VESSEL SEALER AND DIVIDER WITH NON-CONDUCTIVE STOP MEMBERS
First Claim
1. An endoscopic bipolar forceps, comprising:
- an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof, the jaw members including a length and a periphery and movable relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween, the jaw members adaptable to connect to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal;
a plurality of non-conductive stop members disposed on an inner facing surface of at least one of the jaw members, the non-conductive stop members configured to maintain a uniform distance between the jaw members along the length thereof; and
a knife disposed in operative communication with at least one of the jaw members and translatable to sever tissue disposed between jaw members.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof. The jaw members are movable relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The jaws members are connected to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal. At least one non-conductive and spaced-apart stop member is disposed on an inner-facing surface of the jaw members to regulate the gap distance between the jaw members when tissue is held therebetween. The forceps also includes a longitudinally reciprocating knife which severs the tissue after sealing at a location which is proximate the sealing site.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An endoscopic bipolar forceps, comprising:
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an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof, the jaw members including a length and a periphery and movable relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween, the jaw members adaptable to connect to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal; a plurality of non-conductive stop members disposed on an inner facing surface of at least one of the jaw members, the non-conductive stop members configured to maintain a uniform distance between the jaw members along the length thereof; and a knife disposed in operative communication with at least one of the jaw members and translatable to sever tissue disposed between jaw members. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An endoscopic bipolar forceps, comprising:
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at least one elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof, the jaw members movable with respect to the elongated shaft, the jaw members having a length and movable relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween; a drive rod assembly that connects the jaw members to a source of electrical energy such that the first jaw member has a first electrical potential and the second jaw member has a second electrical potential and the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal; a handle attached to the drive rod assembly for imparting movement of the first and second jaw members between the first and second positions; a plurality of non-conductive stop members disposed on an inner facing surface of at least one of the jaw members, the non-conductive stop members configured to maintain a uniform distance between the jaw members along the length thereof; a knife selectively movable to sever tissue along the tissue seal; and a trigger which mechanically activates the knife for severing tissue proximate the tissue seal. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification