Open vessel sealing instrument with cutting mechanism

• US 7,922,718 B2
• Filed: 10/12/2006
• Issued: 04/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Dycus, Sean T., Romero, Paul R., Johnson, Kristin D., Kerr, Duane E., Moses, Michael C.
• Primary Examiner(s): PEFFLEY, MICHAEL F
• Application Number:
  US11/546,838
• Publication Number:
  US 20070088356A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,643 Days
• Field of Search: 606 41- 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 17/3201 Scissors for biopsy A61B10/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1442 Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2945 Curved jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00196 reciprocating lengthwise
• 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 2018/00601 Cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00619 Welding
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0063 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00922 by switching or controlling the treatment energy directly within the hand-piece
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1455 having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws

Abstract

An open electrosurgical forceps for sealing tissue includes a pair of first and second shaft members each having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof. The jaw members are movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to a subsequent position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. Each of the jaw members includes an electrically conductive sealing plate for communicating electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween. At least one of the jaw members includes a cutting slot defined along a length thereof which is dimensioned to reciprocate a cutting instrument therealong for cutting tissue disposed between jaw members. An actuator advances the cutting instrument from a first position wherein the cutting instrument is disposed proximal to tissue held between the jaw members to at least one subsequent position wherein the cutting instrument is disposed distal to tissue held between the jaw members.

Claims

1. An open electrosurgical forceps for sealing tissue, comprising:

a pair of first and second shaft members each having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof, the jaw members being movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least one subsequent position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween, one of the shaft members including a flange that mechanically interfaces with a corresponding opening defined within the other of the shaft members;

each of the jaw members including an electrically conductive sealing plate for communicating electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween;

at least one of the jaw members including a cutting slot defined along a length thereof, the cutting slot being dimensioned to reciprocate a cutting instrument therealong;

an actuator which selectively reciprocates the cutting instrument to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members; and

a lockout including a spring biased within the opening defined in the other of the shaft members to prevent reciprocation of the cutting instrument when the jaw members are disposed in the first position, the spring being disengaged by the flange when the jaw members are moved to the second position.

2. An open forceps according to claim 1 wherein the flange includes an aperture defined therein which allows reciprocation of a safety bar of the cutting instrument therethrough when the jaw members are moved to the second position.

3. An open forceps according to claim 1 wherein the lockout is disposed within a proximal end of the forceps.

4. An open forceps according to claim 1 wherein the spring disengages into a chamber recessed within the corresponding shaft member.

5. An open electrosurgical forceps for sealing tissue, comprising:

a pair of first and second shaft members each having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof, the jaw members being movable about a pivot from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least one subsequent position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween;

each of the jaw members including an electrically conductive sealing plate for communicating electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween;

at least one of the jaw members including a cutting slot defined along a length thereof, the cutting slot being dimensioned to reciprocate a cutting instrument therealong;

an actuator which selectively reciprocates the cutting instrument to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members; and

a lockout including a notch defined within a portion of the cutting instrument, the notch mechanically engaging a corresponding detent on the pivot to prevent reciprocation of the cutting instrument when the jaw members are disposed in the first position, the notch automatically disengaging from the detent when the jaw members are moved to the second position to permit selective reciprocation of the cutting instrument.

6. An open forceps according to claim 5 wherein the notch is defined within a drive rod of the cutting instrument.

7. An open electrosurgical forceps for sealing tissue, comprising:

a pair of first and second shaft members each having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof, the jaw members being movable about a pivot from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least one subsequent position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween, each of the jaw members being curved relative to a longitudinal axis defined through the shaft members;

each of the jaw members including a correspondingly curved electrically conductive sealing plate for communicating electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween;

at least one of the jaw members including a substantially curved cutting slot defined along a length thereof, the cutting slot being dimensioned to reciprocate a cutting instrument therealong;

an actuator which selectively reciprocates the cutting instrument to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members; and

a lockout operatively coupled to the cutting instrument and forming part of at least one of the jaw members, the lockout configured to prevent reciprocation of the cutting instrument when the jaw members are disposed in the first position.

8. An open forceps according to claim 7 wherein the cutting element is substantially flexible to facilitate reciprocation thereof through the cutting slot.

9. An open electrosurgical forceps for sealing tissue, comprising:

a pair of first and second shaft members each having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof, the jaw members being movable about a pivot from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least one subsequent position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween, each of the jaw members being curved relative to a longitudinal axis defined through the shaft members;

each of the jaw members including a correspondingly curved electrically conductive sealing plate for communicating electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween;

at least one of the jaw members including a substantially straight cutting slot defined along a length thereof, the cutting slot being dimensioned to reciprocate a cutting instrument therealong;

an actuator which selectively reciprocates the cutting instrument to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members; and

a lockout operatively coupled to the cutting instrument and forming part of at least one of the jaw members, the lockout configured to prevent reciprocation of the cutting instrument when the jaw members are disposed in the first position.