US 2014/0228842 A1 · VESSEL SEALER AND DIVIDER FOR USE WITH SMALL TROCARS AND CANNULAS

Abstract

An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes a housing and a shaft affixed to the housing. The shaft includes a longitudinal axis defined therethrough and a pair of jaw members attached to a distal end thereof. The forceps also includes a drive assembly for moving one of the jaw members relative to the other jaw member from a first position wherein the movable jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to each other to a second position wherein the jaw members are closer one another for manipulating tissue. A movable handle is included which is rotatable about a pivot to force a drive flange of the movable handle into mechanical cooperation with the drive assembly to move the jaw members from the open and closed positions. The pivot is located a fixed distance from the longitudinal axis and the drive flange is located generally along the longitudinal axis. The forceps is connected to a source of electrosurgical energy connected to each jaw member such that the jaw members are capable of conducting bipolar energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal.

Claims15

Dependent claims

1-13. (canceled)

An endoscopic forceps, comprising:

a housing including a handle moveable about a pivot;
a shaft extending distally from the housing having a pair of jaw members adjacent a distal end thereof, at least one of the jaw members pivotable with respect to the shaft, the shaft defining a longitudinal axis therethrough;
a drive assembly having a drive sleeve configured to move at least one jaw member relative to the other from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation to a second position wherein the jaw members are closer together, the drive assembly including a proximal stop, a distal stop, and a spring therebetween;
and
a drive flange disposed distally of the distal stop, the drive flange including a contact portion in contact with the distal stop of the drive assembly, wherein proximal actuation of the handle about the pivot causes proximal movement of the contact portion, which, as a result, compresses the spring, which, in turn, moves the drive sleeve and the at least one jaw member toward the second position;
wherein the pivot is located on one side of the contact portion of the drive flange orthogonal to the longitudinal axis;
and wherein a gripping portion of the handle is located on an opposite side of the contact portion of the drive flange orthogonal to the longitudinal axis.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

14/177,812Filed 11 Feb 2014

Priority

13 Jun 2003

Published

14 Aug 2014

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification19 codes

A61B 18/1445
Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps: at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod
A61B 18/00
Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to
A61B 18/085
Probes or electrodes therefor: forceps, scissors
A61B 18/1482
Probes or electrodes therefor: having a long rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously in minimal invasive surgery, e.g. laparoscopy

Family

Application10/460,926Continuation · filed 13 Jun 2003

Application11/588,482Continuation · filed 27 Oct 2006

Application14/177,812Continuation

US 2004/0254573 A1Published application

US 2007/0043353 A1Published application

US 7,156,846 B2Related patent

US 8,647,341 B2Related patent

US 9,492,225 B2Related patent

US 2014/0228842 A1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Vessel sealer and divider for use with small trocars and cannulas

Life of this patent

Vessel sealer and divider for use with small trocars and cannulas

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15