| 主权项 |
1. An endoscopic bipolar forceps, comprising:
a housing; a shaft affixed to the housing having jaw members at a distal end thereof, the shaft having a longitudinal axis defined therethrough, the jaw members adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal; a drive assembly including a selectively advanceable drive sleeve configured to move the jaw members relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members are closer to one another for manipulating tissue; a movable handle being rotatable about a pivot to force a drive flange of the drive assembly to move the jaw members between the first and second positions, the pivot being located a fixed distance above the longitudinal axis whereas the drive flange being located generally along the longitudinal axis; a selectively advanceable knife assembly having a knife bar which moves a knife to cut tissue between jaw members; a knife lockout mechanism operatively connected to the drive assembly, the knife lockout mechanism being generally hook-like including an upper hook element and a lower hook element, wherein movement of the drive assembly moves the lockout mechanism from a first orientation wherein the knife lockout mechanism is biased to obstruct the movement of the knife bar to prevent movement thereof to a second position wherein the knife lockout mechanism rotates about a pivot such that upper hook element dislodges out of obstructive alignment, which allows selective, unencumbered movement of the knife bar to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members. |
