Vessel sealer and divider

• US 9,737,357 B2
• Filed: 09/24/2013
• Issued: 08/22/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Dycus, Sean T., Peterson, Darion R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fernandez, Katherine
• Assistant Examiner(s): Behringer, Luther G
• Application Number:
  US14/034,659
• Publication Number:
  US 20140031819A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,428 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12009 Implements for ligaturing other than by clamps or clips, e.g. using a loop with a slip knot
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/282 Jaws
• 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 18/085 Forceps, scissors
• 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 18/1482 having a long rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously in minimal invasive surgery, e.g. laparoscopy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1485 having a short rigid shaft for accessing the inner body through natural openings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2929 with a head rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2946 Locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00083 low, i.e. electrically insulating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0013 non-sticking
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00345 Vascular system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00404 Blood vessels other than those in or around the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00601 Cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00619 Welding
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0063 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00922 by switching or controlling the treatment energy directly within the hand-piece
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00982 combined with or comprising means for visual or photographic inspections inside the body, e.g. endoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1412 Blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/144 Wire
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1452 : including means for cutting A61B2018/146 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1455 : having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1861 : with an instrument inserted into a body lumen or cavity, e.g. a catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/034 : abutting on parts of the device itself

Abstract

An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof. The jaw members are movable relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The forceps also includes a source of electrical energy connected to each jaw member such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal. A generally tube-like cutter is included which is slidably engaged about the elongated shaft and which is selectively movable about the elongated shaft to engage and cut tissue on at least one side of the jaw members while the tissue is engaged between jaw members.

Claims

1. An endoscopic bipolar forceps, comprising:

a housing;

an elongated shaft extending distally from the housing and having first and second jaw members towards a distal end thereof, the first and second jaw members movable relative to one another from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position where the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween;

a rotation knob disposed on the housing and disposed about the elongated shaft towards a proximal end of the elongated shaft such that the elongated shaft rotates in response to rotation of the rotation knob;

each jaw member adapted to connect to an energy source such that upon activation thereof the first and second jaw members selectively conduct energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal;

a first cable lead cooperating with a plurality of first cable guides to route the first cable lead through the rotation knob and the elongated shaft, the first cable lead including a slack, looped portion disposed within the rotation knob; and

a second cable lead cooperating with a plurality of second cable guides to route the second cable lead through the rotation knob and the elongated shaft, the second cable lead including a slack, looped portion disposed within the rotation knob,

wherein the first cable lead transmits a first electrical potential from the energy source to the first jaw member and the second cable lead transmits a second electrical potential from the energy source to the second jaw member, such that the first and second jaw members are electrically isolated from each other.

2. The endoscopic bipolar forceps according to claim 1, wherein the first and second jaw members pivot about a pivot pin securing the first and second jaw members to each other.

3. The endoscopic bipolar forceps according to claim 1, wherein the elongated shaft rotates via the rotation knob without tangling or twisting the first and second cable leads.

4. The endoscopic bipolar forceps according to claim 1, wherein the first cable lead activates a first sealing plate of the first jaw member and the second cable lead activates a second sealing plate of the second jaw member.

5. The endoscopic bipolar forceps according to claim 1, wherein at least one cable guide of the plurality of first cable guides is disposed on a pivot flange of the first jaw member for directing the first cable lead through an aperture of the first jaw member.

6. The endoscopic bipolar forceps according to claim 1, wherein at least one cable guide of the plurality of first cable guides directs the first cable lead through an electrical conductor disposed on an opposed end of a first sealing plate of the first jaw member.

7. The endoscopic bipolar forceps according to claim 1, wherein the first cable lead is secured to the first jaw member so as to permit rotation of the first jaw member about a pivot pin securing the first and second jaw members to each other.

8. The endoscopic bipolar forceps according to claim 1, wherein the rotation knob further includes at least one stop member dimensioned to interface with a corresponding notch to prevent over-rotation of the rotation knob.

9. The endoscopic bipolar forceps according to claim 1, wherein the rotation knob has an inner wall that defines a cavity of the rotation knob, the inner wall having a cylindrical proximal portion along which a proximal portion of the first cable lead extends and a conical distal portion along which a distal portion of the first cable lead extends.

10. The endoscopic bipolar forceps according to claim 9, wherein the slack, looped portion of the first cable lead is disposed adjacent the proximal portion of the first cable lead and within the conical portion of the inner wall of the rotation knob.