Electrosurgical forceps having a displaceable heat sink for thermal cutting

Abstract

To provide an electrosurgical forceps with a displaceable heat sink for thermal cutting.SOLUTION: An electrosurgical medical device can include a first jaw, a second jaw, a heating element, and a heat sink. The heating element can be heated for cutting or sealing tissue. The heat sink and the heating element can move relative to each other. Such relative movement can be between a first state of dissipating heat from the heating element and a second state of allowing the heating element to heat. Such relative movement can be actuated during closing of the jaws. For example, a displacement actuator on the first jaw can push the heat sink away from the heating element when the jaws are being closed, thereby moving the heating element and the heat sink from a first (heat sinking) state to a second (non-heat sinking) state. Heat in the heating element can dissipate through the heat sink in the first state for rapid cooling of the heating element.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2A

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 384,660, filed on November 22, 2022, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] This specification generally relates to medical devices, and more particularly to electrosurgical devices that can include or combine thermal, electrical, and / or mechanical modalities for affecting anatomical features.

Background Art

[0003] Bipolar electrosurgical devices can be used to cut a patient's tissue during a surgical procedure. Bipolar electrosurgical devices can include an end effector, such as forceps, having a mechanical clamping action for grasping, capturing, holding, manipulating, pulling, squeezing, cutting, and / or incising anatomical features such as blood vessels and tissue. These can also include electrosurgical capabilities such that they can seal, cut, or coagulate anatomical features.

[0004] In addition to sealing, cutting, or coagulating, some forceps can also be used to incise anatomical features, such as by one or more blunt incision techniques. One blunt incision technique is sweep incision. In a sweep incision, the jaw assembly, or a part of the jaw assembly such as an edge, is moved or “swept” across an anatomical feature, thereby incising or separating the anatomical feature from another anatomical feature.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Forceps that use electro-surgical treatment current to cut tissue can generate and hold heat, for example, at or near an electrode within the jaws of the forceps. This can cause unintended thermal damage to nearby tissue during sweep dissection or other operations of the jaw assembly. Improvements to such devices are desired.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] This specification relates to an electro-surgical device for cutting or sealing a patient's tissue. The electro-surgical device can include an end effector such as bipolar forceps. The forceps can include a jaw assembly that can move between an open position and a closed position. For example, the jaw assembly can include a first jaw and a second jaw. At least one of the first jaw and the second jaw can include a heating element and a heat sink. The heating element can generate heat to a temperature sufficient to cut or seal the patient's tissue.

[0007] In the open position, the jaw assembly can be operated so that the patient's tissue is positioned between the first jaw and the second jaw. In the open position, the heat sink, the heating element, or both can move relative to each other, such as between a first state and a second state. In the first state, a heat absorption position can be provided, for example, to cool the heating element. In the first state, a portion of the heat in the heating element can be dissipated through the heat sink. When the jaws are operated to the closed position, for example, to grasp tissue, the heating element and the heat sink can be displaced relative to each other to a second state, in which the heating element and the heat sink are at least partially thermally isolated from each other such that the heating element can deliver heat to the tissue with little or no heat escaping through the heat sink. In the second state, the heating element can cut or seal the tissue.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Fig. 1A

Fig. 1B

Fig. 2A

Fig. 2B

Fig. 3

Fig. 4A

Fig. 4B

Fig. 5

Fig. 6

Fig. 7

[0009] In the drawings which are not necessarily to scale, like reference numerals may describe like components in different figures. Like reference numerals with different subscripts may represent different examples of like components. The drawings generally, but not by way of limitation, illustrate various embodiments discussed herein.

[0010] This specification describes an electrosurgical device that can include a handpiece for operating forceps including an end effector such as a jaw assembly including a heating element for tissue cutting or sealing or the like in a surgical procedure, and a heat sink displaceable relative to the heating element that at least partially dissipates heat from the heating element when not displaced and is spaced from the heating element when displaced. When so not displaced, the displaceable heat sink can help rapidly reduce the temperature of the heating element, for example, during a cutting operation or a sealing operation. This can help reduce the risk or extent of unintended damage to tissue near the patient when the electrosurgical device is moved around within the surgical field. The end effector of the device can include a jaw assembly having a first jaw and a second jaw. The heating element can be coupled to or disposed within the second jaw. The displaceable heat sink can be coupled to or disposed within the second jaw and is desired to be spaced from the heating element when the heating element is being used to treat a target tissue, for example, when being gripped within the jaws for tissue cutting or sealing, and can be brought into contact with the heating element when displaced to be so spaced.

[0011] A surgeon may control the actuation of the end effector of the forceps to activate one or more functions of the end effector. Actuation of the end effector can be facilitated by one or more actuation systems of a handpiece that can retract, extend, or rotate one or more shafts to control the movement of the end effector. The jaw assembly can be controlled by a handpiece including the actuation system to be rotatable, openable, closable, extendable, and energizable with electromagnetic energy, among one or more of these. Other handpieces can be connected to the end effectors described herein and can control the end effectors. The present disclosure includes examples of handpieces including one or more actuation systems, and examples of medical devices in which the disclosed actuation systems and end effectors can be used in combination.

[0012] FIG. 1A illustrates a side view of an electrosurgical device 100 with the jaw assembly 145 in the open position. FIG. 1B illustrates a side view of the electrosurgical device 100 with the jaw assembly 145 in the closed position. FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of some of the components of the jaw assembly 145 of the electrosurgical device 100 of FIG. 1A. FIGS. 1A and 1B will be described together. Descriptive terms such as proximal and distal are used within the scope of their ordinary meaning in the art. The proximal direction P and the distal direction D are indicated on the axis shown in FIG. 1A, and these are defined when the electrosurgical device 100 is held horizontally with respect to the ground G in the upright position as shown in FIG. 1A. The opposite of the lateral directions L and L' is the medial direction, that is to say, the medial direction is directed towards the center line or longitudinal axis A1 (FIG. 1B) of the electrosurgical device 100.

[0013] The exemplary electrosurgical device 100 can include a handpiece 104 at the proximal end and an end effector 102 at the distal end. An intermediate portion 106 can extend between the handpiece 104 and the end effector 102 to operably couple the handpiece 104 to the end effector 102. The various movements of the end effector 102 can be controlled by one or more actuation systems of the handpiece 104. In the illustrative example, the handpiece 104 can include a housing 112 and a trigger 108.

