Covidien LP

Daniel W Mercier

Grant T Sims

Craig V Krastins

Kelley D Goodman

Jennifer L Rich

Robert F McCullough, Jr

David Michael Keffeler

Benjamin R Arts

Jennifer E Lee

Duane E Kerr

John R Twomey

Jessica E C Olson

Kenneth E Netzel

Monte S Fry

Terry M Duffin

Jennifer E Rich

R Arts Benjamin

Robert Mccullough

Robert F Mccullough

A forceps includes first and second shafts each having a jaw disposed at a distal end thereof configured to rotate about a pivot to move the jaws between open and closed positions, the shafts defining a longitudinal axis therebetween. A knife deployment mechanism including a rack and pinion mechanism or a series of links is disposed within the first shaft and includes a trigger moveable along the longitudinal axis to deploy a knife between the jaws. A knife lockout is configured to move upon approximation of the first and second shafts between an engaged position preventing deployment of the knife and a disengaged position allowing deployment of the knife. A knife kickout mechanism is disposed within the first shaft in opposition to the second shaft and is configured to force the knife forward upon movement of the first and second shafts from an approximated position to a more open position.

Forceps with linear trigger mechanism

An electrosurgical instrument includes at least one shaft member, an end effector assembly extending distally from the at least one shaft member, and a heat pipe. The end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members, each including an electrically-conductive tissue-contacting surface. At least one of the first or second jaw members is movable relative to the other about a pivot between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue between the electrically-conductive tissue-contacting surfaces. The heat pipe includes a proximal body portion and a flattened distal portion. The proximal body portion extends through at least a portion of the at least one shaft member, and the flattened distal portion extends through at least a portion of the first jaw member. The heat pipe is configured to facilitate drawing heat proximally from the end effector assembly.

Electrosurgical instrument for grasping, treating, and/or dividing tissue incorporating thermal management feature

An end effector of an electrosurgical forceps includes a first jaw member, a second jaw member, and a cap. The first jaw member has a pivot pin extending inwardly from an inner lateral side thereof. The second jaw member is pivotably coupled to the pivot pin. The cap couples the first and second jaw members to one another.

Electrosurgical forceps

An electrosurgical forceps includes first and second shaft members and first and second jaw members extending distally from the respective first and second shaft members. A pivot couples the first and second shaft members with one another such that the first and second shaft members are movable relative to one another between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position to move the first and second jaw members relative to one another between an open position and a closed position. The jaw members are configured to facilitate tissue treatment, tissue division, and blunt tissue dissection.

An electrosurgical forceps includes first and second shaft members pivotably coupled to one another via a pivot member such that pivoting of the first and second shaft members between spaced-apart and approximated positions pivots jaw members thereof between open and closed positions. A knife is translatable between retracted and extended positions. A knife deployment mechanism is operably coupled to the first shaft member and includes at least one trigger and at least one linkage coupling the at least one trigger with the knife such that pivoting of the at least one trigger relative to the first shaft member translates the knife between the retracted and extended positions. A knife lockout biased towards a locked position inhibits distal translation of the knife. The knife lockout is movable from the locked position to an unlocked position upon approximation of the jaw members to permit distal translation of the knife.

Electrosurgical forceps for grasping, treating, and/or dividing tissue

An electrosurgical instrument includes a housing and an elongated shaft extending from the housing. An end effector is disposed at a distal portion of the elongated shaft. The end effector is configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to tissue. The end effector includes a first jaw member having a first electrode plate and a second jaw member having a second electrode plate. A movable handle is operably coupled to the housing. The movable handle is configured to move at least one of the first or second jaw members between an open position and a closed position. A first plate is disposed on the first jaw member. A second plate is disposed on the first plate. The second plate includes an opening defined therein. A bead is disposed on the first plate and is configured to protrude through the opening defined in the second plate.

Surgical forceps having jaw members

A knife configured for use with an electrosurgical forceps having curved jaw members and a method of manufacturing the same. The knife includes a distal body having an inner side and an outer side, a first etching on the outer side of the distal body defining a distal cutting edge and a second etching on the outer side of the distal body extending along a portion of a length of the distal body to define relatively protruded and relatively recessed surfaces extending along a portion of the length of the distal body on the outer side thereof.

A forceps includes shaft members each having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof and configured move the jaw members between open and closed position. A knife deployment mechanism includes a trigger moveable along a longitudinal axis to deploy a knife between retracted and extended positions between the jaw members, the knife deployment mechanism including links that cooperate to actuate the knife. A knife kickout mechanism is pivotably coupled to one link and is configured to engage a ramp disposed in a shaft member upon approximation of the shaft members, the knife kickout is configured to cooperate with the links to urge the knife back to an at rest position upon the opening of the shaft members.

Forceps with linear trigger kickout mechanism

An electrosurgical forceps includes a first shaft member including a first inner frame. A first jaw member extends distally from the first inner frame. A first outer housing is supported by the first inner frame. The first inner frame includes a first member stamped from sheet metal. A second shaft member includes a second inner frame. A second jaw member extends distally from the second inner frame. A second outer housing is supported by the second inner frame. The second inner frame includes a second member stamped from sheet metal and a rigid filler member disposed on the second member.

An electrosurgical forceps includes first and second shaft members pivotably coupled to one another such that pivoting of the first and second shaft members between spaced-apart and approximated positions pivots jaw members thereof between open and closed positions. A proximal end portion of the second shaft member may be pivoted against a resilient bias of a spring element to apply a predetermined clamping pressure on tissue and ultimately engage an activation switch to delivery electrosurgical energy to the clamped tissue.

A method of assembling a jaw member of an electrosurgical forceps includes aligning in vertical registration an electrically conductive seal plate, an insulative spacer and a jaw support. The method further includes stacking the seal plate atop the insulative spacer and the jaw support such that a flange depending from the seal plate seats within a corresponding cavity defined within a flange depending from the insulative spacer which, in turn, seats within a cavity defined within the jaw support. The method further includes mechanically securing the seal plate, insulative spacer and jaw support to one another and securing a jaw housing to surround the jaw support, the insulative spacer and the seal plate.

Growing community of inventors

Erie, CO, United States of America

Daniel W Mercier