US 6,932,810 B2 · Apparatus and method for sealing and cutting tissue

Abstract

An axial elongate bipolar tissue sealer/cutter and method of use by a surgeon for electrosurgery on tissue. A chassis on a handle extends axially for axial movement. An effector on a distal end of the chassis first contacts tissue with axial movement. The effector provides bipolar electrosurgery. A member extending from the distal end is opposite the patient end of a tube. First and second bipolar electrodes on the effector and a part on the member electrically isolated. A generator supplies the electrodes. An activator is movably supported on the handle and connects to the tube and/or chassis to axially move the effector relative to the part. Tissue and bodily fluid therebetween are sealed or cut through application of compression and bipolar electrosurgery between the first and second electrodes. The effector and the part have complimentary sealing or cutting surfaces for partial mating engagement upon axial movement toward one another.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for sealing and cutting tissue, comprising:

a chassis having a longitudinal axis defined therethrough and first and second end effectors attached thereto, one of said first and second end effectors being movable along said longitudinal axis relative to the other of said first and second end effectors from a first position for positioning tissue therebetween to a second position for grasping tissue between said first and second end effectors, wherein said first and second end effectors include complimenting vessel sealing electrodes which partially matingly engage one another, said electrodes adapted to be connected to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the electrodes are capable of sealing and cutting tissue disposed therebetween upon activation of said electrodes;
an activator for moving said end effectors from the first to second positions;
a sensor for measuring the impedance across the tissue held between said end effectors;
and
means for selectively applying electrosurgical energy from an electrosurgical energy source to said end effectors in response to the impedance measurement across the tissue from said sensor.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus and method for sealing and cutting tissue

Life of this patent

Apparatus and method for sealing and cutting tissue

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims10