Vessel sealing instrument with electrical cutting mechanism
First Claim
1. An end effector assembly for use with an instrument for sealing and/or cutting vessels and/or tissue, the end effector assembly comprising:
- a pair of opposing first and second jaw members at least one of which is movable relative to the other 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;
each jaw member including a pair of spaced apart, electrically conductive tissue sealing surfaces extending along a length thereof, each tissue sealing surface being adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the tissue sealing surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue grasped therebetween to effect a seal;
an insulator disposed between each pair of electrically conductive sealing surfaces;
the first jaw member including an electrically conductive cutting element disposed within the insulator of the first jaw member, the electrically conductive cutting element disposed in general vertical registration to the insulator on the second jaw member;
at least one channel defined within each of the insulators, the at least one channel configured to provide fluid adjacent to tissue held between the jaw members, wherein the at least one channel includes a plurality of channel portions configured to branch around the electrically conductive cutting element; and
wherein the at least one channel further includes at least one port configured to provide fluid to the at least one channel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An end effector assembly for use with an instrument for sealing vessels and cutting vessels includes a pair of opposing first and second jaw members which are movable relative to one another from a first spaced apart position to a second position for grasping tissue therebetween. Each jaw member includes an electrically conductive tissue contacting surface connected to an electrosurgical energy source. At least one of the jaw members includes an electrically conductive cutting element disposed within an insulator defined in the jaw member. At least one channel is included in the insulator which is configured to deliver fluid between the jaw members.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. An end effector assembly for use with an instrument for sealing and/or cutting vessels and/or tissue, the end effector assembly comprising:
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a pair of opposing first and second jaw members at least one of which is movable relative to the other 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; each jaw member including a pair of spaced apart, electrically conductive tissue sealing surfaces extending along a length thereof, each tissue sealing surface being adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the tissue sealing surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue grasped therebetween to effect a seal; an insulator disposed between each pair of electrically conductive sealing surfaces; the first jaw member including an electrically conductive cutting element disposed within the insulator of the first jaw member, the electrically conductive cutting element disposed in general vertical registration to the insulator on the second jaw member; at least one channel defined within each of the insulators, the at least one channel configured to provide fluid adjacent to tissue held between the jaw members, wherein the at least one channel includes a plurality of channel portions configured to branch around the electrically conductive cutting element; and wherein the at least one channel further includes at least one port configured to provide fluid to the at least one channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of modifying the conductivity of tissue during an electrosurgical procedure comprising:
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providing an end effector assembly, comprising; a pair of opposing first and second jaw members each including an electrically conductive tissue sealing surface extending along a length thereof; an insulative support element configured to support each electrically conductive sealing surface; an electrically conductive cutting element disposed within at least one insulative support element of one of the jaw members; and at least one channel disposed within the insulative support element, the at least one channel including a plurality of channel portions configured to transport fluid for irrigating tissue adjacent to both sides of the electrically conductive cutting element; and selectively adjusting an amount of fluid during an electrosurgical procedure. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification