CN109512506B - Bipolar surgical instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

Bipolar forceps include mechanical forceps including a first shaft and a second shaft, each shaft having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof for effecting movement of the jaw members relative to each other about a pivot axis. The disposable housing is configured to be releasably coupled to at least one of the shafts and the electrode assembly is configured to be releasably coupled to the disposable housing. The electrode assembly includes an electrode releasably coupleable to the jaw member. At least one of the electrodes includes a scalpel channel configured to receive a scalpel blade therethrough to cut tissue grasped between the jaw members. The actuation mechanism is configured to selectively advance the surgical blade through the knife channel to cut tissue.

Description

Bipolar surgical instrument

The present patent application is a divisional application of an invention patent application having an application date of 2014, 8/7, application number of 201410384505.2, entitled "bipolar surgical instrument".

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to forceps for open surgical procedures. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to bipolar forceps for treating tissue that are capable of closing and cutting tissue.

Background

Hemostats or clamps are simple, clamp-like tools that use mechanical action between their jaws to compress a blood vessel and are commonly used in open surgical procedures to grasp, dissect and/or clamp tissue. Electrosurgical forceps use a mechanical clamping action and electrical energy to coagulate, cauterize, and/or close tissue by heating the tissue and blood vessels to achieve hemostasis.

Certain surgical procedures require the closure and cutting of blood vessels or vascular tissue. Several journal articles have disclosed methods of closing small blood vessels using electrosurgery. An article entitled "students on Coagulation and the Development of an Automatic Computerized Bipolar Coagulator" (j. neurosurg., vol. 75, month 7 1991) describes a Bipolar Coagulator for occluding small blood vessels. The article states that it is not possible to safely coagulate arteries with a diameter greater than 2 to 2.5 mm. A second article entitled "automatic Controlled Biopolar Electrodiagnosis-" COA-COMP "(neurosurg, revised (1984), pp 187-190) describes a method for terminating electrosurgical power to a blood vessel such that scorching of the vessel wall can be avoided.

By using electrosurgical forceps, the surgeon can cauterize, coagulate/desiccate, reduce or slow bleeding and/or close blood vessels by controlling the intensity, frequency and duration of the electrosurgical energy applied to the tissue. In general, the electrical configuration of electrosurgical forceps can be classified into two categories: 1) monopolar electrosurgical forceps; and 2) bipolar electrosurgical forceps.

Monopolar forceps use one active electrode associated with a clamping end effector and a remote patient return electrode or pad that is typically attached externally to the patient. When electrosurgical energy is applied, the energy passes from the active electrode to the surgical site, through the patient, and to the return electrode.

Bipolar electrosurgical forceps use two generally opposing electrodes disposed on opposing interior surfaces of an end effector and both electrically coupled to an electrosurgical generator. Each electrode is charged to a different potential. Since tissue is a conductor of electrical energy, electrical energy may be selectively transferred through tissue when the actuator is used to grasp tissue therebetween.

Disclosure of Invention

The present disclosure relates to forceps for open surgical procedures. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to bipolar forceps for treating tissue that are capable of closing and cutting tissue.

By convention, the term "distal" herein refers to the end of the device that is further from the operator, and the term "proximal" herein refers to the end of the electrosurgical forceps that is closer to the operator.

The bipolar forceps include a mechanical forceps including a first shaft and a second shaft. A jaw member extends from a distal end of each shaft. A handle is disposed at a proximal end of each shaft for effecting movement of the jaw members relative to each other about the pivot axis from a first position in which the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation to each other to a second position in which the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue. A disposable housing is configured to be releasably coupled to one or both of the shafts. An electrode assembly is associated with the disposable housing and has a first electrode releasably coupleable to the jaw member of the first shaft and a second electrode releasably coupleable to the jaw member of the second shaft. Each electrode is adapted to be connected to a source of electrosurgical energy to allow electrosurgical energy to be selectively conducted through tissue. One or both of the electrodes includes a scalpel channel defined along its length. The knife channel is configured to receive a knife blade therethrough to cut tissue grasped between the jaw members. An actuation mechanism is disposed at least partially within the housing and is configured to selectively advance the surgical blade through the surgical knife channel to cut tissue.

Additionally or alternatively, the bipolar forceps may also include a scalpel locking mechanism configured to inhibit advancement of the surgical blade into the scalpel channel when the jaw members are in the first position.

Additionally or alternatively, the scalpel locking mechanism may be movable from a first position in which the scalpel locking mechanism engages the actuation mechanism when the jaw members are in the first position to a second position in which the scalpel locking mechanism disengages the actuation mechanism when the jaw members are in the second position to allow the scalpel blade to be selectively advanced through the scalpel channel.

Additionally or alternatively, at least one of the shafts may be configured to engage the scalpel locking mechanism and move the scalpel locking mechanism out of engagement with the actuation mechanism to allow the scalpel blade to be advanced through the scalpel channel when the jaw members are moved to the second position.

Additionally or alternatively, the bipolar forceps may also include at least one depressible button supported by the housing, the at least one depressible button configured to selectively deliver electrosurgical energy to the electrodes.

Additionally or alternatively, the pivot may define a longitudinal slot therethrough, and the surgical blade may be configured to move within the longitudinal slot as it translates.

Additionally or alternatively, the bipolar forceps may also include at least one handle member extending from the housing. The at least one handle member may be operably coupled to the actuation mechanism and configured to effect advancement of the surgical blade through the surgical knife channel.

Additionally or alternatively, each of the electrodes may include a conductive sealing surface and an insulating substrate coupled to the conductive sealing surface.

Additionally or alternatively, each of the electrodes may include at least one mechanical interface configured to complement a respective mechanical interface on one of the jaw members to releasably couple the electrode to the jaw members.

Additionally or alternatively, the actuation mechanism may comprise a biasing member configured to bias the actuation mechanism to an unactuated position.

Additionally or alternatively, the bipolar forceps may also include a scalpel guide supported in the housing and having a longitudinal slot defined therethrough that receives the scalpel blade therein to align the scalpel blade with the scalpel channel.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a bipolar forceps is provided. The bipolar forceps include a mechanical forceps including a first shaft and a second shaft, each shaft having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof. A handle is disposed at a proximal end of each shaft for effecting movement of the jaw members relative to each other about the pivot axis from a first position in which the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation to each other to a second position in which the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue. The disposable housing has opposing halves configured to releasably couple to one another to at least partially contain one or both of the shafts. An electrode assembly is associated with the disposable housing and has a first electrode releasably coupleable to the jaw member of the first shaft and a second electrode releasably coupleable to the jaw member of the second shaft. Each electrode is adapted to be connected to a source of electrosurgical energy to allow electrosurgical energy to be selectively conducted through tissue held therebetween. At least one of the electrodes includes a scalpel channel defined along a length thereof, the scalpel channel configured to receive a scalpel blade therethrough to cut tissue grasped between the jaw members. An actuation mechanism is disposed at least partially within the housing and is configured to selectively advance the surgical blade through the surgical knife channel to cut tissue. A knife locking mechanism is configured to move from a first position to a second position to allow the surgical blade to advance through the knife channel, the knife locking mechanism engaging the actuation mechanism to inhibit the surgical blade from advancing through the knife channel when the jaw members are in the first position, the knife locking mechanism disengaging the actuation mechanism when the jaw members are in the second position.

Additionally or alternatively, at least one of the shafts may be configured to engage the scalpel locking mechanism and move the scalpel locking mechanism out of engagement with the actuation mechanism and allow the scalpel blade to advance through the scalpel channel when the jaw members are moved to the second position.

Additionally or alternatively, the pivot may define a longitudinal slot therethrough, and the surgical blade may be configured to advance through the longitudinal slot as it translates.

Additionally or alternatively, the bipolar forceps may also include a scalpel guide supported in the housing and having a longitudinal slot defined therethrough that receives the scalpel blade therein to align the scalpel blade with the scalpel channel.

