Bipolar Forceps Having Monopolar Extension

Abstract

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.

1 - 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A forceps, comprising:
 first and second jaw members operable to move 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 jaw member including an outer housing and an electrically conductive tissue engaging surface, each electrically conductive tissue engaging surface adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the electrically conductive tissue engaging surfaces are selectively capable of conducting bipolar energy through tissue grasped therebetween; and   at least one the electrically conductive tissue engaging surfaces of a respective jaw member extending beyond a distal end of the outer housing of the respective jaw member, the at least one electrically conductive tissue engaging surface defining a monopolar element that is selectively activatable in a monopolar mode to treat tissue in a monopolar fashion.   
     
     
         9 . A forceps according to  claim 8 , wherein the monopolar element is bent 180°. 
     
     
         10 . A forceps according to  claim 8 , wherein each electrically conductive tissue engaging surface is curved. 
     
     
         11 . A forceps according to  claim 8 , wherein the forceps further includes a knife that is selectively moveable within a knife channel defined within the respective jaw member to cut tissue disposed between the first and second jaw members. 
     
     
         12 . A forceps according to  claim 11 , wherein the at least one electrically conductive tissue engaging surface is U-shaped and includes at least a portion of the knife channel. 
     
     
         13 . A forceps according to  claim 8 , further comprising a control switch that, upon selective activation thereof, activates the monopolar mode such that the monopolar element has a first electrical potential and a return electrode has a different electrical potential. 
     
     
         14 . A forceps according to  claim 13 , wherein the forceps includes a safety that only allows electrical activation of the control switch when the jaw members are disposed in the second position.