Disposable connector for use with reusable vessel closure divider

Abstract

An electrosurgical instrument (1) includes reusable first and second elongated shaft members (110, 120), and a disposable connector assembly. The first elongated shaft member (110) includes a first handle member (130) and a first jaw member (150), and the second elongated shaft member (120) includes a second handle member (140) and a second jaw member (160). The first and second jaw members (150, 160) each include tissue contacting surfaces (152, 162) having a sealing surface (152a, 152b, 162a, 162b) and a cutting edge (152d, 162d). At least one of the first and second handle members (130, 140) is movable relative to the other about substantially orthogonal axes to move the jaw members (150, 160) between an open position, a sealing position, and a cutting position. The connector assembly (200) includes a housing (202) selectively engageable with at least one of the shaft members (110, 120). The connector assembly (200) is configured to communicate electrosurgical energy between the first and second tissue contacting surfaces (152, 162) when the first and second jaw members (150, 160) are disposed in the sealing position.

Description

technical field [0001] The present disclosure relates to an energy-based surgical instrument, and more particularly to an energy-based surgical forceps configured for therapeutically treating and / or cutting tissue. Background technique [0002] Forceps or hemostats are forceps-like instruments that rely on mechanical action between their jaws to grasp, clamp, and restrain tissue. Energy-based forceps utilize mechanical gripping action and energy (eg, electrosurgical energy, ultrasonic energy, light energy, microwave energy, heat, etc.) to effect hemostasis by heating tissue to coagulate and / or cauterize it. Certain surgical procedures require more than cauterizing tissue, but rely on a unique combination of clamping pressure, precise energy control, and gap distance (ie, the distance between opposing jaws when the surrounding tissue is closed) to "seal" the tissue. Typically, once the tissue is sealed, the surgeon must accurately cut the tissue along the newly formed tissue...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0003] However, tissue sealing instruments that include blades and blade pockets are typically single-use devices because the blades and blade pockets are difficult to clean and the blades can wear and become dull with repeated use

Inclusion of blade slots in the jaws of a tissue sealing device can reduce the sealing strength of the jaws, and the width of the blade slots can increase the width of the jaws, which in turn can lead to reduced dissection capability of the tissue sealing device

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