RU2818467C2 - Electrosurgical instrument for sealing and dissecting vessels - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: medical equipment.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to a sealing electrosurgical instrument for sealing and dissecting vessels. Electrosurgical instrument for sealing and dissecting vessels comprises a first jaw, a second jaw, a cartridge seat and a knife cartridge. First jaw on the distal end has the first part of the sealing working member. Second jaw is installed relative to the first jaw with the possibility of rotation and has the second part of the sealing working member at the distal end. Seat of the cassette is made to accommodate the knife cartridge. Knife cartridge is installed in the cartridge seat with possibility of its removal and has a housing covering the inner space, and a knife having at least one cutting edge and a coupling device for connection to a drive device and movably mounted with possibility of movement from a first position, in which the cutting edge is located in the inner space, into the second position, in which the cutting edge is located outside the body of the knife cartridge. Knife cartridge is the only part detachable from the instrument. Knife cartridge and parts of the working member are separate from each other, not rigidly connected to each other units.

EFFECT: use of the invention enables to replace the knife in a simple and safe manner for participating personnel.

13 cl, 9 dwg

Description

The invention relates to a sealing electrosurgical instrument for sealing and cutting blood vessels.

Sealing instruments are commonly used in surgery for sealing and cutting vessels, such as blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, other vessels or other tissues. Sealing seals the vessels permanently, after which the vessel can be separated in the closed area.

For this purpose, US 2011/004208 A1 discloses a sealing instrument with two jaws, which have handles at their respective proximal ends. Both branches are hinged to each other and form a sealing working organ with their distal ends. In one of the jaws there is a knife mounted movably in the distal direction, which is directed into the slots of the jaw and serves to dissect the vessel. To seal the vessel, the tissue contact surfaces of the distal parts of both jaws can be energized with electric current to unite the vessel held between the closed jaws.

The tool can be used until the knife becomes dull and is unable to make any clean cut. Then at least the knife must be replaced. For this purpose, the knife is placed in a replaceable part made of polymer, which carries a movable knife element and sealing electrodes, which are connected to elongated sections of the replaceable working body that are connected to the distal parts of the jaws. Both elongated sections are connected to each other by means of a spring hinge in such a way that they are able to follow the movement of the jaws. The replaceable working element has an electrical supply cable, which is connected to the jaw of the tool.

From US 2003/220637 A1 there is known a sealing instrument with two jaws hinged to each other, which have corresponding sealing electrodes on their distal sections for electrically sealing the vessels. In addition, the instrument has a knife that can be held with the possibility of replacement, which is connected with the possibility of locking to one of the jaws and, in addition, is mounted movably in the distal direction.

US 2013/046303 A1 discloses a tool with sealing electrodes and a mechanical knife, which is movably placed in the knife channel. Instead of a mechanically movable knife, an electric blade can be inserted into the corresponding receiving socket of the jaws.

From WO 2018/078646 A1, as well as from US 2011/004208 A1, a tool is known, in which a replaceable working element is provided, which also contains sealing electrodes, and is placed on the tool in a completely replaceable manner.

Another tool with a replaceable blade is known from EP 2732779 A1.

US 5,913,874 A describes a sealing tool with a reusable body and a replaceable cassette that contains both the blade and the sealing electrodes.

Other prior art is described in US 2013/085516 A1, US 2016/206366 A1, EP 2245993 A2, EP 208440 A1, US 2010/179545 A1, US 8685056 B2, US 9717521, EP 2489320 A2 and DE 19637133 A1.

The object of the invention is to provide a sealing tool with a replaceable blade, in which the replacement of the blade can be carried out in a simple and safe manner. First of all, there must be no danger to the personnel involved.

This goal is achieved in the proposed electrosurgical instrument for sealing and cutting vessels, hereinafter also called a sealing instrument, containing a first jaw, which at its distal end has a first part of the sealing working body, a second jaw, which is installed in relation to the first jaw with the possibility of rotation and at its distal end has a second part of the sealing working body, a cassette seat, which is made to accommodate a knife cassette, and a knife cassette installed in the cassette seat with the possibility of its removal and having a body covering the internal space, and a knife having at least one cutting edge and a coupling device for connection to the drive device and movably mounted with the ability to move from a first position in which the cutting edge is located in the internal space, to a second position in which the cutting edge is located outside the knife cassette body. In this case, the knife cassette is the only part that can be separated from the tool, and the knife cassette and parts of the working body are separate from each other, not fixedly connected to each other by nodes.

