Bipolar electrosurgical instrument for sealing vessels

A method of using a bipolar electrosurgical instrument, the method comprising the following steps:

• moving inner and outer members to grasp tissue between opposable seal surfaces, the inner and outer members each having a ring handle near a proximal end and an opposable seal surface near a distal end;
• aligning the opposable seal surfaces in opposition using an insulated pivot joining the first and second members to allow arcuate motion of each opposable seal surface, the insulated pivot comprising a shoulder pin having a ramp surface that varies the interference fit between the first and second members during arcuate motion of each opposable seal surface;
• engaging ratchet teeth located near each ring handle, the ratchet teeth providing at least one interlocking ratchet position that holds a closure force between the opposable seal surfaces;
• deflecting a shank portion on each of the inner and outer members to create a spring load, the shank portion bounded by its respective ratchet teeth and the pivot;
• connecting bipolar electrosurgical current to the instrument through an electrical connector located on each ring handle, such that the current flows through an electrically conductive path on each of the inner and outer members between its respective electrical connector and its respective seal surface to provide for electrosurgical current flow between the opposable seal surfaces, and wherein an electrically insulative coating substantially covers each ring handle, each shank portion, and the open lockbox.

A bipolar electrosurgical instrument comprising:

• inner and outer members each having a proximal end, a distal end and a shank portion disposed therebetween;
• an opposable seal surface disposed proximate the distal end of each of the members;
• one of the members having an open lockbox comprising a bottom surface and at least one flange disposed in general parallel relation relative to one another for receiving the other of the members;
• a pivot disposed through the bottom surface for joining the inner and outer members and for allowing arcuate motion of each opposable seal surface relative to each another;
• a ratchet disposed on one of said members having at least one complimentary interlocking ratchet disposed on the other of said members for holding a closure force between the opposable seal surfaces;
• an electrically insulative coating substantially covering at least a portion of one of said members;
• and
• an electrical connector mounted on the forceps for connecting each opposable seal surface to a source of electrosurgical energy.

A bipolar electrosurgical instrument comprising:

• inner and outer members each having a proximal end, a distal end and a shank portion disposed therebetween;
• an opposable seal surface disposed proximate the distal end of each of the members;
• a pivot joining the inner and outer members to allow arcuate motion of each opposable seal surface relative to each another, the pivot having a shoulder pin for varying the interference fit between the inner and outer members during arcuate motion of each opposable seal surface, said shoulder pin having a ramp surface for varying the interference fit between the inner and outer members;
• a ratchet disposed on one of said members having at least one complimentary interlocking ratchet disposed on the other of said members for holding a closure force between the opposable seal surfaces;
• an electrically insulative coating substantially covering at least a portion of one of said members;
• and
• an electrical connector mounted on the forceps for connecting each opposable seal surface to a source of electrosurgical energy.