Patent US5382247A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5382247A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Technique for electrosurgical tips and method of manufacture and use
Assignee: Covidien AG
•
Filing: 1994-01-21
•
Granted: 1995-01-17
•
Expires: 2014-01-21
Abstract
Abstract An electrosurgical tip for the application of electromagnetic energy in either a monopolar or a bipolar circuit through the tissue and the bodily fluids of an animal or human has a metallic electrically and thermally conductive electrode for connection to an electrosurgical generator proximally and for transmission of the electromagnetic electrosurgical energy to the tissue and the bodily fluids of the animal or human distally. A sheath of heat shrinkable fluorinated polymeric substance is an electrical and thermal insulator held about the electrode for preventing the flow of electromagnetic and thermal energy from the metallic electrically and thermally conductive electrode to the tissue and the bodily fluids. A smooth surface of the sheath contacts the tissue and the bodily fluids and has a low surface free energy. Openings through the sheath extend from the electrode to the surface for permitting the passage of energy. A wall of the sheath is of a thickness adequate to space the electrode from substantially any contact with the tissue and isolate heat due to the arcs. A ceramic substance is an electrical and thermal insulator about the conductive electrode for preventing the energy flow. A method of making the tip includes covering the electrode with the insulator, isolating physically the heat generated due to the passage of energy. A method of using the tip places the surface in close proximity to the tissue and the bodily fluids, transmits the electromagnetic energy through the openings, allows cleaning tissue and bodily fluids from the surface. The use includes first passing energy through openings in a wall of electrical and thermal insulation and application of electromagnetic energy by either a monopolar or a bipolar circuit relative to the tissue and the bodily fluids of an animal or human.
Inventors
- 👤 William W. Cimino
- 👤 Michael D. Lontine
- 👤 Michael P. Schollmeyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 23:11
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1402; A61B18/1206; A61B18/1233; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00059; A61B2018/00089; A61B2018/00095; A61B2018/00107; A61B2018/1405; A61B2018/1412
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
256 words
An electrosurgical tip for the application of electromagnetic energy in either a monopolar or a bipolar circuit through the tissue and the bodily fluids of an animal or human comprising: an electrically conductive electrode for connection to a source of electromagnetic electrosurgical energy and for transmission of the electromagnetic electrosurgical energy to the tissue and the bodily fluids of the animal or human; an electrical and thermal insulator held about the electrically conductive electrode for preventing the flow of electromagnetic and thermal energy from the electrically conductive electrode to the tissue and the bodily fluids; a surface of the electrical and thermal insulator for contact with the tissue and the bodily fluids of the animal or human, the surface having a low surface free energy; openings through the electrical and thermal insulator, the openings extending from the electrically conductive electrode to the surface for the passage of electromagnetic electrosurgical energy from the electrically conductive electrode to the tissue and the bodily fluids, and a wall of the electrical and thermal insulator traversing between the surface of the electrical and thermal insulator and the electrically conductive electrode recessed in the openings, the wall of a thickness about the openings and ample to space the electrically conductive electrode from substantially any direct contact with the tissue of the animal or human and to physically isolate heat generated in the electrically conductive electrode due to the passage of energy from the electrically conductive electrode through the openings to the tissue and the bodily fluids of the animal or human.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
256 words
An electrosurgical tip for the application of electromagnetic energy in either a monopolar or a bipolar circuit through the tissue and the bodily fluids of an animal or human comprising: an electrically conductive electrode for connection to a source of electromagnetic electrosurgical energy and for transmission of the electromagnetic electrosurgical energy to the tissue and the bodily fluids of the animal or human; an electrical and thermal insulator held about the electrically conductive electrode for preventing the flow of electromagnetic and thermal energy from the electrically conductive electrode to the tissue and the bodily fluids; a surface of the electrical and thermal insulator for contact with the tissue and the bodily fluids of the animal or human, the surface having a low surface free energy; openings through the electrical and thermal insulator, the openings extending from the electrically conductive electrode to the surface for the passage of electromagnetic electrosurgical energy from the electrically conductive electrode to the tissue and the bodily fluids, and a wall of the electrical and thermal insulator traversing between the surface of the electrical and thermal insulator and the electrically conductive electrode recessed in the openings, the wall of a thickness about the openings and ample to space the electrically conductive electrode from substantially any direct contact with the tissue of the animal or human and to physically isolate heat generated in the electrically conductive electrode due to the passage of energy from the electrically conductive electrode through the openings to the tissue and the bodily fluids of the animal or human.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The electrosurgical tip for the application of electromagnetic energy to the tissue or bodily fluids of an animal or human of claim 1 wherein the electrical and thermal insulator is a sheath.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The electrosurgical tip for the application of electromagnetic energy to the tissue or bodily fluids of an animal or human of claim 2 wherein the sheath is a polymeric substance.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The electrosurgical tip for the application of electromagnetic energy to the tissue and the bodily fluids of an animal or human of claim 2 wherein the sheath is a ceramic substance and the surface thereof is treated to reduce its surface free energy.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
77 words
The electrosurgical tip for the application of electromagnetic energy to the tissue and the bodily fluids of an animal or human of claim 3 wherein the wall of the sheath is a porous substance having an open cellular configuration allowing passage of electromagnetic energy from the electrically conductive electrode to the tissue and the bodily fluids and preventing the flow of thermal energy so there is a thermal gradient between the electrically conductive electrode and the surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
77 words
The electrosurgical tip for the application of electromagnetic energy to the tissue and the bodily fluids of an animal or human of claim 4 wherein the wall of the sheath is a porous substance having an open cellular configuration allowing passage of electromagnetic energy from the electrically conductive electrode to the tissue and the bodily fluids and preventing the flow of thermal energy so there is a thermal gradient between the electrically conductive electrode and the surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
The electrosurgical tip for the application of electromagnetic energy to the tissue and the bodily fluids of an animal or human of claim 1 wherein the electrically conductive electrode is at least in part metallic having electrical and thermal conductivity and is selected from the group consisting of copper, gold, silver, aluminum, ferrous alloys and alloys thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The electrosurgical tip for the application of electromagnetic energy to the tissue and the bodily fluids of an animal or human of claim 1 wherein the surface is a fluorinated polymer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The electrosurgical tip for the application of electromagnetic energy to the tissue and the bodily fluids of an animal or human of claim 1 wherein the surface is a material different from that of the sheath, the surface having a low surface free energy.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The electrosurgical tip for the application of electromagnetic energy to the tissue and the bodily fluids of an animal or human of claim 1 wherein the surface has a coating having a low surface free energy.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The electrosurgical tip for the application of electromagnetic energy to the tissue and the bodily fluids of an animal or human of claim 1 wherein the coating is lubricous.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
257 words
An electrosurgical tip for the application of electromagnetic energy in either a monopolar or a bipolar circuit through the tissue and the bodily fluids of an animal or human comprising: an electrically conductive electrode for connection to a source of electromagnetic electrosurgical energy and for transmission of the electromagnetic electrosurgical energy to the tissue and the bodily fluids of the animal or human; a sheath of heat shrinkable polymeric substance as an electrical and thermal insulator held about the electrically conductive electrode for preventing the flow of electromagnetic and thermal energy from the electrically conductive electrode to the tissue and the bodily fluids; a surface of the sheath for contact with the tissue and the bodily fluids of the animal or human, the surface having a low surface free energy for contact with the tissue and the bodily fluids; openings through the sheath, the openings extending from the electrically conductive electrode to the surface for the passage of electromagnetic electrosurgical energy from the electrically conductive electrode to the tissue and the bodily fluids, and a wall of the sheath between the surface and the electrically conductive electrode, the wall of a thickness about the openings and ample to space the electrically conductive electrode recessed in the openings from substantially any direct contact with the tissue of the animal or human and to physically isolate heat generated in the electrically conductive electrode due to the passage of energy from the electrically conductive electrode through the openings to the tissue and the bodily fluids of the animal or human.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
257 words
An electrosurgical tip for the application of electromagnetic energy in either a monopolar or a bipolar circuit through the tissue and the bodily fluids of an animal or human comprising: an electrically conductive electrode for connection to a source of electromagnetic electrosurgical energy and for transmission of the electromagnetic electrosurgical energy to the tissue and the bodily fluids of the animal or human; a sheath of heat shrinkable polymeric substance as an electrical and thermal insulator held about the electrically conductive electrode for preventing the flow of electromagnetic and thermal energy from the electrically conductive electrode to the tissue and the bodily fluids; a surface of the sheath for contact with the tissue and the bodily fluids of the animal or human, the surface having a low surface free energy for contact with the tissue and the bodily fluids; openings through the sheath, the openings extending from the electrically conductive electrode to the surface for the passage of electromagnetic electrosurgical energy from the electrically conductive electrode to the tissue and the bodily fluids, and a wall of the sheath between the surface and the electrically conductive electrode, the wall of a thickness about the openings and ample to space the electrically conductive electrode recessed in the openings from substantially any direct contact with the tissue of the animal or human and to physically isolate heat generated in the electrically conductive electrode due to the passage of energy from the electrically conductive electrode through the openings to the tissue and the bodily fluids of the animal or human.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
239 words
An electrosurgical tip for the application of electromagnetic energy in either a monopolar or a bipolar circuit through the tissue and the bodily fluids of an animal or human comprising: an electrically conductive electrode for connection to a source of electromagnetic electrosurgical energy and for transmission of the electromagnetic electrosurgical energy to the tissue and the bodily fluids of the animal or human; a ceramic substance as an electrical and thermal insulator about the electrically conductive electrode for preventing the flow of electromagnetic and thermal energy from the electrically conductive electrode to the tissue and the bodily fluids, the ceramic substance of a thickness about the openings and ample to space the electrically conductive electrode recessed in the openings from substantially any direct contact with the tissue of the animal or human and to physically isolate heat generated in the electrically conductive electrode due to flow of electromagnetic energy through the electrically conductive electrode; a sheath of a heat shrinkable polymer for surrounding the ceramic substance and for contact with the tissue and the bodily fluids of the animal or human; a surface on the sheath having a low surface free energy for contact with the tissue and the bodily fluids; openings through the sheath and the ceramic substance, the openings extending from the electrically conductive electrode through the surface for the passage of electromagnetic electrosurgical energy from the electrically conductive electrode to the tissue and the bodily fluids.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
239 words
An electrosurgical tip for the application of electromagnetic energy in either a monopolar or a bipolar circuit through the tissue and the bodily fluids of an animal or human comprising: an electrically conductive electrode for connection to a source of electromagnetic electrosurgical energy and for transmission of the electromagnetic electrosurgical energy to the tissue and the bodily fluids of the animal or human; a ceramic substance as an electrical and thermal insulator about the electrically conductive electrode for preventing the flow of electromagnetic and thermal energy from the electrically conductive electrode to the tissue and the bodily fluids, the ceramic substance of a thickness about the openings and ample to space the electrically conductive electrode recessed in the openings from substantially any direct contact with the tissue of the animal or human and to physically isolate heat generated in the electrically conductive electrode due to flow of electromagnetic energy through the electrically conductive electrode; a sheath of a heat shrinkable polymer for surrounding the ceramic substance and for contact with the tissue and the bodily fluids of the animal or human; a surface on the sheath having a low surface free energy for contact with the tissue and the bodily fluids; openings through the sheath and the ceramic substance, the openings extending from the electrically conductive electrode through the surface for the passage of electromagnetic electrosurgical energy from the electrically conductive electrode to the tissue and the bodily fluids.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
203 words
A method of making an electrosurgical tip for the application of electromagnetic energy in either a monopolar or a bipolar circuit through the tissue and the bodily fluids of an animal or human having the steps of: connecting an electrically conductive electrode to a source of electromagnetic electrosurgical energy; covering the electrically conductive electrode with an electrical and thermal insulator having a surface; providing openings in the electrical and thermal insulator, the openings extending therethrough from the electrically conductive electrode for permitting passage of electromagnetic electrosurgical energy from the electrically conductive electrode to the tissue and the bodily fluids; providing the surface with a low surface free energy; extending the openings through the surface; providing a wall in the electrical and thermal insulator between the surface and the electrically conductive electrode; making the wall of a thickness about the openings and ample to space the electrically conductive electrode recessed in the openings from substantially any direct contact with the tissue and of the animal or human, and isolating physically the heat generated in the electrically conductive electrode due to the passage of energy from the electrically conductive electrode through the openings to the tissue and the bodily fluids of the animal or human.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
203 words
A method of making an electrosurgical tip for the application of electromagnetic energy in either a monopolar or a bipolar circuit through the tissue and the bodily fluids of an animal or human having the steps of: connecting an electrically conductive electrode to a source of electromagnetic electrosurgical energy; covering the electrically conductive electrode with an electrical and thermal insulator having a surface; providing openings in the electrical and thermal insulator, the openings extending therethrough from the electrically conductive electrode for permitting passage of electromagnetic electrosurgical energy from the electrically conductive electrode to the tissue and the bodily fluids; providing the surface with a low surface free energy; extending the openings through the surface; providing a wall in the electrical and thermal insulator between the surface and the electrically conductive electrode; making the wall of a thickness about the openings and ample to space the electrically conductive electrode recessed in the openings from substantially any direct contact with the tissue and of the animal or human, and isolating physically the heat generated in the electrically conductive electrode due to the passage of energy from the electrically conductive electrode through the openings to the tissue and the bodily fluids of the animal or human.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of making an electrosurgical tip for the application of electromagnetic energy of claim 14 wherein the step of covering is performed by heat shrinking a polymeric tube place over the electrically conductive electrode.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of making an electrosurgical tip for the application of electromagnetic energy of claim 15 wherein the step of providing the openings is performed before heat shrinking the tube.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of making an electrosurgical tip for the application of electromagnetic energy of claim 15 wherein the step of providing the openings is performed after heat shrinking the tube.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
168 words
A method of using an electrosurgical tip that is electrically and thermally insulated but has openings for passage of and the application of electromagnetic energy in either a monopolar or a bipolar circuit through the tissue and the bodily fluids of an animal or human having the steps of: placing in close proximity to the tissue and the bodily fluids of the animal or human a surface of the electrical and thermal insulator; transmitting the electromagnetic electrosurgical energy through the openings to the tissue and the bodily fluids of the animal or human; delivering electromagnetic electrosurgical energy through openings in a wall of the electrical and thermal insulation from the electrically conductive electrode recessed in the openings to a surface of the wall; spacing the electrically conductive electrode recessed in the openings from substantially any direct contact with the tissue of the animal or human with the wall of a thickness about the openings ample to provide thermal insulation, and cleaning tissue and bodily fluids from the surface.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
168 words
A method of using an electrosurgical tip that is electrically and thermally insulated but has openings for passage of and the application of electromagnetic energy in either a monopolar or a bipolar circuit through the tissue and the bodily fluids of an animal or human having the steps of: placing in close proximity to the tissue and the bodily fluids of the animal or human a surface of the electrical and thermal insulator; transmitting the electromagnetic electrosurgical energy through the openings to the tissue and the bodily fluids of the animal or human; delivering electromagnetic electrosurgical energy through openings in a wall of the electrical and thermal insulation from the electrically conductive electrode recessed in the openings to a surface of the wall; spacing the electrically conductive electrode recessed in the openings from substantially any direct contact with the tissue of the animal or human with the wall of a thickness about the openings ample to provide thermal insulation, and cleaning tissue and bodily fluids from the surface.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of using the electrosurgical tip of claim 18 wherein the step of application of electromagnetic energy is either by monopolar or bipolar circuitry relative to the tissue and the bodily fluids of an animal or human.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
285 words
An electrosurgical tip for the application of electromagnetic energy in either a monopolar or a bipolar circuit through the tissue and the bodily fluids of an animal or human comprising: a metallic electrically and thermally conductive electrode for connection to an electrosurgical generator proximally and for transmission of the electromagnetic electrosurgical energy to the tissue and the bodily fluids of the animal or human distally; a sheath of heat shrinkable fluorinated polymeric substance as an electrical and thermal insulator held about the metallic electrically and thermally conductive electrode for preventing the flow of electromagnetic and thermal energy from the metallic electrically and thermally conductive electrode to the tissue and the bodily fluids; a smooth surface of the sheath for contact with the tissue and the bodily fluids of the animal or human, the surface having a low surface free energy; openings through the sheath, the openings extending from the metallic electrically and thermally conductive electrode to the smooth surface for permitting the passage of electromagnetic electrosurgical energy in the form of arcs from the metallic electrically and thermally conductive electrode to the tissue and the bodily fluids, and a wall of the sheath between the smooth surface and the metallic electrically and thermally conductive electrode, the wall of a thickness about the openings and adequate to space the metallic electrically and thermally conductive electrode recessed in the openings from substantially any direct contact with the tissue and the bodily fluids of the animal or human and to physically isolate heat generated in the electrically conductive electrode due to the emission of arcs from the metallic electrically and thermally conductive electrode through the openings to the tissue and the bodily fluids of the animal or human.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
285 words
An electrosurgical tip for the application of electromagnetic energy in either a monopolar or a bipolar circuit through the tissue and the bodily fluids of an animal or human comprising: a metallic electrically and thermally conductive electrode for connection to an electrosurgical generator proximally and for transmission of the electromagnetic electrosurgical energy to the tissue and the bodily fluids of the animal or human distally; a sheath of heat shrinkable fluorinated polymeric substance as an electrical and thermal insulator held about the metallic electrically and thermally conductive electrode for preventing the flow of electromagnetic and thermal energy from the metallic electrically and thermally conductive electrode to the tissue and the bodily fluids; a smooth surface of the sheath for contact with the tissue and the bodily fluids of the animal or human, the surface having a low surface free energy; openings through the sheath, the openings extending from the metallic electrically and thermally conductive electrode to the smooth surface for permitting the passage of electromagnetic electrosurgical energy in the form of arcs from the metallic electrically and thermally conductive electrode to the tissue and the bodily fluids, and a wall of the sheath between the smooth surface and the metallic electrically and thermally conductive electrode, the wall of a thickness about the openings and adequate to space the metallic electrically and thermally conductive electrode recessed in the openings from substantially any direct contact with the tissue and the bodily fluids of the animal or human and to physically isolate heat generated in the electrically conductive electrode due to the emission of arcs from the metallic electrically and thermally conductive electrode through the openings to the tissue and the bodily fluids of the animal or human.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3336916A
Cited
US4364390A
Cited
US4481057A
Cited
US4785807A
Cited
US4785807B1
Cited
US4850353A
Cited
US5100402A
Cited
US5197962A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-01-16 | 1998-07-18 | 1999-01-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-01-16 | 2002-07-18 | 2003-01-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-01-16 | 2006-07-18 | 2007-01-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |