Tissue sealer with non-conductive variable stop members and method of sealing tissue

Abstract

A bipolar forceps for sealing tissue includes an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof, each of the jaw members including an electrically conductive sealing surface. 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 bipolar forceps is connected to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting bipolar energy through tissue grasped therebetween to effect a seal. The distance between the electrically conductive sealing surfaces when tissue is held therebetween is adjusted based upon a sensed pre-surgical condition during activation. A bipolar forceps for sealing tissue includes an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof, each of the jaw members including an electrically conductive sealing surface. 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 bipolar forceps is connected to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting bipolar energy through tissue grasped therebetween to affect a seal. The distance between the electrically conductive sealing surfaces when tissue is held therebetween is adjusted based upon a sensed pre-surgical condition during activation.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A bipolar forceps for sealing tissue, comprising:
 an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof, each of the jaw members including an electrically conductive sealing surface affixed thereto, at least one of the jaw members movable relative to the other jaw member from a first position wherein the electrically conductive sealing surfaces are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the electrically conductive sealing surfaces are moved closer to one another for grasping tissue;, each electrically conductive sealing surface adapted to connect to a source of electrical energy such that the electrically conductive sealing surfaces are capable of conducting energy through tissue grasped therebetween to effect a tissue seal, wherein; and 
 a stop member extending from one of the electrical conductive sealing surfaces, the stop member adjustable during activation to regulate the distance between the electrically conductive sealing surfaces is automatically adjustable in response to a sensed pre-surgical condition during activation. 
 
     
     
       2. A bipolar forceps for sealing tissue according to  claim 1 , further including at least one controller engagable with at least one of the electrically conductive sealing surfaces, the controller configured to adjust the stop member to control the distance between the electrically conductive sealing surfaces in response to a signal from a control source. 
     
     
       3. A bipolar forceps for sealing tissue according to  claim 2 , wherein the bipolar forceps includes at least one sensor disposed on at least one of the jaw members, the at least one sensor configured to sense the sensed pre-surgical condition selected from the group consisting of tissue impedance, tissue thickness, tissue compliance, and tissue type, and further configured to relay the sensed information to a control source which, in turn, is configured to send a signal to the at least one controller. 
     
     
       4. A bipolar forceps for sealing tissue according to  claim 1 , wherein the forceps includes a selectively extendible knife for severing tissue along the tissue seal. 
     
     
       5. A bipolar forceps for sealing tissue according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrically conductive sealing surfaces are adjusted a distance in the range of about 0.001 inches to about 0.008 inches relative to one another. 
     
     
       6. A method of sealing tissue comprising the steps of: 
 providing a bipolar forceps including a shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof which cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween, each of the jaw members including an electrically conductive sealing surface connected affixed thereto and adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy; 
 automatically adjusting a distance between the electrically conductive sealing surface in response to a sensed pre-surgical condition during activation; 
 actuating the jaw members to grasp tissue between opposing jaw members; and 
 conducting energy to the jaw members through tissue grasped therebetween to effect a tissue seal; and 
 adjusting a stop member extending from one of the electrically conductive sealing surfaces to regulate a distance between the electrically conductive sealing surfaces in response to a sensed pre-surgical condition while energy is conducted to the jaw members. 
 
     
     
       7. A method of sealing tissue according to  claim 6 , wherein the adjusting step the stop member further includes the steps of: 
 sensing the sensed pre-surgical condition; and 
 signaling a controller to selectively adjust the stop member such that the distance between the electrically conductive sealing surfaces depending upon the sensed pre-surgical condition. 
 
     
     
       8. A method of sealing tissue according to  claim 6 , further comprising the step of severing the tissue along the tissue seal. 
     
     
       9. A method of sealing tissue according to  claim 6 , wherein after the conducting step, the method further includes the steps of:
 sensing a tissue parameter during electrosurgical activation; and 
 signaling a controller to selectively adjust the stop member such that the distance between the electrically conductive sealing surfaces is based upon the sensed tissue parameter. 
 
     
     
       10. A method of sealing tissue according to  claim 9 , wherein after the sensed signaling step, the method further includes the step of repeating the sensing and signaling steps until a desired seal is effected. 
     
     
       11. A method of sealing tissue comprising the steps of:
 providing a bipolar forceps including a shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof which cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween, each of the jaw members including an electrically conductive sealing surface connected to a source of electrosurgical energy;   actuating the jaw members to grasp tissue between opposing jaw members, wherein the jaw members are disposed at a distance relative to one another;   automatically adjusting the distance between the electrically conductive sealing surfaces in response to a sensed surgical condition during activation; and   conducting energy to the jaw members through tissue grasped therebetween to effect a tissue seal.   
     
     
       12. A method of sealing tissue according to  claim 11 , wherein the adjusting step further includes the step of communicating with a feedback control system that continually senses surgical conditions during activation to automatically regulate the distance between the electrically conductive sealing surfaces. 
     
     
       13. A method of sealing tissue according to  claim 11 , wherein the adjusting step, further includes the step of communicating with a feedback control system to automatically regulate the distance between the electrically conductive sealing surfaces based upon at least one of tissue impedance, tissue temperature, tissue thickness, tissue moisture, tissue compliance or tissue clarity during activation. 
     
     
       14. A method of sealing tissue according to  claim 11 , wherein the step of adjusting includes adjusting the distance between the electrically conductive sealing surfaces so that the distance between the electrically conductive sealing surfaces becomes increasingly smaller.