# US 10,478,243 B2 · Surgical instruments and methods for performing tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy procedures

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- Number: US 10,478,243 B2
- Document ID: US10478243B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/795,660
- Filed: 2015-07-09
- Published: 2016-02-11
- Granted: 2019-11-19
- Earliest claimed: 2014-08-11
- Assignees: Covidien LP
- Applicants: Covidien LP
- Inventors: Gary M. Couture; Ryan C. Artale; John R. Twomey; Rebecca J. Coulson; David J. Van Tol
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10478243B2

## CPC

- A61B 18/1445: {at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod}
- A61B 17/26: Tonsillotomes, with or without means for stopping bleeding
- A61B 17/295: combined with cutting implements
- A61B 17/320068: {using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic (A61B17/22012 takes precedence; dental tooth drilling devices operated by vibration A61C3/03; removing intra-ocular material using mechanical vibrations A61F9/00745)}
- A61B 2017/2926: {Details of heads or jaws}
- A61B 2017/320069: {for ablating tissue}
- A61B 2017/32007: {with suction or vacuum means}
- A61B 2018/00327: {Ear, nose or throat}
- A61B 2018/1452: {including means for cutting (A61B2018/146 takes precedence)}
- A61B 2018/1457: {having opposing blades cutting tissue grasped by the jaws, i.e. combined scissors and pliers}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

A method of surgery includes grasping tissue between tissue-contacting surfaces of first and second jaw members of an end effector assembly, supplying energy to at least one of the tissue-contacting surfaces to treat tissue grasped therebetween, and translating and/or manipulating the end effector assembly to cut tissue in a ripping fashion.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of surgery, comprising:
grasping tissue between tissue-contacting surfaces of first and second jaw members of an end effector assembly, wherein the tissue-contacting surface of the second jaw member has the same width as the second jaw member;
supplying energy to at least one of the tissue-contacting surfaces to treat the tissue that is grasped between the tissue-contacting surfaces of the first and second jaw members of the end effector assembly; and
cutting adjacent tissue disposed outside of an area defined between the tissue-contacting surfaces with a member extending from the first jaw member, wherein the member is immovably fixed relative to the tissue-contacting surface of the first jaw member, wherein grasping the tissue also affects cutting the adjacent tissue, and wherein cutting the adjacent tissue and supplying the energy are effected during a single grasping of the tissue.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the member extending from the first jaw member extends towards the second jaw member and is disposed outside of the area defined between the tissue-contacting surfaces.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the tissue that is grasped between the tissue-contacting surfaces of the first and second jaw members of the end effector assembly includes tissue to be removed and wall tissue to remain, and wherein grasping the tissue includes grasping tissue disposed between the tissue to be removed and the wall tissue to remain.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method according to claim 3, further including manipulating the end effector assembly to fully separate the tissue to be removed from the wall tissue to remain.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The method according to claim 4, further including removing the tissue to be removed.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein cutting the adjacent tissue with the member is performed with a blunt, insulative member.

### Claim 7

A method of surgery, comprising:
grasping tissue between tissue-contacting surfaces of first and second jaw members of an end effector assembly, the tissue contacting surface of the second jaw member having a width that extends directly from a first outer edge of the second jaw member to a second outer edge of the second jaw member;
supplying energy to at least one of the tissue-contacting surfaces to treat the tissue that is grasped between the tissue-contacting surfaces of the first and second jaw members of the end effector assembly; and
cutting adjacent tissue disposed outside of an area defined between the tissue-contacting surfaces with a member extending from the first jaw member, wherein the member is fixed from movement relative to the tissue-contacting surface of the first jaw member, wherein grasping the tissue also affects cutting the adjacent tissue, and wherein supplying the energy is performed after grasping the tissue and after cutting the adjacent tissue.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method according to claim 7, wherein cutting the adjacent tissue with the member is performed with a blunt, insulative member.