Electrosurgical instrument

An electrosurgical system, comprising:

• an RF electrosurgical generator;
• and
• an electrosurgical instrument comprising:
• a first component comprising a distal first jaw member, a first central section and a proximal first arm, the first component being formed from a first single piece of polymer material;
• and
• a second component comprising a distal second jaw member and a second central section, the second component being formed from a second single piece of polymer material, wherein:
• the central section is connected to a proximal second arm;
• the first and second components are pivotably connected such that at least one of the proximal first and second arms is movable with respect to the other arm between an open position in which the proximal first arm and the proximal second arm are spaced one from another and a closed position in which the proximal first and second arms are brought closer together, the first and second jaw members being moveable between first and second conditions in response to the relative movement of the at least one proximal arm;
• the first component and/or the second component comprise one or more reinforcing members positioned within the first jaw member and/or the second jaw member to support the first jaw member and/or the second jaw member, respectively, the one or more reinforcing members arranged to provide support to the first and/or second components;
• and
• the one or more reinforcing members cantilever into the first and/or the second central sections.

A method of assembling an electrosurgical instrument, the method comprising:

• forming a first component from a first single piece of polymer material, the first component comprising a distal first jaw member, a first central section and a proximal first arm;
• forming a second component from a second single piece of polymer material, the second component comprising a distal second jaw member and a second central section;
• connecting the second central section to a proximal second arm;
• and
• pivotably connecting the first and second components together such that at least one of the proximal first and second arms is movable with respect to the other arm between an open position in which the arms are spaced one from another and a closed position in which the proximal first and second arms are brought closer together, the first and second jaw members being moveable between first and second conditions in response to relative movement of the at least one proximal arm;
• the first component and/or the second component comprise one or more reinforcing members positioned within the first jaw member and/or the second jaw member to support the first jaw member and/or the second jaw member, respectively, the one or more reinforcing members arranged to provide support to the first and/or the second component;
• and
• the one or more reinforcing members cantilever into the first central section and/or the second central section.

A forceps-type surgical instrument having a jaw type end-effector for grasping and treatment of tissue, respective upper and lower jaws of a jaw-type end effector being connected to respective first and second arms extending to respective finger engagement loops configured to admit in use the fingers of a user, the respective first and second arms being connected via a pivotable connection configured to permit in use the user to pivotably open and close the jaw-type end effector via movement of the first and second arms about the pivotable connection, at least one or both of the first and second arms being formed of a cross-sectional shape and of such a material so as to be flexible, the flexibility of the one or both arms being tuned to provide a correct clamping and/or sealing force configured to clamp and seal blood vessels or tissue, the one or both arms configured to flex past a certain predetermined application force whereby if a user applies an excess force above a predetermined acceptable range of application forces for clamping and/or sealing blood vessels or tissue, then the one or both arms are configured to flex in response to the applied excess force, resulting in any excess force above the predetermined application force being dissipated, a remaining force being transferred to the upper and lower jaws such that the correct clamping and/or sealing force is applied to the blood vessels or tissue, wherein one or both of the upper and lower jaws are reinforced by one or more reinforcing members being configured to cantilever in a central section of the respective one or both arms, and the one or more reinforcing members are positioned within the upper and lower jaws.