US5423814A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Endoscopic bipolar coagulation device
Assignee: Loma Linda University
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Filing: 1993-05-25
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Granted: 1995-06-13
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Expires: 2013-05-25
Abstract
Abstract A bipolar coagulation device suitable for use in endoscopic surgery is disclosed which reduces the adhesion of tissue to the electrodes and enables the user to clean the electrodes during the procedure without removal from the body. Bipolar electrocautery forceps are located at the distal end of a sheath suitable for use in endoscopic surgery. The tips of the forceps are manipulated using controls located at the control end of the sheath which remains outside the patient's body. The tips of the forceps are made of material having phosphorous in combination with metals of high thermal conductivity, which reduces the adhesion of tissue during cauterization. In addition, the device has a cleaner which acts to free the forceps of any adhering debris. This cleaning can be done inside the patient's body, without the need for any additional instrumentation. In a preferred embodiment, the tips of the bipolar coagulation device can also be pivoted to an angularly disposed position.
Inventors
- 👤 Yong H. Zhu
- 👤 Wolff M. Kirsch
- 👤 Zhen-Sheng Tang
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:09
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1442; A61B17/00; A61B17/02; A61B17/0218; A61B1/00; A61B1/12; A61B1/121; A61B1/122; A61B1/126; A61B17/28; A61B17/29; A61B2017/2926; A61B2017/2927; A61B2017/2932; A61B2017/2933; A61B2017/2934; A61B2017/2939; A61B2017/2945; A61B2018/00005; A61B2018/00571; A61B2018/00595; A61B2018/00964; A61B2018/0097; A61B18/1206; A61B2018/1246; A61B2018/126; A61B2018/1405; A61B2018/1425; A61B2018/1432; A61B90/00; A61B90/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
An endoscopic bipolar coagulation device, comprising: an elongate sheath having a distal end and a proximal end, said distal end being insertable into a body of a mammal; an electrocautery forceps comprising a pair of electrically conductive rods extending through and inside the sheath from the proximal end to the distal end, each of said rods terminating at its distal end in a tip having an inner surface and an outer surface; and a cleaner comprising a rod extending through and inside the sheath, the distal end of said rod having a tip shaped to conform to the inner surface of the tips of the forceps.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
An endoscopic bipolar coagulation device, comprising: an elongate sheath having a distal end and a proximal end, said distal end being insertable into a body of a mammal; an electrocautery forceps comprising a pair of electrically conductive rods extending through and inside the sheath from the proximal end to the distal end, each of said rods terminating at its distal end in a tip having an inner surface and an outer surface; and a cleaner comprising a rod extending through and inside the sheath, the distal end of said rod having a tip shaped to conform to the inner surface of the tips of the forceps.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
84 words
The coagulation device of claim 1, wherein said electrically conductive rods and said sheath are slidable relative to one another, and wherein said device further comprises a wedge on at least one of said electrically conductive rods, said wedge being positioned proximally behind the tip of said electrically conductive rod, whereby upon relative sliding motion of the electrically conductive rods toward the distal end of the sheath, said wedge acts as a cam which causes the tips of the forceps to be brought together.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The coagulation device of claim 2, wherein said relative sliding motion comprises the sliding movement of the sheath toward the distal end of the electrically conductive rods.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The coagulation device of claim 2, wherein said relative sliding motion comprises the sliding movement of the electrically conductive rods toward the proximal end of the sheath.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The coagulation device of claim 1, wherein each of said electrically conductive rods terminates at its distal end in a rounded tip.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The coagulation device of claim 1, wherein each of said electrically conductive rods terminates at its distal end in a tip having a flat tissue contacting surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The coagulation device of claim 1, wherein said tips of said electrically conductive rods are comprised of an alloy comprised of from 4.75% to 15.5% silver, 0.01% to 7.5% phosphorous, and 77.0% to 95.24% copper.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The coagulation device of claim 7, wherein said tips of said electrically conductive rods are comprised of an alloy comprised of 80% copper, 15% silver, and 5% phosphorous.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The coagulation device of claim 1, wherein said tip of said cleaner is comprised of plastic.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The coagulation device of claim 1, wherein said tip of said cleaner is comprised of metal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The coagulation device of claim 1, further comprising means for pivoting the forceps to an angularly disposed position relative to the sheath.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of coagulating internal tissue of a mammal using a device of the type comprising a sheath, an electrocautery forceps having tips at the distal ends thereof, and a wedge on at least one arm of the forceps, comprising: inserting said device into an internal portion of the mammal; placing the tips of the forceps on opposite sides of the internal tissue; bringing the tips of the forceps together upon relative motion of the rods toward the proximal end of the sheath; activating an electrical current; and cleaning the tips of the forceps inside the mammal, using a cleaner comprising a rod extending through and inside the length of the sheath, the distal end of said rod having a tip configured to track the tips of the forceps, by sliding the tip of the cleaner along the tips of the forceps at least once.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of coagulating internal tissue of a mammal using a device of the type comprising a sheath, an electrocautery forceps having tips at the distal ends thereof, and a wedge on at least one arm of the forceps, comprising: inserting said device into an internal portion of the mammal; placing the tips of the forceps on opposite sides of the internal tissue; bringing the tips of the forceps together upon relative motion of the rods toward the proximal end of the sheath; activating an electrical current; and cleaning the tips of the forceps inside the mammal, using a cleaner comprising a rod extending through and inside the length of the sheath, the distal end of said rod having a tip configured to track the tips of the forceps, by sliding the tip of the cleaner along the tips of the forceps at least once.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 12, further comprising bringing the tips of the forceps together upon relative motion of the rods toward the proximal end of the sheath prior to the cleaning of the tips.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 12, further comprising bending the tips of the forceps inside the mammal, using a means for pivoting the forceps into an angularly disposed position relative to the sheath.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of coagulating internal tissue of a mammal using a device of the type comprising a sheath, an electrocautery forceps having tips at the distal ends thereof, a wedge on at least one arm of the forceps, and a means for pivoting the forceps comprising: inserting said device into an internal portion of the mammal; bending the tips of the forceps using said means for pivoting the forceps into an angularly disposed position relative to the sheath; placing the tips of the forceps on opposite sides of the internal tissue; bringing the tips of the forceps together by displacing a sleeve surrounding said forceps along said wedge; and activating an electrical current.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of coagulating internal tissue of a mammal using a device of the type comprising a sheath, an electrocautery forceps having tips at the distal ends thereof, a wedge on at least one arm of the forceps, and a means for pivoting the forceps comprising: inserting said device into an internal portion of the mammal; bending the tips of the forceps using said means for pivoting the forceps into an angularly disposed position relative to the sheath; placing the tips of the forceps on opposite sides of the internal tissue; bringing the tips of the forceps together by displacing a sleeve surrounding said forceps along said wedge; and activating an electrical current.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 15, further comprising cleaning the tips of the forceps inside the mammal, using a cleaner comprising a rod extending through and inside the length of the sheath, the distal end of said rod having a tip configured to track the tips of the forceps, by sliding the tip of the cleaner along the tips of the forceps at least once.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 16, further comprising bringing the tips of the forceps together by displacing said sleeve prior to the cleaning of the tips.
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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) | 1998-06-12 | 1998-12-12 | 1999-06-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-06-12 | 2002-12-12 | 2003-06-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-06-12 | 2006-12-12 | 2007-06-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |