Electrosurgical instrument with restricted trigger
AssigneeEthicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
InventorsGeoffrey S. Strobl, David A. Witt, Zhifan F. Huang, Mary E. Mootoo, Timothy G. Dietz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for operating on tissue includes an end effector, a first actuator, and a second actuator. The end effector includes a first jaw pivotable relative to a second jaw to a closed position. The first actuator is movable from a first position to a second position to pivot the first jaw to the closed position. The first actuator engages the second actuator in the second position to selectively provide RF energy to the end effector.
Claims20
An apparatus for operating on tissue, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) an end effector, wherein the end effector comprises:
- (i) a first jaw,
- (ii) a second jaw, wherein the first jaw is pivotable relative to the second jaw, wherein the first jaw is configured to pivot from an open position to a closed position, wherein one or both of the first jaw or the second jaw is operable to deliver energy to tissue, and
- (iii) a cutting member operable to sever tissue captured between the first and second jaws;
- (b) a first actuator, wherein the first actuator is movable from a first position to a second position, wherein the first actuator is operable to pivot the first jaw from the open position to the closed position when the first actuator is moved from the first position to the second position, wherein the first actuator is further operable to drive the cutting member when the first actuator is moved from the second position to a third position;
- and
- (c) a second actuator, wherein the first actuator is configured to engage the second actuator when the first actuator is in the second position, wherein the second actuator is operable to selectively energize the one or both of the first jaw or the second jaw to deliver energy to tissue when the first actuator is engaged with the second actuator.
An apparatus for operating on tissue, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) an end effector, wherein the end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw, wherein the first jaw is pivotable relative to the second jaw, wherein the first jaw is configured to pivot from an open position to a closed position;
- (b) a first actuator, wherein the first actuator is pivotable from a first position to a second position;
- (c) a second actuator coupled with the first actuator, wherein the second actuator is translatable from a proximal position to a distal position when the first actuator is pivoted from the first position to the second position, wherein the second actuator is operable to pivot the first jaw from the open position to the closed position when the second actuator is translated from the proximal position to the distal position;
- and
- (d) a third actuator, wherein the first actuator is configured to actuate the third actuator when the first actuator moves from the first position to the second position, wherein the third actuator is operable to selectively provide RF energy to the end effector.
A method of operating an apparatus, the apparatus comprising an end effector having a first and second jaw, a first actuator, and a second actuator, the method comprising:
- (a) positioning the first and second jaws of the end effector around tissue;
- (b) actuating the first actuator through a first range of motion to pivot the first jaw toward the second jaw to clamp the tissue between the first and second jaws;
- and
- (c) actuating the first actuator through a second range of motion to actuate the second actuator, wherein the second actuator provides RF energy to the end effector to weld the tissue.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.