Single action tissue sealer
First Claim
1. An endoscopic bipolar forceps, comprising:
- a housing;
a shaft affixed to the housing, the shaft having a longitudinal axis defined therethrough and an end effector assembly engaged at a distal end thereof, the end effector assembly including two jaw members moveable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least a second position closer to one another for grasping tissue therebetween, each of the jaw members adapted to connect to an electrosurgical energy source such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to affect a tissue seal;
a drive assembly disposed within the housing for moving the jaw members from the first position to the second position;
a switch disposed within the housing which activates the electrosurgical energy source;
a knife assembly which is advanceable to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members;
a movable handle connected to the housing and selectively rotatable about a pivot, the pivot located a fixed distance above the longitudinal axis, wherein continual actuation of the movable handle initially engages the drive assembly to move the jaw members, subsequently engages the switch to activate the electrosurgical energy source to seal the tissue, and subsequently advances the knife assembly to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes a housing and a shaft, the shaft having an end effector assembly at its distal end. The end effector assembly includes two jaw members for grasping tissue therebetween. The jaw members are adapted to connect to an electrosurgical energy source which enable them to conduct energy through the tissue to create a tissue seal. A drive assembly is disposed within the housing which moves the jaw members. A switch is disposed within the housing which activates the electrosurgical energy. A knife assembly is included which is advanceable to cut tissue held between the jaw members. A movable handle is connected to the housing. Continual actuation of the movable handle engages the drive assembly to move the jaw members, engages the switch to activate the electrosurgical energy source to seal the tissue, and advances the knife assembly the cut the tissue disposed between the jaw members.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. An endoscopic bipolar forceps, comprising:
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a housing; a shaft affixed to the housing, the shaft having a longitudinal axis defined therethrough and an end effector assembly engaged at a distal end thereof, the end effector assembly including two jaw members moveable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least a second position closer to one another for grasping tissue therebetween, each of the jaw members adapted to connect to an electrosurgical energy source such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to affect a tissue seal; a drive assembly disposed within the housing for moving the jaw members from the first position to the second position; a switch disposed within the housing which activates the electrosurgical energy source; a knife assembly which is advanceable to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members; a movable handle connected to the housing and selectively rotatable about a pivot, the pivot located a fixed distance above the longitudinal axis, wherein continual actuation of the movable handle initially engages the drive assembly to move the jaw members, subsequently engages the switch to activate the electrosurgical energy source to seal the tissue, and subsequently advances the knife assembly to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for using an endoscopic bipolar forceps to grasp, seal and cut tissue, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing an endoscopic bipolar forceps, the forceps having a housing, a shaft affixed to the housing, the shaft having a longitudinal axis defined therethrough and an end effector assembly engaged at a distal end thereof, the end effector assembly including two jaw members moveable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least a second position closer to one another for grasping tissue therebetween, each of the jaw members adapted to connect to an electrosurgical energy source such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to affect a tissue seal, a drive assembly disposed within the housing for moving the jaw members from the first position to the second position, a switch disposed within the housing which activates the electrosurgical energy source, a knife assembly which is advanceable to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members, and a movable handle connected to the housing and selectively rotatable about a pivot, the pivot located a fixed distance above the longitudinal axis, wherein continual actuation of the movable handle initially engages the drive assembly to move the jaw members, subsequently engages the switch to activate the electrosurgical energy source to seal the tissue, and subsequently advances the knife assembly to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members; actuating the movable handle, a continued actuation of the movable handle engages the drive assembly and moves the jaw members relative to one another to grasp tissue, engages the switch and activates the electrosurgical energy to seal tissue, and advances the knife assembly to cut the tissue.
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9. An surgical instrument for surgically joining tissue, the surgical instrument comprising:
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a handle assembly; a shaft extending distally from the handle assembly and defining a longitudinal axis therethrough; an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end of the shaft, the end effector assembly including two jaw members moveable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least a second position closer to one another for grasping tissue therebetween; a drive assembly disposed in mechanical cooperation with the handle assembly for moving the jaw members between the first position and the second position; a knife assembly configured to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members; a tactile element configured to provide feedback to the user after tissue has been joined; a movable handle disposed in mechanical cooperation with the handle assembly, wherein the movable handle is movable from a first, non-actuated position to a second position where the movable handle engages the drive assembly to move at least one of the jaw members, wherein the movable handle is movable between the second position and a third position to cause tissue to be joined, wherein the movable handle engages the tactile element when the movable handle reaches the third position, wherein the movable handle is movable between the third position and a fourth position where the movable handle engages the knife assembly to cut tissue, and wherein the movable handle is movable between the third position and the first, non-actuated position without the movable handle moving towards the fourth position. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification