Patent EP0737447A1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0737447A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Electrosurgical hemostatic device with multiple selectable electrodes
Assignee: Ethicon Endo Surgery LLC
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Filing: 1996-04-11
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2016-04-11
Abstract
Abstract An electrosurgical instrument is provided for cauterization and/or welding of tissue of varying impedances, thicknesses, vascularity and tissue treatment statuses, especially in the performance of endoscopic procedures. The instrument provides a tissue treating portion comprising at least three electrodes from which at least two electrode pairs of different electrical potentials of an electrosurgical system may be selected. The electrode pairs are strategically located with respect to the end effector, so that they may be selected to provide a desired result. They may also be selected based on a predetermined condition, for example, the impedance of the tissue as seen by the generator. Also, the tissue treatment locations may sequentially selected or the tissue temperature may be controlled. The electrode pair selection may be varied by an automated or user controlled switching device.
Inventors
- 👤 Warren P. Williamson Iv
- 👤 David C. Yates
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 05:01
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1442; A61B18/1445; A61B18/1447; A61B18/1402
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
An electrosurgical instrument comprising: a shaft; and a tissue treating portion, said tissue treating portion comprising: at least three electrodes electrically isolated from each other and arranged to receive and deliver electrosurgical energy therethrough, a switching device operatively coupled to at least two of said at least three electrodes, said switching device capable of forming at least two electrode pairs, each of said at least two electrode pairs comprising two electrodes of different electrical potentials of a therapeutic electrosurgical system; and a controller operatively coupled to said switching device, said controller including a tissue status measuring device, said tissue status measuring device arranged to provide tissue status information to the controller, and said controller arranged to provide a control signal to said switching device for selecting an electrode pair in response to said tissue status information.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
15 words
The electrosurgical instrument of claim 1 wherein said tissue status information comprises an electrical parameter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The electrosurgical instrument of claim 1 wherein said tissue status information comprises impedance of tissue being treated by said electrode pair.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
The electrosurgical instrument of claim 1 said controller includes an impedance feedback monitor arranged to monitor impedance of tissue over a period of tissue treatment with said electrode pair, to determine when tissue has been treated to a desired degree based on said monitored impedance and to provide a treatment complete control signal upon the condition that said tissue has been treated to a desired degree by said electrode pair.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
204 words
An electrosurgical device comprising: an end effector comprising: first and second opposing interfacing surfaces, said interfacing surfaces capable of engaging tissue therebetween; a first electrode; a second electrode; and a third electrode, said electrodes electrically isolated from each other, wherein said first electrode is located on at least one of said interfacing surfaces, said second electrode is located on at least one of said interfacing surfaces, and said third electrode is located on at least one of said interfacing surfaces, said end effector arranged to receive therein, electrosurgical energy of a first electrical potential and of a second electrical potential different from the first potential, and to conduct the electrosurgical energy through at least two of said first, second and third electrodes; and a switch operatively coupled to at least two of said first, second and third electrodes arranged to select a pair of said electrodes of electrically different electrical potentials to receive electrosurgical energy; wherein said second electrode is located a first distance from said first electrode with respect to said at least one of said interfacing surfaces and wherein said third electrode is located a second distance from said first electrode with respect to said at least one of said interfacing surfaces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 5 wherein said switch is arranged to switch said first electrical potential between said second electrode and said third electrode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 6 wherein said switch is arranged to switch said first electrical potential between said second electrode and said third electrode as electrosurgical energy is applied to tissue.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 5 wherein said switching device is arranged to select an electrode pair for electrosurgical tissue treatment according to a parameter of tissue engaged by said surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 8 further comprising a tissue monitoring device operatively coupled to said end effector and said switch, wherein said tissue monitoring device is arranged to monitor the tissue parameter and control the switch to select the electrode pair according to said monitored parameter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
234 words
A surgical instrument comprising: a shaft having a distal end; and an end effector located at the distal end of said shaft said end effector comprising: first and second elements comprised of first and second opposed tissue contacting surfaces respectively, said elements movable relative to each other from an open, spaced apart position for positioning tissue therebetween, to a closed position for approximating the tissue between the surfaces, at least a portion of one of said tissue contacting surfaces comprising a first electrode, at least a portion of one of said tissue contacting surfaces comprising a second electrode, and at least a portion of one of said tissue contacting surfaces comprising a third electrode, wherein said first, second and third electrodes are electrically isolated from each other; said end effector arranged to receive therein, electrosurgical energy of a first electrical potential and of a second electrical potential different from the first potential, and to conduct the electrosurgical energy through at least two of said first, second and third electrodes; and a switch operatively coupled to at least two of said first, second and third electrodes; wherein said second electrode is located a first distance with respect to said at least one of said interfacing surfaces from said first electrode and wherein said third electrode is located a second distance with respect to said at least one of said interfacing surfaces from said first electrode.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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