Multi-function bi-polar forceps

• US 9,492,224 B2
• Filed: 09/20/2013
• Issued: 11/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Boudreaux, Chad P., Voegele, Aaron C., Scheib, Charles J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fowler, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US14/032,391
• Publication Number:
  US 20140094801A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,152 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 2017/2945 Curved jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320093 additional movable means performing cutting operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320094 additional movable means performing clamping operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320097 with stapling means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00148 with metal
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00428 Severing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0063 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1455 having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2270/041 Controlled or regulated

Abstract

An end effector is disclosed. The end effector includes a first jaw member. The first jaw member comprises a first electrode. The first jaw member defines a first aperture at a distal end. The end effector includes a second jaw member. The second jaw member comprises a second electrode. The second jaw member defines a second aperture at a distal end. The second jaw member is operatively coupled to the first jaw member. The first and second apertures are configured to define a single aperture when the first and second jaw members are in a closed position. The first and second electrodes are configured to deliver energy.

Claims

1. An end effector comprising:

a first jaw member comprising a first proximal contact surface and a first distal contact surface,

wherein the first proximal contact surface and the first distal contact surface define a first opening therebetween;

a second jaw member comprising a second proximal contact surface and a second distal contact surface,

wherein the second jaw member is operatively coupled to the first jaw member, wherein the second proximal contact surface and the second distal contact surface define a second opening therebetween, and

wherein when the first and second jaw members are in a closed position the first and second openings define an aperture, and the proximal contact surfaces define a proximal grasping region, and

wherein the first and second jaw members define a longitudinal channel, and the longitudinal channel extends along the proximal grasping region and terminates in a closed end proximal to the aperture; and

a first proximal electrode coupled to the first proximal contact surface,

wherein the first proximal electrode is configured to deliver energy, and the energy delivered to the first proximal electrode comprises at least one of monopolar electrosurgical energy, ultrasonic energy, or combination thereof.

2. The end effector of claim 1, wherein when the first and second jaw members are in a closed position, the proximal contact surfaces define a proximal grasping region and the distal contact surfaces define a distal grasping region.

3. The end effector of claim 1, comprising a first distal electrode coupled to the first distal contact surface, wherein the first distal electrode is configured to deliver energy, wherein the energy delivered to the first distal electrode comprises at least one of monopolar electrosurgical energy, ultrasonic energy, or combination thereof.

4. The end effector of claim 1, further comprising a cutting member slideably receivable within the longitudinal channel, wherein the cutting member is deployable along the longitudinal channel.

5. The end effector of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first proximal contact surface or the second proximal contact surface comprises a PTC material.

6. An end effector comprising:

a first jaw member comprising a first proximal contact surface and a first distal contact surface,

wherein the first proximal contact surface and the first distal contact surface define a first opening therebetween;

a second jaw member comprising a second proximal contact surface and a second distal contact surface,

wherein the second jaw member is operatively coupled to the first jaw member, wherein the second proximal contact surface and the second distal contact surface define a second opening therebetween,

wherein when the first and second jaw members are in a closed position, the first and second openings define an aperture, the proximal contact surfaces define a proximal grasping region, and the distal contact surfaces define a distal grasping region, and

wherein the first and second jaw members define a longitudinal channel, and the longitudinal channel extends along the proximal grasping region and terminates in a closed end proximal to the aperture; and

a first proximal electrode coupled to the first proximal contact surface,

wherein the first proximal electrode is configured to deliver energy.

7. The end effector of claim 6, wherein the energy delivered to the first proximal electrode comprises at least one of monopolar electrosurgical energy, bipolar electrosurgical energy, ultrasonic energy, or any combination thereof.

8. The end effector of claim 6, further comprising a second proximal electrode coupled to the second proximal contact surface, wherein the second proximal electrode is configured as a return electrode for electrosurgical energy delivered by the first proximal electrode.

9. The end effector of claim 6, further comprising a first distal electrode coupled to the first distal contact surface, wherein the first distal electrode is configured to deliver energy, wherein the energy delivered to the first distal electrode comprises at least one of monopolar electrosurgical energy, bipolar electrosurgical energy, ultrasonic energy, or any combination thereof.

10. The end effector of claim 9, further comprising a second distal electrode coupled to the second distal contact surface, wherein the second distal electrode is configured as a return electrode for electrosurgical signal delivered by the first distal electrode.

11. The end effector of claim 6, further comprising a cutting member slideably receivable within the longitudinal channel, wherein the cutting member is deployable along the longitudinal channel.

12. The end effector of claim 6, wherein at least one of the first proximal contact surface or the second proximal contact surface comprises a PTC material.