Vessel sealing forceps

Abstract

A removable electrode assembly for use in combination with a forceps having opposing end effectors and a handle for effecting movement of the end effectors relative to one another. The electrode assembly includes a housing which is removably engageable with the forceps and a pair of electrodes which are attachable to a distal end of the housing. The electrodes are removably engageable with the end effectors of the forceps such that the electrodes reside in opposing relation relative to one another. The electrode assembly also includes a cover plate which is removably attachable to the housing and at least one stop member for controlling the distance between the opposing electrodes. The stop member is selectively engageable with the electrodes.

1 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . An electrosurgical instrument for use in open surgery, comprising:
 first and second shafts, at least one of the first or second shafts defining a flexibility according to a spring constant, each of the first and second shafts having a jaw member adjacent a distal end thereof, the jaw members movable relative to one another from a first, open position to a second, closed position for grasping tissue, each of the jaw members including an electrically conductive tissue sealing surface that is coupled to a wire configured to electrically connect the electrically conductive tissue sealing surfaces to an electrosurgical energy source such that electrosurgical energy may be selectively communicated through tissue held between the jaw members to effect a tissue seal;   at least one stop member operatively associated with at least one of the electrically conductive tissue sealing surfaces for maintaining a minimum separation distance between the jaw members; and   a ratchet disposed on the first shaft and a complementary interlocking mechanical interface disposed on the second shaft, the ratchet and complementary interlocking mechanical interface being selectively positionable in one or more interlocking positions, wherein, in at least one of the one or more interlocking positions, at least one of the shafts is configured to flex according to the spring constant thereof to maintain a specific closure pressure between the jaw members.   
     
     
         10 . The electrosurgical instrument according to  claim 9 , wherein each of the electrically conductive tissue sealing surfaces of the jaw members is coupled to an opposite potential of the electrosurgical energy source. 
     
     
         11 . The electrosurgical instrument according to  claim 9 , wherein the at least one stop member is configured to maintain the minimum separation distance between the jaw members to within a range of about 0.001 inches to about 0.006 inches. 
     
     
         12 . An electrosurgical instrument, comprising:
 first and second shafts each having a jaw member adjacent a distal end thereof, the jaw members movable relative to one another between an open position and a closed position, each of the jaw members including an electrically conductive tissue sealing surface coupled to a wire configured to electrically connect the electrically conductive tissue sealing surfaces to an electrosurgical energy source;   a stop member operatively associated with at least one of the electrically conductive tissue sealing surfaces, the stop member configured to maintain a separation distance between the jaw members when the jaw members are in the closed position; and   a ratchet disposed on the first shaft and a complementary interlocking mechanical interface disposed on the second shaft, the ratchet configured to interlock with the complementary interlocking mechanical interface to hold a strain energy in the first and second shafts such that the first and second shafts transmit a closing force to the jaw members to maintain a closure pressure between the jaw members when the jaw members are in the closed position.   
     
     
         13 . The electrosurgical instrument according to  claim 12 , wherein each of the electrically conductive tissue sealing surfaces of the jaw members is coupled to an opposite potential of the electrosurgical energy source. 
     
     
         14 . The electrosurgical instrument according to  claim 12 , wherein the stop member is configured to maintain the separation distance between the jaw members to within a range of about 0.001 inches to about 0.006 inches.