Insulating boot for electrosurgical forceps
Either an endoscopic or open bipolar forceps includes a flexible, generally tubular insulating boot for insulating patient tissue, while not impeding motion of the jaw members. The jaw members are movable from an open to a closed position and the jaw members are connected to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal. A knife assembly may be included that allows a user to selectively divide tissue upon actuation thereof. The insulating boot may be made from a viscoelastic, elastomeric or flexible material suitable for use with a sterilization process including ethylene oxide. An interior portion of the insulating boot may have at least one mechanically interfacing surface that interfaces with a mechanically interfacing surface formed between the shaft and a jaw member or with a mechanically interfacing surface disposed or formed on the shaft or a jaw member.
1. An 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 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;
at least one of the shaft members and at least one of the jaw members forming at least one mechanically interfacing surface therebetween;
at least one of the jaw members including an electrically conductive sealing plate adapted to communicate electrosurgical energy to tissue held therebetween; and
a flexible insulating boot disposed on at least a portion of an exterior surface of at least one jaw member, an interior portion of the insulating boot having at least one mechanically interfacing surface, wherein the at least one mechanically interfacing surface of the interior portion of the insulating boot includes a grove-like interlocking interface that engages the at least one mechanically interfacing surface formed between at least one of the shaft members and one of the jaw members.
2. An 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 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;
at least one of the shaft members and at least one of the jaw members forming at least one mechanically interfacing surface therebetween;
at least one of the jaw members including an electrically conductive sealing plate adapted to communicate electrosurgical energy to tissue held therebetween; and
a flexible insulating boot disposed on at least a portion of an exterior surface of at least one jaw member, an interior portion of the insulating boot having at least one mechanically interfacing surface, wherein the at least one mechanically interfacing surface of the interior portion of the insulating boot includes a key-like interlocking interface that engages the at least one mechanically interfacing surface formed between at least one of the shaft members and one of the jaw members.