Patent Publication Number: US-2011054471-A1

Title: Apparatus for Performing an Electrosurgical Procedure

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for performing an electrosurgical procedure. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an electrosurgical apparatus that includes a rotating assembly configured to rotate a shaft associated with the electrosurgical apparatus. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Electrosurgical instruments (e.g., electrosurgical forceps) are well known in the medical arts and typically include a housing, a handle, a shaft and an end effector assembly, which includes jaw members operatively coupled to a distal end of the shaft, that is configured to manipulate tissue (e.g., grasp and seal tissue). Electrosurgical forceps utilize both mechanical clamping action and electrical energy to effect hemostasis by heating the tissue and blood vessels to coagulate, cauterize, seal, cut, desiccate, and/or fulgurate tissue. 
     In some instances, it may prove advantageous to rotate the shaft and/or the end effector of the electrosurgical forceps, e.g., during an electrosurgical tissue sealing procedure. With this purpose in mind, many electrosurgical forceps may include one or more types of shaft rotation mechanisms and/or devices, such as, for example, a rotating assembly that is in mechanical and/or electromechanical communication with the shaft, housing and/or end effector. 
     Rotating assemblies are known in the medical art and typically include a rotation wheel that is coaxially connected to a proximal end of a shaft of the electrosurgical instrument. During the manufacturing process of the electrosurgical instrument, design constraints of internal mechanisms associated with the electrosurgical instrument may control location of the rotation wheel placement on the electrosurgical instrument. Because of these design constraints rotation of the shaft is typically a two-handed operation. That is, a clinician may use one hand to hold a handle of the electrosurgical instrument, and the other hand to rotate a rotation wheel of the rotation assembly. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure provides a forceps that is adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy for performing an electrosurgical procedure. The forceps includes a housing that includes a shaft that extends from the housing and defines a longitudinal axis therethrough. An end effector assembly operatively connects to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of first and second jaw members. The first and second jaw members are moveable from an open position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another, to a clamping position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The forceps includes a handle assembly including a movable handle movable relative to a fixed handle operable to impart movement of the jaw members relative to one another. The movable handle operatively connects to a drive assembly that together mechanically cooperate to impart movement of the jaw members. The forceps further includes a rotating assembly configured to rotate one of the shaft and the end effector assembly about the longitudinal axis. The rotating assembly is supported in the housing and includes a first drive wheel that defines an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft and a second drive wheel defining an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of shaft. Each of the first and second drive wheels is selectively movable relative to the housing and configured such that rotation of the first drive wheel causes rotation of the second drive wheel and the shaft. 
     The present disclosure also provides a surgical instrument configured to manipulate tissue. The surgical instrument includes a housing that includes a shaft that extends from the housing and defines a longitudinal axis therethrough. An end effector assembly operatively connects to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of first and second jaw members. The first and second jaw members are moveable from an open position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another, to a clamping position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The surgical instrument includes a handle assembly including a movable handle movable relative to a fixed handle operable to impart movement of the jaw members relative to one another. The movable handle operatively connects to a drive assembly that together mechanically cooperate to impart movement of the jaw members. The surgical instrument further includes a rotating assembly configured to rotate one of the shaft and the end effector assembly about the longitudinal axis. The rotating assembly is supported in the housing and includes a first drive wheel that defines an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft and a second drive wheel defining an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of shaft. Each of the first and second drive wheels is selectively movable relative to the housing and configured such that rotation of the first drive wheel causes rotation of the second drive wheel and the shaft. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
       Various embodiments of the present disclosure are described hereinbelow with references to the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a side, perspective view of an endoscopic bipolar forceps showing a housing including a rotation assembly, a shaft and an end effector assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a left, side view of the housing and the rotation assembly of the endoscopic bipolar forceps illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3A  is a right, internal view of the various components of the rotation assembly illustrated in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 3B  is a front view of the bipolar forceps illustrated in  FIG. 2 ; and 
         FIG. 4  is a side, perspective view of the internal components of the rotation assembly illustrated in  FIG. 2  according to an alternate embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein; however, the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the disclosure, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , an illustrative embodiment of an electrosurgical apparatus (e.g., bipolar forceps  10 ) for performing an electrosurgical procedure is shown. Bipolar forceps  10  is operatively and selectively coupled to an electrosurgical generator (not shown) for performing an electrosurgical procedure. As noted above, an electrosurgical procedure may include sealing, cutting, cauterizing coagulating, desiccating, and fulgurating tissue all of which may employ RF energy. The generator may be configured for monopolar and/or bipolar modes of operation. The generator may include or is in operative communication with a system (not shown) that may include one or more processors in operative communication with one or more control modules that are executable on the processor. A control module (not explicitly shown) may be configured to instruct one or more modules to transmit electrosurgical energy, which may be in the form of a wave or signal/pulse, via one or more cables (e.g., a cable  310 ) to one or both seal plates  118 ,  128 . 
     With reference again to  FIG. 1 , bipolar forceps  10  is shown for use with various electrosurgical procedures and generally includes a housing  20 , an electrosurgical cable  310  that connects the forceps  10  to a source of electrosurgical energy (e.g., electrosurgical generator not shown), a handle assembly  30 , a rotating assembly  80 , a trigger assembly  70 , a drive assembly (not shown), and an end effector assembly  100  that operatively connects to the drive assembly. The drive assembly may be in operative communication with handle assembly  30  for imparting movement of one or both of a pair of jaw members  110 ,  120  of end effector assembly  100 . End effector assembly  100  includes opposing jaw members  110  and  120  ( FIG. 1 ) that mutually cooperate to grasp, seal and, in some cases, divide large tubular vessels and large vascular tissues. 
     Forceps  10  includes a shaft  12  that has a distal end  14  configured to mechanically engage the end effector assembly  100  and a proximal end  16  that mechanically engages the housing  20 . In the drawings and in the descriptions that follow, the term “proximal,” as is traditional, will refer to the end of the forceps  10  that is closer to the user, while the term “distal” will refer to the end that is farther from the user. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 1 , handle assembly  30  includes a fixed handle  50  and a movable handle  40 . Fixed handle  50  is integrally associated with housing  20  and handle  40  is movable relative to fixed handle  50 . Fixed handle  50  may include one or more ergonomic enhancing elements to facilitate handling, e.g., scallops, protuberances, elastomeric material, etc. 
     Movable handle  40  of handle assembly  30  is ultimately connected to the drive assembly, which together mechanically cooperate to impart movement of one or both of the jaw members  110  and  120  to move from an open position, wherein the jaw members  110  and  120  are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another, to a clamping or closed position, wherein the jaw members  110  and  120  cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. 
     End effector assembly  100  includes opposing jaw members  110  and  120  that are coupled to shaft  12 . Jaw members  110 ,  120  may be operatively and pivotably coupled to each other and located adjacent the distal end  14  of shaft  12 . 
     Jaw member  110  includes an insulative jaw housing  117  and an electrically conductive seal plate  118 . The insulative housing  117  is configured to securely engage the electrically conductive seal plate  118 . This may be accomplished by stamping, by overmolding, by overmolding a stamped electrically conductive sealing plate and/or by overmolding a metal injection molded seal plate. All of these manufacturing techniques produce an electrode having a seal plate  118  that is substantially surrounded by the insulating substrate. Within the purview of the present disclosure, jaw member  110  may include a jaw housing  117  that is integrally formed with a seal plate  118 . 
     Jaw member  120  includes a similar structure having an outer insulative housing  127  that may be overmolded to capture seal plate  128 . 
     For a more detailed description of the bipolar forceps  10  including end effector  100 , handle assembly  30  including movable handle  40 , and electrosurgical cable  310  (including line-feed configurations and/or connections), reference is made to commonly owned U.S. application Ser. No. 10/369,894. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-3B , and initially with reference to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of a rotating assembly  80  configured for use with the bipolar forceps  10  is shown. Rotating assembly  80  and operative components and/or members associated therewith may be formed from any suitable material including but not limited to injection moldable plastics, such as, for example, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), Polycarbonates (Poly Carb), or other suitable material. The rotating assembly  80  of the present disclosure allows rotation of the shaft  12  via an index finger of a hand that holds a handle, e.g., fixed handle  50 , of the bipolar forceps  10 . To this end, the rotating assembly  80  includes a first drive wheel or finger knob  82  in the form of a gear wheel that is configured to receive a finger (e.g., index finger, thumb, etc.) of a hand that holds the fixed handle  50 . Rotation of shaft  12  is achieved by either “pushing” the drive wheel  82  forward (i.e., moving the drive wheel  82  in a counter-clockwise direction) or “pulling” the drive wheel  82  backward (i.e., moving the drive wheel  82  in a clockwise direction). The first drive wheel  82  operably engages to a second drive wheel  84  ( FIG. 3A ) also in the form of a gear wheel that operably engages the proximal end  16  of the shaft  12 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 3A , first drive wheel  82  is disposed at a predetermined position within cavity  22  of housing  20  and is shown associated with the internal cavity  22  of the housing  20 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3B , rotating assembly  80  includes an axle  86  that supports the first drive wheel  82 . Axle  86  operably couples to the drive wheel  82  and provides a central axis of rotation for the drive wheel  82 . 
     In some embodiments, the drive wheel  82  is fixedly coupled to the axle  86  (i.e., moves with the axle  86 ) such that the drive wheel  82  and the axle  86  rotate simultaneously. In this instance, the axle  86  is rotatably supported within housing  20  and moveable relative to the housing  20 . More particularly, axle  86  couples to the drive wheel  82  and seats within corresponding bores or holes  88  operatively associated within the cavity  22  of housing  20 . In this embodiment, the axle  86  is configured to rotate within the holes  88  when the drive wheel  82  is “pushed” or “pulled”. 
     In an alternate embodiment, the drive wheel  82  may be rotatably coupled to the axle  86  (i.e., moves relative to the axle  86 ). In this embodiment, axle  86  extends through a central aperture of the drive wheel  82  and is fixedly attached within the cavity  22  of housing  20 . In this embodiment, the drive wheel  82  may include one or more configurations of bearing such as, for example, bushing, rolling element bearing, jewel bearing, fluid bearing, magnetic hearing, flexure bearings, and/or other suitable structure(s) that are configured to facilitate rotation of the drive wheel  82  with respect to the axle  86 . In this embodiment, the axle  86  is configured not to rotate when the drive wheel  82  is “pushed” or “pulled.” 
     The specific mechanical relationships and/or configurations between drive wheel  82  and axle  86  will depend on the ultimate needs of a manufacturer and/or user. As can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, other suitable drive wheel  82  and axle  86  configurations and/or combinations are possible and contemplated herein. 
     As noted above, drive wheel  82  may be in the form of a gear wheel. More particularly, drive wheel  82  is in the form of a bevel gear that includes a generally circumferential (e.g., conical) configuration. Drive wheel  82  includes a bottom, toothless surface  90  and a top, tooth bearing surface  92 , see  FIG. 3A . Drive wheel  82  includes a generally circumferential sidewall  94  that is accessible by one or more fingers of a hand. Sidewall  94  may have a textured or rubber-like surface to facilitate rotation, especially under wet surgical conditions. In the illustrated embodiment, sidewall  94  is shown having a knurled configuration. 
     Tooth bearing surface  92  includes a plurality of teeth  96  that are configured to mesh with a plurality of teeth or cogs  98  associated with the second drive wheel  84 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3B , the drive wheel  82  is an external bevel gear. That is, the plurality of teeth  96  is configured to point outward. Alternatively, the drive wheel  82  may be configured as an internal bevel gear, wherein the plurality of teeth is configured to point inward. 
     Second drive wheel  84  is substantially similar to first drive wheel  82 . Accordingly, only those features and/or operative components that are unique or distinctive to second drive wheel  84  will be described herein. 
     Second drive wheel  84  is positioned at a predetermined position within cavity  22  of housing  20  and is associated with the internal cavity  22  of the housing  20  and the shaft  12 . More particularly, second drive wheel  84  is fixedly coupled or mounted to the proximal end  16  of shaft  12  by suitable coupling methods, such as, for example, brazing, welding, soldering, snap-fit, tongue and groove, etc. In some embodiments, second drive wheel  84  and proximal end  16  may be unitary component (e.g., overmolding, injection molding, etc). 
     The first drive wheel  82  defines a central axis of rotation “B” and second drive wheel  84  defines a central axis of rotation “C”. The central axis of rotation “B” of first drive wheel  82 , central axis of rotation “C” of second drive wheel  84  and the longitudinal axis “A” defined by shaft  12  may be oriented relative to one another by any suitable angle. In this instance, the relative angle of the gears is configured accordingly to compensate for the angle. In the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3B , longitudinal axis “A” defined by shaft  12  and central axis of rotation “C” defined by second drive wheel  84  are oriented parallel to each other and perpendicular to the central axis of rotation “B” of first drive wheel  82 . By altering the orientation of one or both of the axes “B” and “C”, and thus altering the gear interfaces of the first and second drive wheels,  82 ,  84 , respectively, the direction of motion of first and second drive wheels  82 ,  84 , respectively, and/or shaft  12  can be reversed. That is to say, the first drive wheel  82  may be oriented with respect to the second drive wheel  84  and the shaft  12  at an angle that ranges from about 0° to about 90°. 
     First drive wheel  82  and second drive wheel  84  may be configured to meet specific rotation, torque, and/or speed requirements of the shaft. To this end, first and second drive wheels  82 ,  84  may include any suitable gear ratio. More specifically, first and second drive wheels  82 ,  84  may be equally sized (e.g., have the same diameter) or unequally sized (e.g., have different diameters). Moreover, the first and second drive wheels  82 ,  84  may have the same or different amount of teeth. The specific gear configuration of first and second drive wheels  82 ,  84 , respectively, will depend on the ultimate needs of a manufacturer and/or user. For example, in certain instances, the gear ratio of the first and second drive wheels  82 ,  84 , respectively, may be varied to, for instance, “gear down” for finer rotational control or movement of the shaft. 
     First drive wheel  82  and second drive wheel  84  may be configured to rotate shaft  12  in a counter-clockwise or clockwise direction. More particularly, in the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3B , clockwise rotation of first drive wheel  82  causes counter-clockwise rotation of the second drive wheel  84  and shaft  12  and/or end effector assembly  100  including first and second jaw members  110 ,  120 , respectively, while counter-clockwise rotation of first drive wheel  82  causes clockwise rotation of the second drive wheel  84  and shaft  12  and/or end effector assembly  100  including first and second jaw members  110 ,  120 , respectively. 
     While first drive wheel  82  and second drive wheel  84  of the rotating assembly  80  are described herein as including a bevel gear configuration, it is within the purview of the present disclosure that the first drive wheel  82  and second drive wheel  84  of the rotating assembly  80  employ other suitable gear configurations. For example, spur gears, helical gears, double helical gears, hypoid gears, worm gears, etc. may all be employed with first drive wheel  82  and second drive wheel  84  of the rotating assembly  80  of the present disclosure. 
     In some instances, it may prove useful to rotate the drive wheel  82  via a thumb, while in some instances it may prove useful to rotate the drive wheel  82  via the index finger. To this end, drive wheel  82  may be accessible from either side of the housing. More particularly, the drive wheel  82  may extend through both the right and left sides of the housing  20  (see  FIG. 3B ) so that the first drive wheel  82  may be accessible by one or more fingers of a hand (e.g., either a right or left hand) that grasps the handle of the bipolar forceps  10 . First drive wheel  82  may also be configured to be accessible from either the left or right side of the housing  20 . In this instance, first drive wheel  82  extends partially through the housing  20 . 
     In use, a user may grasp movable handle  40  of handle assembly  30 . Prior to or while tissue is grasped between the first and second jaw members  110 ,  120 , respectively, a user may rotate first driving wheel  82 . This rotation of first drive wheel  82  causes the plurality of teeth  96  of the first drive wheel  82  to mesh with the plurality of teeth  98  of the second drive wheel  84 , which, in turn, causes second drive wheel  84  to rotate which causes the shaft  12  and/or first and second jaw members  110 ,  120  to rotate. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 4 , an alternate embodiment of a rotating assembly is shown generally as  200  and described. In order to achieve the same rotation of shaft  12 , rotating assembly  200  may be configured as a pulley and taut belt or cord system. To this end, rotating assembly  200  includes a first driving wheel  202  that is in mechanical communication with a second driving wheel  204 . 
     First driving wheel  202  is disposed at a predetermined position within cavity  22  of housing  20  and is associated with the internal cavity  22  of the housing  20 . First driving wheel  202  may be operably coupled within internal cavity  22  of housing  20  by any of the aforementioned methods. More particularly, an axle  206  that is configured substantially similar to axle  86  operably couples first drive wheel  202  to the housing  20 . Axle  206  and first drive member  202  are configured to function and operate in a manner substantially similar to that of first drive member  82  and axle  86  and, as a result thereof, will only be described to the extent necessary to explain the operational and functional difference with respect to the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 4 . 
