Tissue sealer with non-conductive variable stop members and method of sealing tissue

• US 8,496,656 B2
• Filed: 01/16/2009
• Issued: 07/30/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2003
• Status: Expired

• Current Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Shields, Chelsea, Meagher, Edward C.
• Primary Examiner(s): PEFFLEY, MICHAEL F
• Application Number:
  US12/355,622
• Publication Number:
  US 20090149853A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,656 Days
• Field of Search: 606 45- 52
• US Class Current: 606/51
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/22031 Gripping instruments, e.g. forceps, for removing or smashing calculi A61B17/221 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/28 Surgical forceps for holding suture needles or materials A61B17/0483; for removing or smashing calculi A61B17/221; surgical scissors A61B17/3201 ; obstetrical forceps A61B17/44; for inserting intraocular lenses A61F2/1662; hand-held gripping tools in general B25B7/00 ]
• 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 2018/0063 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/034 abutting on parts of the device itself

Abstract

A bipolar forceps for sealing tissue includes an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof, each of the jaw members including an electrically conductive sealing surface. The jaw members are movable relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The bipolar forceps is connected to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting bipolar energy through tissue grasped therebetween to effect a seal. The distance between the electrically conductive sealing surfaces when tissue is held therebetween is adjusted based upon a sensed pre-surgical condition during activation.

Claims

1. A bipolar forceps for sealing tissue, comprising:

an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof, each of the jaw members including an electrically conductive sealing surface affixed thereto, at least one of the jaw members movable relative to the other jaw member from a first position wherein the electrically conductive sealing surfaces are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the electrically conductive sealing surfaces are moved closer to one another for grasping tissue;

each electrically conductive sealing surface adapted to connect to a source of electrical energy such that the electrically conductive sealing surfaces are capable of conducting energy through tissue grasped therebetween to effect a tissue seal, wherein the distance between the electrically conductive sealing surfaces is automatically adjustable in response to a sensed pre-surgical condition during activation.

2. A bipolar forceps for sealing tissue according to claim 1, further including at least one controller engagable with at least one of the electrically conductive sealing surfaces, the controller configured to control the distance between the electrically conductive sealing surfaces in response to a signal from a control source.

3. A bipolar forceps for sealing tissue according to claim 2, wherein the bipolar forceps includes at least one sensor disposed on at least one of the jaw members, the at least one sensor configured to sense the sensed pre-surgical condition selected from the group consisting of tissue impedance, tissue thickness, tissue compliance, and tissue type, and further configured to relay the sensed information to a control source which, in turn, is configured to send a signal to the controller.

4. A bipolar forceps for sealing tissue according to claim 1, wherein the forceps includes a selectively extendible knife for severing tissue along the tissue seal.

5. A bipolar forceps for sealing tissue according to claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive sealing surfaces are adjusted a distance in the range of about 0.001 inches to about 0.008 inches relative to one another.

6. A method of sealing tissue comprising the steps of

providing a bipolar forceps including a shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof which cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween, each of the jaw members including an electrically conductive sealing surface connected to a source of electrosurgical energy;

automatically adjusting a distance between the electrically conductive sealing surface in response to a sensed pre-surgical condition during activation;

actuating the jaw members to grasp tissue between opposing jaw members; and

conducting energy to the jaw members through tissue grasped therebetween to effect a tissue seal.

7. A method of sealing tissue according to claim 6, wherein the adjusting step further includes the steps of

sensing the sensed pre-surgical condition;

and

signaling a controller to selectively adjust the distance between the electrically conductive sealing surfaces depending upon the sensed pre-surgical condition.

8. A method of sealing tissue according to claim 6, further comprising the step of severing the tissue along the tissue seal.

9. A method of sealing tissue according to claim 6, wherein after the conducting step, the method further includes the steps of:

sensing a tissue parameter during electrosurgical activation; and

signaling a controller to selectively adjust the distance between the electrically conductive sealing surfaces based upon the sensed tissue parameter.

10. A method of sealing tissue according to claim 9, wherein after the sensed signaling step, the method further includes the step of repeating the sensing and signaling steps until a desired seal is effected.

11. A method of sealing tissue comprising the steps of:

providing a bipolar forceps including a shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof which cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween, each of the jaw members including an electrically conductive sealing surface connected to a source of electrosurgical energy;

actuating the jaw members to grasp tissue between opposing jaw members, wherein the jaw members are disposed at a distance relative to one another;

automatically adjusting the distance between the electrically conductive sealing surfaces in response to a sensed surgical condition during activation; and

conducting energy to the jaw members through tissue grasped therebetween to effect a tissue seal.

12. A method of sealing tissue according to claim 11, wherein the adjusting step further includes the step of communicating with a feedback control system that continually senses surgical conditions during activation to automatically regulate the distance between the electrically conductive sealing surfaces.

13. A method of sealing tissue according to claim 11, wherein the adjusting step, further includes the step of communicating with a feedback control system to automatically regulate the distance between the electrically conductive sealing surfaces based upon at least one of tissue impedance, tissue temperature, tissue thickness, tissue moisture, tissue compliance or tissue clarity during activation.

14. A method of sealing tissue according to claim 11, wherein the step of adjusting includes adjusting the distance between the electrically conductive sealing surfaces so that the distance between the electrically conductive sealing surfaces becomes increasingly smaller.