The instrument proposed in the invention is designed primarily for use in open surgery. As stated above, the instrument has a first jaw, which at its proximal end has a handle or is connected to one by means of a rod. At its distal end it has a first sealing working member part, for example in the form of one or more sealing electrodes. A second jaw is provided, which at its distal end has a second part of the working element, for example, again, one or more sealing electrodes, and which is rotatably mounted relative to the first jaw and connected to it for this purpose, for example, rotatably. A cassette seat for placing a knife cassette is provided near the working body.

As stated above, the knife cassette has a housing that encloses an internal space in which the knife is housed. In this case, connecting means can be provided by means of which the knife cassette can be locked on the cassette seat. At least in an instrument designed like scissors with two jaws hinged to each other and scissor handles at the corresponding distal end, the cassette seat can be made on one of the jaws.

The knife has at least one cutting edge and can be pulled into and out of the knife cassette. The knife cassette may have a drive device for this purpose. Alternatively, a coupling device may be provided for connecting the knife to the drive device. When the cassette is not inserted into the sealing tool, the knife is held in the interior of the cassette. When the knife cassette is placed on the cassette seat, the knife can be moved by means of a drive device from the knife cassette at least to the extent required to make a cut in the tissue that is grasped by the tool.

The knife can be replaced by removing the used knife cassette from the cassette seat and installing and securing a new knife cassette on it. For this purpose, means may be provided which hold the cassette in the cassette seat and which nevertheless release it when the arms of the tool are moved into the cleaning position. The cleaning position in which the cassette is released differs from other positions, that is, positions of use, in that both arms provided with handles are open further than is necessary or normal when using the instrument on a patient. This prevents a cassette designed as a single-use part from being retained in the tool during its preparation.

The concept according to the invention not only reduces or eliminates the risk of injury to the personnel involved, at the same time, it creates a constructive and advantageous for cleaning aspects separation of the disposable material in the form of the knife cassette and the sterilizable part of the instrument. Parts that are not subject to wear or are only slightly subject to wear are not an integral part of the tool. This applies, in addition to the jaws and the hinge, primarily to the sealing electrodes. Placing a knife in a knife cassette not only provides protection from injury, ease of handling and also allows for faster knife changes (insertion and removal), but at the same time creates an accessible, smooth and flat, easy-to-clean interface in the form of a seat cassette. Additionally, compared to completely disposable tools, the technical costs of tool production can be reduced and resources can be saved.

In a preferred embodiment, the knife cassette has a locking mechanism for locking the knife in a first position in which the knife blade is located in the interior of the cassette body. This knife cassette is safe to use; when working with it, puncture or cut wounds of personnel are excluded.

In at least one possible embodiment, the locking mechanism includes a locking component movably mounted in the knife cassette body, to which a knife locking structure is associated. The locking component can be represented by a locking component mounted with the possibility of linear or rotary movement, made separately or as part of a cassette locking component, which has at least one area interacting with the locking structure of the knife. The locking structure of the knife may be a notch, a protrusion, or the like. For example, the locking component may be a locking pin or locking bolt extending in or through a knife recess to block movement of the knife. The locking pin or locking bolt may be movably mounted to engage and disengage from the locking structure of the knife. For example, the locking pin can be mounted for this purpose movably transverse to the direction of movement of the knife and have a recess through which the knife can pass through. When the notch is in line with the knife, the longitudinal movement of the knife is unlocked. However, when the locking pin is moved out of this unlocking position, it pierces the locking structure, such as the recess of the knife, and thus blocks its longitudinal movement. However, the locking component may be formed as a monolithic component of the cassette, such as a spring-loaded locking tab or the like.

The locking component may also be rotatably mounted to enable it to engage and disengage from the locking structure of the knife.

Preferably, a locking device is also provided for locking the knife cassette onto the cassette seat. This locking device may be configured as part of a locking mechanism for locking the knife in the knife cassette. To this end, the locking component can be configured to interact with a corresponding countersurface of the cassette seat to unlock the knife when the knife cassette is inserted into the cassette seat, and to lock the knife in its safe position when removing the knife cassette from the tool.

