| Patent application number | Description | Published |
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| 20090088738 | Dual Durometer Insulating Boot for Electrosurgical Forceps - An electrosurgical forceps includes a shaft having a pair of jaw members at a distal end thereof, the jaw members movable about a pivot from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members are closer to one another for grasping tissue, a movable handle that actuates a drive assembly to move the jaw members relative to one another. At least one of the jaw members includes at least one mechanical interface and at least one jaw member is adapted to connect to a source of electrical energy such that the at least one jaw member is capable of conducting energy to tissue held therebetween. A flexible insulating boot is disposed on at least a portion of an exterior surface of at least one jaw member and about the pivot, the flexible boot including a first longitudinal portion made from a high durometer material and a second longitudinal portion made from a low durometer material. The high durometer material may be configured to operably retain the flexible insulating boot atop both a proximal end of the jaw members and a distal end of the flexible insulating boot. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090088739 | Insulating Mechanically-Interfaced Adhesive for Electrosurgical Forceps - An electrosurgical forceps includes a shaft having a pair of jaw members at a distal end thereof that are relatively movable about a pivot from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members are closer to one another for grasping tissue. A movable handle is included that actuates a drive assembly to move the jaw members relative to one another. One or both of the jaw members includes one or more mechanical interfaces and is adapted to connect to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy to tissue held therebetween. A flexible insulating boot is disposed on at least a portion of an exterior surface of one or both jaw members and about the pivot. At least a portion of the flexible boot is configured to operatively engage the mechanical interface(s) on the jaw member. An adhesive is included and is operably disposed between at least one jaw member and the flexible insulating boot for securing the flexible insulating boot to the jaw member. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090088740 | Insulating Boot with Mechanical Reinforcement for Electrosurgical Forceps - An electrosurgical forceps includes a shaft having a pair of jaw members at a distal end thereof that is movable about a pivot from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members are closer to one another for grasping tissue. A movable handle is included that actuates a drive assembly to move the jaw members relative to one another and at least one of the jaw members is adapted to connect to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy to tissue held therebetween. A flexible insulating boot is disposed on at least a portion of an exterior surface of one or both jaw members and about the pivot. The flexible boot includes one or more mechanically reinforcing elements operatively coupled thereto that is configured enhance the rigidity of the insulating boot. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090088741 | Silicone Insulated Electrosurgical Forceps - An electrosurgical forceps includes a shaft having a pair of jaw members at a distal end thereof that are movable about a pivot from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members are closer to one another for grasping tissue. A movable handle is included that actuates a drive assembly to move the jaw members relative to one another. One or both of the jaw members includes one or more mechanical interfaces and at least one jaw member is adapted to connect to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy to tissue held therebetween. A flexible insulating boot is disposed on at least a portion of an exterior surface of one or both jaw members and about the pivot. The flexible insulating boot includes an internal cavity defined therein that retains a free-flowing material therein configured to disperse from the internal cavity when ruptured. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090088746 | Insulating Mechanically-Interfaced Boot and Jaws for Electrosurgical Forceps - An electrosurgical forceps includes a shaft having a pair of jaw members at a distal end thereof, the jaw members being movable about a pivot from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members are closer to one another for grasping tissue. A movable handle actuates a drive assembly to move the jaw members relative to one another. One (or both) of the jaw members is adapted to connect to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy to tissue held therebetween. A flexible insulating boot is disposed on an exterior surface of one or both jaw members and about the pivot and at least one retention element is configured to operably couple to both a proximal end of the jaw members and a distal end of the flexible insulating boot. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090088747 | Insulating Sheath for Electrosurgical Forceps - An electrosurgical forceps includes a shaft having a pair of jaw members at a distal end thereof that are movable about a pivot from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members are closer to one another for grasping tissue. A movable handle is included that actuates a drive assembly to move the jaw members relative to one another and one or both of the jaw members are adapted to connect to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy to tissue held therebetween. An insulative sheath is fitted for removal atop at least a portion of an exterior surface of one or both jaw members, about the pivot and the distal end of the shaft. The insulative sheath houses a silicone lube configured to facilitate insertion of the forceps through a cannula after removal of the insulative sheath. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090088748 | Insulating Mesh-like Boot for Electrosurgical Forceps - An electrosurgical forceps includes a shaft having a pair of jaw members at a distal end thereof, the jaw members being movable about a pivot from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members are closer to one another for grasping tissue. A movable handle actuates a drive assembly to move the jaw members relative to one another and at least one of the jaw members is adapted to connect to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy to tissue held therebetween. A flexible insulating boot is disposed on at least a portion of an exterior surface of one or both jaw members and about the pivot. The flexible boot includes a woven mesh-like base material that is covered with a layer of flexible silicone configured to reduce stray currents emanating from the jaw members and the pivot during electrical activation of the forceps. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090187188 | COMBINED ENERGY LEVEL BUTTON - A surgical device is disclosed including a housing having an activation switch. The activation switch is adapted to couple to an electrosurgical energy source and includes a knob. The knob is slideable with respect to the housing and travels within a guide channel defined within the housing. The activation switch is selectively moveable in a first direction within the guide channel. Moving the activation switch in the first direction sets a desired electrosurgical energy level. The activation switch is also moveable is a second direction. Moving the activation switch is the second direction activates the electrosurgical energy source. | 07-23-2009 |
| 20090209957 | Method and System for Sterilizing an Electrosurgical Instrument - An apparatus and method for use in sterilizing a surgical instrument is provided. The apparatus includes a surgical instrument that includes a housing having a shaft extending therefrom. The shaft includes one or more grooves defined therein that extends at least partially along the length thereof. The one or more grooves is configured to allow a sterilant passage therethrough. The apparatus also includes a jacket that encloses the shaft and allows the sterilant to travel along the one or more grooves. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20090248052 | Automated Assembly Device to Tolerate Blade Variation - An automated device facilitates the assembly a surgical instrument that includes a knife with a high aspect ratio. The automated device includes a fixture for restraining a subassembly of the surgical instrument that includes the knife. A blade grip on the device is movable relative to the fixture, and is configured to urge the knife into a restrained position in the subassembly suitable for the subsequent assembly of an additional instrument component. A grip actuator is provided to move the blade grip. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090320268 | Automated Assembly Device to Tolerate Blade Variation - An automated device facilitates the assembly a surgical instrument that includes a knife with a high aspect ratio. The automated device includes a fixture for restraining a subassembly of the surgical instrument that includes the knife. A blade grip on the device is movable relative to the fixture, and is configured to urge the knife into a restrained position in the subassembly suitable for the subsequent assembly of an additional instrument component. A grip actuator is provided to move the blade grip. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20110106079 | Insulating Boot for Electrosurgical Forceps - Either an endoscopic or open bipolar forceps includes a flexible, generally tubular insulating boot for insulating patient tissue, while not impeding motion of the jaw members. The jaw members are movable from an open to a closed position and the jaw members are connected to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal. A knife assembly may be included that allows a user to selectively divide tissue upon actuation thereof. The insulating boot may be made from a viscoelastic, elastomeric or flexible material suitable for use with a sterilization process including ethylene oxide. An interior portion of the insulating boot may have at least one mechanically interfacing surface that interfaces with a mechanically interfacing surface formed between the shaft and a jaw member or with a mechanically interfacing surface disposed or formed on the shaft or a jaw member. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110162796 | Method for Manufacturing an End Effector Assembly - A method of manufacturing a jaw member of an end effector assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument is disclosed that includes the steps of providing an electrically conductive tissue engaging plate and a jaw support; covering one side of the electrically conductive tissue engaging plate with an electrically insulative, thermally non-degrading coating; placing and securing the electrically conductive tissue engaging plate and the jaw support into a jaw mold; and introducing a liquid substance into the jaw mold and allowing the liquid substance to cure around the electrically conductive tissue engaging plate and the jaw support. Alternatively, the method includes the steps of: providing an electrically conductive tissue engaging plate and a jaw support; covering one side of the electrically conductive tissue engaging plate with an electrically insulative, thermally non-degrading coating; and securing the side of the electrically conductive tissue engaging plate onto the jaw support with an adhesive. | 07-07-2011 |
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
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| 20080312649 | Illuminated instrument buttons - An illuminated control surface is disclosed for use on a surgical instrument. The control surface may be disposed on a pushbutton switch located on a working head adapted for controlling the surgical tool. The light source may be an LED mounted remotely with respect to the illuminated control surface with light directed toward the control surface by a fiber optic strand. A translucent material may be selected for forming the control surface such that light may be directed through the material to illuminate the surface. Various colors and illumination patterns may be used to provide visual queues as to the status and operation of the instrument. | 12-18-2008 |
| 20090112206 | Bipolar Forceps Having Monopolar Extension - An endoscopic forceps for treating tissue includes a housing having a shaft affixed thereto which has first and second jaw members attached to a distal end thereof. The forceps also includes an actuator for moving jaw members relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. Each of the jaw members is adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are selectively capable of operating in a bipolar mode which enables the jaw members to conduct bipolar energy through tissue held therebetween to treat tissue. The forceps also includes a monopolar element housed within the first jaw member and integrally associated with the knife. The monopolar element is selectively movable from a first position within the first jaw member to a second position distal to the first jaw member. The monopolar element is adapted to connect to the source of electrosurgical energy such that the monopolar element is selectively activateable independent of the bipolar mode. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20100160912 | Bipolar Tissue Debrider and Method - A debrider apparatus is disclosed. The debrider includes a first tubular member that is adapted to connect to a first potential of an electrosurgical generator. A second tubular member is at least partially disposed within the first tubular member and is adapted to connect to a second potential of the electrosurgical generator. At least one tubular member is selectively movable relative to the other. A first set of teeth is disposed around at least a portion of a distal periphery of the first tubular member. A second set of teeth is disposed around at least a portion of a distal periphery of the second tubular member. At least one switch is operably coupled to at least one of the tubular members and activates movement of one tubular member and supplies respective electrical potentials to the tubular members. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100204697 | In-Line Vessel Sealer and Divider - An endoscopic forceps includes a housing having a shaft attached thereto, the shaft including a pair of jaw members disposed at a distal end thereof. The forceps also includes a drive assembly disposed in the housing which moves the jaw members relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members are closer to one another for manipulating tissue. A pair of handles is operatively connected to the drive assembly and the handles are movable relative to the housing to actuate the drive assembly to move the jaw members. Each of the jaw members is adapted to connect to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy for treating tissue. The forceps also includes a first switch disposed on the housing which is activatable to selectively deliver energy of a first electrical potential to at least one jaw member for treating tissue in a monopolar fashion. A second switch is disposed on the housing and is activatable to selectively deliver energy of a first electrical potential to one jaw member and selectively deliver energy of a second electrical potential to the other jaw member for treating tissue in a bipolar fashion. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20110071525 | Insulating Boot for Electrosurgical Forceps - Either an endoscopic or open bipolar forceps includes a flexible, generally tubular insulating boot for insulating patient tissue, while not impeding motion of the jaw members. The jaw members are movable from an open to a closed position and the jaw members are connected to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal. A knife assembly may be included that allows a user to selectively divide tissue upon actuation thereof. The insulating boot may be made from a viscoelastic, elastomeric or flexible material suitable for use with a sterilization process including ethylene oxide. | 03-24-2011 |