Additionally or alternatively, the bipolar forceps may also include at least one handle member configured to effect advancement of the surgical blade through the scalpel channel. The at least one handle member may extend from the housing and may be operably coupled to the actuation mechanism.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a bipolar forceps is provided. The bipolar forceps include a mechanical forceps including a first shaft and a second shaft, each shaft having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof. A handle is disposed at a proximal end of each shaft for effecting movement of the jaw members relative to each other about the pivot axis from a first position in which the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation to each other to a second position in which the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. A disposable housing is configured to be releasably coupled to at least one of the shafts. An electrode assembly is configured to be releasably coupled to the jaw members and adapted to be connected to a source of electrosurgical energy to allow electrosurgical energy to be selectively conducted through tissue held between the jaw members. At least one of the electrodes includes a scalpel channel defined along its length. The knife channel is configured to receive a knife blade therethrough to cut tissue grasped between the jaw members. A scalpel guide is supported in the housing and has a longitudinal slot defined therethrough that receives the scalpel blade therein to align the scalpel blade with the scalpel channel. An actuation mechanism is disposed at least partially within the housing and is configured to selectively advance the surgical blade through the surgical knife channel to cut tissue. At least one handle member extends from the housing. The at least one handle member is operably coupled to the actuation mechanism and is configured to effect advancement of the surgical blade through the surgical knife channel. A scalpel locking mechanism is configured to be engaged by at least one of the shaft members and to move the scalpel locking mechanism from a first position to a second position to allow selective advancement of the scalpel blade through the scalpel channel, the scalpel locking mechanism engaging the actuation mechanism to inhibit advancement of the scalpel blade into the scalpel channel when the jaw members are in the first position, the scalpel locking mechanism disengaging the actuation mechanism when the jaw members are in the second position.

Additionally or alternatively, the scalpel guide may extend through a longitudinal slot defined through the pivot.

Additionally or alternatively, the at least one handle member may be movable from a first position in which the surgical blade is disposed within the housing to a second position in which the surgical blade is advanced through the surgical knife channel.

Additionally or alternatively, the actuation mechanism may comprise a biasing member configured to move the at least one moveable handle from the second position to the first position.

Drawings

Various embodiments of the present apparatus are described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bipolar forceps according to an embodiment of the present disclosure including a mechanical forceps, a disposable housing, and a disposable electrode assembly;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, perspective view of the distal end of the bipolar forceps of FIG. 1;

figure 3 is a perspective view of the bipolar forceps of figure 1 with the components separated;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, inside side view of the disposable sheath and disposable electrode assembly of FIG. 1 with parts partially removed;

FIG. 5 is a greatly enlarged, perspective view of the disposable electrode assembly of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are enlarged perspective views on a larger scale of the electrodes of the disposable electrode assembly of FIG. 1 with parts separated;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the bipolar forceps of FIG. 1 grasping tissue to effect tissue closure; and fig. 9A-9C are general internal, side views of the bipolar forceps of fig. 1 depicting a sequence of movements to illustrate operation of the bipolar forceps.

Detailed Description

Referring initially to fig. 1-3, bipolar forceps 10 for use in open surgical procedures include a mechanical forceps 20 having an end effector 24 and a disposable electrode assembly 21. The mechanical tong 20 includes first and second elongated shaft members 12 and 14. The elongate shaft member 12 includes respective proximal and distal end portions 13 and 17, and the elongate shaft member 14 includes respective proximal and distal end portions 15 and 19. Handle members 16 and 18 are disposed at proximal end portions 13, 15 of the shaft members 12, 14, respectively, and are configured to allow a user to effect movement of at least one of the shaft members 12 and 14 relative to one another. The end effector 24 includes opposed jaw members 42, 44 extending from the distal end portions 17 and 19 of the shaft members 12 and 14, respectively. The jaw members 42, 44 are movable relative to each other in response to movement of the shaft members 12, 14.

The shaft members 12 and 14 are fixed to one another about the pivot 25 such that movement of the shaft members 12, 14 causes the jaw members 42, 44 to move from a first configuration (fig. 9A), such as an open configuration, in which the jaw members 42, 44 are arranged in spaced relation relative to one another, to a second configuration (fig. 9B and 9C), such as a clamped or closed configuration, in which the jaw members 42, 44 cooperate to grasp tissue 150 (fig. 8) therebetween. In some embodiments, the forceps 10 may be configured such that movement of one or both of the shaft members 12, 14 causes only one of the jaw members to move relative to the other jaw member. The pivot shaft 25 includes a pair of generally semi-circular apertures 25a, 25b disposed therethrough and is configured to be seated in a pivot aperture 29 (fig. 3) such that the pivot shaft 25 is allowed to freely rotate within the pivot aperture 29, as described in further detail below.

Each shaft member 12 and 14 also includes a ratchet portion 32 and 34, respectively. Each ratchet tooth 32, 34 extends from the proximal end portion 13, 15 of its respective shaft member 12, 14 toward the other ratchet tooth in a generally vertically aligned manner such that the inwardly facing surfaces of each ratchet tooth 32 and 34 abut each other when the shaft members 12, 14 are approximated. Each ratchet tooth 32 and 34 includes a plurality of flanges 31 and 33 (fig. 3), respectively, that project from the inwardly facing surface of each ratchet tooth 32 and 34 so that the ratchet teeth 32 and 34 can interlock in one or more positions. In some embodiments, each ratchet position maintains a particular strain energy in shaft members 12 and 14 to apply a particular closing force to end effector 24. At least one of the shaft members, such as shaft member 12, includes a tang 99 that facilitates manipulation of forceps 20 during a surgical procedure and attachment of electrode assembly 21 to mechanical forceps 20, as will be described in greater detail below.

Referring to fig. 2 and 3, the disposable electrode assembly 21 is configured to be releasably coupled to a mechanical forceps 20, as described in detail below, and is operatively coupled to a housing 70 having a pair of housing halves 70a, 70b that are configured to matingly engage and releasably contain at least a portion of the shaft member 14. The housing 70 also serves to house a scalpel 85 having a sharp distal cutting edge 89 (fig. 9C), a scalpel guide 86 having a longitudinal slot 87 (fig. 3) configured to receive the scalpel blade 85 therein, and a scalpel actuation mechanism 90 (fig. 3) configured to effect advancement of the scalpel blade 85 through a scalpel channel 58 (fig. 2) defined in one or both of the electrodes 110, 120 to transect tissue, as described in further detail below. The interior of each of the housing halves 70a, 70b may include a plurality of cooperating mechanical interfaces arranged at various locations to effect mechanical coupling of the housing halves 70a, 70b to form the housing 70.

As shown in fig. 4 and 5, a pair of wires 61 and 62 are electrically connected to electrodes 120 and 110, respectively, and are bundled to form cable 28 that extends through housing 70 and terminates in terminal connector 30 (fig. 1 and 3) that is configured to be mechanically and electrically coupled to a suitable energy source, such as an electrosurgical generator (not shown). An example of an electrosurgical generatorIs sold by Covidien

Vascular occlusion generator and

a generator. In some embodiments, one or both of the handle members 16 and 18 may include a suitable mechanical interface (e.g., a wire holder) configured to releasably retain the cable 28 to help prevent the cable 28 from interfering with the surgeon's hand during operation of the forceps 10.

Referring now to fig. 3-7, electrode assembly 21 includes a generally circular boss member 49 configured to be seated (e.g., friction fit) within a complementary aperture 71 disposed through the distal end of housing half 70a to releasably attach electrode assembly 21 thereto. The electrode assembly 21 is bifurcated such that two prongs 103 and 105 extend distally therefrom to support the electrodes 110 and 120, respectively. The electrode 120 includes an electrically conductive sealing surface 126 configured to conduct electrically surgical energy therethrough and an electrically insulating substrate 121 for electrically insulating the jaw member 42 from the sealing surface 126. The sealing surface 126 and the substrate 121 are attached to each other by any suitable assembly method, such as a snap-fit engagement or by overmolding the substrate 121 to the sealing surface 126. In some embodiments, the substrate 121 is made of an injection molded plastic material. The substrate 121 includes a plurality of bifurcated anchor members 122 extending therefrom that are configured to be compressed during insertion into a corresponding plurality of sockets 43 disposed at least partially through the inward-facing surface 47 (fig. 3) of the jaw member 44 and then expanded after insertion to releasably engage the corresponding sockets 43 to couple the electrodes 120 to the inward-facing surface 47. The substrate 121 also includes alignment pins 124 (fig. 6) configured to engage holes 65 disposed at least partially through the inward-facing surface 47 of the jaw member 44 to ensure proper alignment of the electrode 120 with the jaw member 44 during assembly. The conductive sealing surface 126 includes an extension 135 having a wire crimp 117 configured to be inserted into the distal end 106 of the prong 105 of the electrode assembly 21 and electrically connected to the wire 61 (fig. 5) disposed therein.

