Vessel sealing instrument with suction system

• US 9,974,601 B2
• Filed: 10/23/2014
• Issued: 05/22/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Jadhav, Amarsinh D., Mankar, Nikhil P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Nicole F
• Application Number:
  US14/522,058
• Publication Number:
  US 20150141980A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,307 Days
• Field of Search: 606 51
• 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 2018/00404 Blood vessels other than those in or around the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00601 Cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0063 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/146 Scissors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/007 Aspiration

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a forceps having an end effector assembly including first and second jaw members. At least one of the jaw members is movable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. Each jaw member includes an electrically-conductive tissue-contacting surface adapted to connect to a source of energy to treat tissue grasped between the jaw members. A suction system is disposed proximate the first and second jaw members and is configured to apply suction to a surgical site upon activation thereof.

Claims

1. A forceps, comprising:

a housing having a shaft extending therefrom;

an end effector assembly attached at the distal end of the shaft including first and second jaw members, at least one of the jaw members movable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween, each jaw member including an electrically-conductive tissue-contacting surface adapted to connect to a source of energy to treat tissue grasped between the jaw members; and

a suction system including a tube that is slidable relative to the shaft between a retracted position in which a distal end of the tube is in a first position and a deployed position in which the distal end of the tube is in a second position distal of the first position, the distal end of the tube disposed proximate the first and second jaw members and configured to apply suction to a surgical site upon activation thereof.

2. The forceps of claim 1, wherein the tube is attached to the shaft and is configured to connect to a low-pressure suction source.

3. The forceps of claim 2, wherein a portion of the tube is disposed within the shaft.

4. The forceps of claim 1, wherein in the deployed position, at least a portion of the tube is extendable to a position distal to the first and second jaw members.

5. The forceps of claim 2, wherein one of the first or second jaw members is fixed and integral with the shaft.

6. The forceps of claim 5, wherein the tube is offset relative to the fixed jaw member.

7. The forceps of claim 1, further comprising a blade disposed within the shaft and configured to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members.

8. The forceps of claim 1, further comprising an actuator configured to selectively deploy and retract the tube.

9. A method for performing a surgical procedure, comprising:

providing a vessel sealing device having two opposable jaw members operably connected to a shaft, at least one of the jaw members configured to move relative to the other between an open position and a clamped position;

extending a tube of a suction system from a retracted position to a deployed position such that a distal end of the tube is translated distally from the retracted position to the deployed position;

grasping a vessel between the two jaw members;

applying electrosurgical energy to seal tissue; and

activating the suction system to suction bodily fluids from a surgical site through the tube during the surgical procedure.

10. A vessel sealer, comprising:

a housing having a shaft extending therefrom, the shaft having a longitudinal axis;

an end effector assembly attached at the distal end of the shaft including first and second jaw members, at least one of the jaw members movable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween, each jaw member including an electrically-conductive tissue-contacting surface adapted to connect to a source of energy to treat tissue grasped between the jaw members; and

a suction system disposed proximate the first and second jaw members and configured to apply suction to a surgical site upon activation thereof, the suction system including a tube slidably disposed on the shaft radially offset of the second jaw member relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, the tube configured to move between a retracted position proximal of a distal end of the first and second jaw members to a deployed position wherein at least a portion of the tube extends distally of the distal end of the first and second jaw members.

11. The vessel sealer of claim 10, wherein the tube is disposed within the shaft.

12. The vessel sealer of claim 10, wherein the tube is connected to a suction tube deployment device that is operably connected to the housing.

13. The vessel sealer of claim 12, wherein the suction tube deployment device includes an actuator that deploys the tube from a retracted position via at least one of a button, a handle, a mechanical deployment system, an electro-mechanical deployment system, a lever, and a slide.