Patent US5797907A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5797907A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrocautery cutter
Assignee: Mectra Labs Inc
•
Filing: 1995-12-15
•
Granted: 1998-08-25
•
Expires: 2015-12-15
Abstract
Abstract A handheld electrocautery cutter is provided for suction, removal of body tissues and electrocauterization of tissue in a patient. The electrocautery cutter includes a distal end, a rigid cannula, a movable cutter, a cutter, a valve, a valve actuator, an electrical switch, and an electrical actuator. The rigid cannula defines a cannula interior and the cannula includes a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of the cannula is insertible and positionable in a patient's body and the cannula defines a cannula opening adjacent the distal end to permit access to the cannula interior for capture of body tissue in the cannula interior. The movable cutter cuts tissue entering the cannula opening and the cutter actuator moves the cutter. The valve is connected to the cannula to control suction flow from the cannula interior and the valve actuator actuates the valve. The electrical switch is linked to the cannula to control mono-polar electrocautery current flowing from adjacent the distal end of the electrocautery cutter to the patient and the electrical actuator activates the electrical switch. The cannula and valve are integrated into a rigid structure to be held in a user's hand such that movement of the rigidly coupled cannula and valve by a user's hand allows the distal end of the cannula to be accurately positioned at a specific location in the patient's body. The cutter actuator, valve actuator, and electrical actuator are operable by a hand of the user as it moves the rigidly coupled valve and cannula to accurately position the distal end of the cannula in the patient's body.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas P. Clement
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:01
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B17/320016; A61B10/00; A61B10/02; A61B10/04; A61B17/3203; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1482; A61M; A61M1/00; A61M1/71; A61M1/77; A61M1/774; A61M39/00; A61M39/22; A61M39/223; A61B10/0233; A61B10/0266; A61B10/0275; A61B10/0283; A61B17/28; A61B17/29; A61B17/3205; A61B17/3207; A61B17/320783; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61B18/22; A61B18/24; A61B18/26; A61B2017/0023; A61B2017/0046; A61B17/22; A61B2017/22072; A61B90/00; A61B90/30; A61B2090/306; A61B90/04; A61M1/74; A61M1/741; A61M1/7411; A61M1/7413; A61M1/772
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
245 words
A handheld electrocautery cutter for suction, removal of body tissues and electrocauterization of tissue in a patient, the electrocautery cutter comprising: a rigid cannula defining a cannula interior, the cannula having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being insertible and positionable in a patient's body, and the cannula defining a cannula opening adjacent the distal end to permit access to the cannula interior for capture of body tissue in the cannula interior; a movable cutter for cutting tissue entering the cannula opening; a cutter actuator configured to move the cutter, an valve connected to the cannula to control suction flow from the cannula interior; a valve actuator configured to actuate the valve; an electrical switch linked to the cannula to control mono-polar electrocautery current flowing from adjacent the distal end of the electrocautery cutter to the patient for cauterizing body tissue; an electrical actuator configured to activate the electrical switch; wherein the cannula and valve are integrated into a rigid structure to be held in a user's hand such that movement of the rigidly coupled cannula and valve by a user's hand allows the distal end of the cannula to be accurately positioned at a specific location in the patient's body; and wherein the cutter actuator, valve actuator, and electrical actuator are operable by a hand of the user as it moves the rigidly coupled valve and cannula to accurately position the distal end of the cannula in the patient's body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
245 words
A handheld electrocautery cutter for suction, removal of body tissues and electrocauterization of tissue in a patient, the electrocautery cutter comprising: a rigid cannula defining a cannula interior, the cannula having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being insertible and positionable in a patient's body, and the cannula defining a cannula opening adjacent the distal end to permit access to the cannula interior for capture of body tissue in the cannula interior; a movable cutter for cutting tissue entering the cannula opening; a cutter actuator configured to move the cutter, an valve connected to the cannula to control suction flow from the cannula interior; a valve actuator configured to actuate the valve; an electrical switch linked to the cannula to control mono-polar electrocautery current flowing from adjacent the distal end of the electrocautery cutter to the patient for cauterizing body tissue; an electrical actuator configured to activate the electrical switch; wherein the cannula and valve are integrated into a rigid structure to be held in a user's hand such that movement of the rigidly coupled cannula and valve by a user's hand allows the distal end of the cannula to be accurately positioned at a specific location in the patient's body; and wherein the cutter actuator, valve actuator, and electrical actuator are operable by a hand of the user as it moves the rigidly coupled valve and cannula to accurately position the distal end of the cannula in the patient's body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The electrocautery cutter of claim 1, wherein the electrical actuator is integrated into the rigid structure with the cannula and valve actuator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The electrocautery cutter of claim 1, wherein the rigid structure includes a hand grip portion surrounding the valve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The electrocautery cutter of claim 1, wherein the cannula supports the cutter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electrocautery cutter of claim 1, wherein the cannula has an open distal end to permit communication between the cannula interior and the patient.