Apparatus, system, and method for performing an electrosurgical procedure

• US 8,858,554 B2
• Filed: 06/04/2013
• Issued: 10/14/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Kerr, Duane E., Gadsby, Peter D., Horner, Glenn A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bosworth, Kami A
• Assistant Examiner(s): HAYMAN, IMANI N
• Application Number:
  US13/909,362
• Publication Number:
  US 20130267948A1
• Time in Patent Office: 497 Days
• Field of Search: 606/41, 606/49, 606/50, 606/51, 606/52, 606/207, 606/210
• US Class Current: 606/51
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1206 Generators therefor
• 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 18/18 by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves radiation therapy A61N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/20 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2945 Curved jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00083 low, i.e. electrically insulating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00589 Coagulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00595 Cauterization
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00601 Cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0063 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00702 Power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0072 Current
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00767 Voltage
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00779 Power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00827 Current
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00875 Resistance or impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00892 Voltage
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/126 bipolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1432 curved

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a bipolar forceps. The bipolar forceps includes a housing having a handle assembly including a movable handle and one or more shafts. An end effector assembly operatively connects to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of first and second jaw members. A solenoid is in operative communication with the movable handle and operatively couples to a drive rod operatively coupled to at least one of the first and second jaw members for causing movement thereof. One or both of the first and second jaw members includes one or more teeth configured to engage one or more teeth located on the drive rod such that rotation of the solenoid imparts one of longitudinal and rotational movement of the drive rod such that at least one of the first and second jaw members moves between the open and closed positions.

Claims

1. An electrosurgical forceps, comprising:

a housing having a movable handle and a shaft that extends therefrom;

at least one electromechanical device in operative communication with the movable handle and operatively coupled to a drive rod that extends through the shaft, the at least one electromechanical device configured to receive an actuation signal from an electrosurgical energy source configured to provide electrosurgical energy to the electrosurgical forceps when the movable handle is actuated; and

an end effector assembly operably coupled to a distal end of the shaft and including a pair of first and second jaw members, at least one of the first and second jaw members operably coupled to the drive rod for imparting movement thereof from an open configuration to a closed configuration to grasp tissue,

wherein the drive rod includes at least one mechanical interface at a distal end thereof configured to engage a corresponding mechanical interface on the at least one moveable jaw member such that actuation of the movable handle energizes the at least one electromechanical device to impart movement of the drive rod to move the at least one movable jaw member between the open configuration and closed configuration.

2. The electrosurgical forceps according to claim 1, wherein the at least one electromechanical device is a solenoid.

3. The electrosurgical forceps according to claim 2, wherein the at least one mechanical interface at the distal end of the drive rod is a plurality of teeth and the at least one mechanical interface on the at least one movable jaw member is a corresponding plurality of teeth.

4. The electrosurgical forceps according to claim 2, wherein the at least one mechanical interface at the distal end of the drive rod is at least one cam pin and the at least one mechanical interface on the at least one movable jaw member is a corresponding cam slot.

5. The electrosurgical forceps according to claim 2, wherein the solenoid is housed within the at least one movable jaw member.

6. The electrosurgical forceps according to claim 2, wherein the solenoid includes a protrusion at a distal end thereof that is configured to engage a corresponding opening defined in the drive rod.

7. The electrosurgical forceps according to claim 2, wherein the electrosurgical forceps is in operative communication with a control system that sends the actuation signal to the solenoid for driving the drive rod.

8. A method for performing an electrosurgical procedure, the method comprising:

providing an electrosurgical forceps including;

a housing having a movable handle and a shaft that extends therefrom;

at least one electromechanical device in operative communication with the movable handle and operatively coupled to a drive rod that extends through the shaft;

an end effector assembly operably coupled to a distal end of the shaft and including a pair of first and second jaw members, at least one of the first and second jaw members operably coupled to the drive rod for imparting movement thereof from an open configuration to a closed configuration to grasp tissue;

at least one mechanical interface at a distal end of the drive rod configured to engage a corresponding at least one mechanical interface on the least one moveable jaw member;

positioning tissue between the pair of first and second jaw members;

actuating the at least one electromechanical device via the movable handle to move the drive rod to cause the jaw members to move to the closed configuration to grasp tissue; and

applying electrosurgical energy to the first and second jaw members such that a tissue seal may be effected therebetween.

9. The method according to claim 8, further including measuring a pressure exerted on tissue by the first and second jaw members.

10. The method according to claim 8, further including independently controlling and monitoring the delivery of electrosurgical energy.

11. A system for performing an electrosurgical procedure comprising:

an electrosurgical forceps including;

a housing having a movable handle and a shaft that extends therefrom;

at least one electromechanical device in operative communication with the movable handle and operatively coupled to a drive rod that extends through the shaft; and

an end effector assembly operably coupled to a distal end of the shaft and including a pair of first and second jaw members, at least one of the first and second jaw members operably coupled to the drive rod for imparting movement thereof from an open configuration to a closed configuration to grasp tissue,

wherein the drive rod includes at least one mechanical interface at a distal end thereof configured to engage a corresponding at least one mechanical interface on the at least one moveable jaw member such that actuation of the movable handle energizes the at least one electromechanical device to impart movement of the drive rod to move the at least one movable jaw member between the open configuration and closed configuration; and

wherein the electrosurgical apparatus is in operative communication with a control system having at least one algorithm for at least one of independently controlling and monitoring the delivery of electrosurgical energy from the source of electrosurgical energy to the at least one electromechanical device and a tissue sealing plate on each of the first and second jaw members.