[0014] In the illustrative example, the end effector 102 can include a jaw assembly 145 that can be opened and closed. The end effector 102 can be rotated along the longitudinal axis A1 (FIG. 1B) of the electrosurgical device 100. In this example, one or more of the opening, closing, rotation, extension, retraction, and electromagnetic biasing (e.g., electrical biasing) of the end effector 102, or a portion of the end effector 102, can be performed. In some examples, the energy can be high-frequency energy. The end effector 102 can include a heating element 120 that can include one or more resistive electrodes configured to seal or cut the target tissue of the patient (FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 3). Not all actuation system functions and not all end effector operations are required in all examples. The functions described herein can be provided in any combination.

[0015] The handpiece 104 can be enabled to allow the user to open and close the jaw assembly 145 at least partially or completely. For example, as shown in FIG. 1B, when the trigger 108 is in the default distal position of the handle 104, the jaw assembly 145 can be in the closed position. The jaw assembly 145 can be opened by displacing the trigger 108 proximally, as shown in FIG. 1A. Alternatively, the handpiece 104 can be configured such that the jaw assembly 145 can be in the open position when the trigger 108 is in the default distal position of the handle 104. The jaw assembly 145 can be closed by displacing the trigger 108 proximally.

[0016] Figure 2A shows a side view of the jaw assembly 145 in the open position. The electrosurgical device 100 can include a bipolar forceps including a jaw assembly 145 that can move between a closed position and an open position. The jaw assembly 145 includes a first jaw 105 and a second jaw 110. The first jaw 105 can have a first distal end 150 and a first proximal end 155. The second jaw 110 can have a second distal end 160 and a second proximal end 165. The first proximal end 155 can be movably coupled to the second proximal end 165 to provide an end effector forceps including the first jaw 105 and the second jaw 110.

[0017] The first jaw 105 and the second jaw 110 can move between an open position (shown in FIG. 2A) and a closed position (shown in FIG. 2B). The first jaw 105 and the second jaw 110 can be in a partially open position when the first distal end 150 of the first jaw 105 is away from the second distal end 160 of the second jaw 110. The first jaw 105 and the second jaw 110 can stop at any partially open position when the user operates the trigger 108. For example, the user can operate the trigger 108 to stop the first jaw 105 and the second jaw 110 at a partially open position of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or less than 100% or therebetween, and operate the electrosurgical device 100 within the patient's body cavity and position the electrosurgical device 100 around the tissue to be cut or sealed. As described herein, the open position of the first jaw 105 and the second jaw 110 can be any partially open position or the 100% fully open position where the first distal end 150 of the first jaw 105 is away from (or away and temporarily stopped) the second distal end 160 of the second jaw 110 and the heating element 120 is cooled by heat dissipation by the heat sink 115.

[0018] The first jaw portion 105 and the second jaw portion 110 can be in a partially closed position when the first distal end 150 of the first jaw portion 105 moves toward the second distal end 160 of the second jaw portion 110. The first jaw portion 105 and the second jaw portion 110 can stop at any partially closed position when the user operates the trigger 108. For example, the user can operate the trigger 108 to stop the first jaw portion 105 and the second jaw portion 110 at a partially closed position of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% or less than 100% or in between to grip the patient's tissue and perform a desired cutting or sealing of the tissue. As described herein, the closed position of the first jaw portion 105 and the second jaw portion 110 can be any partially closed position or 100% fully open position where the first distal end 150 of the first jaw portion 105 moves toward the second distal end 160 of the second jaw portion 110, the heating element 120 is generating heat, and is at least partially separated from the heat sink 115.

[0019] The first jaw portion 105, the second jaw portion 110, the heat sink, or combinations thereof can include one or more coatings to assist in ease of use during a surgical procedure. For example, the first jaw portion 105 and the second jaw portion 110 can include the heating element 120 or the heat sink 115 described herein and can be coated with a non-stick coating to reduce or prevent the jaw assembly 145 from adhering to the patient's tissue. In one example, the coating can include a moisture wicking material to assist in moisture transfer from the targeted tissue site being treated, if desired. The coating can reduce or prevent the phase change of the patient's body fluid to vapor when the heat sink 115 and the biasing member 125 (described below) dissipate some of the heat from the heating element 120. Examples of suitable materials include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO), ceramics, aluminum oxide, and other materials that function well at high temperatures. Such coatings can be thermally insulating, but the inventors have discovered that when provided sufficiently thin, the coating can maintain sufficient thermal conductivity to transfer heat.

[0020] The heating element 120 can be coupled to the second jaw portion 110 or disposed within the second jaw portion 110. The heating element 120 can include one or more resistive electrodes configured to seal or cut the patient's target tissue when the patient's target tissue is placed between the first jaw portion 105 and the second jaw portion 110 in the closed position of FIG. 2B. The resistive electrodes can be configured to receive electrical energy from a power source (such as a conventional electrosurgical generator) and deliver electromagnetic energy (e.g., high frequency, alternating current (AC)) to the tissue to seal or cut the patient's tissue. The energy can also be provided in the form of direct current (DC) of the energy.

[0021] The heating element 120 can be resistively heated by being supplied with power, heating power, therapeutic power, one or more signals, or a combination thereof from any source for resistively heating the resistive electrodes. The heating element can be heated up to a range of about 200 °C to about 350 °C to provide a resistive heating and cutting ability. For example, in some cases, the heating element can be heated up to a range of about 260 °C to about 300 °C. In a low-temperature electrocautery medical device, the heating element can be heated to a temperature of about 40 °C to about 70 °C.

[0022] The heat sink 115 can be disposed within the second jaw portion 110, such as adjacent to the heating element 120, as shown in FIG. 2A. FIG. 3 shows a cross-section along line 2 shown in FIG. 2A. The heat sink is a type of heat exchanger, for example, a passive heat exchanger that transfers heat from another part or component of the device and takes heat away from that part or component of the device to cool it. Fourier's law of heat conduction shows that when there is a temperature gradient within an object, heat is transferred from the high-temperature region to the low-temperature region.

