Methods and Devices for Articulating Laparoscopic Energy Device

A method of articulating an electrosurgical device, comprising:

• actuating an articulation knob on a handle housing of an electrosurgical device to cause an end effector coupled to a distal end of the elongate shaft to articulate about an articulation joint on the elongate shaft, articulation of the end effector causing first and second closure bands extending through the elongate shaft to shift in opposite directions relative to one another;
• and
• with the end effector in an articulated position, actuating a closure member on the handle housing to cause a support housing to simultaneously axially move the first and second closure bands, which extend through the support housing and the elongate shaft, and to cause opposed jaws of the end effector to move between open and closed positions.

An electrosurgical device, comprising:

• an elongate shaft having an end effector with opposed jaws rotatably coupled to a distal end thereof at a rotational joint, the elongate shaft including an articulation joint proximal of the rotational joint for allowing articulation of the end effector relative to the elongate shaft;
• a proximal pull tube extending through the elongate shaft proximal of the rotational joint, and a distal pull tube extending through the end effector distal of the rotational joint, the proximal pull tube being axially translatable along the elongate shaft to cause the distal pull tube to axially translate to open and close the opposed jaws, and the distal pull tube being configured to rotate freely relative to the proximal pull tube to allow rotation of the end effector about the rotational joint.

A method of manipulating an end effector of an electrosurgical device, comprising:

• actuating a rotation member on an electrosurgical device to cause a knife rotating member extending through an elongate shaft of the device to rotate, rotation of the knife rotating member causing an end effector coupled to the elongate shaft to rotate about a rotational joint, and to cause rotation of a distal pull tube coupled to the end effector and positioned distal of the rotational joint;
• and
• actuating a closure member on the electrosurgical device to cause axial translation of a proximal pull tube extending through the elongate shaft proximal of the rotational joint knife to axially translate along the elongate shaft, axial translation of the proximal pull tube causing the distal pull tube to axially translate and thereby open and close the opposed jaws.