BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to surgical forceps and, more particularly, to an open surgical forceps for grasping, treating, and/or dividing tissue.

Background of Related Art

A forceps is a plier-like instrument which relies on mechanical action between its jaws to grasp, clamp, and constrict tissue. Electrosurgical forceps utilize both mechanical clamping action and electrical energy to treat tissue, e.g., by heating tissue to coagulate, cauterize, and/or seal tissue.

Typically, once tissue is treated, the surgeon has to accurately sever the tissue along the treated portion thereof. Accordingly, many forceps have been designed to incorporate a knife which is deployable to effectively sever tissue after treatment thereof.

SUMMARY

As used herein, the term “distal” refers to the portion that is being described that is further from a user, while the term “proximal” refers to the portion that is being described that is closer to a user. Further, to the extent consistent, any of the aspects described herein may be used in conjunction with any of the other aspects described herein.

In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, a forceps is provided including first and second shaft members, first and second jaw members, and first and second electrode plates. The first and second shaft members each define a proximal end and a distal end. The first and second jaw members each include a distal jaw body and a proximal flange. The proximal flanges of the first and second jaw members are engaged with the respective first and second shaft members and are pivotably coupled to each other such that pivoting the first and second shaft members relative to each other from an open position to a closed position pivots the distal jaw bodies of the first and second jaw members relative to each other from a spaced-apart position to an approximated position. The first electrode plate is coupled to the first jaw member and includes a tissue-contacting portion disposed on the distal jaw body of the first jaw member and a proximal extension portion extending proximally from the tissue-contacting portion at least partially through the proximal flange of the first jaw member. The tissue-contacting portion and the proximal extension portion are disposed in perpendicular planes relative to each other. The second electrode plate is coupled to the second jaw member and includes a tissue-contacting portion disposed on the distal jaw body of the second jaw member and a proximal extension portion extending proximally from the tissue-contacting portion at least partially through the proximal flange of the second jaw member. The tissue-contacting portion and the proximal extension portion are disposed in perpendicular planes relative to each other.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, the proximal extension portion of the first electrode plate extends through the proximal flange of the first jaw member and at least partially through the first shaft member. Additionally or alternatively, the proximal extension portion of the first electrode plate extends about the pivot.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the proximal extension portion of the second electrode plate includes a first segment and a second segment. The first segment extends at least partially through the proximal flange of the second jaw member and is substantially disposed distally of the pivot. The second segment extends at least partially through the proximal flange of the first jaw member and is substantially disposed proximally of the pivot. The second segment extends at least partially through the first shaft member. A spring washer disposed about the pivot may be provided for electrically coupling the first and second segments of the proximal extension portion of the second electrode plate with each other.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, an activation button disposed on the first shaft member or the second shaft member is provided. In such aspects, the proximal extension portion of at least one of the first or second electrode plates is electrically coupled to the activation button.

In still another aspect of the present disclosure, an electrosurgical cable extends from the first shaft member or the second shaft member. In such aspects, the proximal extension portion of at least one of the first or second electrode plates is electrically coupled to the electrosurgical cable.

In still yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the first and second shaft members are biased towards the open position thereby biasing the first and second jaw members towards the spaced-apart position.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a knife assembly is operably coupled to one of the first shaft member or the second shaft member and includes a knife blade disposed within one of the first jaw member or the second jaw member. In such aspects, the first and second shaft members are movable from the closed position to a cutting position to move the knife blade from a retracted position to an extended position, wherein the knife blade extends at least partially between the first and second jaw members.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, at least one of the tissue-contacting portion of the first electrode plate or the tissue-contacting portion of the second electrode plate defines a knife channel configured to permit passage of the knife blade therethrough.

Another forceps provided in accordance with the present disclosure includes first and second shaft members each defining a proximal end and a distal end, first and second jaw members, a knife assembly, an activation button, and an activation assembly. The first and second jaw members are engaged with the respective first and second shaft members and coupled to each other such that moving the first and second shaft members relative to each other from an open position to a closed position moves the first and second jaw members relative to each other from a spaced-apart position to an approximated position. The knife assembly is operably coupled to one of the first shaft member or the second shaft member and includes a knife blade disposed within one of the first jaw member or the second jaw member. The first and second shaft members are movable from the closed position to a cutting position to move the knife blade from a retracted position to an extended position, wherein the knife blade extends at least partially between the first and second jaw members. The activation button is disposed on the first shaft member and configured for selective activation to supply energy to the first and second jaw members. The activation assembly is disposed within the second shaft member and positioned to oppose the activation button. The activation assembly includes a foot movably disposed within a cavity defined within the second shaft member. As such, moving the first and second shaft members relative to each other from the open position to the closed position urges the foot into contact with the activation button to supply energy to the first and second jaw members. Further, moving the first and second shaft members relative to each other from the closed position to the cutting position urges the activation button into contact with the foot such that the foot is recessed into the cavity and at least a portion of the activation button is accommodated within the cavity.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, the first and second shaft members are movable relative to each other from the closed position to the cutting position independent of movement of the first and second jaw members. In such aspects, one of the first or second shaft members may be coupled to the respective first or second jaw member via a flexible connection permitting movement of the first and second shaft members relative to each other from the closed position to the cutting position independent of movement of the first and second jaw members.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the knife assembly includes a knife bar engaged with of the first shaft member or the second shaft member. The knife bar is coupled to the knife blade such that movement of the first and second shaft members from the closed position to the cutting position moves the knife blade relative to the first and second jaw members from the retracted position to the extended position.

In still another aspect of the present disclosure, the first and second shaft members are biased towards the open position thereby biasing the first and second jaw members towards the spaced-apart position.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the foot is coupled to the second shaft member via a biasing member that biases the foot outwardly from the cavity.

In still yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the biasing member defines a biasing force that is greater than a force required to activate the activation button.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a first electrode plate is coupled to the first jaw member. The first electrode plate includes a tissue-contacting portion disposed on the first jaw member and a proximal extension portion extending proximally from the tissue-contacting portion at least partially through the first shaft member.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a second electrode plate is coupled to the second jaw member. The second electrode plate includes a tissue-contacting portion disposed on the second jaw member and a proximal extension portion extending proximally from the tissue-contacting portion at least partially through the first shaft member.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the proximal extension portion of the second electrode plate includes a first segment and a second segment. The first segment extends at least partially through the second jaw member and the second segment extending at least partially through the first jaw member and at least partially through the first shaft member.

