Heat management configurations for controlling heat dissipation from electrosurgical instruments

• Main Authors: Dietz Timothy G, Banks Raymond M, Mirel Al, Mootoo Mary E, Aldridge Jeffrey L, Malaviya Prasanna, Swayze Jeffrey S, Kimball Cory G, Guerra Paul, Witt David A, Widenhouse Tamara, Cummings John F, Johnson Gregory W, White Bradley E, Huang Zhifan F, Harris Jason L, Beckman Andrew T, Shelton, IV Frederick E, Schall Christopher J
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 22.08.2017
• Subjects: DIAGNOSIS; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HYGIENE; IDENTIFICATION; MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; SURGERY

In various embodiments, a surgical instrument is provided that may comprise an end effector for performing a surgical procedure on tissue, for example. The end effector may comprise at least one energy delivery surface and heat dissipation means for dissipating heat from at least a portion of the end effector. For example, in at least one embodiment, the end effector may comprise a first jaw, a second jaw, and a cutting member. The cutting member may comprise a cutting surface and a body, which may define a cavity and at least one opening communicating with the cavity. A fluid may be moved through the cavity to and/or from the opening(s). Additionally, in at least one embodiment, a surgical instrument's end effector may comprise a first jaw, a second jaw, a cutting member, and at least one heat pipe. Various other heat dissipation means are also disclosed.