Electrosurgical instrument

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9636169-B2
Application number	US-201113236168-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 19, 2011
Priority date	Sep 19, 2011
Publication date	May 2, 2017
Grant date	May 2, 2017

Abstract

An electrosurgical forceps is provided with a shaft that extends from a housing of the electrosurgical forceps. An end effector assembly includes a pair of first and second jaw members pivotably coupled to one another via a pivot pin. One or both of the first and second jaw members may be movable from an open position for positioning tissue therebetween to a clamping position for grasping tissue. A detent is operably disposed proximal the pivot pin and extends radially outward from a proximal flange of one of the jaw members. The detent is configured to releasably engage a corresponding slot disposed on a proximal flange of the other jaw member. The detent and slot are configured to control a gap distance between the first and second jaw members when the first and second jaw members are in the clamping position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An electrosurgical forceps, comprising:
an end effector assembly including a pair of first and second jaw members each including a distal body and a proximal flange, the proximal flanges pivotably coupled to one another via a pivot pin, at least one of the first and second jaw members movable from an open position for positioning tissue therebetween to a clamping position for grasping tissue, wherein, in the clamping position, the distal bodies are spaced-apart from each other to define at least a minimum gap distance therebetween;
a detent positioned proximal of the pivot pin, the detent disposed on and extending outwardly from the proximal flange of one of the first and second jaw members; and
a corresponding slot defined through the proximal flange of the other of the first and second jaw members, the slot defining an open proximal end providing access to the slot, a closed distal end opposing the open proximal end, and a pair of side walls extending between the open proximal end and the closed distal end, wherein the detent is configured to move from a position outside the slot, through the open proximal end of the slot into the slot, through the slot, and to bottom out within the closed distal end of the slot upon movement of the first and second jaw members towards one another to a position wherein the distal bodies define the minimum gap distance therebetween, thereby inhibiting further movement of the distal bodies towards each other.

2. An electrosurgical forceps according to claim 1 , wherein the slot includes a generally arcuate configuration that is configured to accommodate pivotable movement of the movable jaw member.

Assignees

• Allen Iv James D
• Artale Ryan C
• Brandt Kim V
• Butcher Dennis W
• Chojin Edward M
• Hart Keir
• Hempstead Russell D
• Horner Glenn A
• Joseph Daniel A
• Kerr Duane E
• Kingsley Dylan R
• Mueller Peter M
• Olson Jessica E C
• Twomey John R
• Unger Jeffrey R
• Covidien Lp

Inventors

• Allen Iv James D
• Artale Ryan C
• Brandt Kim V
• Butcher Dennis W
• Chojin Edward M
• Hart Keir
• Hempstead Russell D
• Horner Glenn A
• Joseph Daniel A
• Kerr Duane E
• Kingsley Dylan R
• Mueller Peter M
• Olson Jessica E C
• Twomey John R
• Unger Jeffrey R

Classifications

• 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

• A61B17/32

  Surgical cutting instruments ({A61B18/042 takes precedence; suture cutters A61B17/0467;} implements for ligaturing and cutting {A61B17/122, A61B17/12; instruments for rupturing the amniotic membrane A61B17/4208; specially adapted knives for eye surgery A61F9/0133}) · CPC title

• A61B2018/0063

  Sealing · CPC title

• A61B2017/2939

  Details of linkages or pivot points · CPC title

• A61B17/29

  Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery · CPC title