EP-4734868-A1 - SURGICAL END EFFECTOR ASSEMBLIES AND SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS FOR ENERGY-BASED TISSUE CUTTING

Abstract

A surgical instrument and surgical end effector assembly include first and second jaw members configured to cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The jaw member includes a compression pad defining a longitudinally extending channel and including a first electrode disposed within the channel. The second jaw member includes a second electrode. With the first and second jaw members grasping tissue, the second electrode extends into the channel of the compression pad, compresses the compression pad, and is disposed in alignment with the first electrode. The first and second electrodes are adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy and configured to conduct electrosurgical energy therebetween and through tissue to electrically cut the tissue.

Inventors

• KRASTINS, CRAIG V.
• WALBRIDGE, CHELSEA E.
• MERCIER, Daniel W.
• SCHMANSKI, Zoe M.
• YOUNG, Jake H.
• ALLEN, JAMES D., IV
• KINGSLEY, DYLAN R.
• VAN TOL, DAVID J.

Assignees

• Covidien LP

Dates

Publication Date

20260506

Application Date

20240621

Claims (20)

1. 1. A surgical end effector assembly, comprising: first and second jaw members including respective first and second tissue contacting surfaces, at least one of the first or second jaw members configured to move relative to the other of the first or second jaw members between a spaced apart position and an approximated position to grasp tissue between the first and second tissue contacting surfaces, the first jaw member including a compression pad defining a longitudinally extending channel having an elongate open portion oriented towards the second jaw member and an elongate closed portion recessed within the first jaw member, the first jaw member further including a first electrode retained within the channel along the elongate closed portion of the channel, the second jaw member including a second electrode extending from the second jaw member towards the first jaw member, wherein, in the approximated position, the second electrode extends into the channel of the compression pad, compresses the compression pad, is disposed in alignment with the first electrode, and is approximated relative to the first electrode, and wherein the first and second electrodes are adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy and configured to conduct electrosurgical energy therebetween and through a portion of the grasped tissue to electrically cut the portion of the grasped tissue.
2. 2. The surgical end effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first tissue contacting surface extends along opposite sides of the first electrode and wherein the second tissue contacting surface extends along opposite sides of the second electrode.
3. 3. The surgical end effector assembly according to claim 2, wherein the first and second tissue contacting surfaces are adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy and configured to conduct electrosurgical energy therebetween and through the grasped tissue to seal the grasped tissue.
4. 4. The surgical end effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the channel tapers in width from the elongate open portion thereof to the elongate closed portion thereof.
5. 5. The surgical end effector assembly according to claim 4, wherein the second electrode tapers in width from a first portion thereof that is recessed within the second jaw member to a second portion thereof that extends from the second jaw member towards the first jaw member.
6. 6. The surgical end effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein, in the approximated position, the second electrode is configured to compress opposing portions of the compression pad on either side of the channel outwardly to thereby expand a width of the channel.
7. 7. The surgical end effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first electrode is a wire electrode.
8. 8. The surgical end effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the compression pad is disposed within a first slot defined within the first jaw member and wherein the second electrode is disposed within as second slot defined within the second jaw member.
9. 9. The surgical end effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second electrode includes an electrically conductive element and an insulative coating disposed on a portion of the electrically conductive element.
10. 10. The surgical end effector assembly according to claim 9, wherein the electrically conductive element defines an exposed surface that is not coated with the insulative coating, and wherein the exposed surface is fully disposed within the channel of the compression pad in the approximated position.
11. 11. A surgical end effector assembly, comprising: first and second jaw members, at least one of the first or second jaw members configured to move relative to the other of the first or second jaw members between a spaced apart position and an approximated position, the first jaw member including a compression pad defining a longitudinally extending channel having an elongate open portion oriented towards the second jaw member and an elongate closed portion recessed within the first jaw member, the first jaw member further including a wire electrode retained within the channel along the elongate closed portion of the channel, the second jaw member including a cutting electrode extending from the second jaw member towards the first jaw member, wherein, in the approximated position, the cutting electrode extends into the channel of the compression pad, compresses the compression pad, is disposed in alignment with the wire electrode, is approximated relative to the wire electrode, and is configured to capture tissue within the channel of the compression pad between the cutting electrode and the wire electrode, and wherein the cutting and wire electrodes are adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy and configured to conduct electrosurgical energy therebetween and through the grasped tissue to electrically cut the grasped tissue.
12. 12. The surgical end effector assembly according to claim 11, wherein the first jaw member defines a first tissue contacting surface having a U-shaped configuration and extending about the compression pad, and wherein the second jaw member defines a second tissue contacting surface having a U-shaped configuration and extending about the cutting electrode.
13. 13. The surgical end effector assembly according to claim 12, wherein the first and second tissue contacting surfaces are adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy and configured to conduct electrosurgical energy therebetween to seal tissue grasped between the first and second jaw members.
14. 14. The surgical end effector assembly according to claim 11, wherein the channel tapers in width from the elongate open portion thereof to the elongate closed portion thereof and wherein the cutting electrode tapers in width from a first portion thereof that is recessed within the second jaw member to a second portion thereof that extends from the second jaw member towards the first jaw member.
15. 15. The surgical end effector assembly according to claim 11, wherein, in the approximated position, the cutting electrode is configured to compress opposing portions of the compression pad on either side of the channel outwardly to thereby expand a width of the channel.
16. 16. The surgical end effector assembly according to claim 11, wherein the cutting electrode includes an electrically conductive element and an insulative coating disposed on a portion of the electrically conductive element.
17. 17. The surgical end effector assembly according to claim 16, wherein the electrically conductive element defines an exposed surface that is not coated with the insulative coating, and wherein the exposed surface is fully disposed within the channel of the compression pad in the approximated position.
18. 18. A surgical instrument, comprising: a shaft assembly; and an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end of the shaft assembly, the end effector assembly including: a first jaw member including a compression pad including first and second walls defining a longitudinally extending channel having an elongate open portion and an elongate closed portion, the first jaw member further including a first electrode disposed within the channel and extending along the elongate closed portion of the channel; and the second jaw member configured to cooperate with the first jaw member to grasp tissue therebetween in an approximated position of the first and second jaw members, the second jaw member including a second electrode extending from the second jaw member towards the first jaw member, wherein, in the approximated position, the second electrode extends into the elongate open portion of the channel of the compression pad, urges the first and second walls outwardly to compress the compression pad and expand a width of the channel, and aligns with the first electrode, and wherein, the first and second electrodes are adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy and configured to conduct electrosurgical energy through tissue disposed therebetween to electrically cut the tissue.
19. 19. The surgical instrument according to claim 18, wherein the second electrode includes an electrically conductive element and an insulative coating disposed on a portion of the electrically conductive element.
20. 20. The surgical instrument according to claim 19, wherein the electrically conductive element defines an exposed surface that is not coated with the insulative coating, and wherein the exposed surface is fully disposed within the channel of the compression pad in the approximated position.

Description

SURGICAL END EFFECTOR ASSEMBLIES AND SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS FOR ENERGY-BASED TISSUE CUTTING CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63/510,418, filed June 27, 2023, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. FIELD [0001] This disclosure relates to surgical instruments and, more specifically, to surgical end effector assemblies and surgical instruments for energy-based tissue cutting such as, for example, for use in surgical robotic systems. BACKGROUND [0002] Surgical robotic systems are increasingly utilized in various different surgical procedures. Some surgical robotic systems include a console supporting a robotic arm. One or more different surgical instruments may be configured for use with the surgical robotic system and selectively mountable to the robotic arm. The robotic arm provides one or more inputs to the mounted surgical instrument to enable operation of the mounted surgical instrument. [0003] A surgical forceps, one type of instrument capable of being utilized with a robotic surgical system, relies on mechanical action between its jaw members to grasp, clamp, and constrict tissue. Electrosurgical forceps utilize both controlled mechanical clamping action and energy to heat tissue to seal (or otherwise treat) tissue. Typically, once tissue is sealed, the tissue is severed using a cutting element. Accordingly, many electrosurgical forceps are designed to incorporate a mechanical cutting element to effectively sever sealed tissue (and/or to cut tissue independently of tissue sealing). Alternatively, surgical forceps may incorporate an energy-based, e.g., thermal, electrical, ultrasonic, etc., cutting mechanism to cut tissue, whether previously sealed or unsealed. SUMMARY [0004] As used herein, the term “distal” refers to the portion that is being described which is farther from an operator (whether a human surgeon or a surgical robot), while the term “proximal” refers to the portion that is being described which is closer to the operator. Terms including “generally,” “about,” “substantially,” and the like, as utilized herein, are meant to encompass variations, e.g., manufacturing tolerances, material tolerances, use and environmental tolerances, measurement variations, design variations, and/or other variations, up to and including plus or minus 10 percent. To the extent consistent, any of the aspects described herein may be used in conjunction with any or all of the other aspects described herein. [0005] Provided in accordance with aspects of this disclosure is a surgical end effector assembly including first and second jaw members including respective first and second tissue contacting surfaces. At least one of the first or second jaw members is configured to move relative to the other of the first or second jaw members between a spaced apart position and an approximated position to grasp tissue between the first and second tissue contacting surfaces. The first jaw member includes a compression pad defining a longitudinally extending channel having an elongate open portion oriented towards the second jaw member and an elongate closed portion recessed within the first jaw member. The first jaw member further includes a first electrode retained within the channel along the elongate closed portion of the channel. The second jaw member includes a second electrode extending from the second jaw member towards the first jaw member. In the approximated position, the second electrode extends into the channel of the compression pad, compresses the compression pad, is disposed in alignment with the first electrode, and is approximated relative to the first electrode. The first and second electrodes are adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy and configured to conduct electrosurgical energy therebetween and through a portion of the grasped tissue to electrically cut the portion of the grasped tissue. [0006] In an aspect of this disclosure, the first tissue contacting surface extends along opposite sides of the first electrode and the second tissue contacting surface extends along opposite sides of the second electrode. [0007] In another aspect of this disclosure, the first and second tissue contacting surfaces are adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy and configured to conduct electrosurgical energy therebetween and through the grasped tissue to seal the grasped tissue. [0008] In another aspect of this disclosure, the channel tapers in width from the elongate open portion thereof to the elongate closed portion thereof. Alternatively or additionally, the second electrode tapers in width from a first portion thereof that is recessed within the second jaw member to a second portion thereof that extends from the second jaw member towards the first jaw member. [0009] In yet another aspect of this disclosure, in the approximated position, the second electrode is co