Substantially as described above with respect to electrode 120, electrode 110 includes an electrically conductive sealing surface 116 configured to conduct electrically surgical energy therethrough and an electrically insulating substrate 111 attached thereto, as shown in fig. 7. The substrate 111 includes a plurality of bifurcated anchor members 112 extending therefrom that are configured to compress during insertion into a respective plurality of sockets 41 disposed at least partially through the inwardly facing surface 45 (fig. 3) of the jaw member 42 and then expand after insertion to releasably engage the respective sockets 41 to couple the electrodes 110 to the inwardly facing surface 45. The substrate 111 also includes alignment pins 128 (fig. 4) configured to engage the holes 67 disposed at least partially through the inward-facing surface 45 of the jaw member 42 to ensure proper alignment of the electrode 110 with the jaw member 42 during assembly. Sealing surface 116 includes an extension 155 having a wire crimp 119 configured to be inserted into distal end 104 of tines 103 of electrode assembly 21 and electrically connected to wire 62 disposed therein. The substrate 111 includes an extension 165 extending proximally therefrom and configured to couple to the extension 155 of the sealing surface 116.

Referring to fig. 4, at least one of the fork members 103, 105 is flexible such that the fork members 105 and 103 are easily movable relative to each other. In some embodiments, the electrode assembly 21 is removably attached to the mechanical forceps 20 by initially moving the prongs 103, 105 toward each other. When the jaw members 42, 44 are in the open configuration, the electrodes 120 and 110 may be slid between the opposing jaw members 44 and 42 such that the anchoring members 122 and 112 and the guide pins 124 and 128 may be aligned with and inserted into the respective sockets 43 and 41 or holes 65 and 67, respectively, to couple the electrodes 120 and 110 with the jaw members 44 and 42, respectively. The housing halves 70a, 70b may then be releasably coupled to form the housing 70 to contain at least a portion of the shaft member 14 in the manner described above.

To electrically control end effector 24, housing 70 supports a pair of depressible actuation buttons 50a, 50b that are operable by a user to actuate respective switches 60a, 60b disposed within housing 70. Although not specifically shown, switches 60a, 60b are electrically interconnected with wires 61, 62, respectively, and are used to initiate and terminate the delivery of electrosurgical energy from a suitable energy source to end-effector 24 to effect tissue closure.

Once tissue closure is established, the scalpel blade 85 can be advanced through the scalpel channel 58 to transect the closed tissue, as described in more detail below. However, in some embodiments, the scalpel blade 85 can be advanced through the scalpel channel 58 before, during, or after tissue closure. In some embodiments, a scalpel locking mechanism 80 is provided to prevent the scalpel blade 85 from extending into the scalpel channel 58 when the jaw members 42, 44 are in the open configuration, thus preventing accidental or premature transection of tissue, as described in more detail below.

Referring to fig. 3, a scalpel actuation mechanism 90 is operatively associated with the trigger 45 having opposing handle members 45a, 45b extending from opposite sides of the housing 70. When the handle members 45a, 45b are actuated, the knife actuating mechanism 90 is responsive to actuating the knife blade 85 through the knife channel 58 using a series of cooperating elements to sever tissue grasped between the jaw members 42, 44, as described in detail below with reference to fig. 9C. More specifically, the scalpel actuation mechanism 90 includes a first link 92 operatively coupled at one end to the shaft member 47 and at an opposite end to a second link 94 by a pivot pin 92 a. The shaft member 47 extends laterally through the housing 70 to operatively connect the handle members 45a, 45b from opposite sides of the housing 70. The second link 94 is operatively coupled at one end to the first link 92 by a pivot pin 92a and at the other end to the proximal end of the scalpel blade 85 by a pivot pin 94a (fig. 9A). The shaft member 14 defines a longitudinal slot 14a therethrough configured to receive the first and second links 92, 94 therein. When the handle members 45a, 45b are actuated, the first and second links 92, 94 extend through the longitudinal slot 14a and freely move therethrough, as described in further detail below with reference to fig. 9C.

A biasing member 95 (e.g., a torsion spring) is disposed coaxially around at least a portion of the shaft member 47 between the first link 92 and the handle member 45 a. The biasing member 95 is operatively coupled at one end to a portion of the first link 92 and at the other end to a suitable mechanical interface within the housing 70 that supports or stabilizes the biasing member 95 during use of the scalpel actuation mechanism 90. The biasing member 95 serves to bias the trigger 45 such that upon actuation of the scalpel blade 85 through the scalpel channel 58 (fig. 9C), the handle members 45a, 45B are biased to return to the unactuated position (fig. 9A and 9B), thereby retracting the scalpel blade 85 proximally to the unactuated position (fig. 9A and 9B).

Referring to fig. 3, the pivot axle 25 includes a pair of holes 25a, 25b disposed therethrough that are configured to receive a pair of complementary projections 13a, 13b, respectively, therein that extend from the distal end portion 17 of the shaft member 12 and define a longitudinal passageway 27 therebetween. The projections 13a, 13b extend sufficiently from the distal portion of the shaft member 14 such that the apertures 25a, 25b can receive the projections 13a, 13b therein, respectively, while maintaining the pivot shaft 25 in spaced relation to the distal portion of the shaft member 14 to allow the knife guide 86 to be received through the passageway 27. Movement of the shaft members 12, 14 relative to each other results in rotational movement of the pivot shaft 25 within the pivot hole 29.

A knife guide 86 is supported within housing 70 between end effector 24 and knife actuating mechanism 90 and extends through passageway 27. The longitudinal slot 87 of the scalpel guide 86 provides lateral support for the scalpel blade 85 and limits left and right lateral movement of the scalpel blade 85. Thus, the distal scalpel guide 86 serves to urge the scalpel blade 85 into a centered position relative to the end effector 24, thereby ensuring proper alignment of the scalpel blade 85 as the scalpel blade 85 enters the scalpel channel 58 (fig. 2) defined in the electrodes 110, 120.

In some embodiments, forceps 10 include a scalpel blade locking mechanism 80 supported within housing 70 for preventing a scalpel blade 85 from being advanced into scalpel channel 58 when jaw members 42, 44 are in an open configuration (fig. 9A). Referring to fig. 3, the surgical blade locking mechanism 80 includes a safety link 81 operatively coupled with a biasing member 83 (e.g., a leaf spring) and pivotally supported within the housing 70. In the open configuration of the jaw members 42, 44, the scalpel blade 85 is in an unactuated position (fig. 9A and 9B) and the safety link 81 is engaged with the pivot pin 94a (fig. 9A) such that distal advancement of the scalpel blade 85 is inhibited. As shown in fig. 1, the housing 70 includes a longitudinal opening 70c that opposes the shaft member 12 and exposes the surgical blade locking mechanism 80 such that the safety link 81 is engaged by the shaft member 12 when the shaft members 12, 14 are approximated to move the jaw members 42, 44 to the closed position (fig. 9B). The pressure applied to the safety link 81 by the approach of the shaft members 12, 14 serves to bias the biasing member 83 against the scalpel blade 85 and in turn rotate the safety link 81 clear of the pivot pin 94a (fig. 9B) such that the scalpel blade 85 is allowed to advance distally into the scalpel channel 58 (fig. 9C). The operation of the scalpel actuation mechanism 90, the scalpel locking mechanism 80, and the actuation of the scalpel blade 85 are further described below with reference to fig. 9A-9C.

The tissue closure thickness and tissue closure effect may be affected by the pressure applied to the tissue between the jaw members 44, 42 during tissue closure and the gap distance between the opposing electrodes 110 and 120 (fig. 5). In the closed configuration, the separation or gap distance "G" may be maintained between the sealing surfaces 116, 126 by an array of stop members 54 (fig. 2) disposed on one or both of the sealing surfaces 116, 126 (shown only as being disposed on the sealing surface 126 for illustration purposes). The stop member 54 contacts the sealing surface on the opposing jaw member and inhibits further access of the sealing surfaces 116, 126. In some embodiments, to provide effective tissue closure, a suitable gap distance of about 0.001 inch to about 0.010 inch, and desirably between about 0.002 to about 0.005 inch, can be provided. In some embodiments, the stop member 54 is constructed of a non-conductive plastic or other material molded onto the sealing surfaces 116, 126, such as by a process such as overmolding or injection molding. In other embodiments, the stop feature 54 is constructed of a heat resistant ceramic deposited onto the sealing surfaces 116, 126.

Fig. 8 shows bipolar forceps 10 during use, with shaft members 12 and 14 approximated to apply a clamping force to tissue 150 and effect tissue closure. Once closed, the tissue 150 may be cut along the tissue closure by actuation of the surgical blade 85, as described in detail below with reference to fig. 9A-9C.