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The electrocautery cutter of claim 1, wherein the valve actuator also controls irrigation through the cannula.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The electrocautery cutter of claim 1, wherein the mono-polar electrocautery current flows from the cutter to the patient.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The electrocautery cutter of claim 1, wherein the mono-polar electrocautery current flows from the distal end of the cannula to the patient for cauterizing body tissue.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The electrocautery cutter of claim 1, further including an insulation sheath fixed to the cannula.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
The electrocautery cutter of claim 9, wherein the insulation sheath includes a proximal end situated in the rigid structure, a distal end spaced from the proximal end, and an aperture formed adjacent the distal end of the insulation sheath and adjacent the cannula opening formed in the cannula.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The electrocautery cutter of claim 10, wherein the distal end of the cannula extends past the distal end of the insulation sheath.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The electrocautery cutter of claim 10, wherein the distal end of the insulation sheath extends past the distal end of the cannula.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The electrocautery cutter of claim 1, wherein the cutter actuator is connected to the rigid structure.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
162 words
An electrocautery cutter for suction, removal of body tissues, and electrocauterization, the electrocautery cutter comprising: a rigid cannula defining a cannula interior, the cannula having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being insertible and positionable in a patient's body, and the cannula defining a cannula opening adjacent the distal end to permit access to the cannula interior for capture of body tissue in the cannula interior; a movable cutter for cutting tissue entering the cannula opening; a cutter actuator configured to move the cutter, an electrical switch to control mono-polar electrocautery current flowing through the cannula and from adjacent the distal end of the electrocautery cutter to the patient; an electrical actuator configured to activate the electrical switch; and an insulation sheath being fixed to the cannula, the insulation sheath including a proximal end, a distal end spaced from the proximal end, and an aperture formed adjacent the distal end and the cannula opening formed in the cannula.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
162 words
An electrocautery cutter for suction, removal of body tissues, and electrocauterization, the electrocautery cutter comprising: a rigid cannula defining a cannula interior, the cannula having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being insertible and positionable in a patient's body, and the cannula defining a cannula opening adjacent the distal end to permit access to the cannula interior for capture of body tissue in the cannula interior; a movable cutter for cutting tissue entering the cannula opening; a cutter actuator configured to move the cutter, an electrical switch to control mono-polar electrocautery current flowing through the cannula and from adjacent the distal end of the electrocautery cutter to the patient; an electrical actuator configured to activate the electrical switch; and an insulation sheath being fixed to the cannula, the insulation sheath including a proximal end, a distal end spaced from the proximal end, and an aperture formed adjacent the distal end and the cannula opening formed in the cannula.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The electrocautery cutter of claim 14, further comprising a hand grip portion and the electrical actuator is situated adjacent the hand grip portion.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
45 words
The electrocautery cutter of claim 15, further comprising a valve configured to extend through the hand grip portion and connect to the cannula to control suction flow from the cannula interior and a valve actuator configured to actuate the valve located adjacent the electrical actuator.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electrocautery cutter of claim 14, wherein the distal end of the insulation sheath is configured to cover the distal end of the cannula.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
The electrocautery cutter of claim 17, wherein the insulation sheath includes a first diameter at its proximal end and a second diameter at its distal end, and wherein the second diameter is smaller than the first diameter.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
The electrocautery cutter of claim 18, wherein the insulation sheath includes a third diameter at the distal end of the cannula, and wherein the third diameter is substantially equal to the first diameter.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The electrocautery cutter of claim 14, wherein the distal end of the cannula extends past the distal end of the insulation sheath.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
