Electrosurgical instrument with rotation and articulation mechanisms

Abstract

An electrosurgical instrument includes an end effector comprising two movable jaws for grasping tissue therebetween. The jaws connect to an electrosurgical energy source to deliver energy through tissue between the jaws to effect a seal. The jaws include a knife channel to reciprocate a knife therealong for severing tissue held between the jaws. A two-stage articulation joint is coupled to the end effector and to articulation bands configured to articulate the end effector. The two-stage articulation joint includes an outer cut metal tube comprising a plurality of sections and a solid but flexible inner core positioned within the outer cut metal tube. The electrosurgical instrument also may include a rotatable closure ring and a closure link operatively coupled to the rotatable closure ring, a rotatable coupling joint coupled to the articulation section, and/or a hollow flexible tube coupled to the knife and an active rod extending longitudinally therethrough.

1 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A surgical system, comprising:
 an end effector, comprising:
 a first jaw; 
 a second jaw, wherein the first jaw is rotatable relative to the second jaw between an open position and a closed position; and 
 an electrode configured to apply radiofrequency (RF) energy to tissue positioned between the first jaw and the second jaw; 
   an outer tube comprising an articulation section;   a non-rotatable member coupled to the end effector;   an articulation system coupled to the non-rotatable member, wherein the articulation system is configured to rotate the end effector about the articulation section; and   a rotatable closure member coupled to the outer tube, wherein the rotatable closure member is configured to rotate the first jaw toward the closed position; and   a link coupled to the rotatable closure member and the first jaw, wherein the link is configured to rotate the first jaw toward the open position.   
     
     
         26 . The surgical system of  claim 25 , further comprising;
 a knife; and   a knife tube configured to drive the knife.   
     
     
         27 . The surgical system of  claim 26 , further comprising:
 a conductor electrically coupled to the electrode; and   a rod electrically coupled to the conductor and an energy source, wherein the rod extends through the knife tube.   
     
     
         28 . The surgical system of  claim 26 , wherein the outer tube defines a longitudinal axis, and wherein the end effector is rotatable about the longitudinal axis based on rotation of the knife tube. 
     
     
         29 . The surgical system of  claim 25 , wherein the articulation system comprises:
 a first articulation band coupled to the non-rotatable member; and   a second articulation band coupled to the non-rotatable member, wherein the end effector is configured to rotate about the articulation section based on movement of the first articulation band in a first direction and movement of the second articulation band in a second direction opposite the first direction.   
     
     
         30 . The surgical system of  claim 29 , further comprising a core positioned within the outer tube, wherein the first articulation band and the second articulation band extend between the outer tube and the core. 
     
     
         31 . The surgical system of  claim 30 , wherein the outer tube comprises:
 a first tab configured to engage a first recess of the core; and   a second tab configured to engage a second recess of the core.   
     
     
         32 . The surgical system of  claim 25 , wherein the second jaw comprises a neck extending proximally therefrom, and wherein the rotatable closure member and the non-rotatable member are configured to receive the neck. 
     
     
         33 . The surgical system of  claim 25 , wherein the end effector further comprises a stop member configured to define a gap between the first jaw and the second jaw based on the first jaw being in the closed position. 
     
     
         34 . The surgical system of  claim 33 , wherein the electrode defines an aperture configured to receive the stop member. 
     
     
         35 . The surgical system of  claim 25 , wherein the articulation section comprises a first articulation member and a second articulation member rotatably coupled to the first articulation member. 
     
     
         36 . A surgical system, comprising:
 an end effector, comprising:
 a first jaw defining a first slot; 
 a second jaw defining a second slot, wherein the first jaw is moveable relative to the second jaw between an open position and a closed position; and 
 an electrode configured to apply radiofrequency (RF) energy to tissue positioned between the first jaw and the second jaw; 
   a knife configured to move through the first slot and the second slot;   a tube comprising an articulation section;   a non-rotatable member coupled to the end effector;   an articulation system coupled to the non-rotatable member, wherein the articulation system is configured to rotate the end effector about the articulation section; and   a rotatable closure member coupled to the tube, wherein the rotatable closure member is rotatable relative to the non-rotatable member, and wherein the rotatable closure member is configured to move the first jaw toward the closed position.   
     
     
         37 . The surgical system of  claim 36 , further comprising a link coupled to the rotatable closure member, wherein the link is configured to move the first jaw toward the open position. 
     
     
         38 . The surgical system of  claim 36 , wherein the tube defines a longitudinal axis, and wherein the end effector is rotatable about the longitudinal axis based on rotation of the knife. 
     
     
         39 . The surgical system of  claim 36 , wherein the articulation system comprises:
 a first articulation band coupled to the non-rotatable member; and   a second articulation band coupled to the non-rotatable member, wherein the end effector is configured to rotate about the articulation section based on movement of the first articulation band in a first direction and movement of the second articulation band in a second direction opposite the first direction.   
     
     
         40 . A surgical system, comprising:
 an end effector, comprising:
 a first jaw; 
 a second jaw, wherein the first jaw is rotatable relative to the second jaw between an open position and a closed position; and 
 an electrode configured to conduct radiofrequency (RF) energy to tissue positioned between the first jaw and the second jaw; 
   a tube comprising an articulation section;   an articulation member coupled to the end effector;   an articulation system coupled to the articulation member, wherein the articulation system is configured to rotate the end effector about the articulation section; and   a closure member coupled to the tube, wherein the closure member is rotatable relative to the articulation member, and wherein the closure member is configured to rotate the first jaw toward the closed position; and   a link coupled to the closure member and the first jaw, and wherein the link is configured to rotate the first jaw toward the open position.   
     
     
         41 . The surgical system of  claim 40 , wherein the articulation system comprises:
 a first articulation band coupled to the articulation member; and   a second articulation band coupled to the articulation member, wherein the end effector is configured to rotate about the articulation section based on movement of the first articulation band in a first direction and movement of the second articulation band in a second direction opposite the first direction.   
     
     
         42 . The surgical system of  claim 40 , further comprising;
 a knife; and   a knife tube configured to drive the knife.   
     
     
         43 . The surgical system of  claim 42 , further comprising:
 a conductor electrically coupled to the electrode; and   a rod electrically coupled to the conductor and an energy source, wherein the rod extends through the knife tube.   
     
     
         44 . The surgical system of  claim 42 , wherein the tube defines a longitudinal axis, wherein the end effector is rotatable about the longitudinal axis based on rotation of the knife tube.