[0023] As shown in the examples of FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3, 4A, and 4B, the second jaw portion 110 of the electrosurgical device 100 can include a heat sink 115, and the heat sink 115 can be positioned adjacent to the heating element 120. The heat sink 115 can be disposed within the second jaw portion 110 and move relative to the heating element 120 to selectively dissipate some of the heat from the heating element 120. In a first state, the heating element 120 can be in contact with the heat sink 115 or in another at least partially thermally coupled state, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 4A. In some cases, the at least partially thermally coupled state can include proximity between the heat sink 115 and the heating element 120. In some cases, the at least partially thermally coupled state can include direct contact between the heat sink 115 and the heating element 120. In a second state, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 4B, the heat sink 115 can be moved away from the heating element 120 to a state where the thermal coupling is weaker compared to the at least partially thermally coupled state of the first state. The second state can include, but is not limited to, a thermally separated state that allows the heating element 120 to heat to a temperature sufficient to cut, seal, or coagulate the patient's tissue.

[0024] In the first state, the heat sink 115 is in an at least partially thermally coupled state with the heating element 120 and can facilitate efficient dissipation of some of the heat from the heating element 120, such as for rapid cooling to a temperature at which the patient's tissue cannot be cut, sealed, or damaged. For example, in some cases, by positioning the heat sink 115 relative to the heating element 120 in the first state, the temperature of the heating element 120 can be reduced to approximately the local body ambient temperature within about 0.25 seconds to about 3 seconds, such as within 1 second. In some examples, depending on the size and material properties of the heating element 120 and the heat sink 115, the time range can be from 0.1 seconds to 1.5 seconds to maximize the rate at which the heating element 120 cools while still sufficiently cutting the tissue.

[0025] The temperature of the heating element 120 during heat dissipation in the first state may depend on the local ambient temperature and may be affected by the number of times the heating element 120 has been heated in the second state. When the heating element 120 is repeatedly heated over a wide range, the temperature of the heating element 120 may be elevated compared to the ambient temperature when cooled in the first state. However, such cooling cannot affect the cutting, sealing, or damage of the patient's tissue. For example, the elevated temperature may be less than about 42°C, such as about 37°C to about 42°C.

[0026] Rapid cooling of the heating element 120 can help prevent unintentional heat effects on surrounding tissues that may be accidentally touched by the heating element 120. Rapid cooling of the heating element 120 can also help suppress or prevent thermal injury to tissues due to the phase change of the patient's body fluid to vapor when the body fluid contacts the heating element 120. Rapid cooling can also help quickly shift the use of the electrosurgical device from tissue cutting to tissue sealing where lower temperatures than cutting can be used.

[0027] In some examples of the present disclosure, the heat sink 115 can include an intentional heat sink arranged to intentionally take heat from the heating element. In some examples, the main or sole purpose of the heat sink 115 in the electrosurgical device 100 can be to transfer heat from the heat sink 115.

[0028] The heat sink 115 and the heating element 120 are arranged by various mechanisms and can move relative to each other. The examples provided herein are for illustrative purposes only, and other mechanisms for displacing the heat sink and the heating element relative to each other can be used within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0029] In the first state, the heat sink 115 can actively or passively cool the heating element 120. The passive heat sink 115 can include any suitable heat conductive material for dissipating a portion of the heat within the heating element 120. In some cases, the passive heat sink 115 can have a thermal conductivity greater than that of the heating element 120. For example, the passive heat sink 115 can include one or more of materials such as aluminum, copper, or engineered graphite foam. In some cases, the passive heat sink 115 can have a lower thermal conductivity, or a similar thermal conductivity, relative to the heating element 120. If the passive heat sink 115 is at a lower temperature compared to the heating element 120, heat energy can be withdrawn from the heating element 120 by natural heat conduction across the temperature gradient from high temperature to low temperature.

[0030] The heat sink 115, the heating element 120, or both can move relative to each other between the first state and the second state. When the first jaw 105 and the second jaw 110 are in the closed position or are being moved toward the closed position, the first jaw can actuate the displacement of the heat sink 115 to the second state, as shown in FIG. 2B, and then bias the heating element 120 to deliver heat to the tissue captured between the first jaw 105 and the second jaw 110. When the first jaw 105 and the second jaw 110 are in the open position or are being moved toward the open position, the heating element 120, the heat sink 115, or both can be moved to the second state to dissipate heat from the heating element 120.

[0031] The heat sink 115 can be pivotally attached to the end effector 102, for example, to the second jaw 110 at an end opposite the displacement actuator 135 of the second jaw 110 (as shown in FIGS. 2A - 2B). A pivot member 130 can be coupled to the heat sink 115 to provide a pivot point for the heat sink 115 to move toward the heating element 120 to the first state when the first jaw 105 and the second jaw 110 are in the open position.

[0032] In another example, the heat sink 115 can be slidably attached to the second jaw 110 (as shown in FIGS. 4A-4B). The heat sink 115 can be connected to the second jaw 110 using any suitable fastener that provides a sliding motion to the heat sink 115. For example, the fastener can be a pin 170 connected to a compressible member 175 such as a spring or a compressible material. The heat sink 115 can slide to a position adjacent to the heating element 120 for heat dissipation in the first state (FIG. 4A) when the first jaw 105 and the second jaw 110 are opened by the movement of the hinge 185, and the compressible member 175 is at least partially released. The heat sink 115 can slide downward or otherwise retract away from the heating element 120 to a second state, such as by pulling in the cord 180 to heat the heating element 120 (FIG. 4B). In this retracted position, the compressible member 175 can be compressed until it is released and slides again to a position adjacent to the heating element 120 in the first state. The examples described herein are for illustrative purposes only, and any type of movement for displacing the heat sink may be provided.

[0033] Referring again to FIGS. 2A-2B, the first jaw 105 can include a displacement actuator 135 such as a post or other protrusion (e.g., finger, tab) from the surface of the first jaw 105. The displacement actuator 135 can engage a displacement member 140 that can be included in or connected to the heat sink 115, such as at an end of the heat sink 115 remote from the pivot body 130. This engagement can be caused when the first jaw 105 and the second jaw 110 are moved toward the closed position, such as to pivot the heat sink 115 toward the second state. In some examples, as shown in FIG. 5, the displacement actuator 135 can also function as a tissue stopper, such as to help prevent or inhibit the patient's tissue 114 from advancing further proximally into the jaw assembly 145 when the displacement actuator 135 is disposed at the second proximal end 165 of the second jaw 110.

