# US 8,540,711 B2 · Vessel sealer and divider > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,540,711 B2 - Document ID: US8540711B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/827,297 - Filed: 2007-07-11 - Published: 2007-11-08 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2001-04-06 - Assignees: Covidien LP - Applicants: Sean T. Dycus; Darion Peterson - Inventors: Sean T. Dycus; Darion Peterson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8540711B2 ## CPC - A61B 18/1445: {at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod} - A61B 18/085: {Forceps, scissors} - A61B 18/1482: {having a long rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously in minimal invasive surgery, e.g. laparoscopy} - A61B 18/1485: {having a short rigid shaft for accessing the inner body through natural openings} - A61B 17/12009: {Implements for ligaturing other than by clamps or clips, e.g. using a loop with a slip knot} - A61B 17/282: {Jaws} - A61B 17/320016: {Endoscopic cutting instruments, e.g. arthroscopes, resectoscopes (A61B10/0233, A61B17/29, A61B17/3207 take precedence)} - A61B 2017/2929: {with a head rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft} - A61B 2017/2946: {Locking means} - A61B 2018/00083: {low, i.e. electrically insulating} - A61B 2018/0013: {non-sticking} - A61B 2018/00345: {Vascular system} - A61B 2018/00404: {Blood vessels other than those in or around the heart} - A61B 2018/00601: {Cutting} - A61B 2018/00619: {Welding} - A61B 2018/0063: {Sealing} - A61B 2018/00922: {by switching or controlling the treatment energy directly within the hand-piece} - A61B 2018/00982: {combined with or comprising means for visual or photographic inspections inside the body, e.g. endoscopes} - A61B 2018/1412: {Blade} - A61B 2018/144: {Wire} - A61B 2018/1452: {including means for cutting (A61B2018/146 takes precedence)} - A61B 2018/1455: {having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws} - A61B 2018/1861: {with an instrument inserted into a body lumen or cavity, e.g. a catheter} - A61B 2090/034: {abutting on parts of the device itself} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof. The jaw members are 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. The forceps also includes 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 generally tube-like cutter is included which is slidably engaged about the elongated shaft and which is selectively movable about the elongated shaft to engage and cut tissue on at least one side of the jaw members while the tissue is engaged between jaw members. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An endoscopic bipolar forceps, comprising: an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof, the jaw members being movable relative to one another by a first actuating assembly 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; at least one jaw member adapted to connect to a first energy source such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal; and at least one wire-like element being selectively actuatable via a second actuating assembly and selectively energizable via a second energy source to divide tissue, wherein the wire-like element is actuatable independent of being energized, and is energizable independent of being actuated; wherein the at least one wire-like element (i) is mounted between the opposing jaw members, (ii) perpendicularly protrudes from a proximal end of a tissue contacting surface of the at least one jaw member and (iii) is confined to travel within a proximal periphery of the opposing jaw members to prevent the at least wire-like element from extending beyond the distal ends of the opposing jaw members. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The endoscopic bipolar forceps according to claim 1, wherein the wire-like element cuts tissue on a reverse stroke. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The endoscopic bipolar forceps according to claim 1, wherein the at least one wire-like element is configured to divide tissue between the jaw members. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The endoscopic bipolar forceps according to claim 1, wherein the wire-like element is configured to selectively divide tissue on a first stroke thereof and on a reverse stroke thereof. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The endoscopic bipolar forceps according to claim 1, wherein the wire-like element is movable between a first proximal position and a second distal-most position, and wherein a distal-most end of the jaw members is disposed distally of the wire-like element when the wire-like element is disposed in its second position. ### Claim 6 An endoscopic bipolar forceps, comprising: an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof, the jaw members being movable relative to one another by a first actuating assembly 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; at least one jaw member adapted to connect to a first energy source such that, upon activation of a switching assembly, the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal; and at least one wire-like element being selectively energizable via a second energy source and being selectively actuatable via a second actuating assembly independent of the first actuating assembly and the switching assembly to divide tissue; wherein the at least one wire-like element (i) is mounted between the opposing jaw members, (ii) perpendicularly protrudes from a proximal end of a tissue contacting surface of the at least one jaw member and (iii) is confined to travel within a proximal periphery of the opposing jaw members to prevent the at least wire-like element from extending beyond the distal ends of the opposing jaw members. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The endoscopic bipolar forceps according to claim 6, wherein the at least one wire-like element is configured to divide tissue between the jaw members. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The endoscopic bipolar forceps according to claim 6, wherein the wire-like element cuts tissue on a reverse stroke. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The endoscopic bipolar forceps according to claim 6, wherein the wire-like element is configured to selectively divide tissue on a first stroke thereof and on a reverse stroke thereof. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The endoscopic bipolar forceps according to claim 6, wherein the wire-like element is movable between a first proximal position and a second distal-most position, and wherein a distal-most end of the jaw members is disposed distally of the wire-like element when the wire-like element is disposed in its second position.