Surgical forceps

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016000496-A1
Application number	US-201514851466-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Sep 11, 2015
Priority date	Oct 3, 2011
Publication date	Jan 7, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members movable between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. A knife assembly having a cutting blade disposed at a distal end thereof is also provided. The knife assembly is translatable relative to the end effector assembly between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the cutting blade extends between the jaw members to cut tissue grasped therebetween. The knife assembly includes a proximal component and a first distal component that includes the cutting blade. The proximal and first distal components are removably coupled to one another to facilitate replacement of the first distal component. Methods of preparing such forceps for reuse are also provided.

First claim

1 - 20 . (canceled)

21 . A method of preparing a tissue sealing instrument for reuse, comprising:
obtaining a tissue sealing instrument that has been used to seal tissue, the tissue sealing instrument including a knife assembly having at least one proximal component and a first knife blade engaged to one another; disengaging the at least one proximal component from the first knife blade; discarding the first knife blade; at least one of cleaning or sterilizing the at least one proximal component; and engaging the at least one proximal component to a second knife blade.

22 . The method according to claim 21 , wherein disengaging the at least one proximal component from the first knife blade includes removing at least one pin coupling the at least one proximal component and the first knife blade.

23 . The method according to claim 21 , wherein engaging the at least one proximal component to the second knife blade includes positioning at least one pin to couple the at least one proximal component and the second knife blade to one another.

24 . The method according to claim 21 , wherein disengaging the at least one proximal component from the first knife blade includes disconnecting at least one snap-fit engagement.

25 . The method according to claim 21 , wherein engaging the at least one proximal component to the second knife blade includes connecting at least one snap-fit engagement.

26 . The method according to claim 21 , wherein disengaging the at least one proximal component from the first knife blade includes removing a portion of the first knife blade from within the at least one proximal component.

27 . The method according to claim 21 , wherein engaging the at least one proximal component to the second knife blade includes inserting a portion of the second knife blade into the at least one proximal component.

28 . The method according to claim 21 ,
wherein the tissue sealing instrument that has been used to seal tissue further includes:
a housing;
a shaft;
first and second jaw members;
a movable handle; and
a movable trigger, and
wherein the method further includes at least one of cleaning or sterilizing the housing, the shaft, the first and second jaw members, the movable handle, or the movable trigger.

29 . A method of preparing a knife assembly of a tissue sealing instrument that has been used to seal and cut tissue for reuse, comprising:
disassembling a knife assembly including at least one proximal component and a first knife blade at least by disengaging the at least one proximal component from the first knife blade; discarding the first knife blade; at least one of sterilizing or cleaning the at least one proximal component; obtaining a second knife blade; and reassembling the knife assembly at least by engaging the at least one proximal component to the second knife blade.

30 . The method according to claim 29 , wherein disassembling the knife assembly includes removing at least one pin of the knife assembly.

31 . The method according to claim 29 , wherein reassembling the knife assembly includes positioning at least one pin of the knife assembly.

32 . The method according to claim 29 , wherein disassembling the knife assembly includes disconnecting at least one snap-fit engagement.

33 . The method according to claim 29 , wherein reassembling the knife assembly includes connecting at least one snap-fit engagement.

34 . The method according to claim 29 , wherein disassembling the knife assembly includes withdrawing the first knife blade.

35 . The method according to claim 29 , wherein reassembling the knife assembly includes inserting the second knife blade.

36 . A method of preparing a tissue sealing instrument for reuse, comprising:
obtaining a tissue sealing instrument that has been used to seal and cut tissue, the tissue sealing instrument including a plurality of reusable parts including a housing, a shaft, first and second jaw members, a movable handle, a movable trigger, and at least one proximal component of a knife assembly, the tissue sealing instrument including at least one disposable part including a first knife blade of the knife assembly, the tissue sealing instrument obtained in an assembled state wherein the shaft extends distally from the housing and supports the jaw members at a distal end thereof, the movable handle extends from the housing and is operably coupled to the jaw members, the trigger extends from the housing and is operably coupled to the at least one proximal component, and the first knife blade is engaged to the at least one proximal component and slidably disposed within the shaft; disassembling the at least one disposable part from the plurality of reusable parts; at least one of cleaning or sterilizing the plurality of reusable parts; discarding the at least one disposable part; obtaining a replacement part for each of the at least one disposable parts, wherein the replacement part for the first knife blade is a second knife blade; and reassembling the at least one replacement part with the plurality of reusable parts.

37 . The method according to claim 36 ,
wherein disassembling includes removing at least one pin of the knife assembly, and wherein reassembling includes positioning at least one pin of the knife assembly.

38 . The method according to claim 36 ,
wherein disassembling includes disconnecting at least one snap-fit engagement associated with the knife assembly, and wherein reassembling includes connecting at least one snap-fit engagement associated with the knife assembly.

39 . The method according to claim 36 ,
wherein disassembling includes slidably withdrawing the at least one disposable part, and wherein reassembling includes slidably inserting the at least one disposable part.

40 . The method according to claim 39 ,
wherein disassembling includes slidably withdrawing the first knife blade, and wherein reassembling includes slidably inserting the second knife blade.

Assignees

• Covidien Lp

Inventors

• Kerr Duane E
• Allen Iv James D
• Chojin Edward M
• Evans Allan J
• Hempstead Russell D
• Horner Glenn A
• Huseman Mark J
• Joseph Daniel A
• Reschke Arlen J
• Sharp Robert M

Classifications

• A61B17/295

  combined with cutting implements · CPC title

• A61B18/085

  Forceps, scissors · CPC title

• A61B2017/2939

  Details of linkages or pivot points · CPC title

• A61B2017/2946

  Locking means · CPC title

• A61B2018/00404

  Blood vessels other than those in or around the heart · CPC title