:
  US12/004,986
• Publication Number:
  US 20080167651A1
• Time in Patent Office: 557 Days
• Field of Search: 606/51, 606/52
• US Class Current: 606/51
• 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 2018/00345 Vascular system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00404 Blood vessels other than those in or around the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00619 Welding
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0063 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/126 bipolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1432 curved

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.

Claims

1. A method of sealing tissue, comprising:

providing an electrosurgical energy source connected to a surgical instrument used for open surgical procedures, said surgical instrument including a pair of jaw members, the pair of jaw members including a first jaw member and a second jaw member;

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 7 kg/cm² to about 13 kg/cm²; and

applying electrosurgical energy to the jaw members so that energy passes between the jaw members and through tissue to effect a tissue seal, wherein electrosurgical energy is applied to at least one of the first jaw member and the second jaw member via a lead having a terminal end which interfaces with a distal connector, and wherein the distal connector supports a running electrical contact.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the gap between the jaw members is greater than about 0.001 inches and less than about 0.003 inches.

2. A method of sealing tissue, comprising:

providing a surgical instrument for use with open surgical procedures, said surgical instrument including a pair of jaw members adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy members, the pair of jaw members including a first jaw member and a second jaw member;

closing the jaw members around tissue so as to provide a substantially uniform 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 7 kg/cm² to about 13 kg/cm²; and

applying electrosurgical energy to the jaw members so that energy passes between the jaw members and through tissue to effect a tissue seal, wherein electrosurgical energy is applied to at least one of the first jaw member and the second jaw member via a lead having a terminal end which interfaces with a distal connector, and wherein the distal connector includes a spring washer which acts as an electrical intermediary between the terminal end and the jaw member.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the gap between the jaw members is greater than about 0.001 inches and less than about 0.003 inches.