Vessel sealer and divider with non-conductive stop members
DC CAFC
First Claim
Patent Images
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 each including respective flat seal surfaces extending along a respective length thereof and 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 along the length of at least one of the seal surfaces of at least one of the jaw members such that the plurality of non-conductive stop members are disposed along the same plane on the seal surface with respect to one another, 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.
1879 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 each including respective flat seal surfaces extending along a respective length thereof and 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 along the length of at least one of the seal surfaces of at least one of the jaw members such that the plurality of non-conductive stop members are disposed along the same plane on the seal surface with respect to one another, 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 each including respective flat seal surfaces extending along a respective length thereof such that 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 along the length of at least one of the seal surfaces of least one of the jaw members such that the plurality of non-conductive stop members are disposed along the same plane on the seal surface, 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; anda 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
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Litigation Data
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Current AssigneeCovidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
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Original AssigneeCovidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
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InventorsDycus, Sean T., Buysse, Steven Paul, Brown, Dax D.
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Primary Examiner(s)TRUONG, KEVIN THAO
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Application NumberUS12/348,748Publication NumberTime in Patent Office1,317 DaysField of Search606 45- 52, 606170-174, 606205-210US Class Current606/51CPC Class CodesA61B 17/32 Surgical cutting instrument...A61B 18/1206 Generators thereforA61B 18/1445 at the distal end of a shaf...A61B 18/1482 having a long rigid shaft f...A61B 2017/00539 hydraulicallyA61B 2017/2926 Details of heads or jawsA61B 2018/00077 high, i.e. electrically con...A61B 2018/00178 Electrical connectorsA61B 2018/00196 reciprocating lengthwiseA61B 2018/00404 Blood vessels other than th...A61B 2018/0063 SealingA61B 2018/126 bipolarA61B 2018/1412 BladeA61B 2018/1455 having a moving blade for c...A61B 2018/1861 with an instrument inserted...A61B 2090/034 abutting on parts of the de...A61B 90/03 Automatic limiting or abutt...
