Bipolar grasping instrument

US6743230B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Aesculap AG & Co. KG · DE

Inventors

• Theodor Lutze · Spaichingen, DE
• Rupert Mayenberger · Rielasingen-Worblingen, DE
• Christoph Rothweiler · Donaueschingen, DE
• Dieter Weisshaupt

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 18, 2002
• Grant date: Jun 1, 2004
• Expiry date: Nov 28, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B18/1445
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

In a bipolar grasping instrument with two clamping jaws movable relative to each other, electrically isolated from one another and each connectable to a pole of an electric high-frequency voltage source, each of the clamping jaws comprising two clamping elements arranged in spaced relation to one another, forming between them a longitudinal slot and each having a clamping surface, and with a cutting device comprising a cutting element displaceable in the longitudinal slots of the clamping jaws and having a cutting edge, in order to improve the design of the drive mechanism and the operability, it is proposed that the cutting element be arranged in the longitudinal slot of the one clamping jaw such that its cutting edge is contained in the longitudinal slot between the clamping elements of this clamping jaw and does not extend beyond its clamping surfaces in the direction towards the other clamping jaw, and that the clamping elements of this clamping jaw be elastically movable relative to the cutting element opposite to the closing movement of the clamping jaws so far that the cutting edge of the cutting element projects beyond the clamping surfaces.