Open vessel sealing instrument with cutting mechanism

1. An open electrosurgical forceps for sealing tissue, comprising:

a pair of first and second shaft members each having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof, the jaw members being movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least one subsequent position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween, one of the shaft members including a flange that mechanically interfaces with a corresponding opening defined within the other of the shaft members;

each of the jaw members including an electrically conductive sealing plate for communicating electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween;

at least one of the jaw members including a cutting slot defined along a length thereof, the cutting slot being dimensioned to reciprocate a cutting instrument therealong;

an actuator which selectively reciprocates the cutting instrument to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members; and

a lockout including a spring biased within the opening defined in the other of the shaft members to prevent reciprocation of the cutting instrument when the jaw members are disposed in the first position, the spring being disengaged by the flange when the jaw members are moved to the second position.

2. An open forceps according to claim 1 wherein the flange includes an aperture defined therein which allows reciprocation of a safety bar of the cutting instrument therethrough when the jaw members are moved to the second position.

3. An open forceps according to claim 1 wherein the lockout is disposed within a proximal end of the forceps.

4. An open forceps according to claim 1 wherein the spring disengages into a chamber recessed within the corresponding shaft member.

5. An open electrosurgical forceps for sealing tissue, comprising:

a pair of first and second shaft members each having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof, the jaw members being movable about a pivot from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least one subsequent position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween;

each of the jaw members including an electrically conductive sealing plate for communicating electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween;

at least one of the jaw members including a cutting slot defined along a length thereof, the cutting slot being dimensioned to reciprocate a cutting instrument therealong;

an actuator which selectively reciprocates the cutting instrument to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members; and

a lockout including a notch defined within a portion of the cutting instrument, the notch mechanically engaging a corresponding detent on the pivot to prevent reciprocation of the cutting instrument when the jaw members are disposed in the first position, the notch automatically disengaging from the detent when the jaw members are moved to the second position to permit selective reciprocation of the cutting instrument.

6. An open forceps according to claim 5 wherein the notch is defined within a drive rod of the cutting instrument.

7. An open electrosurgical forceps for sealing tissue, comprising:

a pair of first and second shaft members each having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof, the jaw members being movable about a pivot from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least one subsequent position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween, each of the jaw members being curved relative to a longitudinal axis defined through the shaft members;

each of the jaw members including a correspondingly curved electrically conductive sealing plate for communicating electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween;

at least one of the jaw members including a substantially curved cutting slot defined along a length thereof, the cutting slot being dimensioned to reciprocate a cutting instrument therealong;

an actuator which selectively reciprocates the cutting instrument to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members; and

a lockout operatively coupled to the cutting instrument and forming part of at least one of the jaw members, the lockout configured to prevent reciprocation of the cutting instrument when the jaw members are disposed in the first position.

8. An open forceps according to claim 7 wherein the cutting element is substantially flexible to facilitate reciprocation thereof through the cutting slot.

9. An open electrosurgical forceps for sealing tissue, comprising:

a pair of first and second shaft members each having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof, the jaw members being movable about a pivot from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least one subsequent position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween, each of the jaw members being curved relative to a longitudinal axis defined through the shaft members;

each of the jaw members including a correspondingly curved electrically conductive sealing plate for communicating electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween;

at least one of the jaw members including a substantially straight cutting slot defined along a length thereof, the cutting slot being dimensioned to reciprocate a cutting instrument therealong;

an actuator which selectively reciprocates the cutting instrument to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members; and

a lockout operatively coupled to the cutting instrument and forming part of at least one of the jaw members, the lockout configured to prevent reciprocation of the cutting instrument when the jaw members are disposed in the first position.