Bipolar surgical instrument

US9962221B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Covidien LP · US

Inventors

• Weng-Kai K. Lee · Longmont, US
• Scott N. Lacosta · Lafayette, US
• Kelley D. Goodman · Erie, US
• Keir Hart · Lafayette, US
• Duane E. Kerr · Loveland, US
• Geneva Ladtkow · Arvada, US
• Kenneth E. Netzel · Loveland, US
• Jeffrey R. Townsend · Loveland, US
• Raghavendra L. Bhandari · Savanuru, IN
• Peixiong Yi · Shanghai, CN

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 7, 2013
• Grant date: May 8, 2018
• Expiry date: Aug 7, 2033

Classification

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

Abstract

A bipolar forceps includes a mechanical forceps including first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof for effecting movement of the jaw members relative to one another about a pivot. A disposable housing is configured to releasably couple to at least one of the shafts and an electrode assembly is associated with the disposable housing. The electrode assembly includes electrodes releasably coupleable to the jaw members. At least one of the electrodes includes a knife channel configured to receive a knife blade therethrough to cut tissue grasped between the jaw members. A switch is configured to initiate delivery of electrosurgical energy from the source of electrosurgical energy to the electrodes. An actuation mechanism is configured to selectively advance the knife blade through the knife channel to cut tissue.