Surgical instrument with split jaw

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9237900-B2
Application number	US-201313891804-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 10, 2013
Priority date	May 10, 2013
Publication date	Jan 19, 2016
Grant date	Jan 19, 2016

Abstract

An apparatus for operating on tissue includes an end effector having a first jaw and a second jaw that pivots relative to the first jaw from a closed position to an open position. The second jaw includes a first portion and a second portion that pivots relative to the first portion. The second portion is positioned adjacent to the first portion of the second jaw when the second jaw is in the closed position. The first and second portions of the second jaw pivot outwardly as the second jaw is pivoted from the closed position to the open position.

First claim

We claim:

1. An apparatus for operating on tissue, the apparatus comprising an end effector, wherein the end effector comprises:
(a) a first jaw having a first electrode surface; and
(b) a second jaw pivotable relative to the first jaw, wherein the second jaw is pivotable along a first plane from a closed position to a first open position, wherein the second jaw has a second electrode surface configured to cooperate with the first electrode surface to provide radiofrequency (RF) energy to tissue when the first and second jaws are in the closed position, wherein the second jaw comprises:
(i) a first portion, and
(ii) a second portion, wherein the second portion is pivotable relative to the first portion;
wherein the second portion is configured to be positioned adjacent to the first portion of the second jaw when the second jaw is in the closed position;
wherein the first and second portions of the second jaw are configured to pivot outwardly along respective paths that are transverse to the first plane as second jaw is pivoted from the closed position to the first open position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second jaw is pivotable along the first plane to a second open position, wherein the second open position is positioned between the closed position and the first open position, wherein the second portion of the second jaw is configured to remain adjacent to the first portion of the second jaw when the second jaw pivots along the first plane from the closed position to the second open position.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the first and second portions of the second jaw each comprise a fin, wherein the first jaw comprises a recess, wherein the fins of the first and second portions are insertable within the recess of the first jaw.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the fins of the first and second portions of the second jaw are configured to be positioned within the recess of the first jaw when the second jaw is pivoted from the closed position to the second open position.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the fins of the first and second portions of the second jaw are configured to be positioned out of the recess of the first jaw when the second jaw is pivoted from the second open position to the first open position.

6. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the fins of the first and second portions of the second jaw each comprise a ramped surface.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first jaw comprises a ramped surface, wherein the second jaw comprises a ramped surface that corresponds to the ramped surface of the first jaw, wherein the ramped surface of the second jaw is configured to cammingly engage the ramped surface of the first jaw when the second jaw is pivoted from the first open position to the closed position.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second jaw comprises a tip feature, wherein the tip feature protrudes transversely across a distal end of the second jaw.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the end effector comprises a firing beam translatable relative to the first and second jaws.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the firing beam is operable to pivot the second jaw relative to the first jaw.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the firing beam comprises a flange, wherein the flange has a curved profile.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the second jaw defines a channel extending longitudinally along the second jaw, wherein the channel of the second jaw is configured to receive the curved flange of the firing beam, wherein the curved flange is configured to hold the first and second portions of the second jaw adjacently together when the firing beam is in a distal position.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the end effector comprises a slider translatable relative to the first jaw.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the slider defines a pair of openings, wherein the first and second portions of the second jaw each comprise a protrusion, wherein the protrusions of the first and second portions of the second jaw are positioned within the openings of the slider.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the slider defines a longitudinal axis, wherein the openings of the slider are oriented along opposing oblique angles relative to the longitudinal axis of the slider, wherein the oblique orientations of the openings are configured to enable pivoting of the first and second portions of the second jaw in two directions.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the slider is operable to pivot the second jaw relative to the first jaw.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a first actuator, wherein the first actuator is operable to pivot the second jaw relative to the first jaw.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising a second actuator, wherein the end effector comprises a firing beam translatable relative to the first and second jaws, wherein the second actuator is operable to translate the firing beam.

19. An apparatus for operating on tissue, the apparatus comprising an end effector, wherein the end effector comprises:
(a) a first jaw having a first electrode surface; and
(b) a second jaw pivotable relative to the first jaw, wherein the second jaw comprises:
(i) a first portion, and
(ii) a second portion, wherein the second portion is pivotable relative to the first portion;
wherein the second jaw is pivotable relative to the first jaw along a first plane from a closed position to a first open position, wherein the second jaw has a second electrode surface configured to cooperate with the first electrode to provide radiofrequency (RF) energy to tissue when the first and second jaws are in the closed position, wherein the second jaw is further pivotable from the first open position to a second open position;
wherein the second portion of the second jaw is configured to be adjacent to the first portion of the second jaw when the second jaw is in the first open position;
wherein the second portion of the second jaw is configured to be positioned away from the first portion of the second jaw and laterally away from the first plane along respective paths that are transverse to the first plane when the second jaw is in the second open position.

20. An apparatus for operating on tissue, the apparatus comprising an end effector, wherein the end effector comprises:
(a) a first jaw having a first electrode surface;
(b) a second jaw pivotable relative to the first jaw, wherein the second jaw comprises:
(i) a first portion, and
(ii) a second portion, wherein the second portion is pivotable relative to the first portion; and

(c) a firing beam translatable relative to the first and second jaws;
wherein the second jaw is pivotable relative to the first jaw along a first plane from a closed position to an open position, wherein the second jaw has a second electrode surface configured to cooperate with the first electrode surface to provide radiofrequency (RF) energy to tissue when the first and second jaws are in the closed position, wherein the first and second portions of the second jaw are configured to pivot outwardly along respective paths that are transverse to the first plane after the second jaw has reached the open position;
wherein the firing beam is operable to pivot the second jaw relative to the first jaw along the first plane.

Assignees

• Ethicon Endo Surgery Inc

Inventors

• Boudreaux Chad P
• Voegele Aaron C

Classifications

• A61B18/1445

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

• A61B17/282 Primary

  Jaws · CPC title

• A61B2018/1455

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

• A61B18/1447 Primary

  wherein sliding surfaces cause opening/closing of the end effectors · CPC title

• A61B17/320092

  with additional movable means for clamping or cutting tissue, e.g. with a pivoting jaw · CPC title