In some embodiments, virtual tissue vascular test forceps 10 performance may be used. More specifically, the user may place a virtual tissue vessel between the sealing surfaces 116, 126 and apply a clamping force to the vessel. The virtual tissue vessels may be, for example, any suitable plastic having impedance. The user may use the surgical instrument from a suitable electrosurgical generator, such as that sold by Covidien

Vascular occlusion generator and

the electrosurgical energy of the generator closes the virtual tissue vessel. The user may also actuate the handle members 45a, 45b to advance the scalpel blade 85 through the scalpel channel 58 to cut closed the virtual tissue vessel. In this case, the electrosurgical generator may be configured to automatically run a test program for sensing the applied clamping force, the gap distance between the opposing electrodes 110, 120 and/or the impedance of the virtual tissue vessel before, during or after closure. From this sensed information, the electrosurgical generator may be used to verify that the forceps 10 are in the proper working condition (e.g., proper clamping force, gap distance, etc.) after assembly of the electrode assembly 21 to the mechanical forceps 20 and prior to use of the assembled forceps 10 during vessel closure.

Referring now to fig. 9A, 9B and 9C, a sequence of movement may be initiated by moving the shaft members 12, 14 to close the jaw members 42, 44 and by rotating the handle members 45a, 45B to cause the scalpel actuation mechanism 90 to translate the scalpel blade 85 through the scalpel channel 58. Initially, the shaft members 12, 14 are in an open configuration and the handle members 45a, 45b are in an unactuated position, as shown in fig. 9A. This arrangement of the shaft members 12, 14 and the handle members 45a, 45b maintains the end effector 24 in an open configuration with the jaw members 42, 44 substantially spaced apart from one another and the surgical blade 85 in a retracted or proximal position relative to the jaw members 42, 44. The initial position of the handle members 45a, 45B shown in fig. 9A and 9B is positively maintained by the influence of the biasing member 95 on the trigger 45. When the jaw members 42, 44 are in the open configuration, as shown in fig. 9A, the safety link 81 is engaged with the pivot pin 94a such that rotational movement of the handle members 45a, 45b in the proximal direction (depicted by rotational arrow a4 in fig. 9C) is inhibited such that the scalpel blade 85 is inhibited from advancing into the scalpel channel 58.

The jaw members 42, 44 may be moved from the open configuration of fig. 9A to the closed configuration shown in fig. 9B. When the shaft members 12, 14 pivot about the pivot 25 in the directions of arrows a1 and a2 (fig. 9B), respectively, the shaft member 12 engages the safety link 81. As the shaft members 12, 14 are further pivoted about the pivot 25 in the directions of arrows a1 and a2, respectively, the shaft member 12 applies a force to the safety link 81 causing the biasing member 83 to flex against the bias of the surgical blade 85, thereby causing the safety link 81 to rotate in the direction depicted by rotational arrow A3 in fig. 9B. Rotation of the safety link 81 in the direction of rotational arrow a3 is used to move the safety link 81 off of the pivot pin 94a as shown in fig. 9C.

When the safety link 81 is moved clear of the pivot pin 94a, the handle members 45a, 45B can be selectively moved from the unactuated configuration of fig. 9A and 9B to the actuated position of fig. 9C to distally advance the scalpel blade 85 through the scalpel channel 58. More specifically, when the handle members 45a, 45b are rotated in a generally proximal direction depicted by rotational arrow a4 to the actuated configuration shown in fig. 9C, the first link 92 applies a rotational force to the second link 94, thereby causing the second link 94 to rotate about the pivot pin 94a and move in a generally distal direction to distally advance the surgical blade 85 through the knife channel 58.

In some embodiments, the knife actuating mechanism 90 can be positioned relative to the shaft member 14 differently than depicted in fig. 3 for the knife actuating mechanism 90. For example, if the scalpel actuation mechanism 90 shown in FIG. 3 is disposed generally between the shaft members 14 and 12, in some embodiments, the scalpel actuation mechanism 90 can be disposed on an opposite side of the shaft member 14 such that the shaft member 14 is disposed between the scalpel actuation mechanism 90 and the shaft member 12. In this case, the shaft members 12, 14 may alternatively be configured to allow the scalpel blade 85 to be advanced through the longitudinal passageway 27 defined by the projections 13a, 13b (e.g., via the scalpel guides 86) and into the scalpel channel 58. For example, the respective distal ends 17, 19 of the shaft members 12, 14 can be configured in various interlocking relationships (e.g., a lock-and-box configuration) that facilitate the entry of the scalpel 85 into the scalpel channel 58 in various orientations relative to the shaft members 12, 14 and/or the scalpel channel 58.

While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in the drawings, the disclosure should not be limited thereto as it should be as broad in scope as the art will allow and the specification should be read likewise. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.

