Endoscopic vessel sealer and divider for large tissue structures
First Claim
1. An endoscopic bipolar forceps, comprising:
- a housing;
a shaft extending from the housing defining a longitudinal axis;
first and second jaw members supported at a distal end of the shaft and capable of conducting electrosurgical energy to tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal, at least one of the first and second jaw members moveable relative to the other from a first position wherein the first and second jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the first and second jaw members are closer to one another for manipulating tissue;
a moveable handle rotatable about a pivot to move the first and second jaw members between the first and second position, the pivot located a fixed distance above the longitudinal axis;
a knife assembly having a knife bar configured to move a knife to cut tissue disposed between the first and second jaw members, the knife bar including a generally t-shaped proximal end dimensioned to operatively engage a corresponding slot defined within the housing, the slot guiding movement of the knife bar during translation thereof; and
a knife lockout mechanism operatively connected to the moveable handle wherein movement of the moveable handle moves the knife lockout mechanism from a first orientation to a second orientation, wherein in the first orientation the knife lockout mechanism prevents the knife bar from moving, and wherein in the second orientation the knife lockout mechanism allows selective, unencumbered movement of the knife bar to cut tissue disposed between the first and second jaw members.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes a housing having a shaft affixed thereto, the shaft including jaw members at a distal end thereof. The forceps also includes a drive assembly which moves the jaw member relative to one another for manipulating tissue and a knife assembly for cutting tissue disposed between jaw members. The forceps also includes a knife lockout mechanism operatively connected to the drive assembly. Movement of the drive assembly moves the knife lockout mechanism from a first orientation in obstructive relationship with the knife bar to prevent movement thereof to a second position which allows selective, unencumbered movement of the knife assembly to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members.
951 Citations
14 Claims
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1. An endoscopic bipolar forceps, comprising:
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a housing; a shaft extending from the housing defining a longitudinal axis; first and second jaw members supported at a distal end of the shaft and capable of conducting electrosurgical energy to tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal, at least one of the first and second jaw members moveable relative to the other from a first position wherein the first and second jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the first and second jaw members are closer to one another for manipulating tissue; a moveable handle rotatable about a pivot to move the first and second jaw members between the first and second position, the pivot located a fixed distance above the longitudinal axis; a knife assembly having a knife bar configured to move a knife to cut tissue disposed between the first and second jaw members, the knife bar including a generally t-shaped proximal end dimensioned to operatively engage a corresponding slot defined within the housing, the slot guiding movement of the knife bar during translation thereof; and a knife lockout mechanism operatively connected to the moveable handle wherein movement of the moveable handle moves the knife lockout mechanism from a first orientation to a second orientation, wherein in the first orientation the knife lockout mechanism prevents the knife bar from moving, and wherein in the second orientation the knife lockout mechanism allows selective, unencumbered movement of the knife bar to cut tissue disposed between the first and second jaw members. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An endoscopic bipolar forceps, comprising:
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a housing; a shaft affixed to the housing having a longitudinal axis defined therethrough; first and second jaw members at a distal end of the shaft electrically connected to a source of electrosurgical energy through the shaft such that the first and second jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal; a selectively translatable drive sleeve configured to transition at least one of the first and second jaw members relative to the other between a first position wherein the first and second jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another and a second position wherein the first and second jaw members are closer to one another for manipulating tissue; a movable handle rotatable about a pivot to move the drive sleeve to transition the first and second jaw members between the first and second positions, the pivot located a fixed distance above the longitudinal axis; a knife assembly having a knife bar with a t-shaped proximal end, said knife assembly selectively movable to advance the knife bar which, in turn, moves a knife to cut tissue between jaw members; and a knife lockout mechanism operatively coupled to the drive sleeve wherein translation of the drive sleeve pivots the knife lockout mechanism between a first orientation in obstructive relationship with the t-shaped proximal end of the knife bar to prevent movement thereof to a second orientation which allows selective, unencumbered movement of the t-shaped proximal end of the knife bar to reciprocate the knife to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members.
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11. An endoscopic bipolar forceps, comprising:
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a housing; a shaft affixed to the housing having a longitudinal axis defined therethrough; first and second jaw members at a distal end of the shaft electrically connected to a source of electrosurgical energy through the shaft such that the first and second jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal; a selectively translatable drive sleeve configured to move at least one of the first and second jaw members relative to the other 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 are closer to one another for manipulating tissue; a movable handle rotatable about a pivot to translate the drive sleeve to move the first and second jaw members between the first and second positions, the pivot located a fixed distance above the longitudinal axis; a selectively moveable knife assembly having a knife bar which moves a knife to cut tissue between jaw members, the knife bar including a generally t-shaped proximal end dimensioned to operatively engage a corresponding slot defined within the housing, the slot guiding the movement of the knife bar during translation thereof; and a knife lockout mechanism operatively connected to the drive sleeve wherein translation of the drive sleeve moves the knife lockout mechanism from a first orientation in obstructive relationship with the knife bar to prevent movement thereof to a second orientation which allows selective, unencumbered movement of the knife bar to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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Specification