[0034] An elastic biasing member can be provided to bias the heat sink 115 towards the heating element 120 in a first state when the first jaw portion 105 and the second jaw portion 110 are in the open position. For example, as shown in the illustrative examples of FIGS. 2A and 2B, the elastic biasing member 125 can be disposed adjacent to the heat sink 115 on the second jaw portion 110. When the first jaw portion 105 and the second jaw portion 110 are pulled towards each other while closing, the displacement actuator 135 can push the displacement member 140 away from the heating element 120, thereby displacing (e.g., pivoting) the heat sink 115 away from the heating element 120 and at least partially thermally separating it (e.g., substantially thermally separating it from the heating element, or completely thermally separating it). When the heat sink 115 pivots away from the heating element 120, the heat sink 115 can push the elastic biasing member 125, such as by compressing the elastic biasing member 125 as shown in FIG. 2B. With the heating element 120 and the heat sink 115 at least partially thermally separated, the heating element 120 can then be biased to deliver heat to the tissue captured between the first jaw portion 105 and the second jaw portion 110. See FIG. 5 showing the tissue 114 disposed between the first jaw portion 105 and the second jaw portion 110 on the heating element 120. As shown in FIG. 2A, when the first jaw portion 105 and the second jaw portion 110 are again in the open position, the displacement actuator 135 can disengage from the displacement member 140 or otherwise release the displacement member 140. This enables the elastic biasing member 125 to expand and bias the heat sink 115 towards the heating element 120, returning to the first state, where again heat can be transferred from the heating element 120 into the heat sink 115 to avoid inadvertent damage to nearby tissue during operation to the position of the next tissue piece to be treated / processed by the jaw assembly 145. This process of thermally conducting the heat sink 115 to / from the heating element 120 (e.g., more or less) or pausing the heat conduction can be repeated to maximize the cutting performance while minimizing inadvertent damage to nearby tissue during the operation.

[0035] The biasing member 125 can include, among other things, a spring that presses the heat sink 115 toward the heat generating body 120, a fluid (e.g., hydraulic or pneumatic) encapsulated or retained, an elastic or other deflecting member, a compressible material, or any combination thereof. The compressible material can include at least one of rubber, fluid, sponge, or silicone. The type of spring can include, for example, a coil spring or a leaf spring disposed between the second jaw portion 110 and the movable heat sink 115, or a torsion spring disposed around a pivot body.

[0036] The biasing member 125 itself can be a second heat sink for further assisting in the dissipation of heat from the heat sink 115 and thus from the heat generating body 120 when the first jaw portion 105 and the second jaw portion 110 are in the open position. The biasing member 125 can include a heat conductive material and can be thermally coupled at least partially to the heat sink 115 in a first state, such as to provide an additional heat absorption function for rapid cooling of the heat generating body 120 and to facilitate efficient dissipation of some of the heat from the heat sink 115.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 6, a method 600 for treating a patient's tissue includes introducing an electrosurgical device having forceps into the patient's surgical field (605). The first jaw 105 and the second jaw 110 of the jaw assembly 145 can be opened to move the heat sink 115, the heating element 120, or both to a first state (610), in which the heat sink 115 can be brought into contact with or disposed in proximity to the heating element 120 to assist in dissipating heat from the heating element 120. The jaw assembly 145 can be moved onto the tissue and positioned between the opened first jaw 105 and the second jaw 110 (615). The first jaw 105 and the second jaw 110 of the jaw assembly 145 can be at least partially closed to move the heat sink 115, the heating element 120, or both to a second state (620), in which the heat sink 115 can be disposed further away from the heating element 120 to heat the heating element 120 and deliver heat to the tissue between the first jaw 105 and the second jaw 110.

[0038] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a reprocessing method 700 for either the forceps or the jaws described herein, generally described as an electrosurgical device 100. The electrosurgical device 100 described above may be discarded after a single use or may be repeatedly used in multiple procedures such as surgeries or medical procedures. In the case of a configuration for repeated use, for example, the reprocessing method 700 shown in FIG. 7 may be used or may be required. The reprocessing methods described herein can be used with either the forceps or the jaws described herein, although other reprocessing methods may also be used with either the forceps or the jaws described herein.

[0039] The used electrosurgical device 100 can be recovered after the electrosurgical device 100 has been used in a procedure. The used electrosurgical device 100 can be delivered to a reprocessing facility (step S1). At this time, the used electrosurgical device 100 can be transported in a dedicated container to prevent contamination of the electrosurgical device 100.

[0040] The reprocessing technician can clean and sterilize the recovered and transported used electrosurgical device 100 (step S2). Specifically, when cleaning the electrosurgical device 100, a brush is used to remove the deposits adhering to the jaws of the electrosurgical device 100. Thereafter, in order to remove potentially pathogenic microorganisms derived from blood or body fluids, a cleaning solution such as an isopropanol-containing cleaning agent, a proteolytic enzyme cleaning agent, or alcohol is applied to the jaws to further clean the electrosurgical device 100. The cleaning solution is not limited to the above-mentioned cleaning solutions, and other cleaning solutions may be used. Further, in the sterilization of the electrosurgical device 100, in order to sterilize the pathogenic microorganisms or other contaminants adhering to the jaws, any one or more of high-pressure steam sterilization, ethylene oxide gas sterilization, gamma-ray sterilization, ultraviolet irradiation sterilization, hydrogen peroxide sterilization, or hydrogen peroxide low-temperature sterilization can be used. The jaws are reusable and may be easy to clean.

[0041] The technician performs an acceptance inspection of the used electrosurgical device 100 (step S3). The technician inspects whether the used electrosurgical device 100 has a serious defect or whether the used electrosurgical device 100 exceeds the maximum number of reprocessing times. In particular, the coatings on the first jaw, the second jaw, and the heat sink may be inspected, and the biasing member, the heat sink, and the heating element may be inspected and replaced as necessary.

[0042] Next, the user disassembles or removes the parts of the used electrosurgical device 100 that need to be replaced (step S4). Specifically, if the biasing member 125 has lost its ability to bias the heat sink 115 towards the heating element 120, the biasing member 125 can be removed and replaced during step S5. If it is difficult to reach the biasing member 125 within the lower jaw portion 110, the jaw assembly 145 can also be separated from the electrosurgical device 100 or at least partially separated to make it easier to reach the biasing member.

