Electrosurgical Instrument and Method

摘要

An electrosurgical working end and method for sealing and transecting tissue. An exemplary working end provides curved jaw members that are positioned on opposing sides of the targeted anatomic structure. The working end carries a slidable extension member having flange portions with inner surfaces that slide over the jaw members to clamp tissue therebetween. The working end carries an independent slidable cutting member that is flexible to follow the curved axis of the jaws. The electrosurgical surfaces of the jaws include partially-resistive bodies for carrying a current or load which modulates ohmic heating in the engaged tissue to prevent charring and desiccation of tissue to create a high strength thermal seal.

主权项

1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
an elongate introducer having a working end including openable-closeable first and second jaw members having curved distal portions that define a curved tissue-engaging axis; a flanged member that is slidably carried by the introducer, the flanged member moveable between a first non-extended position and second extended position wherein flanges slidably engage the jaw members to move the jaws from an open position to a closed position; and a flexible tissue-cutting member slidably carried by the introducer, the tissue-cutting member moveable between a first non-extended position and a second extended position that extends distally beyond the translatable member and flexes.