Multifunctional vessel sealing and divider device

Abstract

An electrosurgical forceps includes an end effector including a first jaw member having a proximal portion including a first jaw guide member and a distal portion including a first tissue contacting surface, and a second jaw member having a proximal portion including a second jaw guide member and a distal portion including a second tissue contacting surface. The first and second tissue contacting surfaces each include a shear edge disposed between stepped surfaces. The jaw members are vertically movable between an open position and a first approximated position in which the tissue contacting surfaces vertically oppose and laterally align with each other, and laterally movable between the first approximated position and a second approximated position to laterally displace the tissue contacting surfaces with respect to each other. The jaw guide members control an open angle between the jaw members during movement between the first and second approximated positions.

1 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . An electrosurgical forceps, comprising:
 an end effector assembly including:
 a first jaw member having a proximal portion including an inner surface having a first jaw guide and a distal portion including a first tissue contacting surface; and 
 a second jaw member having a proximal portion including an inner surface having a second jaw guide and a distal portion including a second tissue contacting surface, 
   the first and second jaw members vertically movable to a first approximated position in which the first and second jaw guides are disposed adjacent to each other and laterally movable to a second approximated position in which the first and second jaw guides contact each other to control an open angle between the first and second jaw members.   
     
     
         19 . The electrosurgical forceps according to  claim 18 , wherein the distal portions of the first and second jaw members are curved and extend longitudinally and laterally away from the proximal portions of the first and second jaw members. 
     
     
         20 . The electrosurgical forceps according to  claim 18 , wherein the first and second tissue contacting surfaces of the first and second jaw members include stepped surfaces. 
     
     
         21 . The electrosurgical forceps according to  claim 20 , wherein each of the first and second tissue contacting surfaces has a shear edge disposed between the stepped surfaces. 
     
     
         22 . The electrosurgical forceps according to  claim 20 , wherein the stepped surfaces of each of the first and second tissue contacting surfaces include a base surface laterally disposed relative to a raised surface and, when the first and second jaw members are in the first approximated position, the base surface of the first tissue contacting surface is opposed from the raised surface of the second tissue contacting surface and the raised surface of the first tissue contacting surface is opposed from the base surface of the second tissue contacting surface. 
     
     
         23 . The electrosurgical forceps according to  claim 18 , wherein the first jaw guide is disposed on an outer lateral portion of the inner surface of the first jaw member and the second jaw guide is disposed on an inner lateral portion of the inner surface of the second jaw member. 
     
     
         24 . The electrosurgical forceps according to  claim 18 , wherein the first and second jaw guides include opposed oblique walls that slide laterally relative to each other during movement from the first approximated position to the second approximated position. 
     
     
         25 . The electrosurgical forceps according to  claim 18 , wherein the proximal portion of the first jaw member includes a slot defined in an outer edge of the inner surface and the proximal portion of the second jaw member includes a tab extending from an outer edge of the inner surface that is aligned with the slot of the first jaw member. 
     
     
         26 . The electrosurgical forceps according to  claim 18 , further comprising a first elongated shaft member pivotably coupled to a second elongated shaft member and wherein the distal end portions of the first and second elongated shaft members cooperate to define the end effector assembly. 
     
     
         27 . An end effector assembly, comprising:
 a first jaw member having a proximal portion including an inner surface having a first jaw guide and a distal portion including a first tissue contacting surface; and   a second jaw member having a proximal portion including an inner surface having a second jaw guide and a distal portion including a second tissue contacting surface,   the first and second jaw members vertically movable to a first approximated position in which the first and second jaw guides are disposed adjacent to each other and laterally movable to a second approximated position in which the first and second jaw guides contact each other to control an open angle between the first and second jaw members.   
     
     
         28 . The end effector assembly according to  claim 27 , wherein the distal portions of the first and second jaw members are curved and extend longitudinally and laterally away from the proximal portions of the first and second jaw members. 
     
     
         29 . The end effector assembly according to  claim 27 , wherein the first and second tissue contacting surfaces of the first and second jaw members include stepped surfaces. 
     
     
         30 . The end effector assembly according to  claim 29 , wherein each of the first and second tissue contacting surfaces has a shear edge disposed between the stepped surfaces. 
     
     
         31 . The end effector assembly according to  claim 29 , wherein the stepped surfaces of each of the first and second tissue contacting surfaces include a base surface laterally disposed relative to a raised surface and, when the first and second jaw members are in the first approximated position, the base surface of the first tissue contacting surface is opposed from the raised surface of the second tissue contacting surface and the raised surface of the first tissue contacting surface is opposed from the base surface of the second tissue contacting surface. 
     
     
         32 . The end effector assembly according to  claim 27 , wherein the first jaw guide is disposed on an outer lateral portion of the inner surface of the first jaw member and the second jaw guide is disposed on an inner lateral portion of the inner surface of the second jaw member. 
     
     
         33 . The end effector assembly according to  claim 27 , wherein the first and second jaw guides include opposed oblique walls that slide laterally relative to each other during movement from the first approximated position to the second approximated position. 
     
     
         34 . The end effector assembly according to  claim 27 , wherein the proximal portion of the first jaw member includes a slot defined in an outer edge of the inner surface and the proximal portion of the second jaw member includes a tab extending from an outer edge of the inner surface that is aligned with the slot of the first jaw member. 
     
     
         35 . A method of treating tissue, comprising:
 vertically moving first and second jaw members towards each other to grasp tissue therebetween, the first jaw member having a proximal portion including an inner surface having a first jaw guide and a distal portion including a first tissue contacting surface, and the second jaw member having a proximal portion including an inner surface having a second jaw guide and a distal portion including a second tissue contacting surface; and   laterally moving the first and second jaw members relative to each other to cut the tissue grasped therebetween, the first and second jaw guides contacting each other to control an open angle between the first and second jaw members.   
     
     
         36 . The method according to  claim 35 , further comprising applying electrosurgical energy to the tissue grasped between the first and second jaw members.