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. A surgical instrument, comprising:
a housing;
a shaft extending distally from the housing, the shaft defining a longitudinal axis;
an end effector assembly extending distally from the shaft, the end effector assembly including first and second tissue-contacting surfaces, at least one of the first or second tissue-contacting surfaces movable relative to the other between an open position and a clamped position for clamping tissue therebetween, at least one of the first or second tissue-contacting surfaces configured to supply energy to tissue clamped therebetween;
a fixed handle integrally associated with and depending from the housing below the longitudinal axis;
a movable handle pivotably coupled to the housing and extending therefrom, the movable handle including a grasping portion disposed below the longitudinal axis, the movable handle operably coupled to the at least one of the first or second tissue-contacting surfaces such that pivoting of the movable handle relative to the housing between a spaced-apart position, wherein the grasping portion is spaced-apart from the fixed handle portion of the housing, and an approximated position, wherein the grasping portion is approximated relative to the fixed handle portion of the housing, moves the at least one of the first or second tissue-contacting surfaces between the open position and the clamped position;
an actuator disposed between the longitudinal axis and the grasping portion of the movable handle and positioned distally of the fixed handle, the actuator coupled to the housing and movable relative thereto in first and second directions; and
first and second switches positioned adjacent the actuator such that movement of the actuator in the first direction activates the first switch to supply energy to the at least one of the first or second tissue-contacting surfaces for treating tissue clamped therebetween and such that movement of the actuator in the second direction activates the second switch to supply energy to the at least one of the first or second tissue-contacting surfaces for treating tissue clamped therebetween.
2. The surgical instrument according to claim 1 , further comprising a rotation assembly disposed about the longitudinal axis and operably coupled to a proximal end portion of the shaft and a distal end portion of the housing, the rotation assembly selectively rotatable to thereby rotate the shaft and the end effector assembly relative to the housing.
3. The surgical instrument according to claim 2 , wherein the actuator is disposed between the rotation assembly and the grasping portion of the movable handle.
4. The surgical instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one tissue-contacting surface is configured to supply thermal energy to tissue clamped between the first and second tissue-contacting surfaces.
5. The surgical instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one tissue-contacting surface is configured to generate heat to supply thermal energy to tissue clamped between the first and second tissue-contacting surfaces.
6. The surgical instrument according to claim 5 , wherein the at least one tissue-contacting surface is configured to generate heat via resistive heating.
7. The surgical instrument according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first or second tissue-contacting surfaces is defined on a jaw member.
8. The surgical instrument according to claim 1 , further comprising an electrical cable extending from the housing and including a plug at a free end thereof, the plug configured to connect to a surgical generator.
9. A surgical instrument, comprising:
a housing;
a shaft extending distally from the housing, the shaft defining a longitudinal axis;
an end effector assembly extending distally from the shaft, the end effector assembly including first and second tissue-contacting surfaces, at least one of the first or second tissue-contacting surfaces movable relative to the other between an open position and a clamped position for clamping tissue therebetween, at least one of the first or second tissue-contacting surfaces configured to supply energy to tissue clamped therebetween;
a fixed handle integrally associated with and depending from the housing below the longitudinal axis;
a drive assembly extending between the housing and the end effector assembly, the drive assembly including a drive rod operably coupled to the at least one of the first or second tissue-contacting surfaces such that longitudinal movement of the drive rod along the longitudinal axis moves the at least one of the first or second tissue-contacting surfaces relative to the other between the open position and the clamped position;
a movable handle pivotably coupled to the housing and extending therefrom, the movable handle including a grasping portion disposed below the longitudinal axis, the movable handle operably coupled to the drive rod via at least one linkage such that pivoting of the movable handle relative to the housing between a spaced-apart position, wherein the grasping portion is spaced-apart from the fixed handle portion of the housing, and an approximated position, wherein the grasping portion is approximated relative to the fixed handle portion of the housing, moves the drive rod longitudinally along the longitudinal axis to move the at least one of the first or second tissue-contacting surfaces between the open position and the clamped position;
an actuator disposed between the longitudinal axis and the grasping portion of the movable handle and positioned distally of the fixed handle, the actuator coupled to the housing and movable relative thereto in first and second directions; and
first and second switches positioned adjacent the actuator such that movement of the actuator in the first direction activates the first switch to supply energy to the at least one of the first or second tissue-contacting surfaces for treating tissue clamped therebetween and such that movement of the actuator in the second direction activates the second switch to supply energy to the at least one of the first or second tissue-contacting surfaces for treating tissue clamped therebetween.
10. The surgical instrument according to claim 9 , wherein the drive assembly further includes a spring operably coupled between the drive rod and the movable handle.
11. The surgical instrument according to claim 10 , wherein the spring regulates a clamping force applied to tissue clamped between the first and second tissue-contacting surfaces in the clamped position.
12. The surgical instrument according to claim 9 , further comprising a rotation assembly disposed about the longitudinal axis and operably coupled to a proximal end portion of the shaft and a distal end portion of the housing, the rotation assembly selectively rotatable to thereby rotate the shaft and the end effector assembly relative to the housing.
13. The surgical instrument according to claim 12 , wherein the actuator is disposed between the rotation assembly and the grasping portion of the movable handle.
14. The surgical instrument according to claim 9 , wherein the at least one tissue-contacting surface is configured to supply thermal energy to tissue clamped between the first and second tissue-contacting surfaces.
15. The surgical instrument according to claim 9 , wherein the at least one tissue-contacting surface is configured to generate heat to supply thermal energy to tissue clamped between the first and second tissue-contacting surfaces.
16. The surgical instrument according to claim 15 , wherein the at least one tissue-contacting surface is configured to generate heat via resistive heating.
17. The surgical instrument according to claim 9 , wherein at least one of the first or second tissue-contacting surfaces is defined on a jaw member.
18. The surgical instrument according to claim 9 , further comprising an electrical cable extending from the housing and including a plug at a free end thereof, the plug configured to connect to a surgical generator.