Vessel Sealing Instrument With Cutting Mechanism

Abstract

An end effector assembly for use with an instrument for sealing and cutting tissue includes a pair of opposing first and second jaw members movable relative to the to grasp tissue therebetween. Each jaw member including a jaw housing and an electrically conductive surface adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the electrically conductive surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal. One of the electrically conductive surfaces including a channel defined therein and extending along a length thereof that communicates with a nozzle disposed in the jaw housing. The nozzle is configured to direct high pressure fluid from a fluid source into the channel for cutting tissue grasped between the jaw members.

1 . An end effector assembly for use with an instrument for sealing and cutting tissue, the end effector assembly comprising:
 a pair of opposing first and second jaw members at least one of which being movable relative to the other 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;   each jaw member including a jaw housing and an electrically conductive surface, the electrically conductive surfaces being disposed in spaced apart opposing registration relative to one another, each electrically conductive surface being adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the electrically conductive surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal; and   at least one electrically conductive surface including a channel defined therein extending along a length thereof, the channel communicating with a nozzle disposed in the jaw housing which is configured to direct high pressure fluid from a fluid source into the channel for cutting tissue grasped between the jaw members.   
   
   
       2 . An end effector assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the nozzle communicates with at least one fluid conduit disposed within the jaw housing, the at least one conduit conveying the high pressure fluid from a fluid source. 
   
   
       3 . An end effector assembly according to  claim 2  further comprising at least one valve that is configured to regulate the flow of high pressure fluid from the fluid source. 
   
   
       4 . An end effector assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the each electrically conductive surface includes a channel defined therein and extending along a length thereof that communicates with a corresponding nozzle disposed within each respective jaw housing. 
   
   
       5 . An end effector assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the nozzle is tapered. 
   
   
       6 . An end effector assembly for use with an instrument for sealing and cutting tissue, the end effector assembly comprising:
 a pair of opposing first and second jaw members at least one of which being movable relative to the other 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;   each jaw member including a jaw housing and an electrically conductive surface, the electrically conductive surfaces being disposed in spaced apart opposing registration relative to one another, each electrically conductive surface being adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the electrically conductive surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal; and   at least one adhesive strip disposed along a length of at least one electrically conductive surface, wherein after electrical activation of the electrically conductive surfaces to effect a tissue seat, the at least one adhesive strip retains a portion of the tissue seal to essentially tear the portion of the tissue seal away from remaining tissue when the tissue is removed from between the jaw members.   
   
   
       7 . An end effector assembly according to  claim 6  wherein each of the electrically conductive surfaces includes an adhesive strip disposed along a length thereof. 
   
   
       8 . An end effector assembly according to  claim 6  wherein the adhesive strip includes a heat-activated adhesive. 
   
   
       9 . An end effector assembly according to  claim 6  wherein the adhesive strip includes a plurality of nozzles disposed in the jaw housing operatively coupled to an adhesive fluid supply. 
   
   
       10 . An end effector assembly according to  claim 9  wherein the plurality of nozzles communicate with at least one fluid conduit disposed within the jaw housing, the at least one conduit conveying the adhesive fluid from an adhesive fluid supply. 
   
   
       11 . An end effector assembly according to  claim 10  further comprising at least one valve that is configured to regulate the flow of adhesive fluid from the adhesive fluid supply. 
   
   
       12 . An end effector assembly according to  claim 9  wherein the each electrically conductive surfaces includes an adhesive strip having a plurality of nozzles defined therein and extending along a length thereof. 
   
   
       13 . An end effector assembly according to  claim 9  wherein the plurality of nozzles is tapered to direct the flow of the adhesive fluid onto the adhesive strip in a uniform and consistent manner to facilitate separation of tissue 
   
   
       14 . An end effector assembly according to  claim 9  wherein the adhesive fluid supply includes a heat-activated adhesive fluid. 
   
   
       15 . An end effector assembly for use with an instrument for sealing and cutting tissue, the end effector assembly comprising:
 a pair of opposing first and second jaw members at least one of which being movable relative to the other 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;   each jaw member including a jaw housing and an electrically conductive surface, the electrically conductive surfaces being disposed in spaced apart opposing registration relative to one another, each electrically conductive surface being adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the electrically conductive surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal; and   a cutting mechanism having a sharpened leading edge, the cutting mechanism being fixed between the jaw members near a proximal end thereof, the sharpened edge of the cutting mechanism being positioned to cut tissue between the jaw members upon forward movement of the jaw members along the tissue seal.   
   
   
       16 . An end effector assembly according to  claim 15  further comprising a stop member disposed at the distal end of one of the jaw members, the stop member being dimensioned to maintain a gap distance between the jaw members during electrical activation of the electrically conductive surfaces. 
   
   
       17 . An end effector assembly according to  claim 16  wherein the stop member is operatively affixed to a guide rail-system disposed within one of the jaw housings that allows the jaw members and the cutting mechanism to move forward over the stop member to sever tissue along the tissue seal. 
   
   
       18 . An end effector assembly for use with an instrument for sealing and cutting tissue, the end effector assembly comprising:
 a pair of opposing first and second jaw members at least one of which being movable relative to the other 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;   each jaw member including a jaw housing and an electrically conductive surface, the electrically conductive surfaces being disposed in spaced apart opposing registration relative to one another, each electrically conductive surface being adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the electrically conductive surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal; and   at least one of the jaw members including an elongated perforation strip that extends inwardly from the electrically conductive surface thereof, the elongated perforation strip being dimensioned to perforate the tissue upon closure of the jaw members against tissue and activation of the electrically conductive surfaces to effect a tissue seal.   
   
   
       19 . An end effector assembly according to  claim 18  wherein each jaw member includes a perforation strip that extends inwardly from the electrically conductive surface thereof, the perforation strips on each respective jaw member being configured to intermesh with one another upon closure of the jaw members against tissue and activation of the electrically conductive surfaces to effect a tissue seal.