Surgical instruments for tensioning tissue

摘要

A surgical instrument can comprise an end effector including a plurality of jaws which can be configured to compress tissue therebetween. The end effector can further comprise one or more electrodes which can be configured to direct a flow of electrical current through the tissue in order to heat the tissue and denature collagen and/or other proteins within the tissue. As the tissue cools, the collagen and/or other proteins can renature and thereby seal the tissue. In certain embodiments, the end effector of the surgical instrument can further comprise movable portions which can apply a tension force to the tissue surrounding the tissue being sealed. In various circumstances, the tension force can reduce the over-denaturation, shrinkage, and/or other damage to the surrounding tissue caused by heat flowing from the end effector during the sealing process.

主权项

1. An end-effector configured to be attached to a surgical instrument comprising a closure beam, the end-effector comprising:
a first jaw comprising an electrode; a second jaw, wherein at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is movable relative to the other jaw between an open position and a closed position, and wherein, in the closed position, a first region of tissue is configured to be positioned intermediate the first jaw and the second jaw and is configured to be compressed; the first jaw comprising:
a first slider member movably attached to the first jaw and movable relative to the electrode and to the closure beam, wherein the first slider member comprises a first tissue-contacting surface configured to engage a second region of tissue; and the second jaw comprising:
a second slider member movably attached to the second jaw and movable relative to the electrode and to the closure beam, wherein the second slider member comprises a second tissue-contacting surface configured to engage the second region of tissue; a longitudinal slot; and a cutting member slidable within the longitudinal slot; wherein the first slider member and the second slider member are configured to change the width of the end effector and apply a tensile stretching force to tissue positioned intermediate the first region of tissue and the second region of tissue when the first slider member and the second slider member are moved laterally relative to the electrode and to the longitudinal slot.