Open vessel sealing instrument and method of manufacturing the same
An open electrosurgical forceps is provided and includes a pair of first and second shaft members each having a jaw member at a distal end thereof. The jaw members are movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to a subsequent position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. A cutting mechanism is adapted to selectively and removably couple to one of the first and second shaft members. The cutting mechanism includes a cutting trigger for selectively advancing a knife blade extending therefrom through a knife channel defined along one or both of the jaw members. The first shaft member includes a stop feature formed thereon and the second shaft feature includes a stop member formed thereon. The stop feature and stop member configured to selectively engage one another to limit rotation of the first and second shaft members with respect to one another.
1. A forceps, comprising:
first and second shaft members, each of the first and second shaft members having a handle at a proximal end thereof and a jaw member at a distal end thereof, the handles of the first and second shaft members movable relative to one another to pivot the first and second shaft members in relation to one another so that the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween, each of the jaw members including an electrically conductive sealing plate configured to communicate electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween; and
a cutting mechanism received within an elongated slot defined by at least one of the first and second shaft members, the cutting mechanism slidably removable in a longitudinal direction from the elongated slot to separate the cutting mechanism from the forceps.
2. The forceps of claim 1 , further comprising an activation mechanism coupled to the first shaft member and adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy, the activation mechanism configured to communicate electrosurgical energy to at least one of the sealing plates in response to contact with the second shaft member.
3. The forceps of claim 1 , wherein the sealing plates are removably coupled to the jaw members by press-fit, friction-fit, or combinations thereof.
4. The forceps of claim 1 , wherein at least one first and second shaft members is formed via injection molding.
5. The forceps of claim 1 , wherein the first shaft member includes at least one stop feature configured to control the gap distance between the jaw members.
6. The forceps of claim 5 , wherein the second shaft member includes at least one stop member configured to selectively engage the at least one stop feature, wherein the at least one stop feature and the at least one stop member are configured to engage one another to limit pivoting of the first and second shaft members.
7. The forceps of claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second shaft members is made from plastic.
8. The forceps of claim 1 , wherein the cutting mechanism includes a cutting trigger configured to selectively advance a knife blade extending therefrom through at least one knife channel defined between the jaw members.
9. The forceps according to claim 8 , wherein the cutting trigger extends transverse to the knife blade.
10. The forceps according to claim 1 , wherein the elongated slot is aligned with at least one knife channel defined in at least one of the jaw members facilitating advancement of a knife blade of the cutting mechanism through the at least one knife channel.
11. The forceps according to claim 1 , wherein the elongated slot is disposed proximal to the jaw members such that the cutting mechanism extends through the elongated slot into the at least one knife channel.
12. The forceps according to claim 1 , wherein the cutting mechanism is made from sterilizable materials and is reusable.