EP0724863A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Surgical instrument with expandable cutting element
Assignee: Ethicon Endo Surgery Inc
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Filing: 1996-01-31
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2016-01-31
Abstract
Abstract A surgical instrument is provided for clamping and cutting during surgical procedures, particularly for use with tissues of varying thicknesses. The instrument in a preferred embodiment compresses tissue between electrodes associated with jaws of the clamping device and applies electrosurgical energy to the tissue. The invention provides an expandable cutting element which is adapted to compensate for various thicknesses in tissue and contractible by providing a knife which can be contained within the jaws and expand as needed for thicker tissues. The cutting element is preferably actuated as or after the electrosurgical energy has been applied, to cut tissue engaged and treated by the jaw members.
Inventors
- 👤 Dale Schulze
- 👤 William D. Fox
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:27
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1442; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B18/1402; A61B17/28; A61B17/29; A61B2017/2926; A61B2017/2945; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00345; A61B2018/00404; A61B2018/00571; A61B2018/00601; A61B2018/1405; A61B2018/1425; A61B2018/1432; A61B2018/1452; A61B2018/1455
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A surgical instrument comprising a shaft having a distal end and an end effector located at the distal end of said shaft, said end effector comprising: first and second elements comprised of first and second opposed tissue contacting surfaces respectively, said elements being movable relative to each other from an open, spaced apart position, for positioning tissue therebetween, to a closed position, for approximating the tissue between the surfaces, said closed position defining a variable gap between said surfaces; and a cutting element moving with respect to said surfaces to divide tissue approximated between said surface, said cutting element being adaptable in size to fit within said variable gap between said first and second jaw members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
26 words
The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein at least one of said surfaces comprises a first electrically conductive portion arranged to receive electrosurgical energy conducted therethrough.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
The surgical instrument of claim 2 wherein: at least one of said surfaces comprises a second electrically conductive portion; said second portion is electrically opposite of said first electrically conductive portion; said first and second portions are arranged to receive bipolar electrosurgical energy therethrough; and said second portion is electrically isolated from said first portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The instrument of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said cutting element comprises first and second cutting blades.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The instrument of claim 4 wherein said instrument is arranged to provide scissors-like cutting action between said blades as said cutting element is advanced.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
The instrument of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said end effector further comprises a proximal portion and a distal portion and a longitudinal axis extending proximally to distally through said end effector, and wherein said instrument is arranged to cause oscillation of said cutting element about said longitudinal axis as said cutting element is advanced.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The instrument of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said cutting element comprises one or more spring members biased in a cutting element expanding direction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The instrument of claim 9 wherein at least one of said elements includes a groove therein for receiving said cutting element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The instrument of claim 7 or claim 8 wherein each of said spring members comprises a distal end and a blade formed at the distal end.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The instrument of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said shaft further comprises a longitudinal axis, wherein said elements are curved with respect to said longitudinal axis.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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