Bi-polar electrosurgical endoscopic instruments having a detachable working end

Claim 2

A detachable working end for use in endoscopic electrosurgery, the detachable working end adapted to be connected to an end of a reusable handle portion having an elongated barrel, the detachable working end adapted to be actuated by a drive rod reciprocated through the elongated barrel, the drive rod providing first and second electrical contacts, the working end comprising: an outer sleeve adapted to be engaged in fixed relation to the elongated barrel; a connector block slidably disposed within the outer sleeve and adapted for coupling to the drive rod for translational movement relative to the outer sleeve, the connector block having a proximal end including means for mating with the first and second electrical contacts and a distal end including first and second legs; a pivot pin having first and second ends mounted in the outer sleeve; first and second members disposed on the pivot pin for relative rotation from a first position to a second position, the first and second members having shank portions defining longitudinally directed slots, the shank portions of the first and second members electrically coupled to the means for mating with the first and second electrical contacts; and a drive pin mounted between the first and second legs and disposed through the longitudinally directed slots of the first and second members, so that the first and second members are movable responsive to reciprocation of the drive rod and the first and second members provide first and second electrodes for passing current through tissue to cause hemostasis thereof.

Claim 3

A detachable working end as defined in claim 1 wherein the outer sleeve has a longitudinal axis, the first and second members have first and second tips, and the first and second members are curved so that the first and second tips lie in a plane parallel to and separated from the longitudinal axis of the outer sleeve.

Claim 4

A detachable working end as defined in claim 1 wherein the first and second members have opposing mating surfaces, the detachable working end further comprising electrically insulative material interposed between the opposing mating surfaces of the first and second members.

Claim 5

A detachable working end as defined in claim 3 wherein the first member comprises a first grasping surface and the second member comprises a second grasping surface, the detachable working end further comprising: means for connecting the first and second members so that the first and second grasping surfaces move through a range of motion in a graspers-like action to grasp tissue disposed therebetween, and the electrically insulating material is interposed between the first and second electrodes so that current passes between the first and second electrodes and through the tissue disposed between the first and second grasping surfaces.

Claim 6

A detachable working end as defined in claim 4 wherein the first and second members are made of an electrically conductive material.

Claim 7

A detachable working end as defined in claim 5 wherein portions of the first and second grasping surfaces define serrations or a pyramidal array for grasping the tissue.

Claim 8

A detachable working end as defined in claim 3 wherein the first member comprises a first shearing surface, a first cutting edge, and a first exterior surface and the second member comprises a second shearing surface, a second cutting edge, and a second exterior surface, the detachable working end further comprising: means for connecting the first and second members so that the first shearing surface moves relative to the second shearing surface through a range of motion in a scissors-like cutting action, wherein the first and second cutting edges close together for shearing tissue located therebetween, the scissor-like cutting action defining a cutting point located just distally of where the first and second cutting edges come together, the cutting point moving distally along the cutting edges where the first and second cutting edges come together through the range of motion, the first and second electrodes moving through the same range of motion as the first and second shearing surfaces, and the electrically insulative material is interposed between the first and second electrodes so that current passes between the first and second electrodes distal to the cutting point and not between the first and second shearing surfaces.

Claim 9

A detachable working end as defined in claim 7 wherein the first and second members are made of an electrically conductive material, and the electrically insulative material is a first layer of material disposed on the first shearing surface to form the first cutting edge and the first shearing surface.

Claim 10

An instrument as defined in claim 8 wherein the first layer has a thickness selected in a range of 0.002 to 0.050 inches.

Claim 11

A detachable working end as defined in claim 8 further comprising a second layer of electrically insulative material disposed on the shearing surface of the second member to form the second cutting edge and the second shearing surface.

Claim 12

A detachable working end as defined in claim 10 wherein the first layer has a first thickness and the second layer has a second thickness and the sum of the first and second thicknesses is in a range of 0.002 and 0.050 inches.

Claim 13

An instrument for performing endoscopic electrosurgery on a tissue by passing current through the tissue to cause hemostasis thereof, the instrument comprising: a reusable handle portion comprising: an elongated barrel having a proximal end, a distal end and a central bore; engagement means disposed at the distal end of the elongated barrel for removably engaging a detachable working end; a drive rod slidably disposed in the central bore for reciprocation in the proximal and distal directions, the drive rod providing first and second electrical contacts, actuating means connected to the proximal end of the elongated barrel for causing reciprocation of the drive rod; and a detachable working end comprising: an outer sleeve adapted to be engaged to the engagement means; a connector block slidably disposed within the outer sleeve and adapted for coupling to the drive rod for translational movement relative to the outer sleeve, the connector block including a proximal end having means for mating with the first and second electrical contacts and a distal end including first and second legs; a pivot pin having first and second ends mounted in the outer sleeve; first and second members disposed on the pivot pin for relative rotation from a first position to a second position, the first and second members having shank portions defining longitudinally directed slots, the shank portions of the first and second members electrically coupled to the means for mating with the first and second electrical contacts; and a drive pin mounted between the first and second legs and disposed through the longitudinally directed slots of the first and second members, so that the first and second members are movable responsive to reciprocation of the drive rod and the first and second members provide first and second electrodes.