     First drive wheel  202  defines a central axis of rotation “D” that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis “A” defined by the shaft  12 . First drive wheel  202  includes a top surface  208 . Located on top surface  208  may be one or more pulley structures  210 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 , pulley structure  210  includes a generally circumferential configuration and extends from a plane “a” of top surface  208  of drive wheel  202 . Pulley structure  210  includes a bottom flange  214  and a top flange  216 . Bottom flange  214  abuts top surface  208  of first drive wheel  202 . A circumferential groove or channel  218  is located between the bottom and top flanges  214 ,  216 , respectively. Groove  218  is configured to receive a belt, cable, band, or cord  212  such that a frictional interface between the belt  212  and groove  218  is achieved. To gain a desired mechanical advantage, groove  218  and belt  212  may be formed from or include materials that have a relatively high coefficient of friction. As can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the higher the coefficient of friction between the surfaces of the materials that the groove  218  and belt  212  are formed from, the less likely there will be “slipping” between the groove  218  and the belt  212  when either the groove  218  or belt  212  are moved with respect to each other. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 4 , rotating assembly  200  includes one or more structures configured to transmit the rotational force of the first drive wheel  202  to the second drive wheel  204 . To this end, a pair of idler pulleys  220  is in mechanical communication with each of the first and second drive wheels  202 ,  204 , respectively. More particularly, a first idler pulley  222  operably couples to the internal cavity  22  of housing  20 . First idler pulley  222  may be configured substantially similar to first drive wheel  202 . More particularly, first idler pulley  222  is disposed at a predetermined position within internal cavity  22  of housing  20 . An axle  228  extends through the idler pulley  222 . First idler pulley  222  includes an axis of rotation “E” that is substantially perpendicular to the central axis of rotation “D” of the first drive wheel  202  and the longitudinal axis “A” defined by the shaft  12 . First idler pulley  222  includes a pair of left and right flanges  224 ,  226 , respectively. Located between left and right flanges  224 ,  226 , respectively, is a circumferential groove or channel  260 . Groove  260  is configured to receive the belt  212 . As noted above, the pair of idler pulleys  220  is configured to transmit the rotational force of the first drive wheel  202  to the second drive wheel  204 . With this purpose in mind, idler pulley  222  may be disposed within internal cavity  22  of housing  20  so that the belt  212  extends parallel with respect to the plane “a” of top surface  208  of drive wheel  202  to the idler pulley  222 . Moreover, and as best seen in  FIG. 4 , idler pulley  222  maintains belt  212  in a generally perpendicular orientation with respect to the plane “a” of top surface  208  of first drive wheel  202  when the belt  212  is looped around the idler pulley  222 . This configuration of idler pulley  222  and drive wheel  202  minimizes the “drag” of the belt  212  when first drive wheel  202  is moved, e.g., in a clockwise direction, and facilitates the rotation of the first drive wheel  202 . As noted above with respect to the interaction between the first drive wheel  202  and belt  212 , in some instances it may prove useful to provide a frictional interface between the belt  212  and groove  260 . 
     A second idler pulley  230  operably couples to the internal cavity  22  of housing  20 . Second idler pulley  230  may be configured substantially similar to first idler pulley  222  and/or first drive wheel  202 . More particularly, second idler pulley  230  is disposed at a predetermined position within internal cavity  22  of housing  20 . An axle  232  extends through the second idler pulley  230 . Second idler pulley  230  includes a axis of rotation “F” that is aligned along the same axis of rotation “E” of first idler pulley  222  and substantially perpendicular to the central axis of rotation “D” of the first drive wheel  202  and the longitudinal axis “A” defined by the shaft  12 . Second idler pulley  230  includes a pair of left and right flanges  234 ,  236 , respectively. Located between left and right flanges  234 ,  236 , respectively, is a circumferential groove or channel  238 . Groove  238  is configured to receive the belt  212 . As noted above, the pair of idler pulleys  220  is configured to transmit the rotational force of the first drive wheel  202  to the second drive wheel  204 . More specifically, and as best seen in  FIG. 4 , idler pulley  230  is configured to maintain belt  212  in a generally perpendicular orientation with respect to the plane “a” of top surface  208  of first drive wheel  202  when the belt  212  is looped around the idler pulley  230 . As with the first idler pulley  222 , idler pulley  230  may be disposed within internal cavity  22  of housing  20  such that the belt  212  extends parallel with respect to the plane “a” of top surface  208  of drive wheel  202  to the idler pulley  230 . This configuration of idler pulley  230  and drivel wheel  202  minimizes the “drag” of the belt  212  when first drive wheel  202  is moved, e.g., in a clockwise direction, and facilitates the rotation of the first drive wheel  202 . As noted above with respect to the interaction between the first drive wheel  202  and belt  212 , in some instances it may prove useful to provide a frictional interface between the belt  212  and groove  260 . 
     While each of the idler pulleys  222 ,  230  has been described herein having its own separate axles,  228   238 , respectively, it is within the purview of the present disclosure that a common axle extends through each of the idler pulleys  222 ,  230 . A common axle may extend laterally within the internal cavity  22  of the housing  20  from a left side of the housing  20  to a right side of the housing  20 . A common axle configured in this manner provides additional structural support for each of the idler pulleys  222 ,  230 . 
     Second drive wheel  204  is configured to function and operate in a manner substantially similar to that of second drive member  84  and will only be described to the extent necessary to explain the operational and functional difference with respect to the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 4 . Second drive wheel  204  operably couples to the shaft  12  or portion thereof. Second drive wheel  204  includes a front surface  240  and a rear surface  242 . Second drive wheel includes a front flange  244  and a rear flange  246 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 , front flange  244  operably couples to the shaft  12 . While  FIG. 4  depicts the shaft  12  extending through the second drive wheel  204 , it is within the purview of the present disclosure that the shaft does not extend through the second drive wheel  204 ; this of course will depend on the contemplated needs of a manufacturer and/or user. A circumferential groove or channel  248  is located between the front and rear flanges  244 ,  246 , respectively. Groove  248  is configured to receive the belt  212  such that a frictional interface between the belt  212  and groove  248  is achieved. To gain a desired mechanical advantage, groove  248  and belt  212  may be formed from or include materials that have a relatively high coefficient of friction. As noted above with respect to groove  218  and belt  212 , the higher the coefficient of friction between the surfaces of the materials that the groove  248  and belt  212  are formed from the less likely there will be “slipping” between the groove  248  and the belt  212  when either the groove  248  or belt  212  are moved with respect to each other. 
     In use, a user may grasp movable handle  40  of handle assembly  30 . Prior to or while tissue is grasped between the first and second jaw members  110 ,  120 , respectively, a user may rotate first driving wheel  202  in the direction indicated by directional arrow “G” (i.e., counter-clockwise direction). This rotation of first drive wheel  202  causes the belt  212  to move in the direction indicated by directional arrows “H” and around and/or within the groove  260  of first idler pulley  222  which, in turn, causes second drive wheel  204  to rotate in the direction indicated by directional arrow “I” (i.e., counter-clockwise direction) and around and/or within groove  238  of second idler pulley  230  which ultimately causes the shaft  12  and/or first and second jaw members  110 ,  120  to rotate. 
     From the foregoing and with reference to the various figure drawings, those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain modifications can also be made to the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the same. For example, in some embodiments, the rotational assemblies  80 ,  200  of the present disclosure may employ a cog interface in which the first and second drive wheels are configured as post type features that intersect one another at a desired angle. 
     The rotating assembly  80 ,  200  may employ a ratchet and pawl system. More particularly, a first drive wheel may be configured as a linear sliding lever or switch that protrudes from the handle or housing. In this embodiment, when the sliding lever is moved (e.g., in an inward or outward direction) a ratcheting effect would cause the shaft to rotate. 
     It is contemplated that any of the previously described embodiments of the rotating assemblies  80 ,  200  may include an electromechanical interface between the first and second drive wheels and/or the shafts. More particularly, one or more types of solenoids and/or servos may be in electromechanical communication with the first and second drive wheels  82 ,  84 , respectively, and shaft  12 . Likewise, one or more types of solenoids and/or servos may be in electromechanical communication with the first and second drive wheels  202 ,  204 , respectively, and shaft  12 . 
     It is contemplated that any of the aforementioned embodiments of the rotating assemblies  80 ,  200  may include one or more springs or other suitable biasing member(s) that is configured to maintain any of the aforementioned first and/or second drive wheels, e.g., drive wheel  82 , and/or shaft  12  in a specific position or orientation, e.g., maintain shaft  12  in a initial non-rotated position such that the jaw members  110 ,  120  are an upright position, as best seen in  FIG. 1 ) 
     While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in the drawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.