Electrosurgical instrument and method

• US 9,149,326 B2
• Filed: 05/29/2013
• Issued: 10/06/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Truckai, Csaba, Shadduck, John H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S
• Application Number:
  US13/904,404
• Publication Number:
  US 20140155892A1
• Time in Patent Office: 860 Days
• Field of Search: 606/51, 606/171
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320016 Endoscopic cutting instruments, e.g. arthroscopes, resectoscopes A61B10/0233, A61B17/29, A61B17/3207 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3201 Scissors for biopsy A61B10/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/08 by means of electrically-heated probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/085 Forceps, scissors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1442 Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps
• 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 18/1815 using microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2933 camming or guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2934 arcuate shaped guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2945 Curved jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320064 with tissue or sample retaining means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00107 Coatings on the energy applicator
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00619 Welding
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0063 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00702 Power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1432 curved

Abstract

An electrosurgical working end and method for sealing and transecting tissue. An exemplary working end provides curved jaw members that are positioned on opposing sides of the targeted anatomic structure. The working end carries a slidable extension member having flange portions with inner surfaces that slide over the jaw members to clamp tissue therebetween. The working end carries an independent slidable cutting member that is flexible to follow the curved axis of the jaws. The electrosurgical surfaces of the jaws include partially-resistive bodies for carrying a current or load which modulates ohmic heating in the engaged tissue to prevent charring and desiccation of tissue to create a high strength thermal seal.

Claims

1. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument, comprising:

a pair of curved jaws having an opened position and a closed position, the pair of jaws comprising an upper jaw having a first electrode with a polarity, a lower jaw comprising a second electrode with a polarity opposite of said first electrode, each jaw having a proximal end, a distal end, and a laterally curved axis; and

an axially translatable member comprising an upper flange adapted to engage the upper jaw, a lower flange adapted to engage the lower jaw, and a cutting element, the translatable member capable of flexing laterally;

whereby distally advancing the translatable member along the curved axis causes the jaws to compress tissue between the jaws and the cutting element transects tissue.