Claim 14

An instrument for performing endoscopic electrosurgery on a tissue by passing current through the tissue to cause hemostasis thereof, the instrument comprising: a reusable handle portion comprising: an elongated barrel having a proximal end, a distal end and a central bore; engagement means disposed at the distal end of the elongated barrel for removably engaging a detachable working end; a drive rod slidably disposed in the central bore for reciprocation in the proximal and distal directions, the drive rod providing first and second electrical contacts, actuating means connected to the proximal end of the elongated barrel for causing reciprocation of the drive rod; and a detachable working end comprising: an outer sleeve adapted to be engaged to the engagement means; a connector block slidably disposed within the outer sleeve and adapted for coupling to the drive rod for translational movement relative to the outer sleeve, the connector block including a proximal end having means for mating with the first and second electrical contacts and a distal end including first and second legs; a pivot pin having first and second ends mounted in the outer sleeve; first and second members disposed on the pivot pin for relative rotation from a first position to a second position, the first and second members having shank portions defining longitudinally directed slots, the shank portions of the first and second members electrically coupled to the means for mating with the first and second electrical contacts; and a drive pin mounted between the first and second legs and disposed through the longitudinally directed slots of the first and second members, so that the first and second members are movable responsive to reciprocation of the drive rod and the first and second members provide first and second electrodes.

Claim 15

An instrument as defined in claim 12 wherein the actuating means comprises first and second handle members and means for fastening the first and second handle members together for relative movement.

Claim 16

An instrument as defined in claim 12 wherein the outer sleeve has a longitudinal axis, the first and second members have first and second tips, and the first and second members are curved so that the first and second tips lie in a plane parallel to and separated from the longitudinal axis of the outer sleeve.

Claim 17

An instrument as defined in claim 12 wherein the first and second members are made of an electrically conductive material.

Claim 18

An instrument as defined in claim 15 wherein portions of the first and second grasping surfaces define serrations or a pyramidal array for grasping the tissue.

Claim 19

An instrument as defined in claim 12 wherein the first and second members have opposing mating surfaces, the detachable working end further comprising electrically insulative material interposed between the opposing mating surfaces of the first and second members.

Claim 20

An instrument as defined in claim 17 wherein the first member comprises a first grasping surface and the second member comprises a second grasping surface, the detachable working end further comprising: means for connecting the first and second members so that the first and second grasping surfaces move through a range of motion in a graspers-like action to grasp tissue disposed therebetween and the electrically insulating material is interposed between the first and second electrodes current passes between the first and second electrodes and through the tissue disposed between the first and second grasping surfaces.

Claim 21

An instrument as defined in claim 17 wherein the first member comprises a first shearing surface, a first cutting edge, and a first exterior surface and the second member comprises a second shearing surface, a second cutting edge, and a second exterior surface, the detachable working end further comprising: means for connecting the first and second members so that the first shearing surface moves relative to the second shearing surface through a range of motion in a scissors-like cutting action, wherein the first and second cutting edges close together for shearing tissue located therebetween, the scissor-like cutting action defining a cutting point located just distally of where the first and second cutting edges come together, the cutting point moving distally along the cutting edges where the first and second cutting edges come together through the range of motion, the first and second electrodes moving through the same range of motion as the first and second shearing surfaces, and the electrically insulative material is interposed between the first and second electrodes so that current passes between the first and second electrodes distal to the cutting point and not between the first and second shearing surfaces.

Claim 22

An instrument as defined in claim 19 wherein the first and second members are made of an electrically conductive material and the electrically insulative material is a first layer of material disposed on the first shearing surface to form the first cutting edge and the first shearing surface.

Claim 23

An instrument as defined in claim 20 wherein the first layer has a thickness selected in a range of 0.002 to 0.050 inches.

Claim 24

An instrument as defined in claim 20 further comprising a second layer of electrically insulative material disposed on the shearing surface of the second member to form the second cutting edge and the second shearing surface.

