Insulating sheath for electrosurgical forceps

• US 8,251,996 B2
• Filed: 09/23/2008
• Issued: 08/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Hushka, Dylan, Guerra, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Peffley, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Giuliani, Thomas
• Application Number:
  US12/235,846
• Publication Number:
  US 20090088747A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,435 Days
• Field of Search: 606/32, 606/51, 606/52, 606206-209, 607/98, 607/100, 607/115
• 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 18/148 having a short, rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously, e.g. for neurosurgery or arthroscopy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00083 low, i.e. electrically insulating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00619 Welding
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0063 Sealing

Abstract

An electrosurgical forceps includes a shaft having a pair of jaw members at a distal end movable about a pivot from a first position disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members are closer to one another for grasping tissue. One or both of the jaw members are adapted to connect to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting electrical energy to tissue held therebetween. An insulative sheath is fitted for removal atop at least a portion of an exterior surface of one or both jaw members, about the pivot and the distal end of the shaft. The insulative sheath houses a silicone lube configured to facilitate insertion of the forceps through a cannula after removal of the insulative sheath.

Claims

1. An electrosurgical forceps, comprising:

a shaft having a pair of jaw members at a distal end thereof, the jaw members being movable 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 are closer to one another for grasping tissue;

a movable handle that actuates a drive assembly to move the jaw members relative to one another;

at least one of the jaw members being adapted to connect to a source of electrical energy such that the at least one jaw member is capable of conducting energy to tissue held between the pair of jaw members; and

a removable insulative sheath enclosing;

at least one of the jaw members;

at least a portion of the pivot; and

at least a portion of the distal end of the shaft;

the removable insulative sheath including a silicone lube disposed therein configured to remain on at least a portion of the forceps when the insulative sheath is removed therefrom, the silicone lube configured to facilitate insertion of the forceps through a cannula after removal of the insulative sheath.

2. The electrosurgical forceps according to claim 1 wherein the removable insulative sheath encloses both jaw members.

3. The electrosurgical forceps according to claim 1 wherein the removable insulative sheath encloses both jaw members, the pivot and at least a portion of the shaft.

4. The electrosurgical forceps according to claim 1, further including an insulating boot disposed on at least a portion of an exterior surface of at least one jaw member and circumferentially around at least a portion of the pivot.

5. The electrosurgical forceps according to claim 4, wherein the insulating boot is disposed between the insulative sheath and the pivot.

6. A method of facilitating insertion of a forceps through a cannula comprising the steps of:

providing a forceps including;

a shaft having a pair of jaw members at a distal end thereof, the jaw members being movable 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 are closer to one another for grasping tissue;

at least one of the jaw members being adapted to connect to a source of electrical energy such that the at least one jaw member is capable of conducting energy to tissue held between the pair of jaw members;

a removable insulative sheath enclosing;

at least one of the jaw members;

at least a portion of the pivot and at least a portion of the distal end of the shaft;

the removable insulative sheath including a silicone lube disposed therein configured to remain on at least a portion of the forceps when the insulative sheath is removed therefrom, the silicone lube configured to facilitate insertion of the forceps through a cannula after removal of the removable insulative sheath;

removing the removable insulative sheath, at least a portion of the silicone lube remaining on at least one of the at least one jaw member, the pivot and the distal end of the shaft;

engaging the forceps for insertion through a cannula; and

inserting the forceps through the cannula utilizing the silicone lube to facilitate insertion.

7. The electrosurgical forceps according to claim 6 wherein the step of removing the insulative sheath occurs prior to the step of inserting the forceps through the cannula.

8. The electrosurgical forceps according to claim 6, further including an insulating boot disposed on at least a portion of an exterior surface of at least one jaw member and disposed circumferentially around at least a portion of the pivot.

9. The electrosurgical forceps according to claim 8, wherein the insulating boot is disposed between the insulative sheath and the pivot.

10. The electrosurgical forceps according to claim 8, wherein at least a portion of the silicone lube remains on the insulating boot when the insulating sheath is removed.