Vessel sealer and divider
An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof. The jaw members are movable 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. The forceps also includes a source of electrical energy connected to each jaw member such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal. A generally tube-like cutter is included which is slidably engaged about the elongated shaft and which is selectively movable about the elongated shaft to engage and cut tissue on at least one side of the jaw members while the tissue is engaged between jaw members.
1. An electrosurgical instrument, comprising:
a housing having a shaft attached thereto and a fixed handle depending therefrom, the shaft defining a longitudinal axis;
a first jaw member attached to the shaft and a second jaw member movable between an open position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another and a closed position wherein the jaw members are configured to grasp tissue therebetween;
a drive rod assembly at least partially disposed within the housing and configured to impart movement of the jaw members between the open and closed positions;
a rotating assembly disposed proximate a distal end of the housing and configured to rotate the jaw members about the longitudinal axis;
a knife assembly disposed at least partially within the housing and configured to separate tissue grasped between the jaw members upon selective actuation thereof; and
a movable handle assembly operably coupled to the housing and configured to actuate the drive rod assembly upon selective actuation thereof, the movable handle movable towards the fixed handle from a first position wherein the movable handle is spaced relative to the fixed handle and the jaw members are disposed in the open position, to a second, fully actuated position wherein the movable handle is approximated relative to the fixed handle, the movable handle further movable away from the fixed handle from the second, fully actuated position to a third, locked position to allow the movable handle to lock relative to the fixed handle, thereby locking the jaw members in the closed position.
2. The electrosurgical instrument according to claim 1 , wherein, once locked, the movable handle is re-graspable to move the movable handle from the third, locked position towards the fixed handle to the second, fully actuated position to release the movable handle from the fixed handle and allow the movable handle to move away from the fixed handle back towards the first position, thereby allowing the jaw members to move back towards the open position.
3. The electrosurgical instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the drive rod assembly includes a spring configured to both regulate a closure pressure between the jaw members and facilitate locking and release of the movable handle relative to the fixed handle.
4. The electrosurgical instrument according to claim 3 , wherein movement of the movable handle from the second, fully actuated position to the third, locked position is aided by the bias of the spring such that the spring facilitates movement of a flange of one of the movable handle or the fixed handle within a channel of the other of the movable handle or fixed handle to facilitate locking of the movable handle relative to the fixed handle.
5. The electrosurgical instrument according to claim 4 , wherein when the movable handle is moved from the third, locked position to the second, fully actuated position to release the movable handle from the fixed handle and allow the jaw members to move towards the open position, the bias of the spring facilitates release of the flange from the channel upon return of the movable handle towards the first position.
6. The electrosurgical instrument according to claim 4 , wherein the channel includes an entrance pathway and an exit pathway defined therein and a catch basin disposed between the entrance pathway and the exit pathway.
7. The electrosurgical instrument according to claim 6 , wherein movement of the movable handle from the first position to the second, fully actuated position, and back to the third, locked position causes the flange to engage and travel along the entrance pathway of the channel and seat within the catch basin.
8. The electrosurgical instrument according to claim 6 , wherein movement of the movable handle from the third, locked position to the second, fully actuated position causes the flange to travel along the exit pathway of the channel to release the movable handle from the fixed handle and allow the jaw members to move towards the open position.
9. The electrosurgical instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the drive rod assembly includes a spring configured to regulate a closure pressure between the jaw members.
10. The electrosurgical instrument according to claim 9 , wherein the spring regulates the closure pressure between the jaw members to within a range of about 3 kg/cm 2 to about 16 kg/cm 2 .
11. The electrosurgical instrument according to claim 10 , wherein the closure pressure between the jaw members within the range of about 3 kg/cm 2 to about 16 kg/cm 2 is applied when the jaw members define a gap distance of between about 0.001 inches to about 0.005 inches.
12. The electrosurgical instrument according to claim 10 , wherein the closure pressure between the jaw members within the range of about 3 kg/cm 2 to about 16 kg/cm 2 is maintained when the jaw members are locked in the closed position.
13. The electrosurgical instrument according to claim 9 , wherein the spring regulates the closure pressure between the jaw members to within a range of about 7 kg/cm 2 to about 13 kg/cm 2 .
14. The electrosurgical instrument according to claim 13 , wherein the closure pressure between the jaw members within the range of about 7 kg/cm 2 to about 13 kg/cm 2 is applied when the jaw members define a gap distance of between about 0.001 inches to about 0.005 inches.
15. The electrosurgical instrument according to claim 13 , wherein the closure pressure between the jaw members within the range of about 7 kg/cm 2 to about 13 kg/cm 2 is maintained when the jaw members are locked in the closed position.
16. The electrosurgical instrument according to claim 9 , wherein the spring is compressed further when the jaw members are locked in the closed position as compared to when the jaw members are disposed in the open position.