The locking mechanism may include, first of all, a switchable stopper, which in the first position holds the knife with its blade in the knife cassette, and in the second position, in which the knife is unlocked, locks the knife cassette on the cassette seat. Such a switchable stopper may be formed, for example, by a linearly or rotatably movable locking component that engages either into a knife locking structure or into a locking structure provided at the cassette seat. Control of the reciprocating movement of the locking component can be realized by seating the knife cassette on the cassette seat and removing the knife cassette from the cassette seat. The release of the knife cassette, which is locked in the instrument by means of a switchable stop, can be achieved by moving both arms of the instrument, for example, to an extra-wide open position, which cannot be occupied during normal use on the patient.

If the knife locking structure is a recess into which the locking component engages as a result of movement transverse to the direction of movement of the knife, the locking component can only be moved into its knife locking position when the knife is in a safe position, that is, when the locking structure is on one straight line with a locking component. In this position, the knife blade is in a safe position within the interior of the knife cassette. Since the locking component can only engage the knife locking structure in this position, only in this position is the knife cartridge unlocked for removal from the cartridge seat.

This ensures the safety of operating personnel both when inserting the knife cassette into the tool and when removing the knife cassette from the tool.

Preferably, the knife cassette has a knife channel which guides the knife in the cassette movably in the longitudinal direction. This knife channel is preferably aligned with the knife channel provided in the jaw when the cassette is mounted on the cassette seat. The proximal part of the channel is usually the most difficult part of the knife channel to clean in the instrument. The part of the knife channel in which the knife is in the non-working position is particularly difficult to access during sterilization. However, when used, the knife will introduce contaminants into this location. Now this part of the knife channel is part of the cassette and can be replaced together with it. In contrast, in a sealing shoe, the channel is open at the side, and cleaning holes can also be provided in the hinge area.

Since, at least in the preferred embodiment, simultaneously with the seating of the cassette on the cassette seat, the knife is unlocked in the knife cassette, the knife, the proximal blunt end of which can protrude from the cassette, can be simply inserted into the knife channel of the tool during a shearing movement . In this case, the drive device can engage with a corresponding coupling structure of the knife. The coupling structure can be represented, for example, by a recess into which the grip of the driving device slides as soon as the recess is advanced into the region of the driving device.

Also, in one embodiment of the invention, the knife in the dismounted state can be completely positioned in the cassette. In this embodiment, handling is particularly simple and safe.

Numerous modifications are possible for the tool described so far. For example, a knife may be held in a knife cassette in its pre-displaced safe position, with the knife blade being in a safe position in the interior of the knife cassette body. A spring element, for example in the form of a compression spring, tension spring, magnet or the like, may be provided for pre-displacement in the safe position.

It is also possible to combine the knife cassette and the drive device into a cassette that can be removed entirely from the tool.

In addition, it is possible to combine the knife cartridge with the drive device and the handle in such a way that this expanded knife cartridge forms the proximal part of the jaw.

In addition, it is advantageous when parts of the sealing working element are rigid, i.e. motionless, connected to branches. In this case, as stated above, the blade cassette is the only part that can be easily separated from the tool, which prevents confusion and erroneous maintenance.

In this case, the knife cassette and parts of the working body are separate from each other, not fixedly connected to each other by nodes.

Other cassette positioning options are provided. For example, the cassette seat and thus the cassette can be placed in the hinge area of the tool. Due to the proximity of the cassette to the clamping area of the instrument, in which the biological tissue is captured, the limits of movement and/or the length of the knife are negligible. Thus, the dimensions of the cassette can be reduced.

However, all embodiments have in common the fact that in order to reliably lock the knife cassette, the tool is provided with suitable locking means, for example in the form of locking means. They are preferably located in the area of the distal end of the cassette seat, which facilitates manipulation of the cassette when changing the cassette. Preferably, the direction of movement when mounting the knife cassette on the jaw, as well as when separating the knife cassette from the jaw, is oriented transversely to the direction of movement of the knife. However, modified embodiments are also possible in which the knife cassette can be seated on the cassette seat during a movement directed obliquely or parallel to the direction of movement of the knife.

Other details of embodiments of the invention are the subject of dependent claims, drawings or descriptions. Shown on:

Fig. 1 sealing tool according to the invention with a knife cassette, in a schematic perspective view,

Fig. 2, 2A knife cassette and cassette seat, in a simplified general representation, in a perspective side view,

Fig. 3, 3A - jaw cassette seat and knife cassette in an extended state, in a simplified cross-sectional representation,

Fig. 4, 4A the cassette seat and the cassette in a locked state, in the cross-sectional view, respectively, Fig. 3,

Fig. 5 - sealing tool with corresponding knife cassette in a fragmentary perspective view in disassembled form,

Fig. 6A-B knife cassette for tools according to FIG. 5 with switchable stopper in different positions, respectively, in the sectional images,

Fig. 7-9 show modified embodiments of a sealing tool according to the invention.

