US5647871A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrosurgery with cooled electrodes
Assignee: Ethicon Endo Surgery Inc
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Filing: 1995-03-10
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Granted: 1997-07-15
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Expires: 2015-03-10
Abstract
Abstract A cooled electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical device having at least one electrode for applying electrical energy to tissue. In one embodiment, the electrode includes an internal cavity in which a cooling medium such as water is contained. The internal cavity is closed at the distal end of the device such that the cooling medium is contained within the electrode at the surgical site such that the cooling medium does not contact the tissue being treated.
Inventors
- 👤 Andy H. Levine
- 👤 John C. Meade
- 👤 Philip R. Lichtman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:33
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1442; A61B18/1402; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B2018/00005; A61B2018/00011; A61B2018/00023; A61B18/1206; A61B2018/1246; A61B2018/1253; A61B2018/126
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
An electrosurgery system comprising: an electrosurgical device having an electrode for applying electrical energy to tissue at a surgical site to heat and thus cut or stop bleeding of the tissue; a cooling medium; an internal cavity within the electrode for containing the cooling medium therein at the surgical site to cool the electrode; and a gravity-fed closed circulation system that circulates the cooling medium through the internal cavity, the closed circulation system comprising: a first container providing the cooling medium by gravity to the internal cavity, and a second container collecting the cooling medium as it exits the internal cavity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
An electrosurgery system comprising: an electrosurgical device having an electrode for applying electrical energy to tissue at a surgical site to heat and thus cut or stop bleeding of the tissue; a cooling medium; an internal cavity within the electrode for containing the cooling medium therein at the surgical site to cool the electrode; and a gravity-fed closed circulation system that circulates the cooling medium through the internal cavity, the closed circulation system comprising: a first container providing the cooling medium by gravity to the internal cavity, and a second container collecting the cooling medium as it exits the internal cavity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The electrosurgery system of claim 1 further comprising: a second electrode for applying electrical energy to the tissue at the surgical site; and a second internal cavity within the second electrode for containing therein at the surgical site the cooling medium to cool the second electrode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The electrosurgery system of claim 2 wherein the cooling medium is circulated through the second internal cavity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The electrosurgery system of claim 1 wherein the cooling medium is water circulated at a flow rate of less than 20 cc/minute to maintain an electrode-tissue interface temperature of less than about 80° C.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The electrosurgery system of claim 1 wherein the electrosurgical device is a monopolar electrosurgical device with a single electrode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The electrosurgery system of claim 1 wherein the electrosurgical device is a bipolar electrosurgical device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The electrosurgery system of claim 1 further comprising a retractable cutting blade for cutting tissue.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
79 words
An electrosurgery system comprising: an electrosurgical device having an electrode for applying electrical energy to tissue to heat and thus cut or stop bleeding of the tissue; and a gravity-fed closed circulation system for circulating a cooling fluid within the electrosurgical device to cool the electrode, the gravity-fed closed circulation system comprising: a first container providing the cooling fluid by gravity to the electrosurgical device; and a second container collecting the cooling fluid as it exits the electrosurgical device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
79 words
An electrosurgery system comprising: an electrosurgical device having an electrode for applying electrical energy to tissue to heat and thus cut or stop bleeding of the tissue; and a gravity-fed closed circulation system for circulating a cooling fluid within the electrosurgical device to cool the electrode, the gravity-fed closed circulation system comprising: a first container providing the cooling fluid by gravity to the electrosurgical device; and a second container collecting the cooling fluid as it exits the electrosurgical device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The electrosurgery system of claim 8 wherein the closed circulation system further comprises an internal cavity within the electrode through which the cooling fluid circulates at a flow rate of less than 20 cc/minute to maintain an electrode-tissue interface temperature of less than about 80° C.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The electrosurgery system of claim 8 wherein the electrosurgical device is a monopolar electrosurgical device with a single electrode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The electrosurgery system of claim 8 wherein the electrosurgical device is a bipolar electrosurgical device.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of electrosurgery comprising: applying electrical energy to tissue with an electrode at a surgical site to heat and thus cut or stop bleeding of the tissue; and cooling the electrode at the surgical site with a cooling medium contained within the electrode at the surgical site, said cooling comprising: providing the electrode with an internal cavity that contains the cooling medium, and providing a gravity-fed closed circulation system connected to the electrode, the closed circulation system including a first container providing the cooling medium by gravity to the internal cavity and a second container collecting the cooling medium as it exits the internal cavity.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of electrosurgery comprising: applying electrical energy to tissue with an electrode at a surgical site to heat and thus cut or stop bleeding of the tissue; and cooling the electrode at the surgical site with a cooling medium contained within the electrode at the surgical site, said cooling comprising: providing the electrode with an internal cavity that contains the cooling medium, and providing a gravity-fed closed circulation system connected to the electrode, the closed circulation system including a first container providing the cooling medium by gravity to the internal cavity and a second container collecting the cooling medium as it exits the internal cavity.
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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) | 2000-07-14 | 2001-01-13 | 2001-07-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-07-14 | 2005-01-13 | 2005-07-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-07-14 | 2009-01-13 | 2009-07-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |