Vessel Sealer and Divider With Non-Conductive Stop Members

Abstract

An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof. The jaw members are movable 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. The jaws members are connected to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal. At least one non-conductive and spaced-apart stop member is disposed on an inner-facing surface of the jaw members to regulate the gap distance between the jaw members when tissue is held therebetween. The forceps also includes a longitudinally reciprocating knife which severs the tissue after sealing at a location which is proximate the sealing site.

1 . An endoscopic bipolar forceps, comprising:
 an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof, the jaw members including a length and a periphery and movable 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, the jaw members each including respective flat seal surfaces extending along a respective length thereof and adaptable to connect to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal; and   a plurality of non-conductive stop members disposed along the length of at least one of the seal surfaces of at least one of the jaw members such that the plurality of non-conductive stop members are disposed along the same plane on the seal surface with respect to one another, the non-conductive stop members configured to maintain a uniform distance between the jaw members along the length thereof.   
     
     
         2 . An endoscopic bipolar forceps according to  claim 1  wherein the forceps includes at least two non-conductive stop members disposed on the inner facing surface of at least one of the jaw members that extend different heights from the inner facing surface. 
     
     
         3 . An endoscopic bipolar forceps according to  claim 1  wherein the non-conductive stop members are manufactured from the group consisting of: parylene, nylon and ceramic. 
     
     
         4 . An endoscopic bipolar forceps according to  claim 1  wherein the non-conductive stop members include a series of longitudinally-oriented projections that extend from a proximal end of the jaw member to a distal end of the jaw member. 
     
     
         5 . An endoscopic bipolar forceps according to  claim 1  wherein the non-conductive stop members include a series of circle-like tabs which extend from a proximal end of the jaw member to a distal end of the jaw member. 
     
     
         6 . An endoscopic bipolar forceps according to  claim 1  wherein the non-conductive stop members each protrude about 0.001 inches to about 0.005 inches from the inner facing surface of the jaw member. 
     
     
         7 . An endoscopic bipolar forceps, comprising:
 at least one elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof, the jaw members movable with respect to the elongated shaft, the jaw members having a length and movable 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;   a drive rod assembly that connects the jaw members to a source of electrical energy such that the first jaw member has a first electrical potential and the second jaw member has a second electrical potential and the jaw members each including respective flat seal surfaces extending along a respective length thereof such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal;   a handle assembly including a movable handle disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive rod assembly for imparting movement of the first and second jaw members between the first and second positions; and   a plurality of non-conductive stop members disposed along the length of at least one of the seal surfaces of least one of the jaw members such that the plurality of non-conductive stop members are disposed along the same plane on the seal surface, the non-conductive stop members configured to maintain a uniform distance between the jaw members along the length thereof.   
     
     
         8 . An endoscopic bipolar forceps according to  claim 7  wherein the distance between clamped jaw members is uniform along the length of the jaw members. 
     
     
         9 . An endoscopic bipolar forceps according to  claim 7  wherein the movable handle is pivotable with respect to a fixed handle, and wherein the movable handle includes a flange extending proximally therefrom. 
     
     
         10 . An endoscopic bipolar forceps according to  claim 9  wherein the flange is configured for reception within a channel of the fixed handle. 
     
     
         11 . An endoscopic bipolar forceps according to  claim 10  wherein engagement between the flange and the channel enables incremental movement of the movable handle with respect to the fixed handle, which results in incremental movement of one jaw member with respect to the other jaw member. 
     
     
         12 . An endoscopic bipolar forceps according to  claim 7  wherein at least one jaw member includes an aperture extending therethrough, the aperture being configured to allow a cable to extend therethrough and into electrical communication with the seal surface of the jaw member. 
     
     
         13 . An endoscopic bipolar forceps for sealing tissue, comprising:
 an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof, the jaw members including a length and a periphery and being movable 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;   the jaw members being adaptable to connect to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal, the jaw members being independently movable with respect to the elongated shaft; and   at least one non-conductive stop member disposed on an inner facing surface of at least one of the jaw members which controls the distance between the jaw members when tissue is held therebetween and wherein the distance between clamped jaw members is substantially uniform along the length of the jaw members.   
     
     
         14 . An endoscopic bipolar forceps according to  claim 13  wherein the distance between clamped jaw members is uniform along the length of the jaw members. 
     
     
         15 . An endoscopic bipolar forceps according to  claim 13  further comprising a handle assembly disposed adjacent a proximal portion of the elongated shaft, the handle assembly including a fixed handle and a movable handle, the movable handle being pivotable with respect to the fixed handle, and wherein the movable handle includes a flange extending proximally therefrom. 
     
     
         16 . An endoscopic bipolar forceps according to  claim 15  wherein the flange is configured for reception within a channel of the fixed handle. 
     
     
         17 . An endoscopic bipolar forceps according to  claim 16  wherein engagement between the flange and the channel enables incremental movement of the movable handle with respect to the fixed handle, which results in incremental movement of one jaw member with respect to the other jaw member. 
     
     
         18 . An endoscopic bipolar forceps according to  claim 13  wherein at least one jaw member includes an aperture extending therethrough, the aperture being configured to allow a cable to extend therethrough and into electrical communication with the inner facing surface of the jaw member.