Inventors:
Lap Nguyen - Longmont CO, US
Steven Buysse - Longmont CO, US
Dale Schmaltz - Fort Collins CO, US
Stephen Lukianow - Boulder CO, US
Michael Lands - Louisville CO, US
Jenifer Kennedy - Boulder CO, US
Kate Lawes - Superior CO, US
Daniel Trimberger - Rochester NY, US
Mathew Mitchell - Seattle WA, US
Kristin Johnson - Louisville CO, US
Gary Couture - Longmont CO, US
Philip Tetzlaff - Superior CO, US
International Classification:
A61B018/14
Abstract:
A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for clamping, grasping, manipulating, and sealing tissue includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof. The handle being operable to effect movement of the 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. The bipolar instrument is connectable to a source of electrical energy having a first electrical potential connected to one of the jaw members and a second electrical potential connected to the other of the jaw members such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal. Both the first and second electrical potentials are transmitted to the jaw members through the first shaft.