Bipolar electrosurgical instrument for sealing vessels

• US 20040225288A1
• Filed: 04/07/2004
• Published: 11/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Buysse, Steven Paul, Luzzi, Robert, Schmaltz, Dale Francis, Lawes, Kate Ryland, Kennedy, Jenifer Serafin, Mitchell, Mathew Erle, Olson, Kirk Bryan, Trimberger, Daniel Lee II
• Granted Patent: US 7,179,258 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/51
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1442 Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2945 Curved jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00083 low, i.e. electrically insulating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0063 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1432 curved

Abstract

A bipolar electrosurgical instrument has opposable seal surfaces on its jaws for grasping and sealing vessels and vascular tissue. Inner and outer instrument members allow arcuate motion of the seal surfaces. An open lockbox provides a pivot with lateral support to maintain alignment of the lateral surfaces. Ratchets on the instrument members hold a constant closure force on the tissue during the seal process. A shank portion on each member is tuned to provide an appropriate spring force to hold the seal surfaces together. During surgery, the instrument can be used to grasp and clamp vascular tissue and apply bipolar electrosurgical current through the clamped tissue. In one embodiment, the seal surfaces are partially insulated to prevent a short circuit when the instrument jaws are closed together. In another embodiment, the seal surfaces are removably mounted on the jaws.

Claims

1-22. -22.

23. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument, comprising:

a first shaft having a jaw member attached to a distal end thereof, a second shaft member having a jaw member attached to a distal end thereof, the first and second jaw members each including a sealing surface disposed thereon which reside in opposing relation relative to one another, the jaw members being movable from a first position wherein the sealing surfaces are disposed in spaced apart relation relative to one another to at least one second position wherein the sealing surfaces grasp tissue therebetween;

a connector adapted to electrically couple the jaw members to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the sealing surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween;

a stop operatively associated with at least one of the jaw members for maintaining a minimum separation distance between the sealing surfaces; and

a ratchet operatively associated with at least one of the shaft members, the ratchet being selectively positionable to maintain a closure pressure in the range of about 7 kg/cm² to about 13 kg/cm² between sealing surfaces.

24. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument according to claim 23 wherein the ratchet includes a plurality of complimentary interlocking mechanical interfaces disposed on each of the shaft members.

25. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument according to claim 23 wherein the stop is made from an electrically insulative material.

26. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument according to claim 23 wherein the jaw members are curved at a distal end thereof.

27. An electrosurgical system, comprising:

an electrosurgical generator for generating electrosurgical energy;

a first shaft having a jaw member attached to a distal end thereof, a second shaft member having a jaw member attached to a distal end thereof, the first and second jaw members each including a sealing surface disposed thereon which reside in opposing relation relative to one another, the jaw members being movable from a first position wherein the sealing surfaces are disposed in spaced apart relation relative to one another to at least one second position wherein the sealing surfaces grasp tissue therebetween;

a connector adapted to electrically couple the jaw members to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the sealing surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween;

a ratchet operatively associated with at least one of the shaft members, the ratchet being selectively positionable to maintain a closure pressure in the range of about 7 kg/cm² to about 13 kg/cm² between sealing surfaces; and

means for regulating the electrosurgical energy to the tissue as a function of at least one of;

impedance of the output load on the electrosurgical generator;

phase angle between the output voltage and the output current;

output current flowing through the tissue; and

temperature of the tissue.

28. An electrosurgical system according to claim 27 wherein the regulating means includes a feedback control system disposed within the generator.

29. An electrosurgical system according to claim 27 wherein the regulating means monitors the impedance on the electrosurgical generator and terminates the electrosurgical energy once the impedance reaches a predetermined level.

30. An electrosurgical system according to claim 29 wherein the predetermined level is above 1000 ohms.

31. An electrosurgical system according to claim 27 wherein the regulating means monitors the phase angle between the output voltage and the current emanating from the electrosurgical generator and terminates the electrosurgical energy once the phase angle reaches a predetermined angle.

32. A bipolar electrosurgical system according to claim 31 wherein the predetermined angle is greater than about 50 degrees.

33. An electrosurgical system, comprising:

an electrosurgical generator for generating electrosurgical energy;

a first shaft having a jaw member attached to a distal end thereof, a second shaft member having a jaw member attached to a distal end thereof, the first and second jaw members each including a sealing surface disposed thereon which reside in opposing relation relative to one another, the jaw members being movable from a first position wherein the sealing surfaces are disposed in spaced apart relation relative to one another to at least one second position wherein the sealing surfaces grasp tissue therebetween;

a connector adapted to electrically couple the jaw members to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the sealing surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween;

a ratchet operatively associated with at least one of the shaft members, the ratchet being selectively positionable to maintain a closure pressure in the range of about 7 kg/cm² to about 13 kg/cm² between sealing surfaces; and

wherein the electrosurgical generator includes a feedback control which monitors the impedance of the tissue and adjusts the electrosurgical energy accordingly to minimize damage to the tissue.

34. An electrosurgical system according to claim 33 wherein the feedback control includes an audible indicator.

35. A bipolar electrosurgical system according to claim 33 wherein the feedback control reduces at least one of charring and sticking of the tissue.

36. A bipolar electrosurgical system according to claim 33 wherein the feedback control limits arcing.

37. A bipolar electrosurgical system according to claim 33 wherein the jaw members include exposed outer surfaces, the exposed outer surfaces having an insulating material sprayed thereon.