Vessel sealing instrument

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016157925-A1
Application number	US-201615018985-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 9, 2016
Priority date	Oct 4, 2010
Publication date	Jun 9, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A bipolar electrosurgical instrument includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from its distal end. Each jaw member is adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween. A knife channel is configured to reciprocate a cutting mechanism therealong. An actuator selectively advances the cutting mechanism. A switch is disposed on the first shaft and is configured to be depressed between a first position and at least one subsequent position upon biasing engagement with a mechanical interface disposed on the second shaft. The first position of the switch relays information to the user corresponding to a desired pressure on tissue and the at least one subsequent position is configured to activate the source of electrosurgical energy to supply electrosurgical energy to the jaw members.

First claim

1 - 16 . (canceled)

17 . A forceps, comprising:
a first shaft having a first jaw member at a distal end thereof; a second shaft having a second jaw member at a distal end thereof, each of the first and second jaw members including an electrically conductive sealing surface, the first and second shafts pivotally coupled to each other about a pivot such that the jaw members are movable between an open position and a closed position; a trigger disposed on the first shaft; a knife operatively coupled to the trigger such that actuation of the trigger translates the knife distally through the pivot and into a knife channel extending at least partially through at least one of the jaw members; a first lead channel defined in the first jaw member and a second lead channel defined in the second jaw member, the first lead channel disposed in spaced relation to the pivot and extending between a proximal end that opens into an elongated raceway defined in the first jaw member and a distal end disposed distal to the pivot, the elongated raceway having a narrowed portion and a broadened portion; a first electrical lead routed through the narrowed portion of the elongated raceway and through the first lead channel to electrically couple to the electrically conductive sealing surface of the first jaw member; a second electrical lead routed at least partially through the elongated raceway, extending from the elongated raceway proximal to the pivot toward the second jaw member, and routed through the second lead channel to electrically couple to the electrically conductive sealing surface of the second jaw member; and a switch disposed on one of the first or second shafts and electrically coupled to at least one of the first or second electrical leads, the switch configured to be depressed when the jaw members are in the closed position to supply electrosurgical energy from an electrosurgical energy source to the electrically conductive sealing surfaces.

18 . The forceps according to claim 17 , wherein each of the electrically conductive sealing surfaces includes a junction configured to electrically connect to the corresponding first and second electrical leads.

19 . The forceps according to claim 17 , wherein the first electrical lead is interconnected between the switch and the electrically conductive sealing surface of the first jaw member.

20 . The forceps according to claim 17 , wherein the second electrical lead is interconnected between the switch and the electrically conductive sealing surface of the first jaw member.

21 . The forceps according to claim 17 , wherein the first electrical lead is configured to provide a first electrical potential of electrosurgical energy to the electrically conductive sealing surface of the first jaw member and the second electrical lead is configured to provide a second electrical potential of electrosurgical energy to the electrically conductive sealing surface of the second jaw member.

22 . The forceps according to claim 17 , wherein the pivot is disposed distal to the elongated raceway.

23 . A forceps, comprising:
a first shaft having a first jaw member at a distal end thereof; a second shaft having a second jaw member at a distal end thereof, each of the first and second jaw members including an electrically conductive sealing surface, the first and second shafts pivotally coupled to each other about a pivot such that the jaw members are movable between an open position and a closed position; a first lead channel defined in the first jaw member and a second lead channel defined in the second jaw member, the first and second lead channels disposed in spaced relation to the pivot, the first lead channel having a proximal end that opens into an elongated raceway defined in the first jaw member; a first electrical lead routed through at least a portion of the elongated raceway and through the first lead channel to electrically couple to the electrically conductive sealing surface of the first jaw member; a second electrical lead routed through at least a portion of the elongated raceway, extending from the elongated raceway proximal to the pivot toward the second jaw member, and routed through the second lead channel to electrically couple to the electrically conductive sealing surface of the second jaw member; and a switch disposed on one of the first or second shafts and electrically coupled to at least one of the first or second electrical leads, the switch configured to be depressed when the jaw members are in the closed position to supply electrosurgical energy from an electrosurgical energy source to the electrically conductive sealing surfaces.

24 . The forceps according to claim 23 , wherein the elongated raceway includes a narrowed portion and a broadened portion, the first electrical lead routed through the narrowed portion of the elongated raceway.

25 . The forceps according to claim 23 , further comprising:
a trigger disposed on the first shaft; and a knife operatively coupled to the trigger such that actuation of the trigger translates the knife distally through the pivot and into a knife channel extending at least partially through at least one of the jaw members.

26 . The forceps according to claim 23 , wherein the proximal end of the first lead channel opens into a narrowed portion of the elongated raceway.

Assignees

• Covidien Lp

Inventors

• Artale Ryan C
• Roy Jeffrey M
• Moua Tony
• Butcher Dennis W
• Dickhans William J
• Joseph Daniel A
• Waaler Luke
• Perry Cynthia M
• Collins Long Meghan

Classifications

• A61B2018/00309

  passive, e.g. palpable click when activating a button · CPC title

• A61B90/03

  Automatic limiting or abutting means, e.g. for safety · CPC title

• A61B18/1442 Primary

  Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps · CPC title

• A61B18/12 Primary

  by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current · CPC title

• A61B17/28

  Surgical forceps (biopsy forceps A61B10/06; {for holding suture needles or materials A61B17/0483; for removing or smashing calculi A61B17/221; surgical scissors A61B17/3201;} obstetrical forceps A61B17/44) · CPC title