Claim 25

An instrument as defined in claim 22 wherein the first layer has a first thickness and the second layer has a second thickness and the sum of the first and second thicknesses is in a range of 0.002 and 0.050 inches.

Claim 26

A detachable working end for use in endoscopic electrosurgery, the detachable working end adapted to be connected to an end of a reusable handle portion having an elongated barrel, the detachable working end adapted to be actuated by a drive rod reciprocated through the elongated barrel, the drive rod providing first and second electrical contacts, the working end comprising: an outer sleeve; first and second shearing members disposed in said outer sleeve and movable with respect to each other responsive to reciprocation of the drive rod, the first shearing member having a first shearing surface, a first cutting edge having a length, and a first exterior surface, a portion of the first exterior surface adjacent the first cutting edge defining a first electrode; the second member having a second shearing surface, a second cutting edge, and a second exterior surface, a portion of the second shearing member adjacent the second cutting edge defining a second electrode; means for connecting the first and second members so that the first shearing surface moves relative to the second shearing surface through a range of motion in a scissors-like cutting action, wherein the first and second cutting edges close together for shearing tissue located therebetween, the scissor-like cutting action defining a cutting point located just distally of where the first and second cutting edges come together, the cutting point moving distally along the cutting edges where the first and second cutting edges come together through the range of motion; an electrically insulative material interposed between the first and second electrodes so that the first and second electrodes do not contact each other in the range of motion and so that the current passes between the first and second electrodes distal to the cutting point and not between the first and second shearing surfaces, the first and second cutting edges cutting the tissue at the cutting point; means for removably securing the outer sleeve to the elongated barrel to prevent relative motion therebetween; drive means for coupling the first and second shearing members to the drive rod; means for removably engaging the drive means to the drive rod; and means for coupling each of the first and second electrodes to a respective one of the first and second electrical contacts, wherein the first and second shearing members comprise an electrically conductive material, the means for connecting the first and second shearing members comprises a material that does not conduct electricity and the electrically insulative material comprises a first layer of material disposed on the first shearing surface to form substantially the entire length of the first cutting edge and the first shearing surface.

Claim 27

A detachable working end for use in endoscopic electrosurgery, the detachable working end adapted to be connected to an end of a reusable handle portion having an elongated barrel, the detachable working end adapted to be actuated by a drive rod reciprocated through the elongated barrel, the drive rod providing first and second electrical contacts, the working end comprising: an outer sleeve; first and second shearing members disposed in said outer sleeve and movable with respect to each other responsive to reciprocation of the drive rod, the first shearing member having a first shearing surface, a first cutting edge having a length, and a first exterior surface, a portion of the first exterior surface adjacent the first cutting edge defining a first electrode; the second member having a second shearing surface, a second cutting edge, and a second exterior surface, a portion of the second shearing member adjacent the second cutting edge defining a second electrode; means for connecting the first and second members so that the first shearing surface moves relative to the second shearing surface through a range of motion in a scissors-like cutting action, wherein the first and second cutting edges close together for shearing tissue located therebetween, the scissor-like cutting action defining a cutting point located just distally of where the first and second cutting edges come together, the cutting point moving distally along the cutting edges where the first and second cutting edges come together through the range of motion; an electrically insulative material interposed between the first and second electrodes so that the first and second electrodes do not contact each other in the range of motion and so that the current passes between the first and second electrodes distal to the cutting point and not between the first and second shearing surfaces, the first and second cutting edges cutting the tissue at the cutting point; means for removably securing the outer sleeve to the elongated barrel to prevent relative motion therebetween; drive means for coupling the first and second shearing members to the drive rod; means for removably engaging the drive means to the drive rod; and means for coupling each of the first and second electrodes to a respective one of the first and second electrical contacts, wherein the first and second shearing members comprise an electrically conductive material, the means for connecting the first and second shearing members comprises a material that does not conduct electricity and the electrically insulative material comprises a first layer of material disposed on the first shearing surface to form substantially the entire length of the first cutting edge and the first shearing surface.

Claim 28

An instrument as defined in claim 24 wherein the first layer has a thickness selected in a range of 0.002 to 0.050 inches.

Claim 29

A detachable working end as defined in claim 24 further comprising a second layer of electrically insulative material disposed on the shearing surface of the second member to form the second cutting edge and the second shearing surface.

Claim 30

A detachable working end as defined in claim 26 wherein the first layer has a first thickness and the second layer has a second thickness and the sum of the first and second thicknesses is in a range of 0.002 and 0.050 inches.

