Thread-like knife for tissue cutting
An end effector assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument is provided. The end effector assembly includes a pair of opposing jaw members configured to grasp tissue therebetween. The assembly also includes a thread-like member having a first end coupled to at least one jaw member and a drive member coupled to a second end of the thread-like member. The drive member is configured to position the thread-like member between a first position and a second position, wherein the thread-like member cuts tissue when positioned in the second position.
1. An end effector assembly, comprising:
a first jaw member and a second opposing jaw member configured to grasp tissue therebetween;
a thread-like member disposed between the first jaw member and the second jaw member having a first end fixed to a distal end portion of the first jaw member and a portion movably coupled to the second jaw member; and
a drive member operably connected to the second jaw member and configured to move the thread-like member distally from a first position to a second position, wherein the thread-like member cuts tissue when transitioned from the first position to the second position.
2. The end effector assembly of claim 1 , wherein the drive member further comprises:
a drive shaft having a rod component; and
at least one guiding roll configured to guide the thread-like member between the first position and the second position.
3. The end effector assembly of claim 1 , wherein the thread-like member is a bow shaped spring.
4. The end effector assembly of claim 3 , wherein the bow shaped spring is coupled to the at least one jaw member with a hinge.
5. The end effector assembly of claim 1 , wherein a cutting portion of the thread-like member is formed from twisted filaments.
6. The end effector assembly of claim 1 , wherein a cutting portion of the thread-like member includes a resistive conductor.
7. The end effector assembly of claim 1 , wherein a cutting portion of the thread-like member includes a fiber wave guide.
8. The end effector assembly of claim 7 , wherein the fiber wave guide is an optical fiber.
9. The end effector assembly of claim 8 , wherein the optical fiber includes a side-lit fiber or a long period fiber grating.
10. A method for cutting tissue using an end effector assembly including a first jaw member and a second opposing jaw member and a thread-like member disposed between the first jaw member and the second jaw member the thread-like member having a first end fixed to a distal end portion of the first jaw member and a portion movably coupled to the second jaw member by a drive member, the method comprising:
sealing tissue between the pair of opposing jaw members; and
activating the drive member to move the thread-like member distally from a first position to a second position to cut the sealed tissue.
11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the thread-like member is a bow shaped spring.
12. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the bow shaped spring is coupled to the at least one jaw member with a hinge.
13. The method according to claim 10 , wherein a cutting portion of the thread-like member is formed from twisted filaments.
14. The method according to claim 10 , wherein a cutting portion of the thread-like member includes a resistive conductor.
15. The method according to claim 10 , wherein a cutting portion of the thread-like member includes a fiber wave guide.
16. The method according to claim 15 , wherein the fiber wave guide is an optical fiber.
17. The method according to claim 16 , wherein the optical fiber includes a side-lit fiber or a long period fiber grating.