Patent ID: 9655672
Date: 2017-05-23
CPC Classifications: A61B

Claim:
1. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument, comprising: first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof for effecting movement of the jaw members relative to one another about a pivot, the jaw members movable between a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another and a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate for grasping tissue therebetween, each jaw member adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal; at least one of the jaw members including a knife channel defined along a length thereof, the knife channel configured to receive a cutting mechanism therethrough to cut tissue grasped between the jaw members; an actuator pivotably coupled to the first shaft such that rotation of the actuator selectively reciprocates the cutting mechanism through the knife channel; an anti-deployment link pivotably coupled to the first shaft and configured to engage the actuator within the first shaft to prevent distal translation of the cutting mechanism when the jaw members are in the first position; and a switch disposed on the first shaft and configured to be depressed relative to the first shaft to a first position and at least one subsequent position upon biasing engagement with the second shaft, wherein the first position of the switch generates information corresponding to a grasping pressure and the at least one subsequent position of the switch is configured to activate the source of electrosurgical energy.