US5254115A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Coagulating scalpels
Assignee: General Hospital Corp
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Filing: 1991-10-11
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Granted: 1993-10-19
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Expires: 2011-10-11
Abstract
Abstract A coagulating scalpel including a cutting and coagulating element and a dissecting element. The dissecting element and cutting and coagulating element is positioned and configured and of such size that tissue to be cut can pass over or along a surface of the dissecting element and into the cutting zone of the scalpel. The surface of the dissecting element is adapted to permit substantially free passage of the tissue over or along the surface of the dissecting element upon movement of the scalpel.
Inventors
- 👤 Krishna M. Bhatta
- 👤 Thomas E. Haw
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 15:25
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61B18/22; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B17/3209; A61B17/3211; A61B18/24; A61B2018/00005; A61B2018/00571; A61B2018/00607
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
225 words
A coagulating scalpel the distal end of which comprises a first dissecting element, a second dissecting element, and a cutting and coagulating element, said first dissecting element having a distal end, a longitudinal axis, an inner surface which faces a gap between said first dissection element and said second dissecting element and which is adapted to permit substantially free passage of tissue over said surface, and an outer surface which does not face a gap between said first dissecting element and said second dissecting element, said second dissecting element having a longitudinal axis, an inner surface which faces a gap between said first dissecting element and said second dissecting element and, and an outer surface which does not face a gap between said first dissecting element and said second dissecting element, and said cutting and coagulating element comprising an optical filament having a distal end, a focal point, a longitudinal axis, and a portion that lies adjacent said dissecting elements, said optical fiber being positioned in said gap between said first and said second dissecting elements, said focal point of said optical filament being proximal to said distal end of said first dissecting element, and said longitudinal axes of said first and second dissecting elements and said longitudinal axis of said portion of said optical fiber that lies adjacent said dissecting elements being essentially parallel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
225 words
A coagulating scalpel the distal end of which comprises a first dissecting element, a second dissecting element, and a cutting and coagulating element, said first dissecting element having a distal end, a longitudinal axis, an inner surface which faces a gap between said first dissection element and said second dissecting element and which is adapted to permit substantially free passage of tissue over said surface, and an outer surface which does not face a gap between said first dissecting element and said second dissecting element, said second dissecting element having a longitudinal axis, an inner surface which faces a gap between said first dissecting element and said second dissecting element and, and an outer surface which does not face a gap between said first dissecting element and said second dissecting element, and said cutting and coagulating element comprising an optical filament having a distal end, a focal point, a longitudinal axis, and a portion that lies adjacent said dissecting elements, said optical fiber being positioned in said gap between said first and said second dissecting elements, said focal point of said optical filament being proximal to said distal end of said first dissecting element, and said longitudinal axes of said first and second dissecting elements and said longitudinal axis of said portion of said optical fiber that lies adjacent said dissecting elements being essentially parallel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The coagulating scalpel of claim 1, further comprising means for adjusting the position of the distal end of said cutting and coagulating element relative to the distal end of said first dissecting element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The coagulating scalpel of claim 1, wherein said distal end of one of said dissecting elements is flush with the distal end of said optical fiber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The coagulating scalpel of claim 1, wherein said distal end of said optical fiber extends beyond said distal end of one of said dissecting elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The coagulating scalpel of claim 2, wherein said distal end of both of said dissecting elements extends beyond the distal end of said optical fiber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The coagulating scalpel of claim 5, wherein the distal end of one or both of said dissecting elements extends no more than approximately 30 millimeters beyond the distal end of the cutting and coagulating means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The coagulating scalpel of claim 5, wherein the distal end of one or both of said dissecting elements extends no more than approximately 15 millimeters beyond the distal end of the cutting and coagulating means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The coagulating scalpel of claim 5, wherein the distal end of one or both of said dissecting elements extends no more than approximately 10 millimeters beyond the distal end of the cutting and coagulating means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The coagulating scalpel of claim 5, wherein the distal end of one or both of said dissecting elements extends no more than approximately 5 millimeters beyond the distal end of the cutting and coagulating means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The coagulating scalpel of claim 5, wherein the distal end of one or both of said dissecting elements extends no more than approximately 1 millimeter beyond the distal end of the cutting and coagulating means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The coagulating scalpel of claim 5, wherein the distal end of one or both of said dissecting elements extends no more than approximately 7 millimeters beyond the distal end of the cutting and coagulating means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The coagulating scalpel of claim 1, wherein the lateral distance between the outer surface said first dissecting element and the outer surface of said second dissecting element is less than about 10 millimeters.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The coagulating scalpel of claim 1, wherein the lateral distance between the outer surface said first dissecting element and the outer surface of said second dissecting element is less than about 4 millimeters.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The coagulating scalpel of claim 1, wherein the lateral distance between the outer surface said first dissecting element and the outer surface of said second dissecting element is less than about 2 millimeters.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The coagulating scalpel of claim 1, wherein the lateral distance between the outer surface said first dissecting element and the outer surface of said second dissecting element is less than about 0.4 millimeters.