Vessel sealer and divider

An endoscopic bipolar forceps for sealing and dividing tissue, comprising:

• an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof, the jaw members being movable relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween, said jaw members including an outer peripheral surface made from a material designed to reduce tissue adherence, said material being selected from a group of materials consisting oft nickel-chrome, chromium nitride, MedCoat 2000, inconel 600 and tin-nickel;
• a source of electrical energy connected to each jaw member such that the members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal;
• a distally advanceable knife which selectively separates tissue proximate the seal, said knife being adapted to connect to an electrical energy source;
• at least one non-conductive stop member disposed on an inner facing surface of at least one of the jaw members which controls the distance between the jaw members when tissue is held therebetween;
• and
• a hand switch attached to the housing which allows a user to selectively and independently activate both the jaw members and the knife assembly.

An endoscopic bipolar forceps for sealing and dividing tissue, comprising:

• an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof, the jaw members being movable relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween;
• a source of electrical energy connected to each jaw member such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal;
• a distally advanceable knife which selectively separates tissue proximate the seal, said knife being adapted to connect to an electrical energy source;
• a pair of non-conductive stop members disposed on an inner facing surface of at least one of the jaw members and at least one additional stop member disposed on the same inner facing surface of the same jaw member positioned in spaced relation to said pair of non-conductive stop members, said non-conductive stop members being dimensioned to regulate the distance between the jaw members when tissue is held therebetween;
• and
• a handswitch attached to the housing which allows a user to selectively and independently activate both the jaw members and the knife assembly.

An electrosurgical instrument for performing at least one of sealing and dividing tissue, comprising:

• a housing having a shaft attached thereto, the shaft defining a longitudinal axis;
• a first jaw member movable relative to a second jaw member, the first jaw member attached to the shaft and being relatively movable from a first open position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second closed position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween;
• a drive rod assembly which imparts movement of the jaw members between the first and second positions;
• a rotating assembly attached to the housing which selectively rotates the jaw members about the longitudinal axis;
• a knife assembly attached to the housing which selectively separates tissue grasped between the jaw members, said knife being adapted to connect to an electrical energy source;
• a handle assembly attached to the housing which selectively actuates the drive rod assembly;
• first and second leads which connect the jaw members to a source of electrical energy;
• and
• a handswitch attached to the housing which allows a user to selectively and independently activate both the jaw members and the knife assembly.

An electrosurgical instrument for performing at least one of sealing and dividing tissue, comprising:

• a housing having a shaft attached thereto, the shaft defining a longitudinal axis;
• a first jaw member movable relative to a second jaw member, the first jaw member attached to the shaft and being relatively movable from a first open position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second closed position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween;
• a drive rod assembly which imparts movement of the jaw members between the first and second positions;
• a rotating assembly attached to the housing which selectively rotates the jaw members about the longitudinal axis;
• a knife assembly attached to the housing which selectively separates tissue grasped between the jaw members, said knife assembly adapted to connect to an electrical energy source;
• a handle assembly attached to the housing which selectively actuates the drive rod assembly;
• first and second electrical leads which connect the jaw members to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween;
• and
• a handswitch attached to the housing which allows a user to selectively and independently activate both the jaw members and the knife assembly, wherein the handswitch includes a neutral position wherein the said jaw members and said knife are inactive, a first position wherein said jaw members are energized and said knife remains neutral, and a second position wherein said knife is energized and said jaw members remain neutral.