Vessel sealing instrument

US7582087B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Covidien LP · US

Inventors

• Philip M. Tetzlaff · Austin, US
• Carolyn H. Mihaichuk · Longmont, US
• Duane E. Kerr · Loveland, US
• Dave A. SCHECHTER · Longmont, US
• Jon Sherman · Cincinnati, US
• Ted Richardson · Cincinnati, US
• Greg Drach · Monroe, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 6, 2001
• Grant date: Sep 1, 2009
• Expiry date: Dec 12, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2090/034
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for clamping, grasping, manipulating, and sealing tissue includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof. The handle being operable to effect movement of the jaw members 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. The bipolar instrument is connectable to a source of electrical energy having a first electrical potential connected to one of the jaw members and a second electrical potential connected to the other of the jaw members such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal. Both the first and second electrical potentials are transmitted to the jaw members through the first shaft.