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, at least one of which is moveable relative to the other jaw member from a first position in spaced relation to the other jaw member to at least a second position closer to the other jaw member for grasping tissue therebetween, at least one 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 effect a tissue seal;
a drive assembly disposed within the housing for moving the jaw members from the first position to the second position;
a knife assembly operably coupled to the housing and configured to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members;
a movable handle connected to the housing and selectively rotatable about a pivot, wherein a single, continuous actuation of the movable handle is operable to engage the drive assembly to move the jaw members and advance the knife assembly to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members; and
wherein the knife assembly is physically prevented from advancing before energy has been conducted 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
11 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, at least one of which is moveable relative to the other jaw member from a first position in spaced relation to the other jaw member to at least a second position closer to the other jaw member for grasping tissue therebetween, at least one 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 effect a tissue seal; a drive assembly disposed within the housing for moving the jaw members from the first position to the second position; a knife assembly operably coupled to the housing and configured to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members; a movable handle connected to the housing and selectively rotatable about a pivot, wherein a single, continuous actuation of the movable handle is operable to engage the drive assembly to move the jaw members and advance the knife assembly to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members; and wherein the knife assembly is physically prevented from advancing before energy has been conducted between the jaw members. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9)
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7. 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, and an end effector assembly engaged at a distal end thereof, the end effector assembly including two jaw members, at least one of the jaw members adapted to connect to an electrosurgical energy source, a drive assembly disposed within the housing, a knife assembly operably coupled to the housing, and a movable handle connected to the housing and selectively rotatable about a pivot; with a single, continuous actuation of the movable handle, engaging the drive assembly to move the jaw members such that they grasp tissue, and advancing the knife assembly to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members; and activating the electrosurgical energy source to seal the tissue; wherein the knife assembly is physically prevented from advancing before electrosurgical energy is activated. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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Specification