Electrosurgical instrument

US9636169B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Covidien LP · US

Inventors

• James D. Allen, IV · Broomfield, US
• Ryan C. Artale · Boulder, US
• Kim V. Brandt · Loveland, US
• Dennis W. Butcher · Longmont, US
• Edward M. Chojin · Boulder, US
• Keir Hart · Lafayette, US
• Russell D. Hempstead · Lafayette, US
• Glenn A. Horner · Boulder, US
• Daniel A. Joseph · Golden, US
• Duane E. Kerr · Loveland, US
• Dylan R. Kingsley · Broomfield, US
• Peter M. Mueller · Suwanee, US
• Jessica E. C. Olson · Frederick, US
• John R. Twomey · Longmont, US
• Jeffrey R. Unger · Longmont, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 19, 2011
• Grant date: May 2, 2017
• Expiry date: Aug 3, 2034

Classification

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

Abstract

An electrosurgical forceps is provided with a shaft that extends from a housing of the electrosurgical forceps. An end effector assembly includes a pair of first and second jaw members pivotably coupled to one another via a pivot pin. One or both of the first and second jaw members may be movable from an open position for positioning tissue therebetween to a clamping position for grasping tissue. A detent is operably disposed proximal the pivot pin and extends radially outward from a proximal flange of one of the jaw members. The detent is configured to releasably engage a corresponding slot disposed on a proximal flange of the other jaw member. The detent and slot are configured to control a gap distance between the first and second jaw members when the first and second jaw members are in the clamping position.