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:
May. 27, 2008
Filed:
May. 05, 2005
Steven P. Buysse, Longmont, CO (US);
Kate R. Lawes, Superior, CO (US);
Dale F. Schmaltz, Fort Collins, CO (US);
Michael J. Lands, Louisville, CO (US);
S. Wade Lukianow, Boulder, CO (US);
Kristin D. Johnson, Louisville, CO (US);
Gary M. Couture, Longmont, CO (US);
Lap P. Nguyen, Longmont, CO (US);
Steven P. Buysse, Longmont, CO (US);
Kate R. Lawes, Superior, CO (US);
Dale F. Schmaltz, Fort Collins, CO (US);
Michael J. Lands, Louisville, CO (US);
S. Wade Lukianow, Boulder, CO (US);
Kristin D. Johnson, Louisville, CO (US);
Gary M. Couture, Longmont, CO (US);
Lap P. Nguyen, Longmont, CO (US);
Sherwood Services AG, Schaffhausen, CH;
Abstract
A laparoscopic bipolar electrosurgical instrument for sealing tissue includes a handle having an elongated tube affixed thereto. The tube includes first and second jaw members having electrically conductive sealing surfaces attached to a distal end thereof which are movable from a first position for approximating tissue to a second position for grasping tissue therebetween. The handle includes a fixed handle and a handle which is movable relative to the fixed handle to effect movement of the jaw members from the first position to the second position for grasping tissue. The jaw members connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the opposable sealing surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween. A stop is included for maintaining a minimum separation distance between opposing sealing surfaces. A ratchet is also included to maintain a closure force in the range of about 7 kg/cmto about 13 kg/cmbetween opposing sealing surfaces.