Claim 31

An instrument for performing endoscopic electrosurgery on a tissue by passing current through the tissue to cause hemostasis thereof, the instrument comprising: a reusable handle portion comprising: an elongated barrel having a proximal end, a distal end and a central bore; a drive rod slidably disposed in the central bore for reciprocation in the proximal and distal directions, the drive rod providing first and second electrical contacts, actuating means connected to the proximal end of the elongated barrel for causing reciprocation of the drive rod; and a detachable working end comprising: an outer sleeve; first and second shearing members disposed in the outer sleeve and movable with respect to each other responsive to reciprocation of the drive rod, the first shearing member having a first shearing surface, a first cutting edge having a length, and a first exterior surface, a portion of the first exterior surface adjacent the first cutting edge defining a first electrode; the second member having a second shearing surface, a second cutting edge, and a second exterior surface, a portion of the second shearing member adjacent the second cutting edge defining a second electrode; means for connecting the first and second members so that the first shearing surface moves relative to the second shearing surface through a range of motion in a scissors-like cutting action, wherein the first and second cutting edges close together for shearing tissue located therebetween, the scissor-like cutting action defining a cutting point located just distally of where the first and second cutting edges come together, the cutting point moving distally along the cutting edges where the first and second cutting edges come together through the range of motion; an electrically insulative material interposed between the first and second electrodes so that the first and second electrodes do not contact each other in the range of motion and so that the current passes between the first and second electrodes distal to the cutting point and not between the first and second shearing surfaces, the first and second cutting edges cutting the tissue at the cutting point; means for removably securing the outer sleeve to the distal end of the elongated barrel; drive means for coupling the first and second members to the drive rod; engagement means connected to the drive means for removably engaging the drive means to the drive rod; and means for coupling each of the first and second electrodes to a respective one of the first and second electrical contacts, wherein the first and second shearing members comprise an electrically conductive material, the means for connecting the first and second shearing members comprises a material that does not conduct electricity and the electrically insulative material comprises a first layer of material disposed on the first shearing surface to form substantially the entire length of the first cutting edge and the first shearing surface.

Claim 32

An instrument for performing endoscopic electrosurgery on a tissue by passing current through the tissue to cause hemostasis thereof, the instrument comprising: a reusable handle portion comprising: an elongated barrel having a proximal end, a distal end and a central bore; a drive rod slidably disposed in the central bore for reciprocation in the proximal and distal directions, the drive rod providing first and second electrical contacts, actuating means connected to the proximal end of the elongated barrel for causing reciprocation of the drive rod; and a detachable working end comprising: an outer sleeve; first and second shearing members disposed in the outer sleeve and movable with respect to each other responsive to reciprocation of the drive rod, the first shearing member having a first shearing surface, a first cutting edge having a length, and a first exterior surface, a portion of the first exterior surface adjacent the first cutting edge defining a first electrode; the second member having a second shearing surface, a second cutting edge, and a second exterior surface, a portion of the second shearing member adjacent the second cutting edge defining a second electrode; means for connecting the first and second members so that the first shearing surface moves relative to the second shearing surface through a range of motion in a scissors-like cutting action, wherein the first and second cutting edges close together for shearing tissue located therebetween, the scissor-like cutting action defining a cutting point located just distally of where the first and second cutting edges come together, the cutting point moving distally along the cutting edges where the first and second cutting edges come together through the range of motion; an electrically insulative material interposed between the first and second electrodes so that the first and second electrodes do not contact each other in the range of motion and so that the current passes between the first and second electrodes distal to the cutting point and not between the first and second shearing surfaces, the first and second cutting edges cutting the tissue at the cutting point; means for removably securing the outer sleeve to the distal end of the elongated barrel; drive means for coupling the first and second members to the drive rod; engagement means connected to the drive means for removably engaging the drive means to the drive rod; and means for coupling each of the first and second electrodes to a respective one of the first and second electrical contacts, wherein the first and second shearing members comprise an electrically conductive material, the means for connecting the first and second shearing members comprises a material that does not conduct electricity and the electrically insulative material comprises a first layer of material disposed on the first shearing surface to form substantially the entire length of the first cutting edge and the first shearing surface.

Claim 33

An instrument as defined in claim 28 wherein the first layer has a thickness selected in a range of 0.002 to 0.050 inches.

Claim 34

A detachable working end as defined in claim 28 further comprising a second layer of electrically insulative material disposed on the shearing surface of the second member to form the second cutting edge and the second shearing surface.

Claim 35

A detachable working end as defined in claim 30 wherein the first layer has a first thickness and the second layer has a second thickness and the sum of the first and second thicknesses is in a range of 0.002 and 0.050 inches.