In fig. 1 illustrates a sealing element 10 that has a first jaw 11 and a second jaw 12 that are rotatably attached to each other by means of a hinge 13. For example, the hinge 13 can define a rotary axis 14 oriented transversely to the jaws 11, 12.

The first jaw 11 has an arm, which at its proximal end carries a handle 15. The distal and therefore, from the user's point of view, located on the other side of the axis 14 end 16 of the jaw 11 contains a first working element part 17, which belongs to the sealing working element 18. In this case, the first part 17 of the working element includes at least one sealing electrode, which is supplied with current through a cable 19 that extends away from the proximal end of the first jaw 11 to a device not illustrated further.

The sealing working element 18 also includes a second working element part 20, which is formed by means of a second sealing electrode jaw 12 located at the distal end 21. The second part 20 of the working body has, like the first part 17 of the working body, a slot 22 along which a knife can be moved to cut a vessel or other tissue captured between parts 17, 20 of the working body and sealed under the influence of current. The second jaw 12 has a handle 23 at its proximal end such that the tool 10 can be used like scissors or forceps.

In the section of the second jaw 12 located between the hinge 13 and the handle 23, there is a cassette seat 24, which serves to accommodate the knife cassette 25.

The knife cartridge 25 has a housing 26 that encloses an internal space 27. The housing 26 may have a substantially elongated rectangular basic shape through which a knife channel 28 extends throughout. This knife channel 28 is preferably positioned such that it is aligned with provided in the second jaw 12 by a knife channel 29.

In the internal space 27, the knife 30 is positioned for longitudinal movement, and the blunt portion 31 can protrude from the housing 26. On the part of the knife 30 located in the housing 26, a blade 32 is provided, which can extend, for example, transversely to the longitudinal direction L of the knife 30. At the same time, a longitudinal direction L is the moving direction of the knife 30.

The housing 26 is preferably provided with fastening means, for example locking means 33, 34, to which are associated corresponding cassettes formed on the seat 24, counter structures not further illustrated in FIG. 1. The locking means 33, 34 may be, for example, locking latches, locking tabs, locking springs, or other flexible elements provided on the polymer body 26.

In addition, the housing 26 may be provided with a cutout 35 to provide the actuator element with access to the knife 30. The actuator element may be represented, for example, by a gripper 37 that can fit into a recess 38 of the knife 30, and which is symbolically illustrated separately in FIG. . 1. In addition, the knife 30 may have other recesses, such as a recess 39, which serve to lock the knife 30 in a secure position. The safe position is shown in Fig. 1. In it, the blade 32 is located in the internal space 27 of the housing 26.

To lock the knife 30 in a safe position, a locking mechanism 40 may be provided, which is configured to lock the knife 30 in a safe position until the knife cartridge 25 is installed in the cartridge seat 24. Preferably, the locking mechanism 40 is further configured to hold the knife cartridge 25 stationary in the cartridge seat 24 at least until the knife 30 is in its secure position. To this end, a movable locking component 41 may be provided which is associated with the blade cartridge 25. For example, the locking component 41 may be a locking slide or a locking pin movable transversely to the direction of movement L of the knife 30, which penetrates a recess 39 in the knife 30 (FIGS. 1 and Fig. 3). Alternatively, the locking component may be integral with the blade cartridge 25, for example in the form of a rotatably mounted tongue. The rotatable end of the tongue can then serve as a locking spout.

The locking component 41 may have a recess 42, which can be brought into line with the knife 30 by corresponding movement of the locking component 41, as shown in FIG. 4. In this position, the locking component 41 releases the longitudinal movement of the knife 30. To securely lock the knife 30 in a safe position when the knife cartridge 25 is removed from the tool 10, the locking component 41 can be pre-displaced by means of a spring means 43 in the direction illustrated in FIG. 3 locking positions. In the case of an inseparable design of the knife cassette 25 and the locking component 41, the tongue as such can form a spring means.

In addition, a release element 44 can be placed on the cassette seat 24, for example in the form of an inclined surface or a protrusion, and the release element 44 is associated with a drive surface 45 provided on the locking component 41. The drive surface 45 can be placed, for example, at an angle to the direction movement of the locking component 41.

In addition, the locking component 41 may have a locking spout 46 which, immediately after the knife 30 is released (that is, when the notch 42 is aligned with the knife 30, as illustrated in Fig. 4), engages the cassettes provided in the seat 24 locking hole 47, and thereby locks the knife cassette 25 on the cassette seat 24.

Fig. 2A, 3A and 4A illustrate the sealing tool 10 and the knife cassette 25 in a modified embodiment, for which the description of the embodiment according to FIG. 2-4. However, in this knife cassette 25, the spring means 43 is formed in a monolithic manner with the locking component 41 and/or with the housing 26.

The tool 19 and the corresponding knife cartridge 25 described so far function in the manner described below.

For purposes of illustration, it is initially assumed that the tool 10 and the corresponding knife cartridge 25 are separated from each other. The knife cartridge 25 contains the knife 30 in a secure position in which the knife 30 is preferably locked. The knife cartridge 25 is thereby protected from manipulation. In extreme cases, the blunt portion 31 protrudes from the housing 26 while the blade 32 is safely held within the housing 26.

To put the tool 10 into operation, the knife cassette 25 is moved to the cassette seat 24 and placed in it. In this case, the knife 30, by means of a corresponding movement of the locking component 41, becomes unlocked, that is, transferred from the one illustrated in FIG. 3 positions to the position in figure 4. In this case, the knife cassette 25 is simultaneously locked on the cassette seat 24. The longitudinal movement of the knife is now unlocked. Thus, the operator is provided with the opportunity to grab the knife 30 by the blunt part 31, and push it through the knife channel 28, in Fig. 1 to the left forward, so that the blade 32 goes into the knife channel 29. In this case, the recess 38 simultaneously gets the opportunity to enter gripping area 37, whereby the knife 30 is engaged with the driving device 36. In this position, the knife 30 blocks the return of the locking component 41 to its original position so that once the knife 30 is extended to the extent that its blade 32 comes out of the housing 26, reliable locking of the knife cassette on the cassette seat 24 is ensured.

Tool 10 is now ready for use. Parts of the tissue, especially vessels, can be grasped by the sealing working element 18 and sealed as a result of the supply of current between both parts 17, 20 of the working element. By actuating the lever 48 of the driving device 36, the knife can then be moved to cut the sealed container through the slot 22 by means of the gripper 37 engaging the recess 38.

In this case, the knife 30 can be made somewhat flexible to allow it to follow the curvature of the slot 22 when the jaws have a lateral curvature.

To replace the knife cassette 25, the drive lever 48 is first brought into the unlocked position so that the gripper 37 is released from the recess 38. The knife 30 can now be pushed back to the stop. In the position thus obtained, the recess 39 is again aligned with the locking component 41 such that the knife 30 no longer blocks the movement of the locking component 41 transversely to the knife 30. In this state, the knife cartridge 25 can be removed from the cartridge seat 24, the locking component 41 can be returned under the influence of spring element 43 to its locking position. At the same time, the locking spout 46 comes out of the locking hole 47, as a result of which it is possible to detach the knife cartridge 25. The presence of a spring means 43 is optional. It mainly serves to support the release movement and to maintain the locking component 41 in the locking position for a long time.

It is understood that other locking mechanisms are also possible. For example, the locking component 41 may only be responsible for locking the movement of the knife, and locking the knife cassette 25 on the cassette seat 24 is eliminated. It is also possible to use a rotatable locking component, which can be, for example, monolithic with the housing 26.

Another embodiment of the sealing tool 10, including the knife cartridge 25 placed in it, is illustrated in Fig. 5 in an exploded perspective view with widely spaced jaws 11, 12. Moreover, to improve clarity, the jaws 11, 12 are shown cut off on both sides, respectively. sides from the hinge 13. As is obvious, the second jaw 12 has a cartridge seat 24, in which a knife cartridge 25 can be placed. The cartridge seat 24 is formed, for example, by means of a groove open on the edge of the jaw 12, to which the knife cartridge 25 fits.

An arcuate locking groove 53 is made concentrically with respect to the rotary axis 14, which serves as a locking hole 47 and penetrates the limiting wall of the cassette seat 24. Fig. 5 illustrates the locking component 41 with its locking nose 46 locked in the locking groove 53.

The jaw 11 has a cam 54 suitable for the locking groove 53, which forms an unlocking element 44. When the two jaws 11, 12 are angularly displaced relative to each other, it runs along the locking groove 53. The cam 54 has a drive surface 55, which is inclined relative to the rotary axis 14.

The locking component 41 and its operation are shown in FIG. 6A-6B. As can be found, it has a locking nose 46, which is pre-biased by means of a spring tongue or other spring means 43 placed or formed on the locking component 41 or also on the body 26 towards the locking position in which the knife 30 is locked.

The locking element 41 again includes a drive surface 45 on the drive part, which is connected by means of a spring element 56 to the locking spout 46. The spring element 56 can be made integral with the drive element and/or with the locking spout 46.

Fig. 6A illustrates the locking component 41 in a non-operating position. The spring means 43 holds the locking component 41 in a locking position in which the knife 30 is locked against longitudinal movement.

When the blade cartridge 25 is inserted into the cartridge seat 24, the side of the cartridge seat simultaneously pushes the drive surface 45 into the area illustrated in FIG. 6B position. However, a locking spout 46 extending longitudinally on the opposite wall of the cassette seat 24 prevents the locking component 41 from moving to the unlocking position so that the knife 30 of FIG. 6B remains locked.

Once the knife cassette 25 is in its proper position, the locking spout 46 reaches the locking groove 53 so that it slides into the locking groove 53 under the influence of the now newly released spring element 56. In this position, the locking component 41 locks the knife cassette 25 in its seat 24 cassettes.

Both jaws 11, 12 can be rotated relative to each other when the instrument is used on a patient without the cam 54 coming into contact with the locking nose 46. If the sealing element 10 is an instrument for use in open surgery, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the locking groove 53 and thus the idle stroke of the cam 54 in the locking groove 53 is at least large enough to allow the operator to move the handles 15, 23 away from each other by at least a span between the middle finger and the thumb) of even the largest receiving hand without the cam 54 coming into contact with the locking spout 46. However, if the two jaws 11, 12 are turned away from each other at a greater distance, the cam 54 acts with its drive surface 55 on the locking spout 46 and pushes him inward. This is only possible when the knife 30 is retracted, that is, located within the housing 26. The locking component 41 of the knife cartridge 25 thereby moves from the position according to FIG. 6 V in position according to Fig. 6B, as a result of which the knife 30 is locked, and the knife cassette 25 is unlocked in the cassette seat 24 for its removal. It can now be removed.

It is also possible to dispense with the locking mechanism and hold the knife 30 in a safe position, as indicated in FIG. 7, for example, by means of energy storing elements such as a magnet or spring element 49. The knife 30 may be held in a seat 50 that has projections projecting from the housing 26. The protrusions may be used to manually temporarily withdraw the knife 30 from the housing 26 for inspection purposes. In addition, the projections may serve as shoulders for the drive device 36. Otherwise, based on the reference symbols already introduced, the description for the embodiment according to FIG. 1 is accordingly valid for the embodiment of the tool 10 according to FIG. 7.

In another modified embodiment of the tool 10, the drive device 36 can also be combined into a single unit with a knife cartridge 25, as illustrated in FIG. 8. The cassette seat 24 receives a drive unit 36 and a knife cassette unit, with suitable locking and positioning means for alignment not further illustrated in FIG. 8 knife channel 28 and knife channel 29.

Also in this embodiment, a locking mechanism may be provided that ensures that the drive lever 48 is actuated and thus the knife extends only when the knife cassette 25 is properly connected to the cassette seat 24. Also in this case, otherwise, the above description is valid in addition to other embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 9 illustrates another modified embodiment of the tool 10, in which the knife cassette 25 contains not only a drive device 36, but additionally also a handle 23. The cassette seat 24 is thus also the connection point at which force is transmitted from the proximal part of the jaw 12 to distal part 21 for closing the sealing working body 18. The knife cassette 25 thereby forms the proximal part of the jaw 12.

Also in this embodiment of the tool 10, a locking mechanism can again be provided, which unlocks the actuation of the knife, that is, its withdrawal from the knife cassette 25, only when the knife cassette 25 is properly connected to the cassette seat 24 way. For this purpose, there may be provided, for example, one or more unlocking pins 50, which are provided on the cassette seat 24, and which fit into corresponding holes 51 to allow movement of the knife and/or connection between the drive device 36 and the knife.

