(19)
(11)EP 1 535 581 A3

(12)EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)Date of publication A3:
26.10.2005 Bulletin 2005/43

(43)Date of publication A2:
01.06.2005 Bulletin 2005/22

(21)Application number: 05004909.7

(22)Date of filing:  06.04.2001
(51)International Patent Classification (IPC)7A61B 18/14
(84)Designated Contracting States:
DE ES FR GB IE IT

(62)Application number of the earlier application in accordance with Art. 76 EPC:
01930454.2 / 1372510

(71)Applicant: Sherwood Services AG
8200 Schaffhausen (CH)

(72)Inventors:
  • Dycus, Sean T.
    Superior CO 80027 (US)
  • Brown, Dax D.
    Louisville, KY 40241 (US)
  • Farascioni, David
    Bethel CT 06801 (US)
  • Primavera, Michael
    Milford CT 06460 (US)
  • Fowler, David
    Trumbull CT 06611 (US)

(74)Representative: HOFFMANN EITLE 
Patent- und Rechtsanwälte Arabellastrasse 4
81925 München
81925 München (DE)

  


(54)Vessel sealer and divider


(57) An electrosurgical instrument for performing at least one of sealing and dividing tissue, comprising:

a housing having a shaft attached thereto, the shaft defining a longitudinal axis;

a first jaw member movable relative to a second jaw member, the first jaw member attached to the shaft and being relatively movable from a first open position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second closed position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween;

a drive rod assembly which imparts movement of the jaw members between the first and second positions;

a rotating assembly attached to the housing which selectively rotates the jaw members about the longitudinal axis;

a knife assembly attached to the housing which selectively separates tissue grasped between the jaw members;

a handle assembly attached to the housing which selectively actuates the drive rod assembly;

first and second electrical leads which connect the jaw members to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween; and

a handswitch attached to the housing which allows a user to selectively energize the jaw members.









Search report