The electrocautery cutter of claim 14, further comprising a conduit piece and wherein the proximal end of the cannula and the proximal end of the insulation sheath are situated in the conduit.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The electrocautery cutter of claim 21, wherein the electrical actuator is located adjacent the conduit piece.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
50 words
The electrocautery cutter of claim 22, further comprising a hand grip portion appended to the conduit piece and a valve means connected to the conduit piece to control suction and irrigation flow to the cannula interior and means to actuate the valve means being situated on the hand grip portion.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
53 words
The electrocautery cutter of claim 22, further comprising a cutter actuator assembly linked to the conduit piece and configured to move the cutter between a non-cutting position and a cutting position, the cutter actuator assembly being situated so that a user can operate the electrical actuator and cutter actuator assembly with one hand.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
12 words
The electrocautery cutter of claim 14, wherein the insulation sheath is stationary.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electrocautery cutter of claim 14, wherein the cannula has an open distal end to permit communication between the cannula interior and the patient.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
142 words
An electrocautery device comprising: a rigid cannula having a cannula side defining a cannula interior, the cannula having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being insertible and positionable in a patient's body, and the cannula defining a cannula opening formed in the cannula side near the distal end to permit access to the cannula interior for capture of body tissue in the cannula interior; an electrical switch to control mono-polar electrocautery current flowing through the cannula and from adjacent the distal end of the electrocautery cutter to the patient; an electrical actuator configured to activate the electrical switch; and an insulation sheath covering the cannula, the insulation sheath including a proximal end, a distal end spaced from the proximal end, and an aperture formed near the distal end and adjacent the cannula opening formed in the cannula side.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
142 words
An electrocautery device comprising: a rigid cannula having a cannula side defining a cannula interior, the cannula having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being insertible and positionable in a patient's body, and the cannula defining a cannula opening formed in the cannula side near the distal end to permit access to the cannula interior for capture of body tissue in the cannula interior; an electrical switch to control mono-polar electrocautery current flowing through the cannula and from adjacent the distal end of the electrocautery cutter to the patient; an electrical actuator configured to activate the electrical switch; and an insulation sheath covering the cannula, the insulation sheath including a proximal end, a distal end spaced from the proximal end, and an aperture formed near the distal end and adjacent the cannula opening formed in the cannula side.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
70 words
The electrocautery device of claim 27, wherein the cannula and insulation sheath are integrated into a rigid structure to be held in a user's hand such that movement of the rigidly coupled cannula and insulation sheath by a user's hand allows the distal end of the cannula to be accurately positioned at a specific location in the patient's body, and wherein the electrical actuator is situated on the rigid structure.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
16 words
The electrocautery device of claim 27, wherein the insulation sheath is shrink wrapped onto the cannula.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
251 words
A handheld electrocautery cutter for suction, removal of body tissues and electrocauterization of tissue in a patient, the electrocautery cutter comprising: a rigid cannula defining a cannula interior, the cannula having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being insertible and positionable in a patient's body, and the cannula defining a cannula opening adjacent the distal end to permit access to the cannula interior for capture of body tissue in the cannula interior; a movable cutter for cutting tissue entering the cannula opening; a cutter actuator configured to move the cutter; a valve connected to the cannula to control suction flow from the cannula interior; a valve actuator configured to actuate the valve; an electrical cauterizing element connected to the cannula for introduction of mono-polar electrocautery current flowing from adjacent the distal end of the electrocautery cutter to the patient for cauterizing body tissue; an electrical actuator for controlling the mono-polar electrocautery current flowing through the electrical cauterizing element; wherein the cannula and valve are integrated into a rigid structure to be held in a user's hand such that movement of the rigidly coupled cannula and valve by a user's hand allows the distal end of the cannula to be accurately positioned at a specific location in the patient's body; and wherein the cutter actuator and valve actuator are operable by a hand of the user as it moves the rigidly coupled valve and cannula to accurately position the distal end of the cannula in the patient's body.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
251 words