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The coagulating scalpel of claim 1, wherein the lateral distance of a gap between said first and said second dissecting element is less than about 0.075 millimeters.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The coagulating scalpel of claim 1, wherein the lateral distance of a gap between said first and said second dissecting element is less than about 0.4 millimeters.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The coagulating scalpel of claim 1, wherein the lateral distance of a gap between said first and said second dissecting element is less than about 0.8 millimeters.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The coagulating scalpel of claim 1, wherein the lateral distance of a gap between said first and said second dissecting element is less than about 1.5.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The coagulating scalpel of claim 1, wherein the lateral distance of a gap between said first and said second dissecting element is less than about 4 millimeters.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The coagulating scalpel of claim 1, wherein the lateral distance of a gap between said first and said second dissecting element is less than about 8 millimeters.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
53 words
The coagulating scalpel of claim 1, wherein said cutting and coagulating element and said dissecting elements are disposed such that a line coaxial with the longitudinal axis of said cutting and coagulating element and extending beyond the distal tip of said cutting and coagulating element does not intersect either of said dissecting elements.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The coagulating scalpel of claim 1, wherein said cutting and coagulating element is an optical filament capable of transmitting laser light.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The coagulating scalpel of claim 1, wherein there is a gap between said cutting and coagulating element and said dissecting element.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
The coagulating scalpel of claim 1, wherein said dissecting element comprises a sharp edge.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The coagulating scalpel of claim 1, wherein said dissecting element comprises a blunt edge.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
The coagulating scalpel of claim 1, further surprising means for cooling said dissecting element.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
The coagulating scalpel of claim 1, further comprising means for removing unwanted material from the area of cutting and coagulating.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
The coagulating scalpel of claim 1, further comprising means for irrigating the area of cutting and coagulating.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
The coagulating scalpel of claim 1, wherein said dissecting forks can be used as electrocautery elements.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
10 words
The coagulating scalpel of claim 1, adapted for endoscopic use.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
199 words
A surgical method for cutting a biological structure comprising, providing a coagulating scalpel the distal end of which comprises a first dissecting element having a distal end, a longitudinal axis, an inner surface which is adapted to permit substantially free passage of tissue over said surface, and an outer surface, a second dissecting element having a longitudinal axis, an inner surface, and an outer surface, and a cutting and coagulating element comprising an optical filament having a distal end, a focal point, a longitudinal axis, and a portion that lies adjacent said dissecting elements, said optical fiber being positioned in a gap between said first and said second dissecting elements, said focal point of said optical filament being proximal to said distal end of said first dissecting element, and said longitudinal axes of said first and second dissecting elements and said longitudinal axis of said portion of said optical fiber that lies adjacent said dissecting elements being essentially parallel, engaging all or a portion of said structure in the gap between said first and said second dissecting elements, moving said scalpel to impart mechanical force to said structure, and activating said cutting and coagulating element to cut said structure.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
199 words
A surgical method for cutting a biological structure comprising, providing a coagulating scalpel the distal end of which comprises a first dissecting element having a distal end, a longitudinal axis, an inner surface which is adapted to permit substantially free passage of tissue over said surface, and an outer surface, a second dissecting element having a longitudinal axis, an inner surface, and an outer surface, and a cutting and coagulating element comprising an optical filament having a distal end, a focal point, a longitudinal axis, and a portion that lies adjacent said dissecting elements, said optical fiber being positioned in a gap between said first and said second dissecting elements, said focal point of said optical filament being proximal to said distal end of said first dissecting element, and said longitudinal axes of said first and second dissecting elements and said longitudinal axis of said portion of said optical fiber that lies adjacent said dissecting elements being essentially parallel, engaging all or a portion of said structure in the gap between said first and said second dissecting elements, moving said scalpel to impart mechanical force to said structure, and activating said cutting and coagulating element to cut said structure.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
28 words
The surgical method of claim 32, further comprising moving said scalpel in the direction in which said first structure is to be cut to impart said mechanical force.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
44 words
The surgical method of claim 32, wherein said activation of said cutting and coagulating element and said movement are performed simultaneously, thereby combining the action of said cutting and coagulating element with said mechanical force imparted by movement of said scalpel to cut tissue.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
17 words
The surgical method of claim 34, wherein a combination of heat and mechanical force cut said structure.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
13 words
The surgical method of claim 32, wherein said structure is a planar structure.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
13 words
The surgical method of claim 36, wherein said planar structure is a membrane.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 32, further characterized in that it is performed endoscopically.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 32, wherein said first structure is a membrane adjacent the gallbladder.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein less than 10 watts of power are supplied to said cutting and coagulating element.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein less than 8 watts of power are supplied to said cutting and coagulating element.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein less than 6 watts of power are supplied to said cutting and coagulating element.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-10-18 | 1997-04-19 | 1997-10-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-10-18 | 2001-04-19 | 2001-10-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-10-18 | 2005-04-19 | 2005-10-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |