Single action tissue sealer

Abstract

An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes a housing and a shaft, the shaft having an end effector assembly at its distal end. The end effector assembly includes two jaw members for grasping tissue therebetween. The jaw members are adapted to connect to an electrosurgical energy source which enable them to conduct energy through the tissue to create a tissue seal. A drive assembly is disposed within the housing which moves the jaw members. A switch is disposed within the housing which activates the electrosurgical energy. A knife assembly is included which is advanceable to cut tissue held between the jaw members. A movable handle is connected to the housing. Continual actuation of the movable handle engages the drive assembly to move the jaw members, engages the switch to activate the electrosurgical energy source to seal the tissue, and advances the knife assembly the cut the tissue disposed between the jaw members.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bipolar forceps, comprising:
 a housing;   an elongated member extending distally from the housing and defining a longitudinal axis;   an end effector assembly disposed adjacent a distal end of the elongated member, the end effector assembly including a first jaw member and a second jaw member, the first jaw member moveable relative to the second jaw member from a first position in spaced relation to the second jaw member to a second position closer to the second jaw member for grasping tissue therebetween, at least one of the jaw members adapted to connect to an electrosurgical energy source such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue grasped therebetween to effect a tissue seal;   a drive assembly operably coupled to the housing for moving the first jaw member from the first position to the second position;   a knife assembly configured to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members; and   a movable handle connected to the housing and selectively rotatable about a pivot, wherein a single, continuous actuation of the movable handle is operable to engage the drive assembly to move the first jaw member and to advance the knife assembly to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members;   wherein the knife assembly is prevented from being advanced to cut tissue prior to the first jaw member being moved toward its second position.   
     
     
         2 . A bipolar forceps according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the jaw members includes a longitudinally-extending knife channel extending at least partially therethrough. 
     
     
         3 . A bipolar forceps according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the jaw members includes at least one stop member disposed thereon that regulates the distance between the jaw members. 
     
     
         4 . A bipolar forceps according to  claim 3 , wherein the distance between the jaw members is between 0.001 inches and 0.006 inches. 
     
     
         5 . A bipolar forceps according to  claim 1 , wherein a pressure range between the jaw members when disposed in the second position is between about 3 kg/cm 2  and about 16 kg/cm 2 . 
     
     
         6 . A bipolar forceps according to  claim 1 , further including at least one tactile element that provides tactile feedback to a user relating to at least one of tissue sealing and tissue cutting. 
     
     
         7 . A bipolar forceps according to  claim 1 , further including a switch operably coupled to the housing and configured to activate the electrosurgical energy source. 
     
     
         8 . A bipolar forceps, comprising:
 a housing;   an elongated member extending distally from the housing and defining a longitudinal axis;   an end effector assembly disposed adjacent a distal end of the elongated member, the end effector assembly including a first jaw member and a second jaw member, the first jaw member being moveable relative to the second jaw member from a first position in spaced relation to the second jaw member to a second position closer to the second jaw member for grasping tissue therebetween;   a drive assembly operably coupled to the housing for moving the first jaw member from the first position to the second position;   a knife assembly configured to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members; and   a movable handle connected to the housing and selectively rotatable about a pivot, wherein a single actuation of the movable handle is operable to engage the drive assembly to move the first jaw member and to advance the knife assembly to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members;   wherein the knife assembly is prevented from being advanced to cut tissue prior to the first jaw member being moved toward its second position, and wherein the movable handle is the only user actuatable feature that effects the ability to advance the knife assembly.   
     
     
         9 . A bipolar forceps according to  claim 8 , wherein each of the jaw members includes a longitudinally-extending knife channel extending at least partially therethrough. 
     
     
         10 . A bipolar forceps according to  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the jaw members includes at least one stop member disposed thereon that regulates the distance between the jaw members. 
     
     
         11 . A bipolar forceps according to  claim 10 , wherein the distance between the jaw members is between 0.001 inches and 0.006 inches. 
     
     
         12 . A bipolar forceps according to  claim 8 , wherein a pressure range between the jaw members when disposed in the second position is between about 3 kg/cm 2  and about 16 kg/cm 2 . 
     
     
         13 . A bipolar forceps according to  claim 8 , further including at least one tactile element that provides tactile feedback to a user relating to at least one of tissue sealing and tissue cutting. 
     
     
         14 . A bipolar forceps according to  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the jaw members is adapted to connect to an electrosurgical energy source such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue grasped therebetween to effect a tissue seal. 
     
     
         15 . A method for using a bipolar forceps to grasp and cut tissue, the method comprising:
 providing a bipolar forceps, the forceps having a housing, a shaft extending from the housing, and an end effector assembly disposed adjacent a distal end thereof, the end effector assembly including a first jaw member and a second jaw member, a drive assembly operably coupled to the housing, a knife assembly, and a movable handle connected to the housing and selectively rotatable about a pivot;   with a single, continuous actuation of the movable handle, engaging the drive assembly to move the first jaw member toward the second jaw member such that the first and second jaw members grasp tissue therebetween, and advancing at least a portion of the knife assembly to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members; and   wherein the knife assembly is prevented from being advanced to cut tissue prior to the first jaw member being moved toward the second jaw member.   
     
     
         16 . A method for using a bipolar forceps to grasp and cut tissue of  claim 15  wherein the movable handle is the only user actuatable feature that effects the ability to advance the knife assembly.