Surgical forceps

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-8968317-B2
Application number	US-201113212297-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 18, 2011
Priority date	Aug 18, 2011
Publication date	Mar 3, 2015
Grant date	Mar 3, 2015

Abstract

A forceps includes an end effector assembly including first and second jaw members. One or both of the jaw members is moveable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. One or both of the jaw members includes a jaw frame including an engagement recess defined on each lateral side thereof and a replaceable component configured for slidable positioning about the jaw frame. The replaceable component includes an outer jaw housing having an engagement tang disposed on each lateral side thereof. The engagement tangs are configured to engage the engagement recesses of the jaw frame upon slidable positioning of the replaceable component about the jaw frame to secure the replaceable component to the jaw frame. The replaceable component includes an electrically conductive tissue sealing plate engaged to the outer jaw housing to define a tissue sealing surface.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A forceps, comprising:
an end effector assembly including first and second jaw members, at least one of the first and second jaw members moveable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween, at least one of the first and second jaw members including:
a jaw frame including an engagement recess defined on each lateral side thereof;
an electrical connection member disposed on the jaw frame and adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy, the electrical connection member including an insulative covering disposed thereabout and a first exposed electrical contact; and
a replaceable component configured for slidable positioning about the jaw frame, the replaceable component including:
an outer jaw housing having an engagement tang disposed on each lateral side thereof, the engagement tangs configured to engage the engagement recesses of the jaw frame upon slidable positioning of the replaceable component about the jaw frame to secure the replaceable component to the jaw frame; and
an electrically conductive tissue sealing plate engaged to the outer jaw housing to define a tissue sealing surface, the electrically conductive tissue sealing plate including a finger extending into the outer jaw housing, wherein, upon slidable positioning of the replaceable component about the jaw frame to secure the replaceable component to the jaw frame, the finger is translated along the insulative covering and into contact with the first exposed electrical contact to electrically couple the electrically conductive tissue sealing plate with the electrical connection member.

2. The forceps according to claim 1 , wherein the tissue sealing plate and the outer jaw housing each include a plurality of complementary protrusions and recesses such that the tissue sealing plate is configured to snap-fittingly engage the outer jaw housing.

3. The forceps according to claim 1 , further comprising an insulator disposed within the outer jaw housing, the insulator configured to electrically isolate the tissue sealing plate from the outer jaw housing.

4. The forceps according to claim 3 , wherein the insulator and the outer jaw housing each include a plurality of protrusions and recesses engageable with one another to retain the insulator in position within the outer jaw housing.

5. The forceps according to claim 1 , further comprising a knife assembly including a knife blade, the knife blade longitudinally translatable relative to the jaw members between a retracted position and an extended position for cutting tissue grasped between the jaw members.

6. The forceps according to claim 1 , further comprising an electrical cutting member engaged with the replaceable component, the electrical cutting member configured to electrically cut tissue grasped between the jaw members.

7. The forceps according to claim 6 , wherein the electrical connection member includes a second exposed electrical contact and wherein the electrical cutting member includes a finger configured to electrically couple to the second exposed electrical contact of the electrical connection member upon slidable positioning of the replaceable component about the jaw frame to secure the replaceable component to the jaw frame.

8. The forceps according to claim 1 , wherein the finger is resiliently flexible such that, upon slidable positioning of the replaceable component about the jaw frame to secure the replaceable component to the jaw frame, the finger is biased into contact with the first exposed electrical contact.

9. A forceps, comprising:
an end effector assembly including first and second jaw members, at least one of the first and second jaw members moveable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween, at least one of the first and second jaw members including:
a jaw frame including at least one engagement member defined thereon and a flex circuit disposed thereon, the flex circuit adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy, having an insulative covering disposed thereabout, and including a first exposed electrical contact; and
a replaceable component configured for slidable positioning about the jaw frame, the replaceable component including:
an outer jaw housing having at least one complementary engagement member configured to engage the at least one engagement member of the jaw frame upon slidable positioning of the replaceable component about the jaw frame to secure the replaceable component to the jaw frame; and
an electrically conductive tissue sealing plate engaged to the outer jaw housing to define a tissue sealing surface, the electrically conductive tissue sealing plate including a finger extending into the outer jaw housing, wherein the finger is translated along the insulative covering and into contact with the first exposed electrical contact of the flex circuit upon slidable positioning of the replaceable component about the jaw frame to secure the replaceable component to the jaw frame.

10. The forceps according to claim 9 , further comprising an insulator disposed within the outer jaw housing, the insulator configured to electrically isolate the tissue sealing plate from the outer jaw housing.

11. The forceps according to claim 9 , further comprising a knife assembly including a knife blade, the knife blade longitudinally translatable relative to the jaw members between a retracted position and an extended position for cutting tissue grasped between the jaw members.

12. The forceps according to claim 9 , further comprising an electrical cutting member engaged with the replaceable component, the electrical cutting member configured to electrically cut tissue grasped between the jaw members.

13. The forceps according to claim 12 , wherein the flex circuit includes a second exposed electrical contact and wherein the electrical cutting member includes a finger configured to electrically couple to the second exposed electrical contact of the flex circuit upon slidable positioning of the replaceable component about the jaw frame to secure the replaceable component to the jaw frame.

14. The forceps according to claim 9 , wherein the finger is resiliently flexible such that, upon slidable positioning of the replaceable component about the jaw frame to secure the replaceable component to the jaw frame, the finger is biased into contact with the first exposed electrical contact.

Assignees

• Evans Allan J
• Mueller Peter M
• Gadsby Peter D
• Covidien Lp

Inventors

• Evans Allan J
• Mueller Peter M
• Gadsby Peter D

Classifications

• A61B2018/1455

  having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws · CPC title

• A61B2018/1452

  including means for cutting (A61B2018/146 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A61B18/1445 Primary

  at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod · CPC title

• A61B2018/0063

  Sealing · CPC title