Insulating boot for electrosurgical forceps

Abstract

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electrosurgical forceps, comprising:
 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, the shaft defining a longitudinal axis therethrough; 
 a movable handle that actuates a drive assembly to move the jaw members relative to one another; 
 at least one of the jaw members including a tissue-engaging surface 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; and 
 a flexible insulating boot mounted over the pivot, the flexible insulating boot having a proximal portion disposed on a portion of the shaft and a distal portion disposed on a portion of an exterior surface of the pair of jaw members proximal to the tissue-engaging surface of the at least one jaw member, the proximal portion and the distal portion of the flexible insulating boot disposed such that the flexible insulating boot remains in a substantially stationary position relative to the longitudinal axis and with respect to a reciprocating sleeve of the drive assembly and the jaw members when the drive assembly mechanically advances the reciprocating sleeve to apply a predetermined closure force between the jaw members. 
 
     
     
       2. An electrosurgical forceps according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the jaw members includes a series of stop members disposed thereon for regulating distance between the jaw members such that a gap is created between the jaw members during the sealing process. 
     
     
       3. An electrosurgical forceps according to  claim 1 , wherein the forceps includes a knife that is selectively deployable to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members. 
     
     
       4. An electrosurgical forceps according to  claim 1 , wherein the insulating boot is made of at least one of a viscoelastic, elastomeric, and flexible material suitable for use with a sterilization process that does not substantially impair structural integrity of the boot. 
     
     
       5. An electrosurgical forceps according to  claim 4 , wherein the sterilization process includes ethylene oxide. 
     
     
       6. An electrosurgical forceps according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible insulating boot has a generally tubular configuration. 
     
     
       7. An electrosurgical forceps according to  claim 1 , wherein two jaw members are adapted to connect to the source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of treating tissue in a bipolar manner upon selective activation of the forceps. 
     
     
       8. An electrosurgical forceps according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one jaw member is adapted to connect to the source of electrical energy such that the at least one jaw members is capable of treating tissue in a monopolar manner upon selective actuation of the forceps. 
     
     
       9. An electrosurgical forceps, comprising:
 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, the shaft defining a longitudinal axis therethrough;   a drive assembly that includes a reciprocating sleeve and a movable handle that actuates the reciprocating sleeve and the drive assembly to move the jaw members relative to one another;   at least one of the jaw members including a tissue-engaging surface 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; and   a flexible insulating boot defining an internal surface, the flexible insulating boot mounted over the pivot such that at least a portion of the internal surface is in direct contact with the pivot, the flexible insulating boot having a proximal portion disposed on a portion of the shaft and a distal portion disposed on a portion of an exterior surface of the pair of jaw members proximal to the tissue-engaging surface of the at least one jaw member such that at least a portion of the internal surface defined by the flexible insulating boot is in direct contact with the portion of the exterior surface of the pair of jaw members proximal to the tissue-engaging surface of the at least one jaw member, the proximal portion and the distal portion of the flexible insulating boot disposed such that the flexible insulating boot remains in a substantially stationary position relative to the longitudinal axis and with respect to the reciprocating sleeve and the jaw members when the drive assembly mechanically advances the reciprocating sleeve of the drive assembly to apply a predetermined closure force between the jaw members.    
     
     
       10. An electrosurgical forceps according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the jaw members includes a series of stop members disposed thereon for regulating distance between the jaw members such that a gap is created between the jaw members during the sealing process.  
     
     
       11. An electrosurgical forceps according to claim 9, wherein the forceps includes a knife that is selectively deployable to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members.  
     
     
       12. An electrosurgical forceps according to claim 9, wherein the insulating boot is made of at least one of a viscoelastic, elastomeric, and flexible material suitable for use with a sterilization process that does not substantially impair structural integrity of the boot.  
     
     
       13. An electrosurgical forceps according to claim 12, wherein the sterilization process includes ethylene oxide.  
     
     
       14. An electrosurgical forceps according to claim 9, wherein the flexible insulating boot has a generally tubular configuration.  
     
     
       15. An electrosurgical forceps according to claim 9, wherein two jaw members are adapted to connect to the source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of treating tissue in a bipolar manner upon selective activation of the forceps.  
     
     
       16. An electrosurgical forceps according to claim 9, wherein at least one jaw member is adapted to connect to the source of electrical energy such that the at least one jaw members is capable of treating tissue in a monopolar manner upon selective actuation of the forceps.