US 12,011,209 B2
Electrosurgical forceps for grasping, treating, and/or dividing tissue
Kelley D. Goodman, Erie, CO (US); David Michael Keffeler, Niwot, CO (US); Craig V. Krastins, Arvada, CO (US); Jennifer E. Lee, Parker, CO (US); Robert F. McCullough, Jr., Boulder, CO (US); Daniel W. Mercier, Erie, CO (US); and Grant T. Sims, Boulder, CO (US)
Assigned to Covidien LP, Mansfield, MA (US)
Filed by Covidien LP, Mansfield, MA (US)
Filed on Nov. 15, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/527,049.
Application 17/527,049 is a continuation of application No. 15/975,928, filed on May 10, 2018, granted, now 11,172,980.
Application 15/975,928 is a continuation in part of application No. 15/593,672, filed on May 12, 2017, granted, now 10,973,567, issued on Apr. 13, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0071690 A1, Mar. 10, 2022
Int. Cl. A61B 18/14 (2006.01); B23K 26/00 (2014.01); B23K 26/30 (2014.01); B23K 26/32 (2014.01); B23K 26/352 (2014.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); A61B 18/00 (2006.01); A61B 34/35 (2016.01); B23K 101/20 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 18/1445 (2013.01) [A61B 18/1442 (2013.01); B23K 26/0006 (2013.01); B23K 26/30 (2013.01); B23K 26/32 (2013.01); B23K 26/3576 (2018.08); A61B 2017/00526 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00172 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00178 (2013.01); A61B 2018/1455 (2013.01); A61B 34/35 (2016.02); B23K 2101/20 (2018.08)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An end effector assembly of an electrosurgical instrument, comprising:
first and second jaw members, at least one of the first or second jaw members movable relative to the other of the first or second jaw members between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position, the first and second jaw members including first and second insulative housings and first and second electrically-conductive surfaces, wherein, in the approximated position, the first and second electrically-conductive surfaces are configured to grasp tissue therebetween;
at least one stop member extending from the first or second electrically-conductive surface and configured to contact the second or first electrically-conductive surface, respectively, in the approximated position of the first and second jaw members to define a minimum gap between the first and second electrically-conductive surfaces; and
a beak positioned distally of the first electrically-conductive surface and, when the first and second jaw members are in the approximated position, extending farther from the first insulative housing towards the second insulative housing than does the first electrically-conductive surface, wherein the beak is configured to reduce a gap between portions of the first and second insulative housings disposed distal to the first and second electrically-conductive surfaces, respectively, to inhibit tissue from entering a volume between the first and second jaw members from distal ends thereof in the approximated position.