Electrosurgical stapling device

Claim 2

The electrosurgical device of claim 1 wherein a portion of at least one of said first and second interfacing surfaces comprises a ridge forming a tissue compression zone between said first and second interfacing surfaces.

Claim 3

The electrosurgical device of claim 2 wherein said first and second poles, are arranged to provide coagulation in the compression zone when current flows between said first and second poles.

Claim 4

The electrosurgical device of claim 2 wherein a portion of said first interfacing surface comprises a ridge forming a tissue compression zone between said interfacing surfaces and wherein a portion of said second interfacing surface comprises a ridge forming said tissue compression zone.

Claim 5

The electrosurgical device of claim 2 wherein said ridge is arranged on the second interfacing surface to compress tissue against the first pole.

Claim 6

The electrosurgical device of claim 1 wherein at least one of said poles comprises a series of electrically communicating electrodes staggered on at least one of said first and second interfacing surfaces.

Claim 7

The electrosurgical device of claim 6 wherein said at least one pole is arranged in a parallel manner with respect to the electrically opposite pole.

Claim 8

The electrosurgical device of claim 1 wherein said first pole comprises a series of first electrodes and said second pole comprises a series of second electrodes; and wherein the first electrodes alternate with said second electrodes on each of said first and second interfacing surface.

Claim 9

The electrosurgical device of claim 1 wherein the first pole comprises an elongated electrode.

Claim 10

The electrosurgical device of claim 1 wherein said device is adapted to weld tissue.

Claim 11

The electrosurgical device of claim 1 further comprising a cutting element associated with said end effector, said cutting element adapted to divide tissue engaged by said end effector, through a cutting line.

Claim 12

The electrosurgical device of claim 11 wherein the end effector is adapted to provide hemostasis lateral to said cutting line.

Claim 13

The electrosurgical device of claim 11 wherein said stapling means is adapted to apply staples lateral to said cutting line.

Claim 14

The electrosurgical device of claim 11 wherein said cutting element is adapted to move in a cutting path to form said cutting line.

Claim 15

The electrosurgical device of claim 11 wherein the first pole comprises a first and second electrode and wherein said cutting element is adapted to move between said first and second electrode.

Claim 16

The electrosurgical device of claim 15 wherein said first and second electrode each comprise a parallel elongated bar electrode in electrical communication, wherein said end effector further comprises a slot adapted to receive the cutting element, and wherein the cutting element is adapted to travel through the slot and between the bar electrodes.

Claim 17

The electrosurgical device of claim 1 wherein said stapling means comprises: a cartridge containing parallel rows of staples, having a slot extending longitudinally therethrough for a cutting means to travel between the rows of staples, said cartridge forming the second interfacing surface; driving means for applying staples to tissue in between the surfaces; and an anvil for receiving and forming said staples, said anvil forming a portion of the first interfacing surface.

Claim 18

The electrosurgical device of claim 17 wherein said driving means applies staples to tissue as the cutting means cuts between the parallel rows.

Claim 19

The electrosurgical device of claim 17 wherein bipolar energy is applied before the cutting means is advanced.

Claim 20

The electrosurgical device of claim 11 wherein said cutting line comprises a substantially circular shape.

Claim 21

The electrosurgical device of claim 20 wherein said first pole is relatively circular in shape and is located on an outer circumference of said first interfacing surface; and wherein said cutting line is located radially inward from said first pole.

Claim 22

The electrosurgical device of claim 1 wherein said stapling means is capable of being used to rejoin a lumen.

Claim 23

The electrosurgical device of claim 1 wherein said stapling means comprises: a cartridge containing staples arranged about an outer periphery of said cartridge; a cutting means for cutting tissue, said cutting means located radially inward of said staples; driving means for applying staples to tissue between said interfacing surfaces; and an anvil for receiving and forming said staples, said anvil forming a portion of the first interfacing surface.

Claim 24

The electrosurgical device of claim 23 wherein said driving means applies staples to tissue as said cutting means divides tissue.

Claim 25

The electrosurgical device of claim 23 wherein bipolar energy is applied prior to dividing tissue with cutting means.

Claim 26

The electrosurgical device of claim 1 further comprising a means for detecting out of range electrical parameters.

Claim 27

The electrosurgical device of claim 1 further comprising a feedback means for determining when the tissue has been cauterized to a predetermined degree.

Claim 28

The electrosurgical device of claim 27 wherein said feedback means determines when the tissue has been cauterised to a predetermined degree based on a determination of electrical parameters of the tissue.

Claim 29

The electrosurgical device of claim 27 wherein said feedback means determines when predetermined degree of cauterization has occurred based on a determination of at least one characteristic of the tissue in coagulation zone.

Claim 30

The electrosurgical device of claim 29 wherein the tissue characteristic is the tissue impedance.

Claim 31

The electrosurgical device of claim 1 further comprising an indicator means for communicating to a user that the tissue has been cauterized to a predetermined degree.

Claim 32

An electrosurgical instrument comprising: a handle an actuating means coupled to said handle, an end effector coupled to the distal end of said actuating means, a means for communicating bipolar electrical energy from a bipolar energy source to said end effector, said end effector including: a first interfacing surface, a second interfacing surface, a first pole located on said first interfacing surface, a second pole located on said second interfacing surface, and a stapling means for stapling tissue engaged by said interfacing surfaces, wherein said actuating means is capable of causing said end effector to engage tissue between the first interfacing surface and the second interfacing surface, wherein said first pole and said second pole are electrically opposite electrodes capable of conducting electrical energy supplied from said means for communicating bipolar electrical energy from a bipolar energy source, through tissue adjacent said first pole and said second pole, and wherein said stapling means is capable of securing tissue together.