Combined dissecting, cauterizing, and stapling device

A laparoscopic cutting and stapling device for use within a laparoscopic work space, said cutting and stapling device comprising:

• a laparoscopic stapling device having a rigid insertion section characterized by a distal end adapted for insertion into a laparoscopic work space and a proximal end, and defining a long axis of the device, a handle section mounted on the proximal end of the rigid insertion section, and a stapling head comprising a first jaw and a second jaw, wherein said first jaw has a first grasping face and said second jaw has a second grasping face, and the first and second jaws are operable to close relative to each other to bring the first and second grasping faces into opposing relationship to each other;
• a cartridge containing a first row of staples disposed within the first jaw, said cartridge being operable from the handle to eject the staples from the cartridge into body tissue, said first row of staples being arranged generally parallel to the long axis of the device and radially offset from the long axis of the device;
• a cutting element comprising an electrically resistive wire disposed over the first grasping face, parallel to the long axis of the device, in the center of the grasping face;
• a first pair of electrodes comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, said first electrode disposed on the first grasping face and laterally spaced from and parallel to the long axis of the device, and said second electrode disposed on the second grasping face and laterally spaced from and parallel to the long axis of the device;
• wherein the first pair of electrodes is aligned to face each other upon closure of the first and second jaws, and wherein the first pair of electrodes is operable as a pair of bipolar electrodes;
• an electric current source operably connected to the cutting element and an RF generator operably connected to the first pair of bipolar electrodes;
• a first controller operable to control current to the cutting element to heat the cutting element to temperatures sufficient to sever body tissue;
• and
• a second controller operable to control RF energy to the first pair of electrodes such that the first pair of electrodes is capable of transferring RF energy sufficient to heat body tissue disposed between the first pair of electrodes to temperatures sufficient to seal body tissue.

A device for cutting and sealing body tissue comprising:

• an insertion rod;
• a first jaw and a second jaw extending from the insertion rod, said first and second jaws being operable to allow closure of the first and second jaws relative to each other, said first jaw having a first grasping face and said second jaw having a second grasping face, said first grasping face and said second grasping face aligned to meet each other upon closure of the first and second jaws;
• a support disposed in first jaw;
• a cutting element comprising an electrically resistive wire disposed on the support and further disposed along the longitudinal axis of the insertion rod;
• a first electrode disposed on the first jaw, said first electrode operably paired with a second electrode disposed on the second jaw, said first and second electrodes aligned to face each other upon closure of the first and second jaws, said first and second electrodes laterally spaced from and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the insertion rod, and said first and second electrodes operable as bipolar electrodes;
• a third electrode disposed on the first jaw, said third electrode operably paired with a fourth electrode disposed on the second jaw, said third and fourth electrodes aligned to face each other upon closure of the first and second jaws, said third and fourth electrodes laterally spaced from and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the insertion rod, said third electrode disposed opposite the first electrode and said fourth electrode disposed opposite the second electrode, and said third and fourth electrodes operable as bipolar electrodes.