GB2551039A - Electrosurgical instrument end effector - Google Patents
Electrosurgical instrument end effector Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2551039A GB2551039A GB1707148.1A GB201707148A GB2551039A GB 2551039 A GB2551039 A GB 2551039A GB 201707148 A GB201707148 A GB 201707148A GB 2551039 A GB2551039 A GB 2551039A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- end effector
- jaw members
- jaw
- force
- sealing
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B18/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body
- A61B18/04—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating
- A61B18/12—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
- A61B18/14—Probes or electrodes therefor
- A61B18/1442—Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
- A61B17/28—Surgical forceps
- A61B17/29—Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery
- A61B2017/2926—Details of heads or jaws
- A61B2017/2932—Transmission of forces to jaw members
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B18/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body
- A61B2018/00571—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body for achieving a particular surgical effect
- A61B2018/0063—Sealing
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B90/00—Instruments, implements or accessories specially adapted for surgery or diagnosis and not covered by any of the groups A61B1/00 - A61B50/00, e.g. for luxation treatment or for protecting wound edges
- A61B90/03—Automatic limiting or abutting means, e.g. for safety
- A61B2090/033—Abutting means, stops, e.g. abutting on tissue or skin
- A61B2090/034—Abutting means, stops, e.g. abutting on tissue or skin abutting on parts of the device itself
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B90/00—Instruments, implements or accessories specially adapted for surgery or diagnosis and not covered by any of the groups A61B1/00 - A61B50/00, e.g. for luxation treatment or for protecting wound edges
- A61B90/03—Automatic limiting or abutting means, e.g. for safety
Abstract
An end effector for an electrosurgical instrument comprises a pair of opposing jaws 2, 3, each provided with a sealing electrode 7, 9, and at least one of which comprises first 5 and second 6 portions that are independently moveable one with respect to the other. A biasing mechanism 14 is also provided. The biasing mechanism 14 being such that the jaws 2, 3 are capable of generating a first closure force when the jaws 2, 3 are open beyond a predetermined set separation, and a second closure force when the jaws 2, 3 are closed beyond the predetermined set separation; the first closure force being greater than the second. This ensures that the instrument whilst capable of applying a relatively high force when sealing a vessel of relatively large diameter (16, Fig 2) - applies a reduced force when grasping and sealing vessels having a relatively small diameter (18, Fig 3). The predetermined separation is preferably established through the provision of a stop member 15. In a preferred embodiment the biasing mechanism 14 comprises a spring located between the two independently moveable portions 5, 6, of one of the jaws 2.
Description
ELECTROSURGICAL INSTRUMENT END EFFECTOR
This invention relates to an end effector for a surgical instrument, and to an electrosurgical instrument including such an end effector. End effectors such as these are commonly used for the treatment of tissue in surgical intervention, most commonly in “keyhole” or minimally invasive surgery, but also in “open” surgery. Many different types of end effectors are known, but the present invention relates to end effectors including a pair of jaw members.
It is known to provide an electrosurgical instrument in which jaw members grasp tissue for the purpose of sealing the tissue, but there has always been difficulty in performing an effective tissue seal on vessels with widely different diameters. An instrument capable of performing an effective seal on vessels with a diameter of, say, 3 mm may not be as effective on vessels with a diameter of less than 1 mm, and vice versa. Many jawed instruments introduce jaw stops to regulate the spacing between the jaw members when they are grasping tissue, but this still may not result in effective tissue seals being produced over a wide variety of vessel diameters.
The present invention attempts to provide an end effector capable of performing an effective tissue seal on vessels with a relatively small diameter, as well as those having a relatively larger diameter.
Accordingly, an end effector is provided for an electrosurgical instrument, the end effector including a parr of opposing first and second jaw members, at least one of the jaw members being movable relative to the other from a first open position in which the jaw members are disposed in a spaced relation relative to one another, to a second closed position in which the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween, the first jaw member comprising first and second portions independently movable one with respect to the other, a first sealing electrode located on the first jaw member, a second sealing electrode located on the second jaw member, a biasing mechanism capable of imparting a biasing force such that the jaw members are capable of generating a first closure force between the first and second sealing electrodes when the jaw members are open beyond a predetermined set separation, and a second closure force between the first and second sealing electrodes when the jaw members are closed beyond the predetermined set separation, the first closure force being greater than the second closure force.
