Surgical forceps

摘要

A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members movable between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. A knife assembly having a cutting blade disposed at a distal end thereof is also provided. The knife assembly is translatable relative to the end effector assembly between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the cutting blade extends between the jaw members to cut tissue grasped therebetween. The knife assembly includes a proximal component and a first distal component that includes the cutting blade. The proximal and first distal components are removably coupled to one another to facilitate replacement of the first distal component. Methods of preparing such forceps for reuse are also provided.

主权项

1. A method of preparing a tissue sealing instrument for reuse, comprising:
obtaining a tissue sealing instrument that has previously been used, the tissue sealing instrument including:
an end effector assembly including first and second jaw members each defining a tissue-contacting surface and a longitudinally-extending knife channel defined through the tissue-contacting surface, at least one of the first or second jaw members configured to move relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position to grasp tissue between the tissue-contacting surfaces;a movable trigger; anda knife assembly having at least one proximal component and a first knife blade engaged to one another, wherein in the previous use of the tissue sealing instrument, the first knife blade was configured to translate through the longitudinally-extending knife channels in response to actuation of the movable trigger to cut tissue grasped between the tissue-contacting surfaces; disengaging the at least one proximal component from the first knife blade; discarding the first knife blade; at least one of cleaning or sterilizing the at least one proximal component, the end effector assembly, and the movable trigger; and engaging the at least one proximal component to a second knife blade such that, in a subsequent use of the tissue sealing instrument, the second knife blade is configured to translate through the longitudinally-extending knife channels in response to actuation of the movable trigger to cut tissue grasped between the tissue-contacting surfaces.