Bipolar coagulation electrodes

• US 8,454,601 B2
• Filed: 03/18/2005
• Issued: 06/04/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sutter Medizintechnik GmbH
• Original Assignee: Sutter Medizintechnik GmbH
• Inventors: Sutter, Hermann, Weitkamp, Dirk
• Primary Examiner(s): HOLWERDA, KATHLEEN SONNETT
• Application Number:
  US11/083,766
• Publication Number:
  US 20050222602A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,000 Days
• Field of Search: 606205-208, 606/40, 606/41, 606 45- 52, 606/151, 606/170
• 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 2017/2945 Curved jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1432 curved
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/146 Scissors

Abstract

A bipolar coagulation forceps (1) with a fixed forceps leg (2), a pivot support (3), and a pivoting forceps leg (4), which can pivot relative to the fixed forceps leg via a pivot element (6, 11, 12) and which is electrically insulated from the fixed forceps leg is provided, with the forceps legs (2, 4) essentially being made from biocompatible metal. The pivot element (6, 11, 12) is likewise essentially made from biocompatible metal and attaches directly to the moving forceps leg (4). An insulating body (5a, 5b) electrically insulating the pivot element (6, 11, 12) and the moving forceps leg (4) from the fixed forceps leg (2) is arranged on or fixed to the fixed forceps leg (2) as a pivot support (3), on which the moving forceps leg (4) is supported by the pivot element (6, 11, 12).

Claims

1. Bipolar coagulation forceps (1) comprising a fixed forceps leg (2), with a pivot support (3), having a receiving bearing (7b) with a slot or an open spacing (10b) located therebetween, and with a pivoting forceps leg (4), which can pivot relative to the fixed forceps leg via a pivot element (11, 12) and which is electrically insulated from the fixed forceps leg, the forceps legs (2, 4) being made from biocompatible metal, the pivot element (11, 12) is integral with the pivoting forceps leg (4), comprises two end portions separated by a slot (13) in the pivoting forceps leg (4), and is made from biocompatible metal, the end portions are each supported in the receiving bearing (7b) of the pivot support (3) which is formed as an insulating body (5b) and electrically insulates the pivot element (11, 12) and the moving forceps leg (4) from the fixed forceps leg (2), the insulating body (5b) is arranged on or fixed to the fixed forceps leg (2) as the pivot support (3), on which the moving forceps leg (4) is supported by the pivot element (11, 12) which is clipped into the receiving bearings (7b) of the insulating body (5b).

2. Coagulation forceps according to claim 1, wherein a push/pull rod (8) is provided, that articulates the moving forceps leg (4), a link position (9) of the push/pull rod (8) is arranged on the moving forceps leg (4) eccentric to a pivot axis thereof.

3. Coagulation forceps according to claim 2, wherein the push/pull rod (8) engages in a region of the link position (9) to the moving forceps leg (4) at least partially between parts of the pivot element (11, 12), which are approximately aligned with each other, and between the receiving bearings (7b).

4. Coagulation forceps according to claim 2, wherein the insulating body (5b) is formed in one piece, at least in a region between the link position (9) of the push/pull rod (8) and the fixed forceps leg (2).

5. Coagulation forceps according to claim 2, wherein the slot (13) between the pivot elements (11, 12) is approximately aligned with a longitudinal axis of the push/pull rod (8) and a longitudinal center of the slot (13) between the pivot elements (11, 12) and a longitudinal center of the open spacing (10b) between the receiving bearings (7b) of the pivot support (3), as well as a longitudinal axis of a push/pull rod (8) of the forceps, extend in a common plane, which is arranged perpendicular to a pivot axis of the pivot elements (11, 12).

6. Coagulation forceps according to claim 1, wherein an end of the moving forceps leg (4) pointing towards the insulating body has two bearing disks, spaced apart from each other, as the pivot element, the bearing disks have a diameter that is approximately equal in size or larger in comparison with a cross section of the moving forceps leg (4), and the bearing disks are each supported in a corresponding receiving bearing of the pivot support (3) formed as the insulating body.

7. Coagulation forceps according to claim 1, wherein an end of the moving forceps leg (4) pointing towards the insulating body (5b) has two bearing journals (11, 12) spaced apart from each other as a pivot element, the bearing journals (11, 12) have a smaller diameter in comparison with a cross section of the moving forceps leg (4), and the bearing journals (11, 12) are each supported in one of the receiving bearings (7b) of the pivot support (3) formed as the insulating body (5b).

8. Coagulation forceps according to claim 1, wherein the pivot element (11, 12) of the moving forceps leg (4) is connected with a positive and/or force fit to the moving forceps leg (4).

9. Coagulation forceps according to claim 1, wherein the insulating body is a metal part electrically insulated from the fixed forceps leg (2) and has a material layer electrically insulating the receiving bearings (7b) for the pivot element (11, 12) from the fixed forceps leg (2).

10. Coagulation forceps according to claim 1, wherein the insulating body (5b) is made from electrically insulating material.

11. Coagulation forceps according to claim 10, wherein the insulating material is ceramic or plastic.

12. Bipolar coagulation forceps (1) comprising:

a fixed forceps leg (2), with a pivot support (3);

a pivoting forceps leg (4), which pivots relative to the fixed forceps leg via a pivot element (11, 12) supported in a receiving bearing (7b) of the pivot support (3) and which is formed as an insulating body (5b) and is electrically insulated from the fixed forceps leg, the forceps legs (2, 4) being made from biocompatible metal, the pivot element (11, 12) is made from biocompatible metal and is integral with the moving forceps leg (4) and is clipped into the receiving bearings (7b) of the insulating body (5b);

a push/pull rod (8), a link position (9) of the push/pull rod (8) is arranged on the moving forceps leg (4) eccentric to a pivot axis thereof; and

the insulating body (5b) formed in one piece, at least in a region between the link position (9) of the push/pull rod (8) and the fixed forceps leg (2) electrically insulating the pivot element (11, 12) and the moving forceps leg (4) from the fixed forceps leg (2), which is arranged on or fixed to the fixed forceps leg (2) as a pivot support (3), on which the moving forceps leg (4) is supported by the pivot element (11, 12).