Variable resistor jaw
First Claim
1. A bipolar forceps for sealing tissue, comprising:
- an end effector assembly having opposing first and second jaw members each having a proximal end and a distal end and movable relative to one another to grasp tissue therebetween, a first jaw member including;
a first slotted electrically conductive surface including a plurality of electrically isolated conductive sections extending across a width thereof;
a sealing plate disposed on a center portion of the slotted electrically conductive surface and having a variable width along a length of the first jaw member thereby providing a varying change in capacitance along the length of the first jaw member; and
a second electrically conductive surface having at least one conductive sealing plate operably coupled to the second jaw member,wherein the sealing plate and the second electrically conductive surface are adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy, andwherein impedance is increased towards a proximal end of the first slotted and second electrically conductive surfaces which increases current through a distal end of each of the first slotted and second electrically conductive surfaces to effectively seal tissue during electrical activation in a more uniform manner.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A bipolar forceps for sealing tissue includes an end effector assembly having opposing first and second jaw members each having a proximal end and a distal end. A first electrically conductive surface having two or more conductive sealing plates and a dielectric layer is operably coupled to the first jaw member. Each sealing plate is connected to a reactive element and positioned along the first electrically conductive surface from the proximal end to the distal end. The reactive element of the sealing plate have different impedances. A second electrically conductive surface having one or more conductive sealing plates is operably coupled to the second jaw member. Each electrically conductive surface on the jaw members connects to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the sealing plates are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal.
921 Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A bipolar forceps for sealing tissue, comprising:
-
an end effector assembly having opposing first and second jaw members each having a proximal end and a distal end and movable relative to one another to grasp tissue therebetween, a first jaw member including; a first slotted electrically conductive surface including a plurality of electrically isolated conductive sections extending across a width thereof; a sealing plate disposed on a center portion of the slotted electrically conductive surface and having a variable width along a length of the first jaw member thereby providing a varying change in capacitance along the length of the first jaw member; and a second electrically conductive surface having at least one conductive sealing plate operably coupled to the second jaw member, wherein the sealing plate and the second electrically conductive surface are adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy, and wherein impedance is increased towards a proximal end of the first slotted and second electrically conductive surfaces which increases current through a distal end of each of the first slotted and second electrically conductive surfaces to effectively seal tissue during electrical activation in a more uniform manner. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A bipolar forceps for sealing tissue, comprising:
-
an end effector assembly having opposing first and second jaw members each having a proximal end and a distal end and movable relative to one another to grasp tissue therebetween, a first jaw member including; a first slotted electrically conductive surface including a plurality of electrically isolated conductive sections extending across a width thereof; a sealing plate disposed on the first slotted electrically conductive surface and having a varying width that provides a smooth change in capacitance along a length of the first jaw member; and a second electrically conductive surface having at least one conductive sealing plate operably coupled to the second jaw member, wherein the sealing plate and the second electrically conductive surface are adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy, and wherein impedance is increased towards the proximal end of the first slotted and second electrically conductive surfaces which increases current through the distal end of each of the first slotted and second electrically conductive surfaces to effectively seal tissue during electrical activation in a more uniform manner. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
Specification