Insulating boot for electrosurgical forceps

• US 8,394,095 B2
• Filed: 01/12/2011
• Issued: 03/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Garrison, David M., Guerra, Paul, Dumbauld, Patrick L., Hushka, Dylan, Cunningham, James S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dvorak, Linda
• Assistant Examiner(s): SCOTT, AMANDA L
• Application Number:
  US13/004,984
• Publication Number:
  US 20110106079A1
• Time in Patent Office: 790 Days
• Field of Search: 606 50- 52
• 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 18/1402 Probes for open surgery
• 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 18/1482 having a long rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously in minimal invasive surgery, e.g. laparoscopy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1485 having a short rigid shaft for accessing the inner body through natural openings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2945 Curved jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00053 Mechanical features of the instrument of device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00083 low, i.e. electrically insulating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00107 Coatings on the energy applicator
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0063 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1412 Blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1432 curved
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1455 having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1475 Electrodes retractable in or deployable from a housing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/034 abutting on parts of the device itself

Abstract

Either an endoscopic or open bipolar forceps includes a flexible, generally tubular insulating boot for insulating patient tissue, while not impeding motion of the jaw members. The jaw members are movable from an open to a closed position and the jaw members are connected to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal. A knife assembly may be included that allows a user to selectively divide tissue upon actuation thereof. The insulating boot may be made from a viscoelastic, elastomeric or flexible material suitable for use with a sterilization process including ethylene oxide. An interior portion of the insulating boot may have at least one mechanically interfacing surface that interfaces with a mechanically interfacing surface formed between the shaft and a jaw member or with a mechanically interfacing surface disposed or formed on the shaft or a jaw member.

Claims

1. An 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 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;

at least one of the shaft members and at least one of the jaw members forming at least one mechanically interfacing surface therebetween;

at least one of the jaw members including an electrically conductive sealing plate adapted to communicate electrosurgical energy to tissue held therebetween; and

a flexible insulating boot disposed on at least a portion of an exterior surface of at least one jaw member, an interior portion of the insulating boot having at least one mechanically interfacing surface, wherein the at least one mechanically interfacing surface of the interior portion of the insulating boot includes a grove-like interlocking interface that engages the at least one mechanically interfacing surface formed between at least one of the shaft members and one of the jaw members.

2. An 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 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;

at least one of the shaft members and at least one of the jaw members forming at least one mechanically interfacing surface therebetween;

at least one of the jaw members including an electrically conductive sealing plate adapted to communicate electrosurgical energy to tissue held therebetween; and

a flexible insulating boot disposed on at least a portion of an exterior surface of at least one jaw member, an interior portion of the insulating boot having at least one mechanically interfacing surface, wherein the at least one mechanically interfacing surface of the interior portion of the insulating boot includes a key-like interlocking interface that engages the at least one mechanically interfacing surface formed between at least one of the shaft members and one of the jaw members.