# US 8,540,749 B2 · Apparatus for performing an electrosurgical procedure > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,540,749 B2 - Document ID: US8540749B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/792,330 - Filed: 2010-06-02 - Published: 2011-12-08 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2010-06-02 - Assignees: Covidien LP - Applicants: David M. Garrison; Jeffrey M. Roy; Duane E. Kerr - Inventors: David M. Garrison; Jeffrey M. Roy; Duane E. Kerr - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8540749B2 ## CPC - A61B 18/1445: {at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod} - A61B 17/2833: {Locking means} - A61B 17/29: Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery - A61B 17/2909: {Handles} - A61B 18/1206: {Generators therefor} - A61B 2017/2925: {Pistol grips} - A61B 2017/2932: {Transmission of forces to jaw members} - A61B 2017/2936: {Pins in guiding slots} - A61B 2017/294: {Connection of actuating rod to jaw, e.g. releasable} - A61B 2018/00589: {Coagulation} - A61B 2018/00595: {Cauterization} - A61B 2018/00601: {Cutting} - A61B 2018/0063: {Sealing} - A61B 2018/1253: {monopolar} - A61B 2018/126: {bipolar} - A61B 2090/034: {abutting on parts of the device itself} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A forceps is provided and includes a housing having a shaft. An end effector assembly operatively connects to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of first and second jaw members. One or both of the first and second jaw members is movable relative to the other jaw member from a clamping position to an open position. A resilient member operably couples to the first and second jaw members. The resilient member is configured to bias the first and second jaw members in the clamping position and provide a closure force on tissue disposed therebetween. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An endoscopic forceps, comprising: an end effector assembly including a pair of first and second jaw members, at least one of the first and second jaw members movable relative to the other from a clamping position wherein the first and second jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween to an open position wherein the first and second jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another; at least one of the first and second jaw members including at least one cam slot defined therein configured to receive a cam member that upon movement thereof rotates the first and second jaw members from the clamping position to the open position; and a resilient member operably coupled to at least one of the first and second jaw members via a spring pin positioned through the first and second jaw members, the resilient member configured to bias the first and second jaw members in the clamping position and provide a closure force on tissue disposed therebetween. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An endoscopic forceps according to claim 1, wherein the type of resilient member is selected from the group consisting of a torsion spring, a compression spring and a leaf spring. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) An endoscopic forceps according to claim 2, further comprising a housing having a shaft that extends therefrom defining a longitudinal axis therethrough and wherein the cam slot is disposed at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis defined through the shaft. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) An endoscopic forceps according to claim 3, further including a drive assembly operably associated with the housing and including a drive element operably coupled to the cam member such that proximal movement of the drive element causes the cam member to translate proximally within the cam slot and move the first and second jaw members to the open position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) An endoscopic forceps according to claim 1, wherein the resilient member provides a closure force of about 3 kg/cm2 to about 16 kg/cm2. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) An endoscopic forceps according to claim 1, further including a plurality of non-conductive stop members disposed on an inner facing surface of at least one of the first and second jaw members, the stop members being configured to maintain a uniform distance between the first and second jaw members along the length thereof. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) An endoscopic forceps according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of stop members extend from the inner facing surface a distance that ranges from about 0.001 inches to about 0.006 inches. ### Claim 8 A method for performing a laparoscopic surgical procedure, the method comprising: providing an endoscopic instrument comprising: an end effector assembly including a pair of first and second jaw members, at least one of the first and second jaw members movable relative to the other from a clamping position to an open position, the at least one movable jaw including at least one cam slot defined therein configured to receive a cam member; and a resilient member coupled to at least one of the first and second jaw members via a spring pin positioned through the first and second jaw members, the resilient member configured to bias the first and second jaw members in the clamping position and provide a closure force on tissue disposed therebetween; biasing the first and second jaw members in the clamping position with the resilient member for positioning the end effector adjacent to tissue; moving the movable jaw member to the open position; positioning tissue between the first and second jaw members; and moving the movable jaw member to the clamping position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A method according to claim 8, wherein the method includes sealing tissue when the movable jaw member is moved to the clamping position. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) A method according to claim 8, wherein the providing step includes providing a resilient member that is selected from the group consisting of a torsion spring, a compression spring and a leaf spring. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) A method according to claim 8, wherein the providing step includes providing a housing having a shaft that extends therefrom defining a longitudinal axis therethrough and wherein the cam slot is disposed at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis defined through the shaft. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A method according to claim 11, wherein the providing step further includes providing a drive assembly operably associated with the housing and including a drive element operably coupled to the cam member such that proximal movement of the drive element causes the cam member to translate proximally within the cam slot and move the first and second jaw members to the open position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) A method according to claim 8, wherein the resilient member provides a closure force of about 3 kg/cm2 to about 16 kg/cm2. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) A method according to claim 8, wherein the providing step further includes providing a plurality of non-conductive stop members disposed on an inner facing surface of at least one of the first and second jaw members, the stop members being configured to maintain a uniform distance between the first and second jaw members along the length thereof. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) A method according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of stop members extend from the inner facing surface a distance that ranges from about 0.001 inches to about 0.006 inches.