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 coupled to a distal end of the elongated shaft, the end effector assembly including a first jaw member pivotable relative to a second jaw member between an open position and a closed position and configured to conduct electrosurgical energy through tissue grasped between the first and second jaw members;
a knife advanceable through the first and second jaw members to cut grasped tissue;
a movable handle connected to the housing and configured to pivot the first jaw member between the open and closed positions; and
a switch disposed within the housing and having a contact configured to be engaged by the movable handle to actuate the switch subsequent to pivoting of the first jaw member toward the 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 coupled to a distal end of the elongated shaft, the end effector assembly including a first jaw member pivotable relative to a second jaw member between an open position and a closed position and configured to conduct electrosurgical energy through tissue grasped between the first and second jaw members; a knife advanceable through the first and second jaw members to cut grasped tissue; a movable handle connected to the housing and configured to pivot the first jaw member between the open and closed positions; and a switch disposed within the housing and having a contact configured to be engaged by the movable handle to actuate the switch subsequent to pivoting of the first jaw member toward the closed position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A bipolar forceps, comprising:
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an elongated shaft extending distally from a housing; an end effector assembly coupled to a distal end of the elongated shaft and pivotable between an open configuration and a closed configuration for grasping tissue; a knife advanceable through the end effector assembly to cut grasped tissue; a movable handle connected to the housing and configured to pivot the end effector assembly between the open and closed configurations; and a switch disposed within the housing and having a contact configured to be engaged by the movable handle to actuate the switch subsequent to pivoting of the end effector assembly from the open configuration toward the closed configuration. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A handle assembly for a bipolar forceps, comprising:
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a housing forming a stationary handle and having an elongated shaft extending therefrom; a movable handle connected to the housing and movable relative to the stationary handle to actuate an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end of the elongated shaft; a knife operably coupled to the movable handle and advanceable by the movable handle through the end effector assembly to cut grasped tissue; and a switch disposed within the housing and having a contact configured to be engaged by the movable handle to actuate the switch subsequent to actuation of the end effector assembly. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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Specification