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.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A method of treating tissue, comprising:
 actuating a movable handle to pivot a first jaw member relative to a second jaw member between an open position and a closed position to grasp tissue and to advance a knife through the jaw members to cut grasped tissue when the first jaw member is in the closed position; and   conducting electrosurgical energy through grasped tissue prior to advancement of the knife through the jaw members to cut grasped tissue.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein actuating the movable handle further includes actuating a switch coupled to the housing to control electrosurgical energy conducted through tissue by the jaw members. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 17 , further comprising actuating a switch to control electrosurgical energy conducted through tissue by the jaw members when the first jaw member is in the closed position. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein actuating the movable handle further includes advancing the knife through a knife channel extending at least partially through each of the jaw members. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein actuating the movable handle further includes advancing a distal end of the knife to a distal end of the knife channel of each of the jaw members to cut tissue. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the knife is advanced through the jaw members subsequent to the first jaw member pivoting to the closed position. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 17 , further comprising rotating the jaw members about a longitudinal axis defined by an elongated shaft coupled to the jaw members. 
     
     
         24 . A method of treating tissue, comprising:
 actuating a movable handle to move a first jaw member relative to a second jaw member between an open position and a closed position to grasp tissue; and   conducting electrosurgical energy through grasped tissue subsequent to grasping tissue between the first and second jaw members.   
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 24 , further comprising advancing a knife through at least one of the first or second jaw members to cut grasped tissue after the first jaw member is in the closed position. 
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 25 , further comprising inhibiting the advancement of the knife through at least one of the first or second jaw members prior to the first jaw member moving to the closed position. 
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 25 , further comprising inhibiting the advancement of the knife through at least one of the first or second jaw members prior to conducting the electrosurgical energy through grasped tissue.