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 . An end effector assembly for a bipolar forceps, comprising:
 first and second jaw members, the first jaw member pivotable relative to the second jaw member between an open position and a closed position, the jaw members configured to conduct electrosurgical energy through tissue grasped between the jaw members; and   a knife channel defined along a length of at least one of the first or second jaw members and configured to receive a knife to cut tissue grasped between the first and second jaw members, the first jaw member configured to:
 pivot to the closed position in response to actuation of a movable handle operably coupled to the first jaw member; and 
 permit advancement of the knife through the jaw members to cut tissue grasped between the first and second jaw members subsequent to conduction of electrosurgical energy through tissue grasped between the first and second jaw members. 
   
     
     
         18 . The end effector assembly according to  claim 17 , wherein the knife channel is curved. 
     
     
         19 . The end effector assembly according to  claim 17 , wherein each of the first and second jaw members includes a half channel, the half channels configured to form the knife channel when the first jaw member is in the closed position. 
     
     
         20 . The end effector assembly according to  claim 17 , wherein at least one of the first or second jaw members includes at least one stop member configured to control a gap distance between the first and second jaw members. 
     
     
         21 . A handle assembly for a bipolar forceps, comprising:
 a housing;   a fixed handle extending from the housing; and   a movable handle pivotable relative to the fixed handle, the movable handle configured to:
 pivot a first jaw member of an end effector assembly relative to a second jaw member of the end effector assembly between an open position and a closed position; and 
 advance a knife through the first and second jaw members to cut tissue grasped therebetween subsequent to conduction of electrosurgical energy through tissue grasped therebetween. 
   
     
     
         22 . The handle assembly according to  claim 21 , further comprising:
 a flexible latch detent and a detent rib each disposed within the fixed handle; and   a flange having a first end portion connected to the movable handle and a second end portion disposed within the fixed handle and adjacent the flexible latch detent, wherein:   a first movement of the movable handle causes the second end portion of the flange to engage the flexible latch detent indicating an end of a tissue sealing stage; and   continued movement of the movable handle causes the second end portion of the flange to engage the detent rib indicating an advancement of the knife.   
     
     
         23 . The handle assembly according to  claim 21 , further comprising a switch coupled to the housing and configured to be actuated by the movable handle to control electrosurgical energy conducted through tissue grasped between the first and second jaw members. 
     
     
         24 . A bipolar forceps, comprising:
 first and second jaw members coupled to a distal end of a shaft, the first jaw member pivotable relative to the second jaw member between an open position and a closed position, the jaw members configured to conduct electrosurgical energy through tissue grasped between the jaw members;   a knife advanceable through the jaw members to cut tissue; and   a movable handle actuatable to pivot the first jaw member to the closed position and to advance the knife through the jaw members to cut tissue subsequent to conduction of electrosurgical energy through tissue grasped between the jaw members.   
     
     
         25 . The bipolar forceps according to  claim 24 , wherein the movable handle is actuatable to pivot the first jaw member to the closed position and to advance the knife through the jaw members to cut tissue subsequent to movement of the first jaw member to the closed position. 
     
     
         26 . The bipolar forceps according to  claim 24 , further comprising a housing coupled to the shaft, the housing having a drive assembly disposed therein, the drive assembly movable to pivot the first jaw member between the open and closed positions. 
     
     
         27 . The bipolar forceps according to  claim 26 , wherein continuous actuation of the movable handle is operable to force the drive assembly to pivot the first jaw member from the open position toward the closed position and advance the knife to cut tissue. 
     
     
         28 . The bipolar forceps according to  claim 24 , further comprising a rotating assembly configured to rotate the first and second jaw members about a longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         29 . The bipolar forceps according to  claim 24 , wherein at least one of the jaw members includes at least one stop member configured to control a gap distance between the jaw members. 
     
     
         30 . The bipolar forceps according to  claim 24 , further comprising a switch configured to be actuated by the movable handle to control electrosurgical energy conducted through tissue grasped between the jaw members.