A handheld electrocautery cutter for suction, removal of body tissues and electrocauterization of tissue in a patient, the electrocautery cutter comprising: a rigid cannula defining a cannula interior, the cannula having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being insertible and positionable in a patient's body, and the cannula defining a cannula opening adjacent the distal end to permit access to the cannula interior for capture of body tissue in the cannula interior; a movable cutter for cutting tissue entering the cannula opening; a cutter actuator configured to move the cutter; a valve connected to the cannula to control suction flow from the cannula interior; a valve actuator configured to actuate the valve; an electrical cauterizing element connected to the cannula for introduction of mono-polar electrocautery current flowing from adjacent the distal end of the electrocautery cutter to the patient for cauterizing body tissue; an electrical actuator for controlling the mono-polar electrocautery current flowing through the electrical cauterizing element; wherein the cannula and valve are integrated into a rigid structure to be held in a user's hand such that movement of the rigidly coupled cannula and valve by a user's hand allows the distal end of the cannula to be accurately positioned at a specific location in the patient's body; and wherein the cutter actuator and valve actuator are operable by a hand of the user as it moves the rigidly coupled valve and cannula to accurately position the distal end of the cannula in the patient's body.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
22 words
The electrocautery cutter of claim 30, wherein the electrical actuator is integrated into the rigid structure with the cannula and valve actuator.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
18 words
The electrocautery cutter of claim 30, wherein the rigid structure includes a hand grip portion surrounding the valve.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
12 words
The electrocautery cutter of claim 30, wherein the cannula supports the cutter.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electrocautery cutter of claim 30, wherein the cannula has an open distal end to permit communication between the cannula interior and the patient.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
16 words
The electrocautery cutter of claim 30, wherein the valve actuator also controls irrigation through the cannula.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
26 words
The electrocautery cutter of claim 30, wherein the mono-polar electrocautery current flows from the distal end of the cannula to the patient for cauterizing body tissue.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
15 words
The electrocautery cutter of claim 30, further including an insulation sheath fixed to the cannula.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
48 words
The electrocautery cutter of claim 37, wherein the insulation sheath includes a proximal end situated in the rigid structure, a distal end spaced from the proximal end, and an aperture formed adjacent the distal end of the insulation sheath and adjacent the cannula opening formed in the cannula.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
22 words
The electrocautery cutter of claim 38, wherein the distal end of the cannula extends past the distal end of the insulation sheath.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
22 words
The electrocautery cutter of claim 38, wherein the distal end of the insulation sheath extends past the distal end of the cannula.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
16 words
The electrocautery cutter of claim 30, wherein the cutter actuator is connected to the rigid structure.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US628907A
Cited
US811111A
Cited
US786215A
Cited
US1585934A
Cited
US1658754A
Cited
US2437329A
Cited
US2708437A
Cited
US2715899A
Cited
US2812765A
Cited
US2888928A
Cited
US3048192A
Cited
US3012752A
Cited
US3081770A
Cited
US3109426A
Cited
US3173414A
Cited
GB991478A
Cited
US3157201A
Cited
US3434691A
Cited
US3368734A
Cited
US3467082A
Cited
US3682177A
Cited
US3735751A
Cited
US3794032A
Cited
US3833000A
Cited
US3783900A
Cited
US3788602A
Cited
US3834372A
Cited
US3853127A
Cited
US4016881A
Cited
US3837345A
Cited
US3902498A
Cited
US3994287A
Cited
US3957082A
Cited
US4079737A
Cited
US4011869A
Cited
US3995619A
Cited
FR2332743B1
Cited
US4037599A
Cited
US4073297A
Cited
US4043322A
Cited
US4173328A
Cited
US4099529A
Cited
US4111207A
Cited
US4240411A
Cited
US4299217A
Cited
US4198959A
Cited
US4379458A
Cited
US4444184A
Cited
US4177814A
Cited
US4230128A
Cited
US4210146A
Cited
US4282884A
Cited
US4314586A
Cited
US4261357A
Cited
US4280498A
Cited
US4314560A
Cited
US4282873A
Cited
US4400168A
Cited
US4430081A
Cited
US4397355A
Cited
US4414974A
Cited
US4445517A
Cited
US4443220A
Cited
US4512344A
Cited
US4552146A
Cited
US4468216A
Cited
US4491132A
Cited
US4735606A
Cited
US4566480A
Cited
US4540156A
Cited
US4519385A
Cited
US4531935A
Cited
US4553964A
Cited
US4589414A
Cited
US4553957A
Cited
US4593717A
Cited
US4657018A
Cited
US4577629A
Cited
US4568332A
Cited
US4595005A
Cited
US4581014A
Cited
US4690672A
Cited
US4715360A
Cited
US4662871A
Cited
US4651753A
Cited
DE3528656A1
Cited
US4676242A
Cited
US4708147A
Cited
US4642090A
Cited
US4642097A
Cited
US4702260A
Cited
US4643197A
Cited
US4692140A
Cited
US4644951A
Cited
US4674500A
Cited
US4648868A
Cited
US4654027A
Cited
US4667927A
Cited
US4645496A
Cited
US4808155A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-08-24 | 2002-02-23 | 2002-08-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-08-24 | 2006-02-23 | 2006-08-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-08-24 | 2010-02-23 | 2010-08-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |