Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes a shaft that extends from a housing of the electrosurgical forceps. An end effector assembly is operably coupled to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of first and second jaw members. Each jaw member has a jaw housing and an electrosurgical seal plate. The first jaw member is movable relative to the second jaw member from an open configuration to a clamping configuration. The first jaw member includes an elongated channel defined in its respective jaw housing and extends along a length thereof. A drive assembly operably couples to the first jaw member via a drive rod that is engageable with the elongated channel to move the first jaw member from the open configuration to the clamping configuration and to provide a closure force between the jaw members when the jaw members are in the clamping configuration.

Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having a stop and a plurality of overmold teeth within at least one jaw member. One (or both) of the jaw members is moveable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. One (or both) of the jaw members includes a stop molded within an insulative housing, and an insulator plate with the overmold teeth formed from plastic. The overmold teeth extend through openings within a sealing plate and protrude past the tissue sealing surface of the sealing plate. The stop primarily controls the gap distance between opposing jaw members by bearing most of an applied load and the overmold teeth assist in controlling the gap distance by bearing the remaining applied load.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector assembly and a switch assembly. The end effector assembly includes a monopolar assembly and a bipolar assembly. The switch assembly includes first and second bipolar inputs, first and second bipolar outputs, a monopolar input, and a monopolar output. The switch assembly is transitionable between a first condition, wherein the first and second bipolar inputs are coupled to the first and second bipolar outputs, respectively, for supplying energy to the bipolar assembly, and a second condition, wherein the monopolar input and the monopolar output are coupled to one another for supplying energy to the monopolar assembly.

Abstract: A method includes providing a bipolar energy source, a monopolar energy source, a bipolar assembly, and a monopolar assembly. The method further includes moving the monopolar assembly to a retracted position. Moving the monopolar assembly to the retracted position couples the bipolar energy source to the bipolar assembly and decouples the monopolar energy source from the monopolar assembly. The method further includes moving the monopolar assembly to a deployed position. Moving the monopolar assembly to the deployed position decouples the bipolar energy source from the bipolar assembly and couples the monopolar energy source to the monopolar assembly.

Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps is provided with a shaft that extends from a housing of the electrosurgical forceps. An end effector assembly operably coupled to a distal end of the shaft includes a pair of first and second jaw members each having jaw housing and an electrosurgical seal plate. One or both of the first and second jaw members is movable from an open configuration, to a clamping configuration. The moveable jaw member includes an elongated channel defined in its respective jaw housing and extends along a length thereof. A drive assembly operably couples to the moveable jaw member via a drive rod that is engageable with the elongated channel to move the movable jaw member from the open configuration to the clamping configuration and to provide a closure force between the first and second jaw members when the jaw members are in the clamping configuration.

Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having a stop and a plurality of overmold teeth within at least one jaw member. One (or both) of the jaw members is moveable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. One (or both) of the jaw members includes a stop molded within an insulative housing, and an insulator plate with the overmold teeth formed from plastic. The overmold teeth extend through openings within a sealing plate and protrude past the tissue sealing surface of the sealing plate. The stop primarily controls the gap distance between opposing jaw members by bearing most of an applied load and the overmold teeth assist in controlling the gap distance by bearing the remaining applied load.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an end effector assembly includes providing first and second jaw members moveable relative to one another about a pivot between a first, spaced-apart position and a second, approximated position. One of the first and second jaw members includes a cavity defined therein and the other of the first and second jaw members includes a stop member configured to be inserted into the cavity. A gap-setting gauge is grasped between the first and second jaw members to define a gap-distance between the jaw members equivalent to a thickness of the gap-setting gauge. The first and second jaw members are set such that the jaw members are prevented from approximation beyond the gap-distance.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an end effector assembly is provided. The method includes grasping a gap-setting gauge between first and second jaw members moveable relative to one another about a pivot between a first, spaced-apart position and a second position proximate tissue and setting the first and second jaw members such that in the approximated position the jaw members cooperate to define a gap distance between the jaw members equivalent to the thickness of the gap-setting gauge such that when positioning tissue between the jaw members full approximation of the jaws is limited to the gap distance.

Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having a stop and a plurality of overmold teeth within at least one jaw member. One (or both) of the jaw members is moveable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. One (or both) of the jaw members includes a stop molded within an insulative housing, and an insulator plate with the overmold teeth formed from plastic. The overmold teeth extend through openings within a sealing plate and protrude past the tissue sealing surface of the sealing plate. The stop primarily controls the gap distance between opposing jaw members by bearing most of an applied load and the overmold teeth assist in controlling the gap distance by bearing the remaining applied load.

Abstract: A bipolar endoscopic forceps including an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof and a blade guide operatively disposed between the jaw members. The jaw members are movable relative to one another about a pivot from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in a spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. Each jaw member includes an electrically conductive sealing surface. The blade guide is configured to facilitate translation of a knife through a knife channel defined in the jaw members. The blade guide has an aperture defined therethrough for housing the pivot.

Abstract: An endoscopic forceps includes an elongate shaft defining an instrument axis. An end effector includes first and second jaw members each supporting an opposed sealing surface for clamping tissue. At least one of the jaw members is movable relative to the instrument axis such that the jaw members are movable between a first spaced-apart configuration and a second closed configuration for grasping tissue. A cutting instrument includes a reciprocating blade translatable relative to the sealing surfaces to sever tissue clamped between the jaw members. The reciprocating blade contacts an undersurface of at least one of the jaw members when the jaw members are in the second configuration to define a gap distance between the sealing surfaces. A handle adjacent the proximal end of the elongate shaft is operable to induce motion in the jaw members, and an actuator is operable to selectively translate the reciprocating blade.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an end effector assembly is provided. The method includes grasping a gap-setting gauge between first and second jaw members moveable relative to one another about a pivot between a first, spaced-apart position and a second position proximate tissue and setting the first and second jaw members such that in the approximated position the jaw members cooperate to define a gap distance between the jaw members equivalent to the thickness of the gap-setting gauge such that when positioning tissue between the jaw members full approximation of the jaws is limited to the gap distance.

Abstract: An endoscopic forceps includes an elongate shaft defining an instrument axis. An end effector includes first and second jaw members each supporting an opposed sealing surface for clamping tissue. At least one of the jaw members is movable relative to the instrument axis such that the jaw members are movable between a first spaced-apart configuration and a second closed configuration for grasping tissue. A cutting instrument includes a reciprocating blade translatable relative to the sealing surfaces to sever tissue clamped between the jaw members. The reciprocating blade contacts an undersurface of at least one of the jaw members when the jaw members are in the second configuration to define a gap distance between the sealing surfaces. A handle adjacent the proximal end of the elongate shaft is operable to induce motion in the jaw members, and an actuator is operable to selectively translate the reciprocating blade.

Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members, each jaw member including a tissue sealing plate disposed thereon. One or both of the jaw members is movable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. One or both of the jaw members defines a first channel extending therethrough and an opening in the tissue sealing plate thereof that is aligned with the first channel. A stop member having a pre-determined configuration is removably engaged within the first channel. At least a portion of the stop member is configured to extend through the opening of the tissue sealing plate to define a minimum gap distance between the tissue sealing plates of the jaw members when the jaw members are disposed in the approximated position.

Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps is provided with a shaft that extends from a housing of the electrosurgical forceps. An end effector assembly operably coupled to a distal end of the shaft includes a pair of first and second jaw members each having jaw housing and an electrosurgical seal plate. One or both of the first and second jaw members is movable from an open configuration, to a clamping configuration. The moveable jaw member includes an elongated channel defined in its respective jaw housing and extends along a length thereof. A drive assembly operably couples to the moveable jaw member via a drive rod that is engageable with the elongated channel to move the movable jaw member from the open configuration to the clamping configuration and to provide a closure force between the first and second jaw members when the jaw members are in the clamping configuration.

Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps is provided with a shaft that extends from a housing of the electrosurgical forceps. An end effector assembly includes a pair of first and second jaw members pivotably coupled to one another via a pivot pin. One or both of the first and second jaw members may be movable from an open position for positioning tissue therebetween to a clamping position for grasping tissue. A detent is operably disposed proximal the pivot pin and extends radially outward from a proximal flange of one of the jaw members. The detent is configured to releasably engage a corresponding slot disposed on a proximal flange of the other jaw member. The detent and slot are configured to control a gap distance between the first and second jaw members when the first and second jaw members are in the clamping position.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument has a first and a second set of needle like structures. Each set of needle like structures is functional for puncturing the skin of a patient on opposing sides of a wound or cut. Each needle comprises a body and a pointed portion at a distal end. The distal end is structured to form a sealing surface with an opposing needle on a needle of the other set. The sealing surfaces are adapted to connect to an electrical energy source such that the sealing surfaces are capable of conducting bipolar energy therebetween. The first and second set of needle like structures are movable from a first position where the needles are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position where the first and second sets of needles members are closer to one another. A mechanical force applied to or within a housing is utilized to move the needles sets from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A forceps includes a housing having a shaft attached thereto and an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end thereof. The shaft has a longitudinal axis defined therethrough. The end effector assembly includes a pair of jaw members disposed in opposing relation relative to one another. Each jaw member has an opposing sealing surface and at least one of the jaw members is moveable relative to the other about a pivot from a first position to a second position for grasping tissue therebetween. The pivot is positioned offset from the longitudinal axis defined through the shaft. When the jaw members are disposed in the second position, a plane is formed between the opposing sealing surfaces, the plane offset from the longitudinal axis.