Single action tissue sealer
First Claim
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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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes a housing and a shaft, the shaft having an end effector assembly at its distal end. The end effector assembly includes two jaw members for grasping tissue therebetween. The jaw members are adapted to connect to an electrosurgical energy source which enable them to conduct energy through the tissue to create a tissue seal. A drive assembly is disposed within the housing which moves the jaw members. A switch is disposed within the housing which activates the electrosurgical energy. A knife assembly is included which is advanceable to cut tissue held between the jaw members. A movable handle is connected to the housing. Continual actuation of the movable handle engages the drive assembly to move the jaw members, engages the switch to activate the electrosurgical energy source to seal the tissue, and advances the knife assembly the cut the tissue disposed between the jaw members.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A bipolar forceps, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A bipolar forceps, comprising:
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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 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 pivots the first jaw member from the first open position toward the second closed position and advances 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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8. A bipolar forceps, comprising:
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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; 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, in mechanical cooperation with the drive assembly, pivots the first jaw member relative to the second jaw member and advances 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. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A bipolar forceps, comprising:
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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 in spaced relation to the second jaw member 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 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 actuation of the movable handle is operable to pivot the first jaw member from the first open position towards the second closed position and continued actuation of the movable handle advances 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. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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Specification