Patent ID: 6267761
Filing Date: 2001-07-31
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An elongate bipolar tissue sealer for application by a surgeon of electrosurgical energy to the tissue and bodily fluids of a patient, the sealer comprising:a handle for holding and manipulation by the surgeon;a chassis carried on the handle extending distally relative to the handle, the chassis having a handle end and a distal end disposed along the axis;a tube carried for axial movement relative to and along the chassis and the handle, the tube elongate relative to the chassis, the tube having a surgeon end and a patient end disposed along the axis thereof;an effector on the patient end in position to first contact tissue upon movement of the tube relative to the chassis and axially away from the handle by the surgeon, the effector of a material for conducting electrosurgical energy;a member supported by the distal end of the chassis extending past the patient end of the tube;a part on the member at the distal end thereof, the part transversely located relative to the axis in position opposite the patient end, the part of a material for conducting electrosurgical energy;a first bipolar electrosurgical electrode electrically connected to the effector of the patient end;a second bipolar electrosurgical electrode electrically connected to the part, the second bipolar electrosurgical electrode electrically isolated from the first bipolar electrosurgical electrode;an electrosurgical generator electrically coupled to the first and second electrosurgical electrodes, the electrosurgical generator for selectively supplying bipolar electrosurgical energy to the first and second bipolar electrosurgical electrodes;a mechanical activator movably supported on the handle for use by the surgeon, the activator connected to the tube, the activator for axially moving the patient end and the effector thereof toward from the part so that tissue and bodily fluid therebetween may be sealed between the effector and the part through the application of compression and bipolar electrosurgical energy between the first and second electrosurgical electrodes.