Electrosurgical bipolar forceps having a metal portion and a metal sheet stack arrangement

Abstract

The invention relates to electrosurgical bipolar forceps (10) having a jaw part arrangement (36), comprising a first jaw part assembly (38) having a first, in particular lower, jaw part (40) and a first instrument arm (42), and a second jaw part assembly (44) having a second, in particular upper, jaw part (46) and a second instrument arm (48). According to the invention, the first jaw part (40) comprises a first metal portion (50) and the second jaw part (46) comprises a second metal portion (46), and the first instrument arm (42) comprises a first stack arrangement (42) and the second instrument arm (48) comprises a second stack arrangement (48), wherein the first stack arrangement (42) is attached to the first metal portion (50) of the first jaw part (40) and the second stack arrangement (48) is attached to the second metal portion (46) of the second jaw part (46).

Description

[0001] Applicant:

[0002] Aesculap AG

[0003] At Aesculap Square

[0004] 78532 Tuttlingen

[0005] General Power of Attorney: 752190 . 9

[0006] 03920015WO 17.09.2025

[0007] BUR / MAY

[0008] Title: Electrosurgical bipolar forceps with a metal part and a metal sheet stacking arrangement

[0009] Description

[0010] The disclosure relates to an electrosurgical bipolar forceps for preparation, in particular grasping and / or cutting and / or sealing of tissue and / or vessels in surgical applications.

[0011] Such an electrosurgical bipolar forceps comprises a first arm and a second arm, the arms being pivotally mounted relative to each other by a swivel joint. Distally extending from the swivel joint, the forceps have a clamping arrangement with a first clamping surface forming a first electrode and a second clamping surface forming a second electrode. Proximal extending from the swivel joint, the forceps have a handle for user operation. The distal direction refers to the direction away from the user during intended use, and the proximal direction refers to the direction towards the user.

[0012] Electrosurgical bipolar forceps are generally known as surgical sealing and cutting instruments. For sealing, tissue or vessels held between the clamping surfaces of the clamping assembly are subjected to a high-frequency (HF) current flowing between electrodes on the two clamping surfaces. A mechanical cutting blade is used for cutting.

[0013] The pliers comprise a jaw assembly, comprising a first jaw assembly with a first, in particular lower, jaw and a first instrument branch, and a second jaw assembly with a second, in particular upper, jaw and a second instrument branch.

[0014] The first jaw assembly is assigned to the first arm of the pliers, and the second jaw assembly is assigned to the second arm. The clamping arrangement is formed by the first and second jaws. The pliers are designed such that the clamping surfaces, and thus the electrodes of the clamping arrangement, move away from each other when the pliers are opened and towards each other when the pliers are closed.

[0015] The present disclosure is based on the objective of providing a jaw assembly that can be manufactured simply and cost-effectively.

[0016] According to the invention, the first jaw part comprises a first metal part and the second jaw part comprises a second metal part, and the first instrument branch comprises a first stacking arrangement with at least two metal leaves, and the second instrument branch comprises a second stacking arrangement with at least two metal leaves, wherein the first stacking arrangement of the first instrument branch is attached to the first metal part of the first jaw part and the second stacking arrangement of the second instrument branch is attached to the second metal part of the second jaw part.

[0017] The jaw assembly, in particular the first and second instrument jaws of the first and second jaw assemblies, forms the supporting frame of the forceps. Furthermore, current is conducted via the instrument jaws to the two jaws and thus to the clamping surfaces and electrodes.

[0018] The first stacking arrangement is attached to the first metal part, and the second stacking arrangement is attached to the second metal part, in particular by welding. Each stacking arrangement comprises several, at least two, metal sheets, which are also joined together, in particular by welding. A metal sheet is understood to be a flat piece of metal, for example, a metal sheet. The planar extent of the metal sheet is significantly greater than its thickness in the direction orthogonal to the planar extent. A metal sheet, for example, has a thickness between 0.5 mm and 5 mm. The metal sheets of a stacking arrangement can have different or the same thickness and / or different planar extents, in particular different lengths and / or widths and / or geometries. The geometry of the planar extent can be chosen arbitrarily.The metal sheets are, for example, laser-cut, waterjet-cut, punched, milled, etched, or nibbled. Advantageously, the metal sheets of the first and / or second stack arrangement can have the same thickness and thus be made from the same base material, in particular sheet metal.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the first metal part of the first jaw section, and / or the second metal part of the second jaw section, is a casting, powder injection molding, milling, or 3D-printed part. Milled parts, for example, can be manufactured with very high precision, whereas 3D-printed parts are comparatively less expensive to produce. Cast or powder injection molded parts are also less expensive to produce than milled parts and can be manufactured with higher precision than 3D-printed parts.

[0020] The first or second jaw section can also be designed in multiple parts. For example, it may be advantageous if the first jaw section comprises a support section and a rocker section pivotably mounted on the support section about a rocker axis, and at least the support section is designed as a metal part and the first instrument branch is attached to the support section. The rocker section can also be designed as a metal part.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the first stacking arrangement of the first instrument branch and / or the second stacking arrangement of the second instrument branch comprises at least one first and one second outer metal sheet and at least one inner metal sheet arranged between the first and the second outer metal sheet. The individual metal sheets can have different geometries and / or dimensions across their surface, so that by stacking and joining the individual metal sheets, a three-dimensional laminar structure of almost any shape can be achieved. Such a laminar structure is also simpler and more cost-effective to manufacture than a comparable milled part. It can be advantageous, for example, if the two outer metal sheets of a stacking arrangement have a similar or identical geometric shape.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the first metal part of the first jaw section comprises a joining section that is received in the respective stacking arrangement. For example, the joining section is received between the first and the second outer metal sheet. A joining receptacle in the stacking arrangement can be formed by an inner metal sheet having a recess and / or a smaller surface area than the outer metal sheets. To join the metal part and the stacking arrangement, the joining section received in the respective stacking arrangement can be welded to the two outer metal sheets. The thickness of the joining section, in particular the thickness of the portion of the joining section received between the two outer metal sheets, can essentially correspond to the thickness of an inner metal sheet arranged between the two outer metal sheets.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the second metal part of the second jaw section comprises a joining section that is received in the respective stacking arrangement. For example, the joining section is received between the first and the second outer metal sheet. A joining receptacle in the stacking arrangement can be formed by an inner metal sheet having a recess and / or a smaller surface area than the outer metal sheets. To join the metal part and the stacking arrangement, the joining section received in the respective stacking arrangement can be welded to the two outer metal sheets. The thickness of the joining section, in particular the thickness of the portion of the joining section received between the two outer metal sheets, can essentially correspond to the thickness of an inner metal sheet arranged between the two outer metal sheets.

[0024] In further development, it can prove advantageous if each joining section comprises joining elements, in particular a joining geometry. The joining elements are, for example, designed in the form of a projection, a raised section, or similar. The metal sheets, especially the two outer ones, are designed to complement these and include, for example, corresponding recesses or indentations. In this way, a positive-locking connection can be established between the metal part and the stacked assembly. Furthermore, it can be provided that welding takes place along the perimeter of the joining elements during the joining process.The thickness of a particular joining element, in particular the thickness of the joining geometry, for example the projection or the protrusion, in particular the thickness of the part of the joining element which is arranged in a recess of an outer metal sheet, can essentially correspond to the thickness of a particular outer metal sheet joined therewith.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the first stacking arrangement and / or the second stacking arrangement extends beyond the pivot joint, namely from the pivot joint in both the proximal and distal directions, and in the distal direction at least to the first jaw section, in particular to the first metal part of the first jaw section, or at least to the second jaw section, in particular to the second metal part of the second jaw section. The pivot joint, in particular an axis of the pivot joint, can pass through the first and / or the second stacking arrangement. In particular, the first and / or the second stacking arrangement can include a first through-opening or a second through-opening for the pivot joint of the pliers.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the first or second jaw assembly forms a blade guide for a cutting blade of the pliers that is longitudinally displaceable therein. The blade guide is formed by a gap between the first and second outer metal plates of the first or second stacking arrangement of the first or second instrument branch, and / or by a blade guide geometry on an inner metal plate arranged between the first and second outer metal plates, and / or by a blade guide geometry on the metal part of the first or second jaw assembly. The laminar structure of the stacking arrangement allows for the simple and cost-effective production of such a blade guide, particularly in the form of the gap and / or blade guide geometry. Incorporating a blade guide into a milled part would be comparatively more complex.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the first jaw assembly comprises a first through-opening and the second jaw assembly a second through-opening for the pivot joint of the pliers, the through-openings of the first and second jaw assemblies being provided in the respective metal part and / or stacking arrangement. The first and second jaw assemblies are arranged relative to each other such that the first through-opening of the first jaw assembly and the second through-opening of the second jaw assembly are aligned. A pin, in particular a pin provided inside a housing or housing part of the pliers, can be arranged in the through-openings, especially extending through them. In this way, the first and second jaw assemblies can be connected to each other. Simultaneously, this allows the pivot joint of the pliers to be formed.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the first stacking arrangement of the first jaw assembly and the second stacking arrangement of the second jaw assembly comprise connecting means for connection to a housing or housing part of the pliers, in particular comprising the handle assembly. For example, the connections are recesses, in particular in the form of laser-cut, waterjet-cut, punched, milled, etched, or nibbled recesses in the metal blades. The housing or housing part can accordingly include complementary pins or projections.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the first or second jaw assembly comprises at least one insulating cover, in particular for insulating the first or second jaw and / or for at least partially insulating the first or second instrument jaw. The insulating cover of the jaws provides, in particular, thermal and / or electrical insulation and serves to protect surrounding tissue that should not be damaged during use of the forceps. The insulating cover can, for example, be manufactured as an overmolded insert in an injection molding process. The insulating cover can comprise one or more housing parts, which are attached, in particular, by crimping the insulating cover to the jaw and / or by crimping housing parts of the insulating cover.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the first stacking arrangement of the first jaw assembly and / or the second stacking arrangement of the second jaw assembly forms at least one of the following elements: a contact element for contacting a connector, a strain relief geometry for a connector, limiting elements for a cutting blade mechanism, and / or a mounting element for a spring element of the cutting blade mechanism.

[0031] The instrument industry provides a current conductor to the two jaw sections. The stacked assemblies can be connected to the RF source via appropriate contact elements, for example, terminals for corresponding connectors. Advantageously, a strain relief geometry for a connector can be provided in the area of ​​the contact elements. In particular, a spring element of a connector can be supported by the strain relief geometry.

[0032] To move the longitudinally movable cutting blade, the pliers include a cutting blade mechanism. Limiting elements are, for example, projections that restrict the adjustment range of the cutting blade mechanism. The cutting blade mechanism may include a spring element, in particular a return spring, for returning the cutting blade to its original position. The return spring may, for example, be mounted on a suitable mounting element.

[0033] Further embodiments relate to a method for manufacturing an electrosurgical bipolar forceps according to the described embodiments or for manufacturing parts of the electrosurgical bipolar forceps.

[0034] The process includes the following steps:

[0035] Providing a first metal part and a first stacking arrangement of a first jaw assembly and joining, in particular welding, the first metal part and the first stacking arrangement to each other, and / or providing a second metal part and a second stacking arrangement of a second jaw assembly and joining, in particular welding, the second metal part and the second stacking arrangement to each other.

[0036] It may be advantageous to first provide a positive-locking connection between the first metal part and the first stack arrangement and / or the second metal part and the second stack arrangement, and then to weld along a perimeter of joining elements forming the positive-locking connection.

[0037] Further embodiments provide that the method includes a step for joining, in particular welding, a first outer metal sheet and a second outer metal sheet and at least one inner metal sheet arranged between the first and the second outer metal sheet to produce the first or the second stack arrangement.

[0038] The process may include a step to manufacture the first metal part of the first jaw part, and / or the second metal part of the second jaw part, in particular by a casting process, powder injection molding process, milling process or 3D printing process.

[0039] The process may include a step for manufacturing the metal sheets of the first and / or second stack arrangement, in particular by a laser cutting process, water jet cutting process, a punching process, a milling process, an etching process or nibbling.

[0040] The process may include a step to provide an insulating cover for the first and / or the second jaw assembly, in particular by overmolding the jaw assembly in an injection molding process or by pressing the insulating cover with the jaw assembly and / or by pressing components of the insulating cover together.

[0041] Further embodiments provide that the method includes a step for arranging the cutting blade in the first or second stack arrangement, in particular in the gap formed between the first and the second outer metal sheet of the first or second stack arrangement, of the first or second jaw assembly.

[0042] The method may include a step for arranging the first and second jaw assembly relative to each other, such that the first through-hole of the first jaw assembly and the second through-hole of the second jaw assembly are aligned, and arranging a pin, in particular a pin provided on a pin inside a housing or housing part of the pliers, for connecting the first and second jaw assembly to each other and for forming the pivot joint of the pliers.

[0043] Further advantages will become apparent from the description and the accompanying drawings. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description. Here, identical reference numerals in different figures denote identical or at least functionally comparable elements. When describing individual figures, reference may also be made to elements from other figures. The following are shown schematically:

[0044] Fig. 1 shows an electrosurgical bipolar forceps according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0045] Fig. 2 shows a jaw assembly of the electrosurgical bipolar forceps from Fig. 1;

[0046] Figs. 3 to 6 show different views of a first jaw assembly of the jaw arrangement from Fig. 2;

[0047] Figs. 7 and 8 show different views of a second jaw assembly of the jaw arrangement from Fig. 2.

[0048] Fig. 9 shows a detailed view of the jaw assembly from Fig. 2.

[0049] Figure 1 shows an electrosurgical bipolar forceps 10 according to an exemplary embodiment. The forceps are used, for example, for dissecting, in particular grasping and / or cutting and / or sealing tissue and / or vessels in surgical applications.

[0050] The pliers 10 comprise a first leg 12 and a second leg 14, the legs being pivotably mounted relative to each other by a pivot joint 16. In the distal direction 18 extending from the pivot joint 16, the pliers 10 have a clamping arrangement 20 with at least one first clamping surface 24 forming a first electrode 22 and at least one second clamping surface 28 forming a second electrode 26. In the proximal direction 30 extending from the pivot joint 16, the pliers 10 have a handle arrangement 32 for handling the pliers 10 by a user.

[0051] For sealing, tissue held between the clamping surfaces 24, 28 of the clamping arrangement 20 is subjected to a high-frequency (HF) current flowing between the electrodes 22, 26 at the two clamping surfaces 24, 28. The energy supply from an HF power source to the clamp 10 is provided, for example, via an electrical conductor 34, in particular a cable. A mechanical blade (not shown) is used for cutting.

[0052] Figure 2 shows a jaw assembly 36 of the pliers 10. The jaw assembly 36 forms, so to speak, the basic framework of the first and second arms of the pliers 10. The jaw assembly 36 comprises a first jaw assembly 38 with a first, in particular lower, jaw 40 and a first instrument branch 42, and a second jaw assembly 44 with a second, in particular upper, jaw 46 and a second instrument branch 48. The first jaw assembly 38 is associated with the first arm 12 and the second jaw assembly 44 is associated with the second arm 14, respectively, and each is a part of the first or second arm 12, respectively. Figure 3 shows the first jaw assembly 38 in an isolated view.

[0053] The clamping arrangement 20 is formed by the first and second jaw parts 40, 46. The pliers 10 are designed such that the clamping surfaces 24, 28 and thus the electrodes 22, 26 of the clamping arrangement 20 move away from each other when the jaws 12, 14 are opened and move towards each other when the pliers 10 are closed.

[0054] According to the illustrated embodiment, the first jaw part 40 of the first jaw part assembly 38 is multi-part and comprises a metallic support part 50 and a metallic rocker part 54 pivotably mounted on the support part 50 about a rocker axis 52, see Fig. 3. The support part 50 is designed as a first metal part 50. The rocker part 54 can also be designed as a metal part. The first instrument branch 42 is designed as a first stacking arrangement 42 of metal sheets. The first stacking arrangement 42 of the first instrument branch 42 is attached to the support part 50 of the first jaw part 40, for example by welding.

[0055] The second jaw section 46 of the second jaw section assembly 44 is designed as a second metal part 46. The first instrument branch 48 is designed as a second stacking arrangement 48 of metal sheets. The second stacking arrangement 48 of the first instrument branch 48 is attached to the second metal part 46, for example by welding.

[0056] The following describes the structure of the first jaw assembly 38 with reference to Figures 3 to 6.

[0057] Figure 3 shows the first jaw assembly 38 in an assembled state. Figure 4 shows the support part 50 of the first jaw assembly 38 and the first stacking arrangement 42 in an exploded view. The first stacking arrangement 42 of the first jaw assembly 38 comprises a first outer metal sheet 56 and a second outer metal sheet 58. The two outer metal sheets 56 and 58 have a similar, nearly identical geometry. An inner metal sheet 60 is arranged between the two outer metal sheets 56 and 58. According to the illustrated embodiment, the inner metal sheet 60 is multi-part and comprises a distal metal sheet section 62 and a proximal metal sheet section 64. In this example, the metal sheets 56, 58, and 60 of the first stacking arrangement 42 have the same thickness and can therefore be made from the same base material, in particular a sheet metal material.

[0058] The first metal part 50 of the first jaw part 40 comprises a

[0059] Joining section 66, which in the assembled state is received in the first stacking arrangement 42. In the example, the joining section 66 is received between the first and the second outer metal sheets 56, 58. The first stacking arrangement 42 includes a joining receptacle 68. The joining receptacle 68 in the first stacking arrangement 42 is formed such that the inner metal sheet 60 extends distally with a smaller area than the two outer metal sheets 56, 58, thereby forming a corresponding recess in the stacking arrangement 42.

[0060] The joining section 66 of the first metal part 50 comprises joining elements 70 in the form of a joining geometry. In this example, the joining elements are formed laterally on both sides in the form of a protrusion 72 and a recess 74. The two outer metal sheets 56, 58 are designed to be complementary to this and each comprises a corresponding recess 76 and a section 78, which is arranged in the respective recess of the first metal part 50. In this way, a positive-locking connection can be established between the metal part 50 and the stacking arrangement 42. Furthermore, it can be provided that welding is carried out along the perimeter of the joining elements 70 during joining.

[0061] The thickness of the joining section 66, in particular the thickness of the part of the joining section 66 that is located between the two outer metal sheets 56, 58, i.e. the thickness of the inner part of the joining section 66, without the joining means, corresponds essentially to the thickness of the inner metal sheet 60 arranged between the two outer metal sheets 56, 58.

[0062] The thickness of a respective joining element, in particular the thickness of the respective joining element, i.e., a respective protrusion 72 arranged in the respective recess 76 of the respective outer metal sheet 56, 58, corresponds essentially to the thickness of the respective outer metal sheet 56, 58 joined by it. Figure 5 shows the first jaw assembly 38 in an assembled but partially open state. For example, the second outer metal sheet 58 is not shown for clarity. The first jaw assembly 38 comprises a blade guide 80 for a cutting blade 82 of the pliers 10, which is longitudinally displaceable therein. The blade guide 80 is formed, among other things, by a gap 84 of the first stacking arrangement 42 formed between the first and the second outer metal sheet 56, 58.The gap 84 is formed by the fact that the inner metal sheet 60 has a smaller area than the two outer metal sheets 56, 58, and thus the gap 84 is formed in the assembled state.

[0063] The blade guide 80 is further formed by a blade guide geometry 86 on the inner metal sheet 60, in this example on the distal metal sheet section 62. In this example, the inner metal sheet 60 forms a running surface 86 for the cutting blade 82, which is the upper surface in the orientation shown. The proximal metal sheet section 64 forms a proximal stop 88 for the cutting blade 82.

[0064] The blade guide 80 is further formed by a blade guide geometry on the metal part of the first jaw section. In the example, the metal part 50 forms a running surface 90 for the cutting blade 82, in the orientation shown below.

[0065] Figure 6 shows the first jaw assembly 38 in a partially assembled state without the rocker part 54. The first jaw assembly 38 includes an insulating cover 92, which is shown in an exploded view in the example.

[0066] The insulating cover 92 comprises a distal housing part 94 and two lateral housing parts 96, 98. To assemble the insulating cover 92, the distal housing part 94 is pressed together with the carrier part 50, in particular by means of press pins 100 provided for this purpose, and the lateral housing parts 96, 98 are pressed together, in particular by means of press pins 102 provided for this purpose.

[0067] The following describes the assembly of the second jaw assembly 44 with reference to Figures 7 and 8. Figure 7 shows the second jaw assembly 44 in an assembled state. Figure 8 shows the second jaw assembly 44 in an exploded view.

[0068] The second stacking arrangement 48 of the second jaw assembly 44 also comprises a first outer metal sheet 104 and a second outer metal sheet 106. The two outer metal sheets 104 and 106 have a similar, nearly identical geometry. An inner metal sheet 108 is arranged between the two outer metal sheets 104 and 106. In this example, the metal sheets 104, 106, and 108 of the second stacking arrangement 48 have the same thickness and can therefore be made from the same base material, in particular sheet metal.

[0069] The second metal part 46 of the second jaw part 46 comprises a joining section 110, which, in the assembled state, is received in a joining recess 112 of the second stacking arrangement 48. In this example, the joining section 110 is received between the first and the second outer metal sheets 104, 106. The joining recess 112 of the second stacking arrangement 48 is designed such that the inner metal sheet 108 has a smaller surface area than the two outer metal sheets 104, 106, thereby forming a recess 112 in the stacking arrangement 48. A thickness of the joining section 110, in particular a thickness of the part of the joining section 110 which, in the assembled state, is received in a joining receptacle 112 of the second stacking arrangement 48, corresponds essentially to a thickness of the inner metal sheet 108 arranged between the two outer metal sheets 104, 106.The second jaw assembly also includes an insulating cover 114. In this example, the insulating cover is designed as an overmolding, which is produced as an insert in an injection molding process for the second jaw assembly 46.

[0070] The insulating cover 114 includes a stop section 116 on both sides. In the assembled state of the jaw assemblies 38, 44, the stop section 116 partially overlaps the first jaw assembly 38, in particular the first jaw part 40, cf. for example Figs. 1 and 2. The stop section 116 forms a stop for fabric gripped by the pliers 10 and prevents fabric from being pinched outside the clamping surfaces 24, 28 between the two jaw assemblies 38, 44.

[0071] According to the illustrated embodiment, the first jaw assembly 38 comprises a first through-opening 118 and the second jaw assembly comprises a second through-opening 120 for the pivot joint 16 of the pliers 10 .

[0072] In the first jaw assembly 38, the first through-opening 118 is formed at the first instrument branch 42, namely the first stacking arrangement 42, and at the two lateral housing parts 96, 98 of the insulating cover 92. The first stacking arrangement 42 therefore extends beyond the pivot joint 16, namely from the pivot joint 16 both in the proximal direction 30 and in the distal direction 18, and in the distal direction 18 at least as far as the first jaw part 40, in particular to the first metal part 50 of the first jaw part 40. Since the first through-opening 118 is formed at the first stacking arrangement 42, the pivot joint 16, in particular an axis of the pivot joint 16, passes through the first stacking arrangement 42.

[0073] In the second jaw assembly 44, the second

[0074] The through-opening 120 is formed by the second jaw part 46. In the assembled state of the pliers 10, the first and second jaw part assemblies 38, 44 are arranged relative to each other such that the first through-opening 118 of the first jaw part assembly 38 and the second through-opening 120 of the second jaw part assembly 44 are aligned, see, for example, Fig. 2. In the assembled state of the pliers 10, a pivot pin is arranged extending through the through-openings 118, 120, which is provided in an interior of a housing of the pliers 10.

[0075] Figure 9 shows a detailed view of the pliers 10 from Figure 1, where, for clarity, the insulating cover 92 and the second jaw part 46 are not fully shown. A pivot pin 122 extending through the through-openings 118 and 120 is shown. According to the illustrated embodiment, the cutting blade 82 of the pliers 10 runs through the pivot joint 16. Accordingly, the pivot pin 122 has a corresponding geometry. For example, in a section located in the through-openings 118 and 120, the pivot pin 122 is designed as a partial cylinder, in particular a half-cylinder, and forms a running surface 124 for the cutting blade 82 through the pivot joint 16.

[0076] Further elements of the pliers 10, which are shown as examples in the figures, will be explained below.

[0077] In this example, the first stacking arrangement 42 of the first jaw assembly 38 and the second stacking arrangement 48 of the second jaw assembly 44 comprise connecting elements 124 for connection to the housing or housing part of the pliers 10, which includes the handle assembly 32. In this example, the connecting elements 124 are recesses 124, in particular in the form of laser-cut recesses, in the metal sheets 56, 58, 60, 104, 106, 108. The housing or housing part of the pliers 10 can include correspondingly complementary pins or projections inside. The first stacking arrangement 42 and the second stacking arrangement 48 each form a contact element 126 for contacting a connector. The instrument branches 42, 48 provide a current path to the two jaw parts 40, 46.The stack arrangements 42, 48 can be connected to an RF source via the contact elements 126, in this example connection pins for corresponding connectors (not shown). In this example, the contact element 126 is provided at the first outer metal sheet 56, 104. In the area of ​​the contact element 126 at the first stack arrangement, a strain relief geometry 128 for the connector is provided. In particular, a spring element of the connector can be supported against the strain relief geometry 128.

[0078] To move the longitudinally displaceable cutting blade 82, the pliers 10 include a cutting blade mechanism (not shown). In this example, the first stacking arrangement 42 includes limiting elements 130 for the cutting blade mechanism. These limiting elements 130 are projections that restrict the adjustment travel of the cutting blade mechanism. In this example, the limiting elements 130 are formed on the two outer metal blades 56, 58 of the first stacking arrangement 42.

[0079] The cutting blade mechanism can include a spring element, in particular a return spring, for resetting the cutting blade 82. In the example, a mounting element 132, in the example a hook, is provided for the spring element of the cutting blade mechanism in the first stacking arrangement 42, in particular on the proximal metal sheet section 64 of the inner metal sheet 60.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Electrosurgical bipolar forceps (10) with a first arm (12) and a second arm (14), wherein the arms (12) are pivotably mounted relative to one another by a pivot joint (16), wherein the forceps (10) has, in a distal direction (18) extending from the pivot joint (16), a clamping arrangement (20) with a first clamping surface (24) forming a first electrode (22) and a second clamping surface (28) forming a second electrode (26), and wherein, in a proximal direction (30) extending from the pivot joint (16), the forceps (10) has a handle arrangement (32) for handling the forceps (10) by a user, comprising a jaw assembly (36) comprising a first jaw assembly (38) with a first, in particular lower, jaw section (40) and a first instrument branch (42), and a second jaw assembly (44) with a second, in particular lower, jaw section (40) upper, jaw part (46) and a second instrument branch (48) , characterized thereby,that the first jaw section (40) comprises a first metal part (50) and the second jaw section (46) comprises a second metal part (46), and the first instrument branch (42) comprises a first stacking arrangement (42) with at least two metal sheets (56, 58), and the second instrument branch (48) comprises a second stacking arrangement (48) with at least two metal sheets (104, 106), wherein the first stacking arrangement (42) of the first instrument branch (42) is attached to the first metal part (50) of the first jaw section (40), and the second stacking arrangement (48) of the second instrument branch (48) is attached to the second metal part (46) of the second jaw section (46).

2. Electrosurgical bipolar forceps (10) according to claim 1, wherein the first metal part (50) of the first jaw part (40) , and / or the second metal part (46) of the second jaw part (46) , a casting, powder injection molding, milling or 3D printed part.

3. Electrosurgical bipolar forceps (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first jaw part (40) comprises a carrier part (50) and a rocker part (54) pivotably mounted on the carrier part (50) about a rocker axis (52), and wherein at least the carrier part (50) is designed as a metal part (50) and the first instrument branch (42) is attached to the carrier part (50).

4. Electrosurgical bipolar forceps (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first stacking arrangement (42) of the first instrument branch (42) and / or the second stacking arrangement (48) of the second instrument branch (48) comprises at least one first and one second outer metal sheet (56, 58, 104, 106) and at least one inner metal sheet (60, 108) arranged between the first and the second outer metal sheet (56, 58, 104, 106).

5. Electrosurgical bipolar forceps (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first metal part (50) of the first jaw part (40) comprises an joining section (66) which is received in the first stacking arrangement (42), in particular at least between the first and the second outer metal sheet (56, 58).

6. Electrosurgical bipolar forceps (10) according to claim 5, wherein the joining section (66) of the first metal part (50) of the first jaw part (40) comprises joining means (70), in particular a joining geometry (72, 74), in particular for producing a positive-locking connection between the joining section (66) and a stacking arrangement (42, 48).

7. Electrosurgical bipolar forceps (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second metal part (46) of the second jaw part (46) comprises a joining section (110), which is included in the second stacking arrangement (48), in particular at least between the first and the second outer metal sheet (104, 106).

8. Electrosurgical bipolar forceps (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first stacking arrangement (42) and / or the second stacking arrangement (48) extends beyond the pivot joint (16), namely from the pivot joint (16) both in the proximal direction (30) and in the distal direction (18) at least to the first jaw part (40), in particular to the first metal part (50) of the first jaw part (40), or at least to the second jaw part (46), in particular to the second metal part (46) of the second jaw part (46).

9. Electrosurgical bipolar forceps (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first or the second jaw assembly (38, 44) forms a blade guide (80) for a cutting blade (82) of the forceps (10) which is longitudinally displaceable therein, wherein the blade guide (80) is formed by a gap (84) between the first and the second outer metal sheet (56, 58, 104, 106) of the first or second stacking arrangement (42, 48) of the first or the second instrument branch (42, 48) and / or by a blade guide geometry (86) on an inner metal sheet (60, 108) arranged between the first and the second outer metal sheet (56, 58, 104, 106) and / or by a blade guide geometry (90) on the metal part (50, 46) of the first or the second The mouth part (40, 46) is formed.

10. Electrosurgical bipolar forceps (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first jaw assembly (38) comprises a first through-opening (118) and the second jaw assembly (44) comprises a second through-opening (120) for the pivot joint (16) of the forceps (10), wherein the Through openings (118, 120) of the first and second jaw assembly (38, 44) are provided in the respective metal part (50, 46) and / or the respective stacking arrangement (42, 48).

11. Electrosurgical bipolar forceps (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first stacking arrangement (42) of the first jaw assembly (38) and the second stacking arrangement (48) of the second jaw assembly (44) comprise connecting means (124) for connection with a housing or housing part of the forceps (10), in particular comprising the handle arrangement (32).

12. Electrosurgical bipolar forceps (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first or the second jaw assembly (38, 44) comprises at least one insulating cover (92, 114), in particular for insulating the first or the second jaw (40, 46) and / or for at least partially insulating the first or the second instrument branch (42, 48).

13. Electrosurgical bipolar forceps (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first stacking arrangement (42) of the first jaw assembly (38) or the second stacking arrangement (48) of the second jaw assembly (44) forms at least one of the following elements: a contact element (126) for contacting a connector, a strain relief geometry (128) for a connector, limiting elements (130) for a cutting blade mechanism, and / or a mounting element (132) for a spring element of the cutting blade mechanism.

14. Method for manufacturing an electrosurgical bipolar forceps (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, in particular for manufacturing components of the electrosurgical bipolar forceps (10), the method comprising the following Steps: Providing a first metal part (50) and a first stacking arrangement (42) of a first jaw assembly (38) and joining, in particular welding, the first metal part (50) and the first stacking arrangement (42) to each other, and / or providing a second metal part (46) and a second stacking arrangement (48) of a second jaw assembly (44) and joining, in particular welding, the second metal part (46) and the second stacking arrangement (48) to each other.

15. Method according to claim 14, wherein a positive-locking connection is first made between the first metal part (50) and the first stacking arrangement (42) and / or the second metal part (46) and the second stacking arrangement (48), and then welding is carried out along a perimeter of joining means (66) forming the positive-locking connection.

16. Method according to one of claims 14 or 15, wherein the method comprises a step for joining, in particular welding, a first outer metal sheet (56, 104) and a second outer metal sheet (58, 106) and at least one inner metal sheet (60, 108) arranged between the first and the second outer metal sheet (56, 58, 104, 106) to produce the first or the second stack arrangement (42, 48).

17. A method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the method comprises a step for providing an insulating cover (92, 114) of the first and / or the second jaw assembly (38, 44), in particular by overmolding the jaw assembly (38, 44) in an injection molding process or by pressing the insulating cover (114) with the jaw assembly (38, 44) and / or by pressing components of the insulating cover (114) together.

18. Method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the method comprises a step for arranging the cutting blade (82) in the first or second stack arrangement (42, 48), in particular in the gap (84) formed between the first and the second outer metal sheet (56, 58) of the first or second stack arrangement (42, 48), of the first or second jaw assembly (38, 44).

19. Method according to any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the method comprises a step for arranging the first and the second jaw assembly (38, 44) relative to each other such that the first through-opening (118) of the first jaw assembly (38) and the second through-opening (120) of the second jaw assembly (44) are aligned, and arranging a pin (122), in particular a pin provided on an interior of a housing or housing part of the pliers (10), for connecting the first and the second jaw assembly (38, 44) to each other and for forming the pivot joint (16) of the pliers (10).

Images