Single action tissue sealer

• US 10,188,452 B2
• Filed: 05/03/2016
• Issued: 01/29/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Garrison, David M., Hermes, Paul, Dycus, Sean T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S
• Application Number:
  US15/145,126
• Publication Number:
  US 20160242842A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,001 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/282 Jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/285 combined with cutting implements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32 Surgical cutting instruments A61B18/042 takes precedence; suture cutters A61B17/0467; instruments for ligaturing or cutting A61B17/128; instruments for rupturing the amniotic membrane A61B17/4208; specially adapted knives for eye surgery A61F9/0133
• 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 17/3205 Excision instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/00 Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body eye surgery A61F9/007; ear surgery A61F11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/085 Forceps, scissors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1206 Generators therefor
• 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 18/18 by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves radiation therapy A61N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2946 Locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00404 Blood vessels other than those in or around the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00589 Coagulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00595 Cauterization
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00601 Cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0063 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00702 Power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00916 with means for switching or controlling the main function of the instrument or device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00922 by switching or controlling the treatment energy directly within the hand-piece
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/126 bipolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1412 : Blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1455 : having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/08021 : of the patient or his organs

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.

Claims

1. A bipolar forceps, comprising:

a housing;

an elongated shaft extending from the housing;

an end effector coupled to a distal end of the elongated shaft, the end effector including a first jaw member and a second jaw member, at least one of the first and second jaw members movable relative to the other jaw member between an open position and a closed position;

a drive assembly disposed within the housing and selectively movable to actuate at least one of the first or second jaw members;

a cutting assembly disposed within the housing and selectively actuatable to advance a knife blade through at least one of the first or second jaw members; and

a handle assembly including;

a fixed handle extending from the housing and having a flexible latch detent and a detent rib each disposed within the fixed handle;

a movable handle pivotable relative to the fixed handle; and

a flange having a first end connected to the movable handle and a second end disposed within the fixed handle and adjacent the flexible latch detent, wherein a first movement of the movable handle causes the second end of the flange to engage the flexible latch detent indicating an end of a tissue sealing stage, and wherein continued movement of the movable handle causes the second end of the flange to engage the detent rib indicating an actuation of the cutting assembly.