Electrosurgical instruments for controlling thermal damage

US11224478B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Covidien LP · US

Inventors

• Weijiang Ding · Shanghai, CN
• Jianjiang Chen · Shanghai, CN
• Daniel A. Joseph · Golden, US
• Kai Liu · Hunan, CN
• William H. Nau, Jr. · Longmont, US
• Arlen K. Ward · Englewood, US
• William R. Whitney · Boulder, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 17, 2015
• Grant date: Jan 18, 2022
• Expiry date: Feb 4, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2218/007
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An end effector assembly (114) includes a first jaw member (114a) having a first tissue contact surface (122) and a second jaw member (114b) having a second tissue contact surface (122). The second jaw member (114b) is pivotally coupled to the first jaw member (114a). The tissue contact surfaces (122) may include raised steps (122b) that define an exhaust channel (124). A longitudinally extending knife slot (214) may be defined in one or both of the tissue contact surfaces (122). One or more exhaust slots (216), which may be defined in one or both of the tissue contact surfaces (122), are in communication with the knife slot (214). The exhaust channel (124) and the exhaust slots (216) direct fluid away from the jaw members (114a, 114b) to minimize thermal damage risks associated with tissue sealing.