Surgical instrument and method

A surgical instrument useful for laparoscopic surgery comprising an insulated shaft extending between proximal and distal ends,

• said proximal end having a control means for controlling clamping or cutting by the instrument and a connection to an electrosurgical radiofrequency power source;
• said insulated shaft having conductor means serving to conduct radiofrequency power from said connection to the distal end of the instrument;
• said distal end being of general J-hook form defining a tissue-receiving pocket, the J-hook having a bottom with a proximal side which defines a tissue-engaging ledge;
• said insulated shaft supporting at leas one tissue-engaging clamping member and at least one tissue engaging cutting member each movable axially, distally of the instrument toward said ledge in response to said control means whereby tissue such as an artery or other tissue hooked in the pocket of said J-hook can be engaged on opposite surfaces for clamping or cutting while appropriate radiofrequency current from said power source is applied to said tissue.

A surgical instrument useful for laparoscopic surgery comprising an insulated shaft extending between proximal and distal ends,

• said proximal end having a control means for controlling clamping or cutting by the instrument and a connection to an electrosurgical radiofrequency power source;
• and
• said insulated shaft supporting a tissue engaging clamping or cutting member near the distal end of said instrument moveable to effect clamping or cutting in response to said control means, and further
• said insulated shaft having conductor means serving to conduct radiofrequency power from said connection to the distal end of the instrument;
• said distal end being of general J-hook form defining a tissue-receiving pocket, the J-hook form having a bottom with a proximal side which defines a tissue-engaging ledge, said shaft comprises a hollow tube and a distal extremity of said tube has a plurality of portals, said hollow tube communicating to a proximal fluid connection for infusion or aspiration of fluid from a surgical site via the portals.

A surgical instrument useful for laparoscopic surgery comprising an insulated shaft extending between proximal and distal ends,

• said proximal end having a control means for controlling clamping or cutting by the instrument and a connection to an electrosurgical radiofrequency power source;
• and
• said insulated shaft supporting a tissue engaging clamping or cutting member near the distal end of said instrument moveable to effect clamping or cutting in response to said control means, and further
• said insulated shaft having conductor means serving to conduct radiofrequency power from said connection to the distal end of the instrument;
• said distal end being of general J-hook form defining a tissue-receiving pocket, the J-hook having a bottom with a proximal side which defines a tissue-engaging ledge, and
• wherein a distally disposed end surface of said J-hook is shaped to define a cutting edge for blunt dissection.

A surgical instrument useful for laparoscopic surgery comprising an insulated shaft extending between proximal and distal ends,

• said proximal end having a control means for controlling clamping or cutting by the instrument and a connection to an electrosurgical radiofrequency power source;
• and
• said insulated shaft supporting a tissue engaging clamping or cutting member near the distal end of said instrument moveable to effect clamping or cutting in response to said control means, and further
• said insulated shaft having conductor means serving to conduct radiofrequency power from said connection to the distal end of the instrument;
• said distal end being of general J-hook form defining a tissue-receiving pocket, the J-hook having a bottom with a proximal side which defines a tissue-engaging ledge, said shaft comprising a hollow tube and a distal extremity of said tube has a plurality of portals, said hollow tube communicating to a proximal fluid connection for infusion or aspiration of fluid from a surgical site via the portals, and
• wherein a distally disposed end surface of said J-hook is shaped to define a cutting edge for blunt dissection.

A surgical instrument useful for laparoscopic surgery comprising an insulated shaft extending between proximal and distal ends,

• said proximal end having a control means for controlling clamping or cutting by the instrument and a connection to an electrosurgical radiofrequency power source;
• said insulated shaft having conductor means serving to conduct radiofrequency power from said connection to the distal end of the instrument;
• said distal end being of general J-hook form defining a tissue-receiving pocket, the J-hook having a bottom with a proximal side which defines a tissue-engaging ledge;
• said insulated shaft supporting a tissue-engaging clamping or cutting member movable axially, distally of the instrument toward said ledge in response to said control means whereby tissue such as an artery or other tissue hooked in the pocket of said J-hook can be engaged on opposite surfaces for clamping or cutting while appropriate radiofrequency current from said power source is applied to said tissue;
• wherein said shaft comprises a hollow tube, and a distal extremity of said tube has a plurality of portals, said hollow tube communicating to a proximal fluid connection for infusion or aspiration of fluid from a surgical site via the portals;
• said fluid connection having a Y-connection suitable for connection to both infusion means and aspiration means enabling alternate infusion and aspiration through said portals.