Vessel sealing instrument with suction system

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a forceps having an end effector assembly including first and second jaw members. At least one of the jaw members is movable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. Each jaw member includes an electrically-conductive tissue-contacting surface adapted to connect to a source of energy to treat tissue grasped between the jaw members. A suction system is disposed proximate the first and second jaw members and is configured to apply suction to a surgical site upon activation thereof.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A surgical system, comprising:
 a forceps including an elongated shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion and a longitudinal axis defined therethrough;   an end effector coupled to the distal portion of the elongated shaft;   a tube selectively slideable along the longitudinal axis of the elongated shaft between a proximal position and a distal position;   a fluid source configured to selectively supply irrigation fluid to the end effector through the tube; and   a low pressure source configured to selectively suction fluid from the end effector through the tube.   
     
     
         17 . The surgical system of  claim 16 , wherein the end effector includes:
 a first jaw member; and   a second jaw member, wherein at least one of the first jaw member or the second jaw member is movable relative to the other jaw member between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween.   
     
     
         18 . The surgical system according to  claim 17 , wherein each of the first jaw member and the second jaw member includes an electrically-conductive tissue-contacting surface adapted to connect to a source of electrical energy to apply energy to the tissue upon activation thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The surgical system according to  claim 16 , further comprising a suction activator configured to activate the low pressure source. 
     
     
         20 . The surgical system according to  claim 19 , wherein the suction activator is at least one of a handswitch or a footswitch. 
     
     
         21 . The surgical system according to  claim 19 , wherein the low pressure source is activated after the suction activator is held in a predetermined position for a predetermined period of time. 
     
     
         22 . The surgical system according to  claim 16 , further comprising a locking mechanism configured to lock the tube in the proximal position. 
     
     
         23 . A surgical forceps comprising:
 an elongated shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion;   an end effector coupled to the distal portion of the elongated shaft, the end effector including a first jaw member and a second jaw member; and   a tube extending within or along the elongated shaft and selectively movable relative to the end effector between a first position and a second position, the tube radially offset from at least one of the first or second jaw members;   wherein the tube is configured enable at least one of irrigation or suction therethrough.   
     
     
         24 . The surgical forceps of  claim 23 , wherein the tube is adapted to connect to a low pressure source configured to provide suction from the end effector through the tube. 
     
     
         25 . The surgical forceps of  claim 24 , wherein the tube is adapted to connect to a fluid source configured to supply irrigation fluid to the end effector through the tube. 
     
     
         26 . The surgical forceps of  claim 23 , wherein the tube is adapted to connect to a fluid source configured to supply irrigation fluid to the end effector through the tube. 
     
     
         27 . The surgical forceps according to  claim 23 , wherein at least one of the first jaw member or the second jaw member is movable relative to the other jaw member between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. 
     
     
         28 . The surgical forceps according to  claim 27 , wherein each of the first jaw member and the second jaw member includes an electrically-conductive tissue-contacting surface. 
     
     
         29 . The surgical forceps according to  claim 28 , wherein at least one of the electrically-conductive tissue-contacting surfaces of the first or second jaw members is adapted to connect to an electrosurgical generator configured to supply electrical energy thereto. 
     
     
         26 . The surgical forceps according to  claim 23 , further comprising an actuator disposed in the elongated shaft and operably coupled to the tube, the actuator slidable between an unactuated position and an actuated position to slide the tube between the first position and the second position. 
     
     
         27 . The surgical forceps according to  claim 23 , wherein in the second position, a distal portion of the tube is distal of the end effector. 
     
     
         28 . The surgical forceps according to  claim 23 , further comprising an actuator configured to slide the tube between the first position and the second position via at least one of a button, a handle, a mechanical deployment system, an electro-mechanical deployment system, a lever, or a slide. 
     
     
         29 . The surgical forceps according to  claim 24 , wherein the low pressure source is a vacuum pump. 
     
     
         30 . A surgical device, comprising:
 a shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion;   an end effector coupled to the distal portion of the shaft;   a tube disposed within or along the shaft and slidable relative to a longitudinal axis of the shaft between a proximal position and a distal position, the tube adapted to couple to a low pressure source configured to apply suction through the tube; and   a suction activator configured to activate the low pressure source to apply suction through the tube.   
     
     
         31 . The surgical device of  claim 30 , wherein the suction activator includes an actuator coupled to the tube, the actuator transitionable between an unactuated position and an actuated position to slide the tube between the first position and the second position. 
     
     
         32 . The surgical device of  claim 31 , wherein, when the actuator is transitioned from the unactuated position towards the actuated position, suction is simultaneously applied through the tube.