Electrosurgical forceps

Abstract

An electrosurgical forceps includes first and second shaft members and first and second jaw members extending distally from the respective first and second shaft members. A pivot couples the first and second shaft members with one another such that the first and second shaft members are movable relative to one another between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position to move the first and second jaw members relative to one another between an open position and a closed position. The jaw members are configured to facilitate tissue treatment, tissue division, and blunt tissue dissection.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electrosurgical forceps, comprising:
 first and second shaft members;   first and second jaw members extending distally from the respective first and second shaft members, each of the first and second jaw members defining a longitudinal axis and a curved distal section curving off of the longitudinal axis, the curved distal section of each of the first and second jaw members defining a width at the proximal end thereof, the curved distal section of each of the first and second jaw members including a distal tip portion defined as an area within a concave side of a curved distal perimeter of the distal tip portion, the distal tip portion of each of the first and second jaw members defining a diameter transversely thereacross; and   a pivot coupling the first and second shaft members with one another such that the first and second shaft members are movable relative to one another between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position to move the first and second jaw members relative to one another between an open position and a closed position,   wherein a ratio of the width of the proximal end of the curved distal section of each of the first and second jaw members to the width of the diameter of the distal tip portion of each of the first and second jaw members is in a range of from about 1.60 to about 2.00.   
     
     
         2 . The electrosurgical forceps according to  claim 1 , wherein the ratio is in a range of from about 1.70 to about 1.90. 
     
     
         3 . The electrosurgical forceps according to  claim 1 , wherein the ratio is in a range of from about 1.75 to about 1.85. 
     
     
         4 . The electrosurgical forceps according to  claim 1 , wherein the ratio is about 1.80. 
     
     
         5 . The electrosurgical forceps according to  claim 1 , wherein the distal tip portion of each of the first and second jaw members defines a half-ellipse, wherein the curved distal perimeter of each of the first and second jaw members defines a half-circumference of the half-ellipse, and wherein the diameter of each of the first and second jaw members is a full diameter of the half-ellipse. 
     
     
         6 . The electrosurgical forceps according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second jaw members further includes a straight proximal section centered on the longitudinal axis thereof, the curved distal section extending from the straight proximal section. 
     
     
         7 . The electrosurgical forceps according to  claim 6 , wherein the straight proximal section defines a length of up to about 0.125 inches. 
     
     
         8 . The electrosurgical forceps according to  claim 6 , wherein the straight proximal section defines a substantially constant width equal to the width of the proximal end of the curved distal section. 
     
     
         9 . The electrosurgical forceps according to  claim 1 , wherein the curved distal section of each of the first and second jaw members defines an angle of curvature of about 15 degrees to about 25 degrees. 
     
     
         10 . The electrosurgical forceps according to  claim 1 , wherein the curved distal section of each of the first and second jaw members defines an angle of curvature of about 17 degrees to about 23 degrees. 
     
     
         11 . The electrosurgical forceps according to  claim 1 , wherein the curved distal section of each of the first and second jaw members defines an angle of curvature of about 19 degrees to about 21 degrees. 
     
     
         12 . An electrosurgical forceps, comprising:
 first and second shaft members;   first and second jaw members extending distally from the respective first and second shaft members, each of the first and second jaw members including an opposed, inwardly-facing side having a proximal end and a distal tip portion defined as an area within a concave side of a curved distal perimeter of the distal tip portion; and   a pivot coupling the first and second shaft members with one another such that the first and second shaft members are movable relative to one another between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position to move the first and second jaw members relative to one another between an open position and a closed position,   a ratio of a height of the first and second jaw members at the proximal ends of the inwardly-facing sides of the first and second jaw members to a height of the first and second jaw members at the distal tip portions of the first and second jaw members is in a range of about 1.80 to about 2.10.   
     
     
         13 . The electrosurgical forceps according to  claim 12 , wherein the ratio is in a range of from about 1.85 to about 2.05. 
     
     
         14 . The electrosurgical forceps according to  claim 12 , wherein the ratio is in a range of from about 1.90 to about 2.00. 
     
     
         15 . The electrosurgical forceps according to  claim 12 , wherein the ratio is about 1.94. 
     
     
         16 . The electrosurgical forceps according to  claim 12 , wherein the distal tip portion of each of the first and second jaw members defines a half-ellipse with the curved distal perimeter of each of the first and second jaw members defining a half-circumference of the half-ellipse, and wherein the height of the first and second jaw members at the distal tip portions thereof is measured at a full diameter of the half-ellipse of each of the first and second jaw members. 
     
     
         17 . The electrosurgical forceps according to  claim 12 , further comprising a lockbox configuration surrounding the pivot, wherein the proximal end of the inwardly-facing side of each of the first and second jaw members is defined at the point where at least one of the first or second jaw members extends distally from the lockbox configuration. 
     
     
         18 . The electrosurgical forceps according to  claim 12 , wherein each of the first and second jaw members is curved along a portion of a length thereof. 
     
     
         19 . An electrosurgical forceps, comprising:
 first and second shaft members;   first and second jaw members extending distally from the respective first and second shaft members, each of the first and second jaw members including an opposed, inwardly-facing side having a proximal end and a distal tip portion defined as an area within a concave side of a curved distal perimeter of the distal tip portion, the distal tip portion of each of the first and second jaw members defining a diameter transversely thereacross; and   a pivot coupling the first and second shaft members with one another such that the first and second shaft members are movable relative to one another between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position to move the first and second jaw members relative to one another between an open position and a closed position,   wherein a ratio of a width of the proximal end of each of the first and second jaw members to a width of the diameter of the distal tip portion of each of the first and second jaw members is in a range of from about 1.60 to about 2.00, and   wherein a ratio of a height of the first and second jaw members at the proximal ends of the inwardly-facing sides of the first and second jaw members to a height of the first and second jaw members at the distal tip portions of the first and second jaw members is in a range of about 1.80 to about 2.10.   
     
     
         20 . The electrosurgical forceps according to  claim 19 , wherein each of the first and second jaw members defines a longitudinal axis and a curved distal section curving off of the longitudinal axis, the proximal end of each of the first and second jaw members is defined at the proximal end of the curved distal section.