Bipolar forceps having monopolar extension
View Patent ↗An endoscopic forceps for treating tissue includes a housing having a shaft affixed thereto which has first and second jaw members attached to a distal end thereof. The forceps also includes an actuator for moving jaw members 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. Each of the jaw members is adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are selectively capable of operating in a bipolar mode which enables the jaw members to conduct bipolar energy through tissue held therebetween to treat tissue. The forceps also includes a monopolar element housed within the first jaw member and integrally associated with the knife. The monopolar element is selectively movable from a first position within the first jaw member to a second position distal to the first jaw member. The monopolar element is adapted to connect to the source of electrosurgical energy such that the monopolar element is selectively activateable independent of the bipolar mode.
1. An endoscopic forceps, comprising:
a housing having a shaft affixed thereto, the shaft including first and second jaw members attached to a distal end thereof;
an actuator operable to move at least one jaw member relative to the other jaw member 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;
each jaw member including an electrically conductive tissue engaging surface adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are selectively capable of conducting bipolar energy through tissue held therebetween; and
at least one of the electrically conductive surfaces of a respective one of the jaw members including an insulating material at a distal end thereof that isolates a conductive monopolar element that is selectively activatable independent of the electrically conductive surfaces of the jaw members to treat tissue in a monopolar fashion.
2. An endoscopic forceps according to claim 1 further comprising a knife that is selectively moveable within a knife channel defined within at least one of the first and second electrically conductive surfaces of one of the first and second jaw members, the knife being selectively moveable to cut tissue disposed between the first and second law members.
3. An endoscopic forceps according to claim 1 wherein the electrically conductive surface of at least one of the jaw members includes a spine that extends along a length thereof, the spine being dimensioned to provide additional strength to the respective jaw member.
4. An endoscopic forceps according to claim 1 further comprising a safety that only allows electrical activation of the monopolar element when the jaw members are disposed in a closed configuration.
5. An endoscopic forceps according to claim 1 wherein the insulating material extends beyond the respective jaw member.
6. An endoscopic forceps, comprising:
a housing having a shaft affixed thereto, the shaft including first and second jaw members attached to a distal end thereof;
an actuator operable to move at least one jaw member relative to the other jaw member 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;
each jaw member including an electrically conductive tissue engaging surface made from a first conductive material adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are selectively capable of conducting bipolar energy through tissue held therebetween; and
at least one of the electrically conductive surfaces of a respective one of the jaw members including an insulating material at a distal end thereof and extending beyond the respective jaw member that isolates a monopolar element made from a second conductive material different from the first conductive material that is selectively activatable independent of the electrically conductive surfaces of the jaw members to treat tissue in a monopolar fashion.