End-effector assembly including a pressure-sensitive layer disposed on an electrode

Abstract

An end-effector assembly includes first and second jaw members disposed in opposing relation relative to one another, at least one of the jaw members moveable from an open position to a closed position for grasping tissue therebetween. First and second conductive plates are disposed on opposing surfaces of corresponding first and second jaw members. First and second compressible membranes are configured to electrically connect corresponding first and second conductive plates to a surgical field when subjected to a compression bias.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A bipolar end effector, comprising:
 first and second opposing jaw members, at least one of the jaw members configured to move between an open position and a closed position for grasping tissue between the jaw members, each of the first and second jaw members including an electrically conductive tissue sealing surface disposed thereon; and   a first membrane disposed on the tissue sealing surface of the first jaw member and a second membrane disposed on the tissue sealing surface of the second jaw member, the tissue sealing surfaces configured to connect the first and second membranes to a source of electrosurgical energy, each of the first and second membranes configured to compress such that an outer surface portion of each of the first and second membranes conforms to the contour of tissue grasped between the first and second jaw members upon movement of at least one of the jaw members to the closed position,   wherein compression of the first and second membranes causes the first and second membranes to direct electrosurgical energy from the tissue sealing surfaces to the tissue grasped between the first and second jaw members.   
     
     
         22 . The bipolar end effector according to  claim 21 , wherein the first and second membranes completely cover the corresponding tissue sealing surface of the first and second jaw members. 
     
     
         23 . The bipolar end effector according to  claim 21 , further comprising at least one switching device disposed within the outer surface portion of at least one of the first or second membranes. 
     
     
         24 . The bipolar end effector according to  claim 23 , wherein the at least one switching device is configured to direct electrosurgical energy from the tissue sealing surfaces away from an uncompressed portion of the first and second membranes and through a compressed portion of the first and second membranes to the tissue grasped between the first and second jaw members. 
     
     
         25 . The bipolar end effector according to  claim 21 , wherein the first and second membranes include a plurality of conductive particles disposed therein, the first and second membranes configured to transition between an uncompressed condition such that the plurality of conductive particles are separated by a distance and a compressed condition such that the distance is decreased. 
     
     
         26 . The bipolar end effector according to  claim 21 , further comprising a pair of electrically conductive parallel plates disposed within at least one of the first or second membranes. 
     
     
         27 . The bipolar end effector according to  claim 26 , wherein the first and second membranes include a non-conductive fluid disposed therein, the first and second membranes configured to transition between an uncompressed condition such that the non-conductive fluid is disposed between the pair of electrically conductive parallel plates and a compressed condition such that the non-conductive fluid is displaced from between the pair of electrically conductive parallel plates. 
     
     
         28 . The bipolar end effector according to  claim 27 , wherein a viscosity of the non-conductive fluid is related to a temperature of the first and second membranes. 
     
     
         29 . The bipolar end effector according to  claim 27 , wherein a viscosity of the non-conductive fluid is indirectly proportional to a temperature of the first and second membranes. 
     
     
         30 . A bipolar end effector, comprising:
 first and second opposing jaw members, at least one of the jaw members moveable from an open position to a closed position for grasping tissue between the jaw members, each of the first and second jaw members including an electrically conductive tissue sealing surface disposed thereon;   a first membrane disposed on the tissue sealing surface of the first jaw member and a second membrane disposed on the tissue sealing surface of the second jaw member, the tissue sealing surfaces configured to connect the first and second membranes to a source of electrosurgical energy; and   a switching device disposed within at least one of the first or second membranes, the at least one switching device configured to direct electrosurgical energy from the tissue sealing surfaces away from an uncompressed portion of the first and second membranes and through a compressed portion of the first and second membranes to the tissue grasped between the first and second jaw members.   
     
     
         31 . The bipolar end effector according to  claim 30 , wherein an outer surface portion of each of the first and second membranes is configured to compress to conform to the contour of tissue grasped between the first and second jaw members upon movement of at least one of the jaw members to the closed position. 
     
     
         32 . The bipolar end effector according to  claim 30 , wherein the first and second membranes completely cover the corresponding tissue sealing surface of the first and second jaw members. 
     
     
         33 . A bipolar end effector, comprising:
 first and second opposing jaw members, at least one of the jaw members configured to move between an open position and a closed position for grasping tissue between the jaw members, each of the first and second jaw members including an electrically conductive tissue sealing surface disposed thereon; and   a first membrane completely covering the tissue sealing surface of the first jaw member and a second membrane completely covering the tissue sealing surface of the second jaw member, the tissue sealing surfaces configured to connect the first and second membranes to a source of electrosurgical energy, each of the first and second membranes configured to compress such that an outer surface portion of each of the first and second membranes conforms to the contour of tissue grasped between the first and second jaw members upon movement of at least one of the jaw members to the closed position,   wherein the first and second membranes are configured to direct electrosurgical energy from the tissue sealing surfaces away from an uncompressed portion of the first and second membranes and through a compressed portion of the first and second membranes to the tissue grasped between the first and second jaw members.