Covidien Ag

Covidien LP

Paul Hermes

David M Garrison

Sean T Dycus

Daniel T Wallace

Gene H Arts

Daniel Wallace

An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes a housing and a shaft, the shaft having an end effector assembly at its distal end. The end effector assembly includes two jaw members for grasping tissue therebetween. The jaw members are adapted to connect to an electrosurgical energy source which enable them to conduct energy through the tissue to create a tissue seal. A drive assembly is disposed within the housing which moves the jaw members. A switch is disposed within the housing which activates the electrosurgical energy. A knife assembly is included which is advanceable to cut tissue held between the jaw members. A movable handle is connected to the housing. Continual actuation of the movable handle engages the drive assembly to move the jaw members, engages the switch to activate the electrosurgical energy source to seal the tissue, and advances the knife assembly the cut the tissue disposed between the jaw members.

Single action tissue sealer

Bipolar electrosurgical forceps for use with a robotic surgical system. Electrodes on a first grasping jaw member align with corresponding electrodes on a second jaw member, allowing localized energy to seal tissue between the first and second jaw members. The first jaw member has an open centerline slot, exposing the tissue in the slot. The exposed tissue enables a second, similar forceps to be used with an opposing arm to treat the tissue in the slot. In embodiments, the precise motion of the robotic arms supporting the first and second forceps guides a distal tip electrode of the second forceps precisely within the open centerline slot of the first forceps to treat tissue. In this manner, the complex assemblies and control systems associated with moving blades of conventional electrosurgical forceps are eliminated.

Electrosurgical end effectors

A temperature regulating patient return electrode and return electrode monitoring system for use in monopolar surgery, includes a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) material disposed on its surface. The PTC material responds to local increases in temperature by increasing local resistance. This quality decreases the probability of a patient burn as a result of monopolar surgery. The return electrode monitoring system includes a generator for generating current; an active electrode coupled to the generator for supplying the current to a patient; and a return electrode coupled to the generator with a surface for receiving the current from the patient and returning the current to the generator. A positive temperature coefficient (PTC) material is disposed on the return electrode for regulating the temperature over the surface of the return electrode.

Growing community of inventors

Guilford, CT, United States of America

Paul Hermes