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Single action tissue sealer

  • US 8,945,127 B2
  • Filed: 01/23/2014
  • Issued: 02/03/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2005
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A bipolar forceps, comprising:

  • a housing;

    an elongated shaft extending distally from the housing;

    an end effector assembly engaged to a distal end of the elongated shaft, the end effector assembly including a first jaw member and a second jaw member, the first jaw member pivotable relative to the second jaw member from a first open position to a second closed position for grasping tissue, the jaw members adapted to connect to an electrosurgical energy source such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue grasped therebetween;

    a drive assembly disposed within the housing and operable to pivot the first jaw member from the first open position to the second closed position;

    a switch operably associated with the housing and actuatable to energize the jaw members;

    a knife advanceable to cut tissue grasped between the jaw members; and

    a movable handle connected to the housing and selectively rotatable about a pivot point, wherein continuous actuation of the movable handle is operable to force the drive assembly to pivot the first jaw member from the first open position toward the second closed position and advance the knife to cut tissue grasped between the jaw members,wherein the switch is actuatable to conduct energy through tissue grasped between the jaw members prior to advancement of the knife to cut tissue and the knife is advanceable through the jaw members to cut tissue subsequent to movement of the first jaw member to the second closed position.

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