Electrosurgical forceps with slow closure sealing plates and method of sealing tissue
First Claim
1. Electrosurgical bipolar forceps for sealing tissue, comprising:
- at least one shaft member having an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end thereof, the end effector assembly including jaw members 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;
at least one sealing plate associated with each jaw member, the sealing plates configured to communicate electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween; and
at least one of the sealing plates supported by at least one spring disposed on a side of the sealing plate opposite a tissue engaging surface, the at least one sealing plate configured to compress in a vertical direction to accommodate pressure applied to the tissue until a specified closure pressure is obtained based upon at least one of the tissue type and tissue thickness.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Electrosurgical bipolar forceps for sealing tissue is disclosed. The forceps includes a shaft member having an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end thereof. The end effector assembly includes jaw members 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. Each of the jaw members includes a sealing plate that communicates electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween. One or more of the sealing plates includes one or more springs, the sealing plate is configured to slowly flex to accommodate pressure applied to the tissue until a specified closure pressure is obtained based upon at least one of tissue type and tissue thickness.
930 Citations
6 Claims
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1. Electrosurgical bipolar forceps for sealing tissue, comprising:
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at least one shaft member having an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end thereof, the end effector assembly including jaw members 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; at least one sealing plate associated with each jaw member, the sealing plates configured to communicate electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween; and at least one of the sealing plates supported by at least one spring disposed on a side of the sealing plate opposite a tissue engaging surface, the at least one sealing plate configured to compress in a vertical direction to accommodate pressure applied to the tissue until a specified closure pressure is obtained based upon at least one of the tissue type and tissue thickness. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. Electrosurgical bipolar forceps for sealing tissue, comprising:
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at least one shaft member having an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end thereof, the end effector assembly including jaw members 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; at least one sealing plate associated with each jaw member, the sealing plates configured to communicate electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween; and at least one of the sealing plates supported by at least one spring disposed on a side of the sealing plate opposite the tissue engaging surface, the at least one sealing plate configured to compress in a vertical direction to accommodate pressure applied to the tissue until a specified closure pressure is obtained based upon at least one of the tissue type and tissue thickness, wherein the at least one sealing plate is configured to close at a predetermined rate. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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Specification