Vessel sealing instrument

• US 7,896,878 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2009
• Issued: 03/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Arts, Gene H., Johnson, Kristin D., Ehr, Chris J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen; Lee S
• Application Number:
  US12/402,656
• Publication Number:
  US 20090171353A1
• Time in Patent Office: 719 Days
• Field of Search: 606/51, 606/52
• US Class Current: 606/51
• 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 2018/126 bipolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1412 Blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1432 curved
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1455 having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws

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 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 jaw member being adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy having first and second electrical potentials respectively transmitted via first and second leads;

a first conductive path for connecting the first electrical potential to one of the jaw members, and a second conductive path for connecting the second electrical potential to the other jaw member such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue grasped therebetween to effect a tissue seal;

an electro-mechanical interface having respective electrically conductive portions operatively coupled to the first and second shafts and centrally disposed thereon, each of the respective electrically conductive portions in electrical communication with a respective one of the first and second conductive paths, the electrically conductive portions configured to provide electrical continuity between the jaw members when the jaw members are moved from the first position to the second position such that electrosurgical energy flows through the electro-mechanical interface and to each of the jaw members;

a ratchet disposed on the first shaft and a complementary interlocking mechanical interface disposed on the second shaft; and

a distal connector disposed between the jaw members for electrically isolating the first and second electrical potentials.

2. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for use in open surgery according to claim 1, wherein one of the electrically conductive portions of the electro-mechanical interface is a male interface and the other one of the electrically conductive portions of the electro-mechanical interface is a female interface configured to receive the male interface when the first and second shafts are moved toward each other.

3. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for use in open surgery according to claim 1, wherein the first and second leads are bundled in a single cable that operatively couples to at least one of the first and second shafts.

4. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for use in open surgery according to claim 1, wherein the electro-mechanical interface is also configured to control a distance between the jaw members.

5. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for use in open surgery according to claim 1, wherein the electro-mechanical interface is configured such that electrical continuity is provided between the jaw members when the ratchet is engaged in a predetermined position with respect to the interlocking mechanical interface.