Surgical instrument for energy-based tissue treatment

Abstract

A forceps includes a drive assembly and an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members movable between a spaced-apart position, a first approximated position, and a second approximated position. The drive assembly includes a drive housing and a drive bar. The proximal end of the drive bar is coupled to the drive housing, while the distal end of the drive bar is coupled to at least one of the jaw members. The drive housing and the drive bar are selectively movable in conjunction with one another between a first position and a second position to move the jaw members between the spaced-apart position and the first approximated position. The drive assembly is selectively activatable to move the drive bar independent of the drive housing from the second position to a third position to move the jaw members from the first approximated position to the second approximated position.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A forceps, comprising:
 an end effector assembly including first and second jaw members, at least one of the first or second jaw members movable relative to the other jaw member between a spaced-apart position, a first approximated position, and a second approximated position, wherein a distance between the first and second jaw members in the second approximated position is less than a distance between the first and second jaw members in the first approximated position;   a portable energy source operably coupled to at least one of the first or second jaw members and configured to supply energy thereto upon selective activation thereof for treating tissue; and   a drive assembly including:
 a drive housing; and 
 a drive bar having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of the drive bar coupled to the drive housing and the distal end of the drive bar coupled to at least one of the jaw members, 
 wherein the drive housing and the drive bar are selectively movable in a distal direction between a first location and a second location to move the jaw members between the spaced-apart position and the first approximated position, and 
 wherein the drive assembly is selectively activatable to move the drive bar in a distal direction from the second location to a third location to move the jaw members from the first approximated position to the second approximated position. 
   
     
     
         21 . The forceps according to  claim 20 , wherein each of the jaw members is operably coupled to the portable energy source for treating tissue disposed between the jaw members. 
     
     
         22 . The forceps according to  claim 20 , further comprising a portable power source operably coupled to the portable energy source. 
     
     
         23 . The forceps according to  claim 20 , further comprising a plunger coupled to the drive housing and selectively movable between a proximal position and a distal position for moving the jaw members between the spaced-apart position and the first approximated position. 
     
     
         24 . The forceps according to  claim 20 , further comprising a handle coupled to the drive housing and selectively movable between an initial position and an actuated position for moving the jaw members between the spaced-apart position and the first approximated position. 
     
     
         25 . The forceps according to  claim 24 , further comprising a portable power source operably coupled to the portable energy source, wherein the portable power source is disposed in the handle. 
     
     
         26 . The forceps according to  claim 20 , wherein the drive housing defines an internal chamber and wherein the drive bar includes a proximal stop disposed at the proximal end thereof, the proximal stop disposed within the internal chamber of the drive housing and movable within the internal chamber upon activation of the drive assembly to move the drive bar from the second location to the third location. 
     
     
         27 . The forceps according to  claim 26 , wherein the drive housing further includes a spring disposed within the internal chamber of the drive housing, the spring configured, upon activation of the drive assembly, to bias the drive bar distally relative to the drive housing to thereby move the drive bar from the second location to the third location. 
     
     
         28 . The forceps according to  claim 27 , wherein the spring is initially encased in a thermally-activatable material disposed within the internal chamber to inhibit movement of the drive bar from the second location to the third location. 
     
     
         29 . The forceps according to  claim 28 , further comprising at least one heater thermally coupled to the internal chamber, the at least one heater configured, upon activation of the drive assembly, to melt the thermally-activatable material to thereby permit movement of the drive bar from the second location to the third location under the bias of the spring.