Bipolar electrosurgical forceps with non-conductive stop members

Abstract

A bipolar forceps for clamping and sealing tissue includes at least one elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof which are movable relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The forceps is also connected to a source of electrical energy which, in turn, connects to each jaw member to the source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween. At least two non-conductive and spaced-apart stop members are disposed on an inner facing surface of the jaw members to control the gap distance between the jaw member(s) when tissue is held therebetween.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A bipolar forceps, comprising: 
 at least one elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof, the jaw members being movable relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween;    a source of electrical energy connected to each jaw member such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween; and    at least two non-conductive and spaced-apart stop members disposed on an inner facing surface of at least one of the jaw members which control the distance between the jaw members when tissue is held therebetween.    
     
     
         2 . A bipolar forceps according to  claim 1  wherein the stop members are manufactured from the group consisting of: parylene, nylon and ceramic.  
     
     
         3 . A bipolar forceps according to  claim 1  wherein the stop members include a series of longitudinally-oriented projections which extend from a proximal end of the jaw member to a distal end of the jaw member.  
     
     
         4 . A bipolar forceps according to  claim 1  wherein the stop members include a series of circle-like tabs which extend from a proximal end of the jaw member to a distal end of the jaw member.  
     
     
         5 . A bipolar forceps according to  claim 4  wherein the circle-like tabs are disposed in an alternating, laterally-offset manner relative to one another along a length of the jaw member.  
     
     
         6 . A bipolar forceps according to  claim 4  wherein each of the circle-like tabs is centrally disposed along a width of the jaw member.  
     
     
         7 . A bipolar forceps according to  claim 1  wherein the stop members protrude about 0.001 inches to about 0.005 inches from the inner facing surface of the jaw member.  
     
     
         8 . A bipolar forceps according to  claim 1  wherein the stop members protrude about 0.002 inches to about 0.003 inches from the inner facing surface of the jaw member.  
     
     
         9 . A bipolar forceps according to  claim 1  wherein the stop members are affixed to the jaw member by stamping.  
     
     
         10 . A bipolar forceps according to  claim 1  wherein the stop members are affixed to the jaw member by thermal spraying.  
     
     
         11 . A bipolar forceps according to  claim 1  wherein the stop members are affixed to the jaw member by an adhesive.  
     
     
         12 . A bipolar forceps according to  claim 1  wherein the stop members are affixed to the jaw member by a molding process.  
     
     
         13 . A bipolar forceps according to  claim 1  wherein the forceps includes a drive rod assembly which connects the jaw members to the source of electrical energy such that the first jaw member has a first electrical potential and the second jaw member has a second electrical potential; and 
 a handle attached to the drive rod assembly for imparting movement of the first and second jaw members from the first and second positions.  
 
     
     
         14 . A bipolar forceps, comprising: 
 at least one elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof, the jaw members being movable relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween;    a source of electrical energy connected to each jaw member such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween; and    a stop member disposed along a periphery of an inner facing surface of at least one jaw member for controlling the distance between the jaw members when tissue is held therebetween.    
     
     
         15 . A bipolar forceps, comprising: 
 at least one elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof, the jaw members being movable relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween;    a source of electrical energy connected to each jaw member such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween; and    a stop member which includes a longitudinally oriented ridge which extends from a proximal end to a distal end of an inner facing surface of at least one jaw member for controlling the distance between the jaw members.