Apparatus and method for regulating tissue welder jaws

A surgical method of severing a target tissue while welding the severed ends using a surgical apparatus, the surgical apparatus comprising a shaft and first and second jaws extending from a distal end of the shaft, wherein the first jaw is relatively movable with respect to the second jaw;

• the surgical apparatus further comprising a first electrode and a second electrode electrically connected in series, wherein the first electrode is operatively associated with one of the first and second jaws and is adapted to weld tissue, and wherein the second electrode is operatively associated with one of the first and second jaws and is adapted to sever tissue, the method comprising:
• welding and severing a target tissue by:
• closing the jaws upon the target tissue;
• and
• electrically energizing the first and second electrodes to form a welded region in the target tissue and sever the target tissue within the welded region.

A surgical method of severing a target tissue while welding the severed ends using a surgical apparatus, the surgical apparatus comprising an elongated body having a distal end and a proximal end;

• first and second jaws operably extending from the distal end, at least one of the first and second jaw configured to move with respect to the elongated body;
• a control handle operably connected to the proximal end, the control handle comprising an actuator that causes relative movement of the first jaw with respect to the second jaw;
• a first heating element disposed on the first jaw and a second heating element disposed on one of the first and second jaws and wherein at least a portion of the first heating element comprises two welding portions that are spaced apart from one another and electrically connected in parallel, the method comprising:
• welding and severing a target tissue by:
• closing the jaws upon the target tissue;
• and
• electrically energizing the first heating element and second heating element to form a welded region in the target tissue and sever the target tissue within the welded region.

A surgical method of severing a target tissue while welding the severed ends using a surgical apparatus, the surgical apparatus comprising a shaft having a proximal region and a distal region;

• first and second jaws extending from the distal region of the shaft, wherein the first jaw is relatively movable with respect to the second jaw;
• a first electrode portion operatively associated with one of the first and second jaws and is adapted to weld tissue;
• a second electrode portion operatively associated and fixedly attached with one of the first and second jaws and configured to have a different electrical resistance value than the first electrode portion, the second electrode portion is adapted to sever tissue upon the application of current therethrough;
• and a control handle operably connected to the proximal region of the shaft;
• wherein the first and second electrodes portions are connected in series, the method comprising:
• welding and severing a target tissue by:
• closing the jaws upon the target tissue;
• and
• electrically energizing the first electrode portion and second electrode portion to form a welded region in the target tissue and sever the target tissue within the welded region.