Multi-function surgical instrument

Abstract

A surgical instrument includes a housing having a shaft extending distally therefrom, an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end of the shaft, a handle assembly coupled to the housing for manipulating the end effector assembly, a deployable assembly, at least one actuator for deploying and retracting the deployable assembly, and a closure member. The closure member is keyed to the actuator(s) and operably positioned relative to the movable handle of the handle assembly such that, upon rotation of the actuator(s) relative to the housing from an un-actuated position to an actuated position, the closure member is urged into contact with the movable handle to urge the movable handle from an initial position to a compressed position, thereby moving the end effector assembly to an approximated position.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A surgical instrument, comprising:
 a housing;   an end effector assembly distally-spaced from the housing, the end effector assembly including first and second jaw members, at least one of the first or second jaw members movable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween, the first and second jaw members including first and second electrodes, respectively, adapted to connect to a source of energy in a bipolar configuration for conducting energy through tissue grasped between the first and second jaw members;   a drive assembly operably coupled to the end effector assembly, the drive assembly configured to receive a first mechanical input at the housing and, in response to the first mechanical input, to move the at least one of the first or second jaw members movable relative to the other, wherein an indicator is output in response to the at least one of the first or second jaw members being moved to the approximated position, thereby indicating that the first and second electrodes can be energized, and   a deployable element movable relative to the end effector assembly between a retracted position and a deployed position, wherein, energization of the first and second electrodes is inhibited, regardless of the position of the at least one of the first or second jaw members, when the deployable element is disposed in a position other than the retracted position.   
     
     
         12 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 11 , wherein the first mechanical input is provided by a manually-actuated handle. 
     
     
         13 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 11 , further comprising a gear assembly operably coupled to the deployable element, the gear assembly configured to receive a second mechanical input at the housing and, in response to the second mechanical input, to move the deployable element relative to the end effector assembly. 
     
     
         14 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 13 , wherein the second mechanical input is provided by a rotatable actuator. 
     
     
         15 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 14 , wherein the rotatable actuator is manually actuated. 
     
     
         16 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 11 , wherein the indicator is at least one of a tactile or an audible indicator. 
     
     
         17 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 11 , further comprising a switch having a first state and a second state, the switch in the first state enabling energization of the first and second electrodes and the switch in the second state inhibiting energization of the first and second electrodes. 
     
     
         18 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 17 , wherein, when the deployable element is disposed in the retracted position, the switch is disposed in the first state. 
     
     
         19 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 18 , wherein, when the deployable element is disposed in a position other than the retracted position, the switch is disposed in the second state. 
     
     
         20 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 17 , wherein the switch is mechanically transitioned between the first and second states. 
     
     
         21 . A surgical instrument, comprising:
 a housing;   an end effector assembly distally-spaced from the housing, the end effector assembly including first and second jaw members, at least one of the first or second jaw members movable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween, the first and second jaw members including first and second electrodes, respectively, adapted to connect to a source of energy for conducting energy through tissue grasped between the first and second jaw members to treat tissue in a first manner;   a drive assembly operably coupled to the end effector assembly, the drive assembly configured to receive a mechanical input at the housing and, in response to the mechanical input, to move the at least one of the first or second jaw members movable relative to the other, wherein an indicator is output in response to the at least one of the first or second jaw members being moved to the approximated position, thereby indicating that the first and second electrodes can be energized, and   an energizable element associated with the end effector assembly, the energizable element adapted to connect to the source of energy for treating tissue in a second, different manner, wherein energization of the first and second electrodes is inhibited, regardless of the position of the at least one of the first or second jaw members, when the energizable element is energized.   
     
     
         22 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 21 , wherein the mechanical input is provided by a manually-actuated handle. 
     
     
         23 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 21 , wherein the first manner is tissue sealing. 
     
     
         24 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 23 , wherein the second manner is tissue dissection. 
     
     
         25 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 21 , wherein the first manner is bipolar tissue treatment. 
     
     
         26 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 25 , wherein the second manner is monopolar tissue treatment. 
     
     
         27 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 21 , wherein the indicator is at least one of a tactile or an audible indicator. 
     
     
         28 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 21 , further comprising a first switch having a first state and a second state, the first switch in the first state enabling energization of the first and second electrodes and the first switch in the second state inhibiting energization of the first and second electrodes. 
     
     
         29 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 28 , wherein the first switch is mechanically transitioned between the first and second states. 
     
     
         30 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 28 , further comprising a second switch having a first state and a second state, the second switch in the first state enabling energization of the energizable element and the second switch in the second state inhibiting energization of the energizable element.