END EFFECTOR COATINGS FOR ELECTROSURGICAL INSTRUMENTS

• US 20080077131A1
• Filed: 09/22/2006
• Published: 03/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Shuster, Philip Q., Kuhns, Jesse J., Giordano, James R., Yates, David C., Witt, David A., Moran, Kenneth V., Baxter, Chester O.
• Granted Patent: US 7,780,663 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/48
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/068 Surgical staplers , e.g. containing multiple staples or clampsstaplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105; for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; staplers in general B25C5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• 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 2017/320052 Guides for cutting instruments by marking A61B2090/395
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00083 low, i.e. electrically insulating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00107 Coatings on the energy applicator
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1412 Blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1455 having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws

Abstract

An electrosurgical stapling instrument includes an end effector capable of applying bipolar RF energy into tissue. The end effector has a first pole electrode and a second pole electrode for forming an RF contact circuit with tissue. At least one of the electrodes may have a dielectric coating thereon to create a RF circuit with tissue. The dielectric coating can cover one of the electrodes to create a capacitive coupling circuit with tissue, or can have at least one open passageway extending through the dielectric coating to enable tissue contact with the electrode and the passage of RF energy therethrough. The dielectric coating on the electrode can be masked to create passageways through the dielectric, or the dielectric coating can be locally removed with a variety of techniques to form passageways. The dielectric coating may provide a barrier to prevent shorting between the dielectrically coated electrode and a conductive fastener embedded within tissue. Alternately, a cartridge coating can be used to reduce an electric surface sheet charge on the cartridge thermoplastic that can occur during the application of RF energy to tissue.

Claims

1. An electrosurgical instrument having an end effector capable of receiving RF bipolar energy therein, said end effector comprising;

a) a first pole electrode;

b) a second pole electrode; and

c) a dielectric coating placed on at least one of said first and second pole electrodes, said dielectric coating having at least one open channel through said dielectric coating to provide passage of radio frequency energy between said first and second pole electrodes.

2. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 1 wherein at least one of said first pole electrode or said second pole electrode includes at least one staple forming pocket therein, wherein said at least one staple forming pocket is free of dielectric coating and provides at least one open channel through said dielectric coating.

3. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 2 wherein said dielectric coating contains at least one coating selected from the group of polytetrafluroethelene, at least one of a series of polymers based on paraxylene, titanium dioxide, and epoxy.

4. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 3 wherein said at least one channel is created by selectively removing said dielectric coating from at least one of said first pole electrode or said second pole electrode by a process comprising one or more of:

a) sandblasting,

b) water jetting,

c) grinding, or

d) laser etching.

5. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 3 wherein said dielectric passage is created by selectively masking areas of said first pole electrode or said second pole electrode to prevent dielectric coatings from adhering thereto.

6. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 2 wherein said electrosurgical instrument includes at least one staple formable against one of said first pole electrode or said second pole electrode.

7. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 6 wherein said staple has a dielectric coating.

8. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 2 wherein said dielectric coating comprises one or more of:

a) a generally constant thickness, or

b) a variable thickness.

9. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 2 further including a knife moveable through the end effector.

11. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 9 wherein said dielectric coating creates a capacitive coupling circuit when clamping and coagulating tissue.

10. An electrosurgical instrument having an end effector for clamping and coagulating tissue, said end effector comprising;

a) a first pole electrode in said end effector,

b) a second pole electrode in said end effector; and

c) a dielectric coating covering at least one of said first pole electrodes and said second pole electrodes, said dielectric coating placing a non-conducting barrier between tissue and at least one of said first pole electrodes and said second pole electrodes.

12. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 10 wherein said dielectric coating covering at least one of said first pole electrodes and said second pole electrodes includes at least one open passage therethrough for the direct passage of electrical energy between said electrically active first and second pole electrodes.

13. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 10 wherein said electrical energy is radio frequency energy.

14. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 10 wherein said dielectric coating is at least one selected from the group of polytetrafluroethelene, at least one of a series of polymers based on paraxylene, titanium dioxide, and epoxy.

15. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 10 further including a knife moveable through the end effector.

17. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 15 wherein said coating is a dielectric comprising at least one selected from a group of polytetrafluroethelene, at least one of a series of polymers based on paraxylene, titanium dioxide, and epoxy.

19. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 15 wherein said staple cartridge includes at least one driver.

21. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 19 wherein said dielectric coating on said driver is at least one selected from the group of polytetrafluroethelene, at least one of a series of polymers based on paraxylene, titanium dioxide, or an epoxy.

22. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 15 further including a knife moveable through the end effector.

23. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 15 further including a dielectric coating on said at least one staple, wherein said dielectric coating is at least one selected from the group of polytetrafluroethelene, at least one of a series of polymers based on paraxylene, titanium dioxide, and epoxy.

25. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 15, wherein said dielectric coating on said staple is at least one selected from the group of polytetrafluroethelene, at least one of a series of polymers based on paraxylene, titanium dioxide, and epoxy.

16. An electrosurgical instrument having an end effector capable of applying bipolar energy and placing at least one staple into tissue compressed therein, said end effector comprising;

a) a first pole electrode;

b) a second pole electrode; and

c) a staple cartridge having said at least one staple therein, said staple cartridge having a coating to reduce formation of a surface charge thereon during the application of bipolar energy to tissue.

18. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 16 wherein said coating on said staple cartridge comprises one or more of:

a) a thermally resistant coating, or

b) a lubricious Coating.

20. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 18 wherein said at least one driver has a dielectric coating to reduce formation of a surface charge thereon.

24. An electrosurgical instrument having an end effector capable of applying bipolar energy and placing at least one staple into tissue compressed therein, said end effector comprising;

a) a first pole electrode;

b) a second pole electrode; and

c) a conductive staple having a dielectric coating, said dielectric coating preventing said staple from conducting contact electrosurgical energy.