Bipolar forceps
First Claim
1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
- a housing;
a jaw movably connected to said housing, wherein said jaw is selectively pivotable between;
an open position;
a closed position; and
a range of positions between said open position and said closed position, and wherein said jaw includes an electrode comprising;
a tissue-contacting portion; and
an engaging portion; and
a conductor comprising a contact portion, wherein said engaging portion of said electrode moves relative to said contact portion as said jaw pivots between said open position and said closed position, wherein said engaging portion mates with said contact portion when said jaw has pivoted to said closed position, wherein said conductor is in electrical communication with said electrode when said jaw is in said closed position, and wherein said conductor is not in electrical communication with said electrode when said jaw is pivoting within said range of positions as said engaging portion of said electrode is not in contact with said contact portion of said conductor.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A bipolar forceps including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a conductor operably connected to an electrical source, wherein the conductor can be selectively placed in electrical communication with the first electrode when the first electrode is moved between open and closed positions. The conductor can include a contact end which is not in contact with the first electrode when the first electrode is in its open position. In such an open position, the first electrode may not be in electrical communication with the electrical source and, as a result, current may not flow through the first electrode. The first electrode can be moved into its closed position such that the first electrode is in contact with the contact end of the wire. In such a closed position, the first electrode may be in electrical communication with the electrical source allowing current to flow through the first electrode.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
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a housing; a jaw movably connected to said housing, wherein said jaw is selectively pivotable between; an open position; a closed position; and a range of positions between said open position and said closed position, and wherein said jaw includes an electrode comprising; a tissue-contacting portion; and an engaging portion; and a conductor comprising a contact portion, wherein said engaging portion of said electrode moves relative to said contact portion as said jaw pivots between said open position and said closed position, wherein said engaging portion mates with said contact portion when said jaw has pivoted to said closed position, wherein said conductor is in electrical communication with said electrode when said jaw is in said closed position, and wherein said conductor is not in electrical communication with said electrode when said jaw is pivoting within said range of positions as said engaging portion of said electrode is not in contact with said contact portion of said conductor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A surgical instrument, comprising:
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a hand piece; a shaft; a grasping device, comprising; a first jaw including a first electrode; a second jaw including a second electrode, wherein said second jaw is selectively pivotable between; an open position; a closed position; and a range of positions between said open position and said closed position; a first conductor; and a second conductor, wherein said second electrode is in electrical communication with said second conductor when said second jaw is in said closed position, and wherein said second electrode is not in electrical communication with said second conductor when said second jaw is pivoting within said range of positions. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A surgical instrument, comprising:
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a housing; a jaw movably connected to said housing, wherein said jaw is selectively pivotable between; an open position; a closed position; and a range of intermediate positions, and wherein said jaw includes an electrode that comprises an engaging portion; a conductor that comprises a contact portion, wherein said engaging portion of said electrode moves relative to said contact portion as said jaw pivots between said open position and said closed position, and wherein said engaging portion contacts said contact portion when said jaw has pivoted to said closed position; and connecting means for electrically connecting said conductor and said electrode when said jaw is in said closed position and for electrically disconnecting said conductor and said electrode when said jaw is pivoting within said range of intermediate positions. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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24. A surgical instrument configured to be used in cooperation with an endoscope, comprising:
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a flexible shaft; a housing extending from said flexible shaft; a jaw movably connected to said housing, wherein said jaw is selectively pivotable between; an open position; a closed position; and a plurality of intermediate positions, wherein said jaw is configured to be inserted through a working channel of an endoscope, and wherein said jaw includes an electrode; and a conductor, wherein said conductor is in electrical communication with said electrode when said jaw is in said closed position, and wherein said conductor is not in electrical communication with said electrode when said jaw is pivoting between said plurality of intermediate positions.
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Specification