Abstract: An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes a housing and a shaft, the shaft having an end effector assembly at its distal end, which includes two jaw members for grasping tissue therebetween. Each jaw member is adapted to connect to an electrosurgical energy source, enabling them to affect a tissue seal to tissue held therebetween. A drive assembly is included within the housing for moving the jaw members and it includes first and second gear-like cam members. A movable handle is also included, such that movement of the handle rotates the first gear-like cam member into cooperation with the second gear-like cam member to actuate the drive assembly to move the jaw members relative to each other.

Abstract: An endoscopic forceps for treating tissue includes a housing having a shaft affixed thereto which has first and second jaw members attached to a distal end thereof. The forceps also includes an actuator for moving 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 cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. Each of the jaw members is adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are selectively capable of operating in a bipolar mode which enables the jaw members to conduct bipolar energy through tissue held therebetween to treat tissue. The forceps also includes a monopolar element housed within the first jaw member and integrally associated with the knife. The monopolar element is selectively movable from a first position within the first jaw member to a second position distal to the first jaw member.

Abstract: An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes a housing and a shaft affixed to the housing. The shaft includes a longitudinal axis defined therethrough and a pair of jaw members attached to a distal end thereof. The forceps also includes a drive assembly for moving one of the jaw members relative to the other jaw member. A movable handle is included which moves the jaw members from the open and closed positions. The forceps is adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting bipolar energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal. A trigger assembly is operatively disposed relative to the movable handle for selectively advancing a knife assembly for cutting tissue along the tissue seal. The knife assembly includes a knife collar which cooperates with a knife shaft to advance a knife through tissue upon activation of the trigger assembly.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a jaw member for use with a jaw assembly includes the step of: providing a jaw housing, an electrically conductive plate and an insulated wire for conducting a first electrical potential. The method also includes the step of: molding a first plastic onto a surface of the jaw housing such that the plastic forms a datum for receiving the electrically conductive plate and forms an elongated slot therein for receiving the insulated wire therealong. The method also includes the steps of: engaging a lead end of the wire with the electrically conductive plate such that the first electrical potential is conducted to the electrically conductive plate; aligning the electrically conductive plate atop the jaw housing and within the plastic datum such that the insulated wire aligns within the elongated slot; and molding a second plastic to secure the electrically conductive plate and the insulated wire atop the jaw housing.

Abstract: An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes a housing and a shaft affixed to the housing. The shaft includes a longitudinal axis defined therethrough and a pair of jaw members attached to a distal end thereof. The forceps also includes a drive assembly for moving one of the jaw members relative to the other jaw member from a first position wherein the movable jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to each other to a second position wherein the jaw members are closer one another for manipulating tissue. A movable handle is included which is rotatable about a pivot to force a drive flange of the movable handle into mechanical cooperation with the drive assembly to move the jaw members from the open and closed positions. The pivot is located a fixed distance from the longitudinal axis and the drive flange is located generally along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof. The jaw members are movable 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 cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The forceps also includes a source of electrical energy connected to each jaw member such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal. A generally tube-like cutter is included which is slidably engaged about the elongated shaft and which is selectively movable about the elongated shaft to engage and cut tissue on at least one side of the jaw members while the tissue is engaged between jaw members.