[0043] After step S5, the user reassembles the electrosurgical device 100 as necessary. (Step S6). In some examples, step S6 can include adding an identifier indicating that the device has been changed from its original state, for example, adding a label or other marking to designate that the device has been reprocessed, repaired, or remanufactured.

[0044] After step S6, the user inspects and tests the reprocessed electrosurgical device 100 (step S7). Specifically, the user verifies that the reprocessed electrosurgical device 100 has the same effectiveness and safety as the original product through various functional tests such as electrical tests of the performance of the heating element 120, heat sink 115, and biasing member 125. There is an advantage that the verification of performance in step S7 is easy.

[0045] After step S7, the user sequentially performs sterilization and storage (step S8) and shipping (step S9) of the reprocessed electrosurgical device 100. In step S8, the reprocessed electrosurgical device 100 is sterilized using a sterilizing gas such as ethylene oxide gas or propylene oxide gas, and the electrosurgical device 100 is stored in a storage container until use.

[0046] By performing the above steps S1 - S9, the reprocessing of the electrosurgical device 100 is realized.

[0047] Each of the non-limiting examples described herein can be performed independently or combined as various permutations or combinations with one or more of the other examples. The summary of this invention is intended to provide an overview of the subject matter of this patent application. It is not intended to provide an exclusive or exhaustive description of the invention. The detailed description is included to provide further information regarding this patent application.

[0048] The above description includes references to the accompanying drawings that form a part of the detailed description. The drawings, by way of example, illustrate specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. These embodiments are also referred to herein as "examples." Such examples can include elements in addition to those illustrated or described. However, the inventors contemplate examples in which only the elements illustrated or described are provided. Further, the inventors also contemplate examples in which any combination or permutation of the elements (or one or more aspects thereof) illustrated or described with respect to a particular example (or one or more aspects thereof) or with respect to any other example (or one or more aspects thereof) illustrated or described herein is used.

[0049] In the event of any conflict in usage between this specification and any document incorporated by reference, the usage in this specification prevails.

[0050] As used herein, the term "a" or "an" is used to include one or more, regardless of any other instances or uses of "at least one" or "one or more", as is common in patent documents. As used herein, the term "or" is used to refer to a non-exclusive "or" such that, unless otherwise specified, "A or B" includes "A but not B", "B but not A", and "A and B". As used herein, the terms "including" and "in which" are used as plain English synonyms for the respective terms "comprising" and "wherein". Also, in the appended claims, the terms "including" and "comprising" are open-ended, i.e., a system, device, article, composition, formulation, or process that includes elements in addition to those recited after such terms in a claim is still considered to be within that claim. Further, in the appended claims, terms such as "first", "second", and "third" are used merely as labels and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.

[0051] The foregoing description is intended to be illustrative rather than limiting. For example, the above examples (or one or more aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Other embodiments can be utilized by those skilled in the art upon review of the foregoing description. The abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b) so that a reader can quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. The abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Also, in the embodiments for carrying out the above invention, various features may be grouped together in order to simplify the disclosure. This should not be construed as intending that features of the disclosure that are not claimed are essential to any of the claims. Rather, the subject matter of the invention may lie in less than all features of a particular disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are incorporated as examples or embodiments for carrying out the invention, and each claim stands on its own as a separate embodiment, and it is contemplated that such embodiments can be combined with each other in various combinations or permutations. The scope of the present invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

[0052] The following statements are intended to describe and summarize various embodiments of the invention in accordance with the foregoing description herein. Statement: 1. An electrosurgical device for cutting or sealing a patient's tissue, the electrosurgical device comprising: - A jaw assembly comprising: A first jaw having a first distal end and a first proximal end; A second jaw having a second distal end and a second proximal end; The jaw assembly, wherein the first proximal end is movably coupled to the second proximal end to provide an end effector clamp including the first jaw and the second jaw; - A heating element configured to heat to a temperature sufficient to cut or seal a patient's tissue, the heating element being disposed with a second jaw, the heating element, - A heat sink disposed with the second jaw adjacent to the heating element, comprising, The heat sink, the heating element, or both the heating element and the heat sink are movable relative to each other between a first state in which the heat sink and the heating element are at least partially thermally coupled to at least partially dissipate heat from the heating element, and a second state in which the heat sink is at least partially thermally separated from the heating element, an electrosurgical device. 2. When the first jaw and the second jaw are in a closed position or are being moved toward a closed position, the first jaw actuates a displacement of the heat sink to the second state, and the heating element is biased to deliver heat to tissue captured between the first jaw and the second jaw to effect cutting or sealing of the tissue, the electrosurgical device according to statement 1. 3. When the first jaw and the second jaw are in an open position or are being moved toward an open position, the first jaw actuates the release of the heat sink from the second state, and the heat sink moves to the first state, the electrosurgical device according to statement 1 or 2. 4. The first jaw includes a displacement actuator that engages the heat sink when the first jaw and the second jaw are in a closed position or are being moved toward a closed position, the displacement actuator moving the heat sink toward the second state, the electrosurgical device according to any one of statements 1 to 3. 5. The first jaw includes a displacement actuator that engages the heating element, the heat sink, or both the heating element and the heat sink when the first jaw and the second jaw are in a closed position or are being moved toward a closed position to move the heating element, the heat sink, or both the heating element and the heat sink toward the second state, the electrosurgical device according to any one of statements 1 to 4. 6. The heat sink comprises a displacement member, and the displacement actuator contacts the displacement member and pivots the heat sink away from the heating element to a second state, the electrosurgical device according to any one of statements 1 to 5. 7. The heat sink is attached to the second jaw at at least one of pivotable or slidable at an end opposite to the displacement actuator of the second jaw, the electrosurgical device according to any one of statements 1 to 6. 8. The second jaw further comprises a resilient biasing member positioned adjacent to the heat sink, and the resilient biasing member is configured to bias the heat sink towards the first state using the heating element when the first jaw and the second jaw are in the open position or are moved towards the open position, the electrosurgical device according to any one of statements 1 to 7. 9. The resilient biasing member is at least partially thermally coupled to the heat sink to at least partially dissipate heat from the heat sink when the first jaw and the second jaw are in the first state, the electrosurgical device according to statement 8. 10. The resilient biasing member is at least partially thermally coupled to the heat sink to at least partially dissipate heat from the heat sink when the first jaw and the second jaw are in the first state, the electrosurgical device according to statement 8 or 9. 11. The resilient biasing member includes a conductive material that dissipates a portion of the heat from the heat sink, the electrosurgical device according to any one of statements 8 to 10. 12. The first jaw, the second jaw, the heat sink, or a combination of the first jaw, the second jaw, and the heat sink further comprises a coating, the electrosurgical device according to any one of statements 1 to 11. 13. The coating is a moisture-absorbing material applied to one or more of the first jaw, the second jaw, or the heat sink, the electrosurgical device according to statement 12. 14. The coating is a non-stick material, the electrosurgical device according to statement 12 or 13. 15. The coating comprises one or more of PTFE, HMDSO, ceramic, or aluminum oxide, and is the electrosurgical device according to any one of statements 12 to 14. 16. The coating is the electrosurgical device according to any one of statements 12 to 14, which prevents the phase change of the patient's body fluid into vapor when the heat sink and the resilient biasing member dissipate part of the heat from the heating element. 17. The resilient biasing member comprises a compressible material, and is the electrosurgical device according to any one of statements 8 to 16. 18. The compressible material is at least one of a spring, rubber, fluid, sponge, silicone, or a deflecting member disposed with the second jaw, and is the electrosurgical device according to statement 17. 19. The heating element comprises a first resistive electrode configured to heat to a treatment temperature for sealing or cutting the patient's tissue when the patient's tissue is placed between the first jaw and the second jaw in the closed position, and is the electrosurgical device according to any one of statements 1 to 18. 20. The first resistive electrode provides resistive heating cutting or sealing when heated to about 200 °C to about 350 °C, and is the electrosurgical device according to statement 19. 21. The first resistive electrode provides resistive heating cutting or sealing when heated to about 260 °C to about 300 °C, and is the electrosurgical device according to statement 20. 22. The heating element and the heat sink are in contact with each other in a first state when the first jaw and the second jaw are in the open position or are moved toward the open position, and is the electrosurgical device according to any one of statements 1 to 21. 23. The thermal conductivity of the heat sink is greater than that of the heating element, and is the electrosurgical device according to any one of statements 1 to 22. 24. By placing the heat sink in the first state with respect to the heating element, the temperature of the heating element is reduced to approximately ambient temperature, and is the electrosurgical device according to any one of statements 1 to 23. 25. The temperature of the heating element at the heat absorption position is reduced from the treatment temperature to approximately the ambient temperature within about 0.25 seconds to about 3 seconds, the electrosurgical device according to any one of statements 22 to 24. 26. The temperature of the heating element is reduced from the treatment temperature to about 37 °C to about 42 °C, the electrosurgical device according to statement 24 or 25. 27. The heating element is configured to receive an electrical energy signal and deliver electromagnetic energy to the tissue to seal or cut the tissue, the electrosurgical device according to any one of statements 1 to 26. 28. Further comprising a pivotal member connected to the heat sink to enable displacement of the heat sink to a standby position away from the heating element when the first jaw and the second jaw are in the closed position, the electrosurgical device according to any one of statements 1 to 27. 29. The pivotal member connected to the heat sink moves the heat sink towards the heating element to a first state when the first jaw and the second jaw are in the open position or are moving towards the open position, the electrosurgical device according to statement 28. 30. A displacement actuator connected to the proximal end of the first jaw, the displacement actuator further comprising a displacement actuator that prevents the tissue from further advancing into the jaw assembly when the patient's tissue is placed between the first jaw and the second jaw, the electrosurgical device according to any one of statements 1 to 29. 31. The heating element is configured to receive energy from a power source, the electrosurgical device according to any one of statements 1 to 30. 32. The energy received from the power source by the heating element heats the heating element, the electrosurgical device according to statement 31.

