The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 01, 2006
Filed:
Apr. 05, 2002
Gary M. Couture, Longmont, CO (US);
Lap P. Nguyen, Longmont, CO (US);
Kristin D. Johnson, Louisville, CO (US);
Michael Moses, Boulder, CO (US);
Gary M. Couture, Longmont, CO (US);
Lap P. Nguyen, Longmont, CO (US);
Kristin D. Johnson, Louisville, CO (US);
Michael Moses, Boulder, CO (US);
Sherwood Services AG, Schaffhausen, CH;
Abstract
An endoscopic bipolar forceps for sealing and dividing tissue includes an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof which are movable relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. Each jaw member including an electrically conductive sealing surface having a non-stick coating disposed thereon which is designed to reduce tissue adherence. A source of electrical energy is connected to each jaw member such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal. A longitudinally reciprocating knife is included which severs tissue proximate the seal. The vessel sealer and divider also includes a non-conductive stop member disposed on the electrically conductive surface of one of the jaw members which controls the distance between the jaw members when tissue is held therebetween. A handle assembly is also included which is designed to maintain a closure pressure in the range of about 3 kg/cmto about 16 kg/cmbetween the electrically conductive sealing surfaces during sealing.