This arrangement provides a first relatively larger closure force when the jaws are being closed but are still separated by more than the predetermined set separation distance. When the jaws are separated by less than the set separation, the jaws can still exert a closure force on the tissue, but a closure force that is less than that which can be exerted when the jaws are separated further. This means that, when the jaws are grasping a vessel with a relatively large diameter, the closure force which can be applied to the vessel is relatively high. Conversely, when the jaws are grasping a vessel with a relatively small diameter, the closure force which can be applied to the small vessel is much lower. However, the jaws are still capable of closing onto vessels of small diameter, it is just that the closure force is reduced by comparison.
It is stated above that there is a first sealing electrode located on the first jaw member, and a second sealing electrode located on the second jaw member. The first sealing electrode may be a separate component secured to the first jaw member, or the first jaw member may itself constitute the first sealing electrode. Similarly, the second sealing electrode may be a separate component secured to the second jaw member, or the second jaw member may itself constitute the second sealing electrode
At least one stop member is conveniently provided to establish the predetermined set separation. According to one convenient arrangement, the at least one stop member engages another component of the end effector when the distance between the first and second sealing electrodes equals the predetermined set separation. Typically, the stop member is present on a portion of the end effector other than the first and second sealing electrodes. Engagement of the stop member with the other component of the end effector causes the transition between the first closure force and the second closure force.
As mentioned previously, the first jaw member comprises first and second portions independently movable one with respect to the other. Conveniently, the biasing mechanism comprises a biasing element present between the first and second portions of the first jaw member. Before the engagement of the at least one stop member with the other component of the end effector, a relatively high closure force can be transferred to the first sealing electrode. However, after the engagement of the stop member with the other component of the end effector, the closure force which can be transferred to the first sealing electrode is limited to the force provided by the biasing mechanism. The biasing mechanism conveniently comprises a spring present between the first and second portions of the first jaw member.
The second portion is preferably pivotably connected to the first portion. Once the at least one stop member engages with the other component, the second portion pivots with respect to the first portion under the action of the biasing mechanism to provide the second closure force, applicable for relatively small vessels.
According to one convenient arrangement, a force transferring member transfers force from the first portion to the second portion. The force transferring member is conveniently a shoulder or stud contacting the second portion in order to transfer the force thereto. Preferably, the first sealing electrode is present on the second portion of the first jaw member, or is constituted by the second portion of the first jaw member itself.
The invention further resides in an electrosurgical instmment comprising a handle including an actuation mechanism, a pair of opposing first and second jaw members carried by the handle such that movement of the actuation mechanism causes at least one of the jaw members to move relative to the other from a first open position in which the jaw members are disposed in a spaced relation relative to one another, to a second closed position in which the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween, the first jaw member comprising first and second portions independently movable one with respect to the other, a first sealing electrode located on the first jaw member, a second sealing electrode located on the second jaw member, a biasing mechanism capable of imparting a biasing force such that the movement of the actuation mechanism generates a first closure force between the first and second sealing electrodes when the jaw members are open beyond a predetermined set separation, and a second closure force between the first and second sealing electrodes when the jaw members are closed beyond the predetermined set separation, the first closure force being greater than the second closure force.
The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic side view of an end effector in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the end effector of Figure 1, shown with a relatively large diameter vessel between its jaws.
Figure 3 is a schematic side view of the end effector of Figure 1, shown with a relatively small diameter vessel between its jaws.
Figure 4 is a schematic side view of an alternative embodiment of end effector in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 5 is a schematic side view of the end effector of Figure 4, shown with a relatively large diameter vessel between its jaws, and
Figure 6 is a schematic side view of the end effector of Figure 4, shown with a relatively small diameter vessel between its jaws.
Referring to Figure 1, an end effector for an electrosurgical forceps instrument is shown generally at 1, and comprises a first jaw member 2 pivotably connected to a second jaw member 3 by means of a pivot 4. Jaw member 2 comprises a first portion in the form of a stem 5 and a second portion in the form of a jaw digit 6, the jaw digit including a planar sealing surface 7. Stem 5 is pivotable about the pivot 4, while the digit 6 is pivotable with respect to the stem 5 by means of secondary pivot 8. Second jaw member 3 also has a planar sealing surface 9, the sealing surfaces 7 & 9 being complementary such that when the jaw members 2 & 3 are moved to their closed position, the sealing surfaces 7 & 9 cooperate to grasp tissue (not shown in Figure 1) therebetween.
Stem 5 is provided with a longitudinally projecting plate 10 having a distal tip 11, and the jaw digit 6 is provided with first and second chambers 12 & 13. The distal tip 11 of the plate 10 is received in the first chamber 12, the first chamber 12 being slightly larger than the thickness of the plate such that there is clearance therebetween. A coil spring 14 is received in the second chamber 13 to provide a biasing mechanism between the first and second portions of the jaw member 2. A stop member 15 present on the stem abuts the sealing surface 9 on the second jaw member 3 when the spacing between the sealing surfaces 7 & 9 reaches a predetermined minimum value.