[0053] [Additional Claim 1] An electrosurgical device for treating a patient's tissue, the electrosurgical device comprising: - An end effector including a heating element configured to receive energy for cutting tissue. - a heat sink configured to selectively transfer heat from the heating element of the end effector; comprising the heat sink and the end effector are configured to move between a first relative position where the heat sink and the heating element are in a first heat exchange state and a second relative position where the heat sink and the heating element are in a second heat exchange state; the heating element is configured to generate heat at the first relative position, and the heat sink is configured to cool the heating element at the second relative position, an electrosurgical device. [Appendix 2] The electrosurgical device according to Appendix 1, wherein the heating element comprises a first resistance electrode. [Appendix 3] The electrosurgical device according to Appendix 1, further comprising an actuator for pushing the heat sink into the first relative position away from the heating element. [Appendix 4] The electrosurgical device according to Appendix 3, further comprising a displacement member connected to the heat sink to enable sliding or pivoting of the heat sink when engaged with the actuator and to produce the first relative position and the second relative position. [Appendix 5] The electrosurgical device according to Appendix 4, further comprising a biasing member for pushing the heat sink into the second relative position toward the heating element. [Appendix 6] The electrosurgical device according to Appendix 1, wherein the electrosurgical device is a surgical forceps. [Appendix 7] The surgical forceps a first jaw portion; a second jaw portion pivotable relative to the first jaw portion; comprising the heating element comprises a wire extending from the first jaw portion; The electrosurgical device according to Appendix 6, wherein at least one of the first jaw portion and the second jaw portion comprises a sealing electrode. [Appended Item 8] The electric surgical device according to appended item 7, wherein the second jaw portion includes an actuator for pushing the heat sink away from the heating element. [Appended Item 9] The electric surgical device according to appended item 8, further comprising a biasing member for pushing the heat sink toward the heating element. [Appended Item 10] The electric surgical device according to appended item 1, wherein the heating element is movable and the heat sink is fixed to the electric surgical device. [Appended Item 11] The electric surgical device according to appended item 1, wherein the thermal conductivity of the heat sink is greater than the thermal conductivity of the heating element. [Appended Item 12] The electric surgical device according to appended item 1, wherein the first heat exchange state has lower thermal conductivity than the second heat exchange state. [Appended Item 13] At the first relative position, the heating element and the heat sink do not physically contact each other. The electric surgical device according to appended item 12, wherein at the second relative position, the heating element and the heat sink physically contact each other. [Appended Item 14] At the first relative position, the heating element and the heat sink are at least partially thermally separated from each other. The electric surgical device according to appended item 12, wherein at the second relative position, the heating element and the heat sink are at least partially thermally coupled to each other. [Appended Item 15] At the first relative position, the heating element and the heat sink physically contact each other over a first surface area. At the second relative position, the heating element and the heat sink physically contact each other over a second surface area. The electric surgical device according to appended item 14, wherein the first surface area is smaller than the second surface area. [Appended Item 16] A method of treating a patient's tissue using an electrosurgical device, the method comprising: receiving treatment energy at a heating element of a jaw assembly of the electrosurgical device to heat the heating element to a higher temperature state; treating the tissue with the heating element; moving a heat sink of the jaw assembly and the heating element from a first relative position to a second relative position, the heat sink and the heating element being more thermally coupled at the second relative position than at the first relative position; transferring heat from the heating element to the heat sink to cool the heating element to a lower temperature state; A method comprising the above. [Appended Claim 17] The method according to appended claim 16, wherein the step of receiving the treatment energy at the heating element comprises receiving high-frequency energy. [Appended Claim 18] The method according to appended claim 16, wherein the step of receiving the treatment energy comprises receiving an energy amount or energy waveform configured to cut the tissue using the heating element. [Appended Claim 19] The method according to appended claim 16, wherein the step of receiving the treatment energy comprises receiving an energy amount or energy waveform configured to cut, seal, excise, dry, perform high-frequency treatment on, or necrose the tissue using the heating element. [Appended Claim 20] The method according to appended claim 16, further comprising receiving an input for moving the heat sink and the heating element from the second relative position to the first relative position before receiving the treatment energy. [Appended Claim 21] The method according to appended claim 20, wherein the step of receiving the input comprises rotating a jaw of the jaw assembly to press an actuator that displaces the heat sink. [Appended Claim 22] The method according to claim 21, further comprising the step of actuating a first jaw of the jaw assembly to push the heat sink away from the heat generating body. [Claim 23] The method according to claim 21, wherein the step of rotating the jaws of the jaw assembly to push the actuator that displaces the heat sink includes the step of pushing a pivoting member on the heat sink using the actuator. [Claim 24] The step of releasing the input, and The step of actuating a biasing force to push the heat sink into engagement with the heat generating body, and The method according to claim 20, further comprising. [Claim 25] The method according to claim 24, wherein the step of actuating the biasing force to push the heat sink into engagement with the heat generating body includes the step of releasing compression of an elastic body. [Claim 26] The method according to claim 20, wherein the step of receiving the input to move the heat sink and the heat generating body from the second relative position to the first relative position before receiving the treatment energy includes the step of sliding the heat sink. [Claim 27] The method according to claim 20, wherein the step of receiving the input includes the step of moving the heat generating body toward the heat sink. [Claim 28] The method according to claim 16, wherein at the second relative position, the heat generating body and the heat sink are in contact, and at the first relative position, the heat generating body and the heat sink are not in contact. [Claim 29] The method according to claim 16, wherein at the second relative position, the heat generating body and the heat sink are in contact over a surface area larger than that at the first relative position. [Claim 30] The method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of actuating a sealing electrode on the jaws of the jaw assembly to treat the tissue. [Additional Item 31] An electrosurgical device for cutting or sealing a patient's tissue, wherein the electrosurgical device comprises: - A jaw assembly, comprising: A first jaw having a first distal end and a first proximal end; A second jaw having a second distal end and a second proximal end; The first proximal end is movably coupled to the second proximal end to provide an end effector clamp including the first jaw and the second jaw; - A heating element configured to heat to a temperature sufficient to cut or seal the patient's tissue, the heating element being connected to the second jaw; - A heat sink disposed adjacent to the heating element and connected to the second jaw; And comprising: The heat sink, the heating element, or both the heating element and the heat sink are movable relative to each other between a first state in which the heat sink and the heating element are at least partially thermally coupled to at least partially dissipate heat from the heating element, and a second state in which the heat sink is at least partially thermally separated from the heating element to accumulate heat within the heating element when actuated. An electrosurgical device. [Additional Item 32] When the first jaw and the second jaw are in a closed position or are moved toward the closed position, the first jaw actuates the displacement of the heat sink to the second state, and the heating element can be energized to deliver heat to the tissue captured between the first jaw and the second jaw to effect cutting or sealing of the tissue. When the first jaw and the second jaw are in an open position or are moved toward the open position, the first jaw actuates the release of the heat sink from the second state, and the heat sink moves to the first state. The electrosurgical device according to Additional Item 31. [Additional Item 33] The first jaw portion includes a displacement actuator that engages the heating element, the heat sink, or both the heating element and the heat sink to move the heating element, the heat sink, or both the heating element and the heat sink toward the second state when the first jaw portion and the second jaw portion are in the closed position or are being moved toward the closed position. The electrosurgical device according to claim 31. [Claim 34] The heat sink includes a displacement member, and the displacement actuator contacts the displacement member and pivots the heat sink away from the heating element to the second state. The electrosurgical device according to claim 33. [Claim 35] The heat sink is attached to the second jaw portion so as to be pivotable or slidable at least one of them so as to engage the displacement actuator. The electrosurgical device according to claim 33. [Claim 36] The second jaw portion further includes an elastically biasing member positioned adjacent to the heat sink, and the elastically biasing member is configured to bias the heat sink toward the first state using the heating element when the first jaw portion and the second jaw portion are in the open position or are being moved toward the open position. The electrosurgical device according to claim 31. [Claim 37] The elastically biasing member is at least partially thermally coupled to the heat sink to at least partially dissipate heat from the heat sink when the first jaw portion and the second jaw portion are in the first state, and the elastically biasing member includes a conductive material that dissipates a portion of the heat from the heat sink. The electrosurgical device according to claim 36. [Claim 38] The elastically biasing member includes a compressible material that is at least one of a spring, rubber, fluid, sponge, silicone, or a deflecting member disposed with the second jaw portion. The electrosurgical device according to claim 36. [Claim 39] The electrical surgical device according to claim 31, wherein the first jaw part, the second jaw part, the heat sink, or a combination of the first jaw part, the second jaw part, and the heat sink further includes a moisture-absorbing material applied to one or more of the first jaw part, the second jaw part, or the heat sink. [Claim 40] The electrical surgical device according to claim 31, wherein the first jaw part, the second jaw part, the heat sink, or a combination of the first jaw part, the second jaw part, and the heat sink further includes a non-stick coating containing one or more of PTFE, HMDSO, ceramic, or aluminum oxide. [Claim 41] The electrical surgical device according to claim 31, wherein the first jaw part, the second jaw part, the heat sink, or a combination of the first jaw part, the second jaw part, and the heat sink further includes a coating configured to prevent a phase change of the patient's body fluid into vapor when the heat sink dissipates part of the heat from the heating element. [Claim 42] The electrical surgical device according to claim 32, wherein the heating element includes a first resistive electrode configured to generate heat to a treatment temperature for sealing or cutting the tissue when the tissue of the patient is placed between the first jaw part and the second jaw part in the closed position. [Claim 43] The electrical surgical device according to claim 42, wherein the first resistive electrode provides resistive heating cutting or sealing when heated to about 200°C to about 350°C. [Claim 44] The electrical surgical device according to claim 42, wherein the heating element and the heat sink are in contact with each other in the first state when the first jaw part and the second jaw part are in the open position or are moved toward the open position. [Claim 45] The electrical surgical device according to claim 42, wherein the thermal conductivity of the heat sink is greater than the thermal conductivity of the heating element. [Claim 46] The electrosurgical device according to appended claim 44, wherein by placing the heat sink in the first state with respect to the heating element, the temperature of the heating element can be reduced to approximately ambient temperature of about 37°C to about 42°C. [Appended claim 47] The electrosurgical device according to appended claim 46, wherein the temperature of the heating element can be reduced from the treatment temperature to approximately ambient temperature within about 0.25 seconds to about 3 seconds. [Appended claim 48] The electrosurgical device according to appended claim 31, wherein the heating element is configured to receive an electrical energy signal from a power source and deliver electromagnetic energy to the tissue in order to seal or cut the tissue. [Appended claim 49] A pivotal member connected to the heat sink to enable displacement of the heat sink away from the heating element when the first jaw and the second jaw are in the closed position, wherein the pivotal member connected to the heat sink moves the heat sink toward the heating element to the first state when the first jaw and the second jaw are in the open position or are moving toward the open position. The electrosurgical device according to appended claim 32, further comprising a pivotal member. [Appended claim 50] A displacement actuator connected to the proximal end of the first jaw, wherein the displacement actuator further comprises a displacement actuator that prevents the tissue from further advancing into the jaw assembly when the patient's tissue is placed between the first jaw and the second jaw. The electrosurgical device according to appended claim 31.