Although the foregoing disclosure has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity and understanding, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (11)

1. Bipolar forceps (10) comprising:

mechanical forceps (20) including first and second shafts (12, 14) each having jaw members (42, 44) extending from distal ends (17, 19) thereof and handles (16, 18) disposed at proximal ends (13, 15) thereof for effecting movement of the jaw members relative to each other about pivots (25) from a first position in which the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation to each other to a second position in which the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween;

a disposable housing (70) comprising housing halves (70a, 70b) configured to matingly engage and releasably contain at least a portion of at least one of the first and second shafts;

an electrode assembly (21) associated with the disposable housing and having a first electrode (110) releasably coupleable to the jaw member of the first shaft and a second electrode (120) releasably coupleable to the jaw member of the second shaft, each of the first and second electrodes adapted to be connected to a source of electrosurgical energy to allow electrosurgical energy to be selectively conducted through tissue held therebetween;

at least one of the first and second electrodes includes a scalpel channel (58) defined along a length thereof, the scalpel channel configured to receive a scalpel blade (85) therethrough to cut tissue clamped between the jaw members;

an actuation mechanism (90) disposed at least partially within the disposable housing and configured to selectively advance the surgical blade through the surgical knife channel to cut tissue; and

a scalpel locking mechanism (80) configured to inhibit advancement of a scalpel blade into the scalpel channel when the jaw members are in the first position,

characterized in that the bipolar forceps further include a scalpel guide (86) supported within the disposable housing (70) and having a longitudinal slot (87) defined therethrough that receives a scalpel blade (85) therein to align the scalpel blade with the scalpel channel (58), wherein the scalpel guide (86) extends through a longitudinal slot (27) defined through the pivot (25).

2. The bipolar forceps (10) of claim 1, wherein the scalpel locking mechanism (80) moves from a first position of the scalpel locking mechanism, in which the scalpel locking mechanism engages the actuation mechanism (90) when the jaw members (42, 44) are in the first position of the jaw members, to a second position of the scalpel locking mechanism, in which the scalpel locking mechanism disengages the actuation mechanism when the jaw members (42, 44) are in the second position of the jaw members, to allow the scalpel blade (85) to be selectively advanced through the scalpel channel (58).

3. The bipolar forceps (10) of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second shafts (12, 14) is configured to engage the scalpel locking mechanism (80) and move the scalpel locking mechanism out of engagement with the actuation mechanism (90) to allow the scalpel blade (85) to advance through the scalpel channel (58) when the jaw members (42, 44) are moved to the second position.

4. The bipolar forceps (10) of any one of claims 1-3, further including at least one depressible button (50a, 50b) supported by the disposable housing (70), the at least one depressible button configured to selectively deliver electrosurgical energy to the first and second electrodes (110, 120).

5. The bipolar forceps (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the surgical blade (85) is configured to move within a longitudinal slot (27) defined through the pivot (25) as it translates.

6. The bipolar forceps (10) of any one of claims 1-5, further including at least one handle member (45a, 45b) configured to effect advancement of the scalpel blade (85) through the scalpel channel (58), the at least one handle member extending from the disposable housing (70) and being operably coupled to the actuation mechanism (90).

7. The bipolar forceps (10) of any one of claims 1-6, wherein each of the first and second electrodes (110, 120) includes a conductive sealing surface (116, 126) and an insulating substrate (111, 121) coupled to the conductive sealing surface.

8. The bipolar forceps (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein each of the first and second electrodes (110, 120) includes at least one mechanical interface (112, 122) configured to complement a respective mechanical interface (41, 43) on one of the jaw members (42, 44) to releasably couple the electrode to the jaw member.

9. The bipolar forceps (10) according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein the actuation mechanism (90) includes a first biasing member (95) configured to bias the actuation mechanism to an unactuated position.

10. The bipolar forceps (10) according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein the scalpel locking mechanism (80) includes a safety link (81) operably coupled with a second biasing member (83) and pivotally supported within the disposable housing (70), wherein the safety link is configured to engage a pivot pin (94a) of the actuation mechanism (90) to inhibit advancement of the scalpel blade (85) into the scalpel channel (58) when the jaw members (42, 44) are in the jaw members' first position.

11. The bipolar forceps (10) of claim 10, wherein at least one of the first and second shafts (12, 14) is configured to engage the safety link (81) and move the safety link (81) out of engagement with the pivot pin (94a) to allow the scalpel blade (85) to advance through the scalpel channel (58) when the jaw members (42, 44) are moved to the jaw members second position.

Images