Endoscopic vessel sealer and divider having a flexible articulating shaft
US9968397B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 5, 2007 |
| Grant date | May 15, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 17, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2018/1455
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An electrosurgical instrument for treating tissue includes a housing having a shaft extending therefrom having an axis A-A defined therethrough. The shaft is at least partially flexible and includes first and second jaw members attached at a distal end thereof. Each jaw member includes an electrically conductive tissue contacting surface adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the electrically conductive tissue contacting surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween. A drive assembly is disposed in the housing and has a first actuator operably coupled to a drive rod for reciprocation thereof to move the jaw members from a first position in spaced relation to one another to a second position closer to one another for engaging tissue. A second actuator is disposed on the housing and is actuatable to articulate the shaft.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.