Figure 2 shows the end effector 1 when a relatively large vessel 16 is grasped between the sealing surfaces 7 & 9 of the first and second jaw members. As the jaw members are urged to close by an actuator mechanism (not shown), the stem 5 pivots with respect to the jaw member 3 about the pivot 4. This causes the tip 11 of the plate 10 to contact a shoulder 17 formed by the first chamber 12, transferring the closure force from the stem to the digit 6 and hence to the sealing surface 7 and ultimately to the vessel 16. As the force is transferred directly to the sealing surface, whatever force is exerted by the actuator is transferred to the vessel, such that when an electrosurgical sealing voltage is supplied between the sealing surfaces 7 & 9, the vessel 16 is sealed.
Figure 3 shows the end effector 1 when a relatively small vessel 18 is grasped between the sealing surfaces 7 & 9 of the first and second jaw members. As before, the actuator mechanism pivots the stem with respect to the jaw member 3, but as the vessel 18 is relatively small, the stop member 15 contacts the sealing surface 9 before the vessel is fully compressed. With the stop member 15 engaged in this way, the stem 5 cannot pivot any further, but the digit 6 is still able to pivot with respect to the stem under the action of the coil spring 14. However, the closure force applied to the small vessel 18 is limited to the force exerted by the coil spring 14, and any further force applied by the actuator mechanism is not transferred to the vessel.
In this way, a small vessel such as the vessel 18 is compressed by the jaws 2 & 3, but with a smaller closure force than that exerted by the jaws on a larger vessel 16. Both small and large vessels can be effectively sealed by an electrosurgical sealing voltage is supplied between the sealing surfaces 7 & 9, without the possibility that the smaller vessels may be damaged by an overly large closure force. It should be noted that the stop member 15 does not act to regulate the spacing between the sealing surfaces 7 & 9, but merely the spacing at which the higher closure force exerted by the actuator is replaced with the lower closure force from the coil spring 14.
Figure 4 shows an alternative end effector in which similar components are designated with similar reference numerals. In this end effector, the first and second jaw members 2 «&; 3 arc pivoted as before at 4, and scaling surfaces 7 & 9 arc capable of grasping tissue therebetween. The first jaw member comprises first and second portions as before, but in this embodiment the digit 6 is pivotable with respect to the stem 5 by means of the same pivot point 4 as that connecting the first and second jaw members 2 &3.
The first and second chambers 12 & 13, together with the stop member 15 are all provided proximal of the pivot 4. The stem 5 once again has a longitudinally projecting plate 10 with a distal tip 11, received in the first chamber 12. The coil spring 14 is received in the second chamber 13 to provide a biasing mechanism between the first and second portions of the jaw member 2. The stop member 15 is present on that part 19 of the second jaw member 3 which is proximal of the pivot 4, and abuts a corresponding surface 20 of the stem 5 (which is also proximal of the pivot) when the spacing between the sealing surfaces 7 & 9 reaches a predetermined minimum value.
Figure 5 shows the end effector 1 when a relatively large vessel 16 is grasped between the sealing surfaces 7 & 9 of the first and second jaw members. As the jaw members are urged to close by the actuator mechanism, the stem 5 pivots with respect to the jaw member 3 about the pivot 4. This causes the tip 11 of the plate 10 to contact the shoulder 17 formed by the first chamber 12, transferring the closure force from the stem to the digit 6 and hence to the sealing surface 7 and ultimately to the vessel 16. As before, the force is transferred directly to the sealing surface, and whatever force is exerted by the actuator is transferred to the vessel.
Figure 6 shows the end effector 1 when a relatively small vessel 18 is grasped between the sealing surfaces 7 & 9 of the first and second jaw members. As before, the actuator mechanism pivots the stem with respect to the jaw member 3, but as the vessel 18 is relatively small, the stop member 15 contacts the surface 20 before the vessel is fully compressed. With the stop member 15 engaged in this way, the stem 5 cannot pivot any further, but the digit 6 is still able to pivot with respect to the stem under the action of the coil spring 14. However, the closure force applied to the small vessel 18 is limited to the force exerted by the coil spring 14, and any further force applied by the actuator mechanism is not transferred to the vessel. As before, a small vessel such as the vessel 18 is compressed by the jaws 2 & 3, but with a smaller closure force than that exerted by the jaws on a larger vessel 16. Both small and large vessels can be effectively sealed by an electrosurgical sealing voltage is supplied between the sealing surfaces 7 & 9.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, various arrangements of stops and biasing mechanisms can be employed, as long as the end result is that the closure force applied to the vessel when the jaws are in close proximity less than a set separation distance is less than that able to be exerted when the jaws separated by more than the set separation distance.
