Endoscopic electrosurgical jaws with offset knife

• US 8,523,898 B2
• Filed: 08/10/2012
• Issued: 09/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Bucciaglia, Joseph D., Chojin, Edward M., Horner, Glenn A.
• Primary Examiner(s): PEFFLEY, MICHAEL F
• Application Number:
  US13/571,821
• Publication Number:
  US 20120303023A1
• Time in Patent Office: 389 Days
• Field of Search: 606 45- 52, 606205-207
• US Class Current: 606/205
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/2909 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/295 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 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 2017/2911 rings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2919 details of linkages or pivot points
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2922 toggle linkages
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2945 Curved jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320052 Guides for cutting instruments by marking A61B2090/395
• 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 2018/1412 Blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1432 curved
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1455 having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/034 abutting on parts of the device itself
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/18 Applying electric currents by contact electrodes

Abstract

A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members. Each jaw member includes a proximal flange having an inwardly-facing surface. The proximal flanges are coupled to one another for moving the jaw members relative to one another between a first position and a second position for grasping tissue therebetween. The inwardly-facing surfaces of the proximal flanges are disposed in abutting relation relative to one another. A knife is configured to move along a knife path defined along an outwardly-facing surface of one of the proximal flanges. The knife is movable between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the knife extends between the jaw members to cut tissue grasped therebetween.

Claims

1. A forceps, comprising:

an end effector assembly, including;

first and second jaw members, each jaw member including a proximal flange having an inwardly-facing surface, the proximal flanges coupled to one another for moving the jaw members relative to one another between a first position and a second position for grasping tissue therebetween, the inwardly-facing surfaces of the proximal flanges disposed in abutting relation relative to one another;

a knife configured to move along a knife path defined along an outwardly-facing surface of one of the proximal flanges, the knife movable between a refracted position and an extended position, wherein the knife extends between the jaw members to cut tissue grasped therebetween; and

a knife guide disposed on the outwardly-facing surface of at least one of the proximal flanges, the knife guide including a blade stop pivotably coupled thereto and biased to obstruct the knife path when the first and second jaw members are disposed in a first, open configuration to prevent distal translation of knife blade.

2. The forceps according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the jaw members defines a knife channel therein, the knife channel configured to receive the knife upon movement of the knife from the retracted position to the extended position.

3. The forceps according to claim 2, wherein the knife channel is offset from a longitudinal axis defined through the end effector assembly.

4. The forceps according to claim 3, wherein the knife channel is offset from the longitudinal axis of the end effector assembly in a direction towards the knife path.

5. The forceps according to claim 1, wherein the knife guide is configured to guide movement of the knife along the knife path.

6. The forceps according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the jaw members is adapted to connect to a source of energy to communicate energy to tissue grasped between the jaw members.

7. The forceps according to claim 1, wherein the knife path extends in substantially parallel orientation relative to a longitudinal axis defined through the end effector assembly.

8. The forceps according to claim 1, wherein the knife guide is configured to guide movement of the knife along the knife path.

9. A forceps, comprising:

an end effector assembly, including;

first and second jaw members, at least one of the jaw members defining a knife channel extending therethrough, each jaw member including a proximal flange having an inwardly-facing surface, the proximal flanges coupled to one another for moving the jaw members relative to one another between a first position and a second position for grasping tissue therebetween, the inwardly-facing surfaces of the proximal flanges disposed in abutting relation relative to one another;

a knife configured to move along a knife path defined along an outwardly-facing surface of one of the proximal flanges, the knife movable between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the knife extends through the knife channel and between the jaw members to cut tissue grasped therebetween; and

a knife guide disposed on the outwardly-facing surface of at least one of the proximal flanges, the knife guide including a blade stop pivotably coupled thereto and biased to obstruct the knife path when the first and second jaw members are disposed in a first, open configuration to prevent distal translation of knife blade.

10. The forceps according to claim 9, wherein the knife channel is offset from a longitudinal axis defined through the end effector assembly.

11. The forceps according to claim 10, wherein the knife channel is offset from the longitudinal axis of the end effector assembly in a direction towards the knife path.

12. The forceps according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the jaw members is adapted to connect to a source of energy to communicate energy to tissue grasped between the jaw members.

13. The forceps according to claim 9, wherein the knife channel and the knife path are disposed in substantial alignment with one another.

14. The forceps according to claim 9, wherein the knife path extends in substantially parallel orientation relative to a longitudinal axis defined through the end effector assembly.