Description of reference numerals

[0054] 100 Electrosurgical device, 102 End effector, 104 Handpiece, 105 First jaw portion, 106 Intermediate portion, 108 Trigger, 110 Second jaw portion, 112 Housing, 114 Tissue, 115 Heat sink, 120 Heating element, 125 Elastic biasing member, 130 Pivot member, 135 Displacement actuator, 140 Displacement member, 145 Jaw assembly, 150 First distal end, 155 First proximal end, 160 Second distal end, 165 Second proximal end, 170 Pin, 175 Compressible member, 180 Cord, 185 Hinge, 600 Method for treating a patient's tissue, 700 Reprocessing method for either forceps or jaws, A1 Longitudinal axis, P Proximal direction, D Distal direction, G Ground, L Lateral direction, L’ Lateral direction

Claims

1. An electrosurgical device for treating a patient's tissue, the electrosurgical device comprising: - An end effector including a heating element configured to receive energy for cutting tissue; - A heat sink configured to selectively transfer heat from the heating element of the end effector; wherein the heat sink and the end effector are configured to move between a first relative position in which the heat sink and the heating element are in a first heat exchange state and a second relative position in which the heat sink and the heating element are in a second heat exchange state; the heating element is configured to generate heat in the first relative position, and the heat sink is configured to cool the heating element in the second relative position; in the second relative position, the heating element and the heat sink are at least partially in physical contact with each other; the heating element comprises a first resistive electrode; the electrosurgical device is a surgical forceps; the surgical forceps comprises a first jaw; a second jaw pivotable relative to the first jaw; wherein the heat sink is disposed inside the first jaw. An electrosurgical device.

2. The electrosurgical device according to claim 1, further comprising an actuator for pushing the heat sink into the first relative position away from the heating element.

3. The electrosurgical device according to claim 2, further comprising a displacement member coupled to the heat sink, wherein when the displacement member engages the actuator, the heat sink is displaced towards the first relative position.

4. The electrosurgical device according to claim 3, further comprising a biasing member for pushing the heat sink into the second relative position towards the heating element.

5. The heating element comprises a wire extending from the first jaw, wherein at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw comprises a sealing electrode. The electrosurgical device according to claim 1.

6. The electrosurgical device according to claim 5, wherein the second jaw comprises an actuator for pushing the heat sink away from the heating element.

7. The electrosurgical device according to claim 6, further comprising a biasing member for pushing the heat sink towards the heating element.

8. The heating element is movable, and the heat sink is fixed to the electrosurgical device according to claim 1.

9. The thermal conductivity of the heat sink is greater than the thermal conductivity of the heating element according to claim 1.

10. The first heat exchange state has lower thermal conductivity than the second heat exchange state according to claim 1.

11. At the first relative position, the heating element and the heat sink do not physically contact each other, At the second relative position, the heating element and the heat sink physically contact each other according to claim 10.

12. At the first relative position, the heating element and the heat sink are at least partially thermally separated, At the second relative position, the heating element and the heat sink are at least partially thermally coupled according to claim 10.

13. At the first relative position, the heating element and the heat sink physically contact over a first surface area, At the second relative position, the heating element and the heat sink physically contact over a second surface area, The first surface area is smaller than the second surface area according to claim 12.

14. The heating element is disposed on the first jaw according to claim 5.

15. The heat sink is pivotally connected to the first jaw at a first end and is disposed under the heating element, The actuator includes a protrusion extending toward the first jaw and pushes a second end of the heat sink to rotate the heat sink to the first relative position, The biasing member pushes the heat sink to the second relative position according to claim 7.

16. The heat sink is slidably connected to the first jaw and is disposed under the heating element, The electrosurgical device is, a plurality of springs that bias the heat sink to engage with the heating element at the second relative position, an actuator that pulls the heat sink to overcome the biasing of the plurality of springs and moves the heat sink away from the heating element to the first relative position, further comprising according to claim 5.

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