Electrosurgical instrument employing a plurality of electrodes

US8795276B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Timothy G. Dietz · Wayne, US
• Zhifan F. Huang · Mason, US
• David A. Witt · Maineville, US
• Jeffrey L. Aldridge · Lebanon, US
• Raymond M. Banks · Cupertino, US
• Mary E. Mootoo · Cincinnati, US
• Jeffrey S. Swayze · Hamilton, US
• Foster B. Stulen · Mason, US
• Prasanna Malaviya · Huangpu District, CN
• Gregory W. Johnson · Milford, US
• Paul Guerra · Boulder, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 9, 2010
• Grant date: Aug 5, 2014
• Expiry date: May 19, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2018/1455
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An electrosurgical surgical instrument can comprise a handle and an end effector, wherein the end effector can comprise first and second jaws which can be opened and closed to capture tissue therebetween. The second jaw can comprise a first electrode and a second electrode while the first jaw can comprise an opposing electrode positioned opposite the first electrode and the second electrode when the jaws are in their closed position. The first and second electrodes can be independently and/or sequentially operated in order to conduct current between the first and second electrodes and opposing electrode in order to draw the tissue positioned between the first and second jaws toward the center of the first and second jaws and weld the tissue. In various other embodiments, other firing sequences of the electrodes are contemplated. During and/or after such tissue welding processes, a cutting member can be advanced to cut the tissue.