US 6,500,176 B1 · Electrosurgical systems and techniques for sealing tissue

Abstract

An electrosurgical medical device and technique for creating thermal welds in the transected margin of engaged tissue. The working end of the invention carries a bi-polar electrode arrangement that provides a novel type of Rf current flow for tissue welding described as an subfascial-to-fascial (or medial-to-surface) bi-polar approach. The working end of the device carries an openable and closable jaw assembly with paired first and second jaws for engaging tissue. The paired jaws have an axial channel for receiving a sliding (blade) member for transecting the captured tissue. The paired jaws carry electrode surfaces having a common polarity so that Rf current will not flow directly between the jaws which engage the surface or fascial tissue layers. The transecting member, when fully extended after transecting the captured tissue, carries an elongate electrode of an opposing polarity that engages the medial or subfascial layers of the tissue. Thus, bi-polar current is directed to flow from the transecting member electrode that engages medial tissue layers to both jaws that engage opposing surface tissue layers to create effective current densities in the medial tissue layers, even when transecting thick tissue volumes or vessels with thick non-uniform fascial layers.

Claims7

Dependent claims

A jaw assembly of a surgical instrument, comprising:

an instrument working end carrying first and second jaws actuatable between a first open position and a second closed position, the jaws in the closed position defining a longitudinal axis and wherein the jaws further define exterior faces and interior jaw faces;
an axially-extending member that is actuatable from a first retracted position to a second extended position in an axial channel defined by said first and second jaws;
and
said axially-extending member defining paired flange portions with first and second inner faces that engage said exterior faces of said jaws;
wherein actuation of said axially-extending member toward the second extended position from the first retracted position thereby actuates the jaws toward the second closed position from the first open position.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Electrosurgical systems and techniques for sealing tissue

Life of this patent

Electrosurgical systems and techniques for sealing tissue

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims7