Vessel sealing instrument
A bipolar electrosurgical instrument includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from its distal end. Each jaw member is adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween. A knife channel is configured to reciprocate a cutting mechanism therealong. An actuator selectively advances the cutting mechanism. A switch is disposed on the first shaft and is configured to be depressed between a first position and at least one subsequent position upon biasing engagement with a mechanical interface disposed on the second shaft. The first position of the switch relays information to the user corresponding to a desired pressure on tissue and the at least one subsequent position is configured to activate the source of electrosurgical energy to supply electrosurgical energy to the jaw members.
1. A forceps, comprising:
a first shaft having a jaw member at a distal end thereof;
a second shaft having a jaw member at a distal end thereof, each of the jaw members including an electrically conductive sealing surface, the first and second shafts pivotally coupled to each other about a pivot such that the jaw members are movable between an open position and a closed position;
a trigger disposed on the first shaft;
a knife operatively coupled to the trigger such that actuation of the trigger translates the knife distally through a knife channel extending at least partially through at least one of the jaw members;
an anti-deployment link pivotably coupled to the first shaft proximal to the trigger, the anti-deployment link configured to prevent distal translation of the knife when the jaw members are in the open position, wherein movement of the jaw members to the closed position moves the anti-deployment link to permit distal translation of the knife; and
a switch disposed on one of the first and second shafts and configured to be depressed when the jaw members are in the closed position to control a supply of electrosurgical energy from an electrosurgical energy source to each of the electrically conductive sealing surfaces.
2. The forceps according to claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second shafts includes a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof, each of the handles defining a finger hole to facilitate movement of the jaw members between the open and closed positions.
3. The forceps according to claim 1 , wherein the trigger is rotatable relative to the first shaft to translate the knife distally.
4. The forceps according to claim 1 , further comprising an electrosurgical cable electrically connecting the electrically conductive sealing surfaces to the electrosurgical energy source.
5. The forceps according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the electrically conductive sealing surfaces includes a plurality of stop members configured to maintain a distance between the electrically conductive sealing surfaces when the jaw members are in the closed position.
6. The forceps according to claim 1 , wherein the switch is electrically connected to at least one of the electrically conductive sealing surfaces by an electrical lead extending through the pivot.
7. The forceps according to claim 1 , wherein the switch is configured to be depressed to a first threshold corresponding to a grasping of tissue and to be further depressed to a second threshold to activate the supply of electrosurgical energy to each of the electrically conductive sealing surfaces.
8. The forceps according to claim 7 , wherein the switch is configured to generate a first tactile response when the switch is depressed to the first threshold and a second tactile response when the switch is depressed to the second threshold.
9. A forceps, comprising:
a first shaft having a jaw member at a distal end thereof;
a second shaft having a jaw member at a distal end thereof, each of the jaw members including an electrically conductive sealing surface, the first and second shafts pivotally coupled to each other about a pivot such that the jaw members are movable between an open position and a closed position, each of the first and second shafts including a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof, each of the handles defining a finger hole to facilitate movement of the jaw members between the open and closed positions, at least one of the electrically conductive sealing surfaces including a plurality of stop members configured to maintain a distance between the electrically conductive sealing surfaces when the jaw members are in the closed position;
a trigger rotatably coupled to the first shaft;
a knife operatively coupled to the trigger such that rotation of the trigger translates the knife distally through a knife channel extending at least partially through at least one of the jaw members;
an anti-deployment link pivotably coupled to the first shaft proximal to the trigger, the anti-deployment link configured to prevent distal translation of the knife when the jaw members are in the open position, wherein movement of the jaw members to the closed position moves the anti-deployment link to permit distal translation of the knife;
a switch disposed on one of the first and second shafts and configured to be depressed when the jaw members are in the closed position to control a supply of electrosurgical energy from an electrosurgical energy source to each of the electrically conductive sealing surfaces; and
an electrosurgical cable configured to electrically connect each of the electrically conductive sealing surfaces to the electrosurgical energy source.
10. The forceps according to claim 9 , wherein the switch is electrically connected to at least one of the electrically conductive sealing surfaces by an electrical lead extending through the pivot.
11. The forceps according to claim 9 , wherein the switch is configured to be depressed to a first threshold corresponding to a grasping of tissue and to be further depressed to a second threshold to activate the supply of electrosurgical energy to each of the electrically conductive sealing surfaces.
12. The forceps according to claim 11 , wherein the switch is configured to generate a first tactile response when the switch is depressed to the first threshold and a second tactile response when the switch is depressed to the second threshold.