Vessel sealer and divider

• US 8,540,711 B2
• Filed: 07/11/2007
• Issued: 09/24/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Dycus, Sean T., Peterson, Darion
• Primary Examiner(s): ROANE, AARON F
• Application Number:
  US11/827,297
• Publication Number:
  US 20070260242A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,267 Days
• Field of Search: 606 41- 52
• US Class Current: 606/51
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12009 Implements for ligaturing other than by clamps or clips, e.g. using a loop with a slip knot
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/282 Jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320016 Endoscopic cutting instruments, e.g. arthroscopes, resectoscopes A61B10/0233, A61B17/29, A61B17/3207 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/085 Forceps, scissors
• 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 18/1482 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 2017/2929 with a head rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2946 Locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00083 low, i.e. electrically insulating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0013 non-sticking
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00345 Vascular system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00404 Blood vessels other than those in or around the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00601 Cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00619 Welding
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0063 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00922 by switching or controlling the treatment energy directly within the hand-piece
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00982 combined with or comprising means for visual or photographic inspections inside the body, e.g. endoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1412 Blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/144 Wire
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1452 : including means for cutting A61B2018/146 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1455 : having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1861 : with an instrument inserted into a body lumen or cavity, e.g. a catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/034 : abutting on parts of the device itself

Abstract

An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof. 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 forceps also includes a source of electrical energy connected to each jaw member such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal. A generally tube-like cutter is included which is slidably engaged about the elongated shaft and which is selectively movable about the elongated shaft to engage and cut tissue on at least one side of the jaw members while the tissue is engaged between jaw members.

Claims

1. An endoscopic bipolar forceps, comprising:

an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof, the jaw members being movable relative to one another by a first actuating assembly 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;

at least one jaw member adapted to connect to a first energy source such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal; and

at least one wire-like element being selectively actuatable via a second actuating assembly and selectively energizable via a second energy source to divide tissue, wherein the wire-like element is actuatable independent of being energized, and is energizable independent of being actuated;

wherein the at least one wire-like element (i) is mounted between the opposing jaw members, (ii) perpendicularly protrudes from a proximal end of a tissue contacting surface of the at least one jaw member and (iii) is confined to travel within a proximal periphery of the opposing jaw members to prevent the at least wire-like element from extending beyond the distal ends of the opposing jaw members.

2. The endoscopic bipolar forceps according to claim 1, wherein the wire-like element cuts tissue on a reverse stroke.

3. The endoscopic bipolar forceps according to claim 1, wherein the at least one wire-like element is configured to divide tissue between the jaw members.

4. The endoscopic bipolar forceps according to claim 1, wherein the wire-like element is configured to selectively divide tissue on a first stroke thereof and on a reverse stroke thereof.

5. The endoscopic bipolar forceps according to claim 1, wherein the wire-like element is movable between a first proximal position and a second distal-most position, and wherein a distal-most end of the jaw members is disposed distally of the wire-like element when the wire-like element is disposed in its second position.

6. An endoscopic bipolar forceps, comprising:

an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof, the jaw members being movable relative to one another by a first actuating assembly 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;

at least one jaw member adapted to connect to a first energy source such that, upon activation of a switching assembly, the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal; and

at least one wire-like element being selectively energizable via a second energy source and being selectively actuatable via a second actuating assembly independent of the first actuating assembly and the switching assembly to divide tissue;

wherein the at least one wire-like element (i) is mounted between the opposing jaw members, (ii) perpendicularly protrudes from a proximal end of a tissue contacting surface of the at least one jaw member and (iii) is confined to travel within a proximal periphery of the opposing jaw members to prevent the at least wire-like element from extending beyond the distal ends of the opposing jaw members.

7. The endoscopic bipolar forceps according to claim 6, wherein the at least one wire-like element is configured to divide tissue between the jaw members.

8. The endoscopic bipolar forceps according to claim 6, wherein the wire-like element cuts tissue on a reverse stroke.

9. The endoscopic bipolar forceps according to claim 6, wherein the wire-like element is configured to selectively divide tissue on a first stroke thereof and on a reverse stroke thereof.

10. The endoscopic bipolar forceps according to claim 6, wherein the wire-like element is movable between a first proximal position and a second distal-most position, and wherein a distal-most end of the jaw members is disposed distally of the wire-like element when the wire-like element is disposed in its second position.