Claims (11)
1. An end effector for an electrosurgical instrument including a pair of opposing first and second jaw members, at least one of the jaw members being movable relative to the other from a first open position in which the jaw members are disposed in a spaced relation relative to one another, to a second closed position in which the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween, the first jaw member comprising first and second portions independently movable one with respect to the other, a first sealing electrode located on the first jaw member, a second sealing electrode located on the second jaw member, a biasing mechanism capable of imparting a biasing force such that the jaw members are capable of generating a first closure force between the first and second sealing electrodes when the jaw members are open beyond a predetermined set separation, and a second closure force between the first and second sealing electrodes when the jaw members are closed beyond the predetermined set separation, the first closure force being greater than the second closure force.
2. An end effector according to claim 1, wherein at least one stop member is provided to establish the predetermined set separation.
3. An end effector according to claim 2, wherein the at least one stop member engages another component of the end effector when the distance between the first and second sealing electrodes equals the predetermined set separation.
4. An end effector according to claim 3, wherein the at least one stop member is present on a portion of the end effector other than the first and second scaling electrodes.
5. An end effector according to any preceding claim, wherein the biasing mechanism comprises a biasing element present between the first and second portions of the first jaw member.
6. An end effector according to claim 5, wherein the biasing mechanism comprises a spring present between the first and second portions of the first jaw member.
7. An end effector according to any preceding claim, wherein the second portion is pivotably connected to the first portion.
8. An end effector according to any preceding claim, wherein a force transferring member transfers force from the first portion to the second portion.
9. An end effector according to any preceding claim, wherein the first sealing electrode is present on the second portion of the first jaw member.
10. An electrosurgical instrument comprising a handle including an actuation mechanism, a pair of opposing first and second jaw members carried by the handle such that movement of the actuation mechanism causes at least one of the jaw members to move relative to the other from a first open position in which the jaw members are disposed in a spaced relation relative to one another, to a second closed position in which the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween, the first jaw member comprising first and second portions independently movable one with respect to the other, a first sealing electrode located on the first jaw member, a second sealing electrode located on the second jaw member, a biasing mechanism capable of imparting a biasing force such that the movement of the actuation mechanism generates a first closure force between the first and second scaling electrodes when the jaw members arc open beyond a predetermined set separation, and a second closure force between the first and second sealing electrodes when the jaw members are closed beyond the predetermined set separation, the first closure force being greater than the second closure force.
11. An electrosurgical instrument according to claim 10, wherein at least one stop member is provided to establish the predetermined set separation.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB201606101 | 2016-04-11 |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB201707148D0 GB201707148D0 (en) | 2017-06-21 |
| GB2551039A true GB2551039A (en) | 2017-12-06 |
| GB2551039B GB2551039B (en) | 2018-06-06 |
Family
ID=59065720
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1707148.1A Active GB2551039B (en) | 2016-04-11 | 2017-05-04 | Electrosurgical instrument end effector |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2551039B (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN107920853A (en) * | 2015-08-05 | 2018-04-17 | 奥林巴斯株式会社 | Treatment apparatus |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US20130085496A1 (en) * | 2011-09-29 | 2013-04-04 | Tyco Healthcare Group Lp | Surgical Forceps |
| US20140214025A1 (en) * | 2013-01-25 | 2014-07-31 | Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. | End effector with compliant clamping jaw |
| GB2535222A (en) * | 2015-02-13 | 2016-08-17 | Gyrus Medical Ltd | End effector for electrosurgical instrument |
-
2017
- 2017-05-04 GB GB1707148.1A patent/GB2551039B/en active Active
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US20130085496A1 (en) * | 2011-09-29 | 2013-04-04 | Tyco Healthcare Group Lp | Surgical Forceps |
| US20140214025A1 (en) * | 2013-01-25 | 2014-07-31 | Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. | End effector with compliant clamping jaw |
| GB2535222A (en) * | 2015-02-13 | 2016-08-17 | Gyrus Medical Ltd | End effector for electrosurgical instrument |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN107920853A (en) * | 2015-08-05 | 2018-04-17 | 奥林巴斯株式会社 | Treatment apparatus |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2551039B (en) | 2018-06-06 |
| GB201707148D0 (en) | 2017-06-21 |
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