Patent ID: 7156846
Filing Date: 2007-01-02
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An endoscopic bipolar forceps, comprising: a housing; a shaft affixed to said housing having a movable jaw member and a fixed jaw member at a distal end thereof, said shaft defining a longitudinal axis therethrough; a drive assembly comprising a spring, a drive flange and a reciprocating sleeve, said drive assembly being configured to move said movable jaw member relative to the fixed jaw member from a first position wherein the movable jaw member is disposed in spaced relation relative to the fixed jaw member to a second position wherein the movable jaw member is closer to the fixed jaw member for manipulating tissue; a movable handle having a gripping member at a first end, a flange at a second end and a locking flange disposed therebetween which extends from said handle, said movable handle being movable from an open position wherein said jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a closed position which rotates the flange about a pivot to force the drive flange of said drive assembly into mechanical cooperation against said spring of said drive assembly to thereby move said reciprocating sleeve and thereby move said jaw members from the first and second positions, said spring of said drive assembly facilitating mechanical advancement of said reciprocating sleeve of said drive assembly to maintain a predetermined closure force between the movable jaw member and the fixed jaw in said second position, said pivot being located a fixed distance relative to said longitudinal axis in a direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the shaft and in a direction opposite to the handle to position said flange generally along said longitudinal axis; a source of electrosurgical energy adapted to connect to each jaw member such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal; a selectively advanceable knife assembly which cuts tissue in a forward direction along the tissue seal, said locking flange of said handle being dimensioned to impede selective movement of said knife assembly when said handle is disposed in said open position and wherein said locking flange of said handle is repositioned to permit selective movement of said knife assembly when said handle rotates to said closed position.