The concept according to the invention provides a tool 10 which has a cartridge seat 24 for a knife cartridge 25. The knife cartridge 25 holds the knife 30 when not in use, in particular when the knife cartridge 25 is not inserted into the sealing tool 10, preferably in a protected safe position in which the blade 32 of the knife 30 is securely held within the body 26 of the knife cassette 25.

This concept aims to improve service safety for medical personnel.

List of reference designations:

List of reference designations:

10 sealing tool

11 first branch

12 second branch

13 hinge

14 rotary axis

15 handle on the first branch 11

16 distal end of the first branch 11

17 first part of the working body

18 sealing working body

19 cable

20 second part of the working body

21 distal end of the second branch 12

22 slot

23 handle on the second branch 12

24 cassette seats

25 knife cassette

26 knife cassette body 25

27 internal space of the case 26

28 knife channel of the body 26

29 knife channel of the second branch 12

30 knife

31 blunt section of the knife 30

32 knife blade 30

L longitudinal direction of movement of the knife 30 33, 34 locking means

35 cutout

36 executive body

37 capture

38, 39 notches in the edge of the knife 30

40 locking mechanism

41 locking components

42 notch in the locking component

43 spring means

44 unlocking element

45 drive surface

46 locking spout

47 blocking hole

48 drive lever

49 spring element

50 socket

51 release pins

52 hole

53 locking groove

54 cam

55 drive surface

56 spring element

Claims (18)

1. Electrosurgical instrument (10) for sealing and cutting vessels, containing: - a first jaw (11), which at its distal end (16) has a first part (17) of a sealing working body (18), - a second jaw (12), which is installed in relation to the first jaw (11) with the possibility of rotation and at its distal end (21) has a second part (20) of the sealing working body (18), - a cassette seat (24), which is designed to accommodate a knife cassette (25), and - a knife cassette (25) installed in the cassette seat (24) with the possibility of its removal and having a housing (26) covering the internal space (27), and a knife (30) having at least one cutting edge (32) and coupling device (38) for connection to the driving device (36) and movably mounted with the ability to move from a first position in which the cutting edge (32) is located in the internal space (27), to a second position in which the cutting edge (32) is located outside the housing (26) of the knife cassette (25), characterized in that the knife cassette (25) is the only part separated from the tool, and the knife cassette (25) and parts (17, 20) of the working body are separate from each other, not fixedly connected to each other by nodes. 2. Electrosurgical instrument (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the knife cassette (25) has a locking mechanism (40), which is functionally located between the body (26) and the knife (30). 3. Electrosurgical instrument (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the locking mechanism (40) for unlocking has a drive surface (45). 4. Electrosurgical instrument (10) according to one of paragraphs. 1-3, characterized in that the knife cassette (25) has a locking mechanism (40) for locking the knife (30) in its first position. 5. An electrosurgical instrument (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that the locking mechanism (40) has a locking component (41) movably installed on or in the body (26), to which a locking structure (39) made on the knife (30) is associated ). 6. Electrosurgical instrument (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the locking component (41) is designed to interact with the unlocking structure (44) located on the cassette seat (24) or on the drive device (36). 7. Electrosurgical instrument (10) according to one of paragraphs. 4-6, characterized in that the locking mechanism (40) is designed to lock the knife cassette (25) on the cassette seat (24). 8. Electrosurgical instrument (10) according to one of paragraphs. 4-7, characterized in that the locking mechanism (40) is designed as a switchable stopper, the locking component (41) of which is designed to lock the knife (30) in the knife cassette (25) in the first position, and the knife cassette (25) in the second position. on the seat (24) of the cassette. 9. Electrosurgical instrument (10) according to one of the previous paragraphs, characterized in that the knife cassette (25) has a knife channel (28), which is placed in a straight line with the knife channel (29) made in the tool (10), when the knife cassette (25) is installed on the cassette seat (24). 10. Electrosurgical instrument (10) according to one of the previous paragraphs, characterized in that the knife cassette (25) has a knife retraction device. 11. Electrosurgical instrument (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that the knife retraction device is a spring element (49), which is located with preliminary displacement of the knife (30) to a position in which the blade (32) of the knife (30) is in internal space (27) of the housing (26). 12. Electrosurgical instrument (10) according to one of the previous paragraphs, characterized in that the knife cassette (25) is designed to form the proximal portion of the second jaw (12) and has a second handle (23). 13. Electrosurgical instrument (10) according to one of the previous paragraphs, characterized in that the knife (30) has a coupling structure (38) for attaching the gripper (37) of the driving device (36).

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