US5827271A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Energy delivery system for vessel sealing
Assignee: Covidien AG
•
Filing: 1995-09-19
•
Granted: 1998-10-27
•
Expires: 2015-09-19
Abstract
Abstract Electrosurgical energy is used in combination with a surgical tool to seal vessels and vascular tissue of a patient. One of the important advances of the present system is that it can effectively seal vessels of a patient without leaving any foreign material in the body of the patient. The present system is also capable of sealing vessels as large as ten millimeters in diameter. Another advantage of the present system is that the surgeon can visually inspect the integrity of the seal. The invention works with a combination of pressure and controlled application of electrosurgical energy to achieve the desired result. A surgical tool is used to grasp and apply an appropriate amount of closure force to the tissue of the patient. The tool is capable of conducting electrosurgical energy to the tissue concurrently with the application of the closure force. A method for sealing vessels and vascular tissue of a patient includes the steps of applying pressure to the vessels and other tissues of the patient; applying a first level of electrosurgical power to the vessels and other tissue sufficient to melt proteins in the tissue; applying a second level of electrosurgical power to the vessels and other tissue sufficient to cause desiccation without charring; reducing the electrosurgical power substantially to zero for a length of time sufficient to allow the vessels and other tissues to cool into a new compressed form; and relieving the pressure on the tissue.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven P. Buysse
- 👤 Jenifer S. Kennedy
- 👤 S. Wade Lukianow
- 👤 Thomas P. Ryan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 09:33
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/1206; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00017; A61B2017/00022; A61B2017/00026; A61B17/28; A61B17/29; A61B2017/2926; A61B2017/2932; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/00696; A61B2018/00702; A61B2018/00773; A61B2018/00779; A61B2018/00869; A61B2018/00875; A61B2018/00892
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
An electrosurgical energy delivery system for sealing interior passageways of vessels of a patient, the system comprising: a generator capable of delivering electrosurgical power by producing an output voltage and an output current, the generator having means for substantially terminating the power delivery to the surgical tool when the output current drops below approximately 200 milliamperes RMS; a surgical tool electrically connected to the generator for receiving the electrosurgical power, the surgical tool having electrically conductive members arranged for grasping the vessels of the patient and for transmitting the electrosurgical power thereto, the surgical tool having means for maintaining a closure force between the members sufficient to substantially close the interior passageways, and a power control circuit in the generator for automatically sequencing the electrosurgical power delivered to the surgical tool while the output voltage is kept below one-hundred-sixty volts RMS, wherein the sequence includes raising the output current to a maximum amplitude greater than about two amperes RMS while the surgical tool is applying the closure force, thereafter lowering the electrosurgical power to desiccate the vessels without charring, and hereafter terminating the electrosurgical power to the surgical tool.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
189 words
An electrosurgical energy delivery system for sealing interior passageways of vessels of a patient, the system comprising: a generator capable of delivering electrosurgical power by producing an output voltage and an output current, the generator having means for substantially terminating the power delivery to the surgical tool when the output current drops below approximately 200 milliamperes RMS; a surgical tool electrically connected to the generator for receiving the electrosurgical power, the surgical tool having electrically conductive members arranged for grasping the vessels of the patient and for transmitting the electrosurgical power thereto, the surgical tool having means for maintaining a closure force between the members sufficient to substantially close the interior passageways, and a power control circuit in the generator for automatically sequencing the electrosurgical power delivered to the surgical tool while the output voltage is kept below one-hundred-sixty volts RMS, wherein the sequence includes raising the output current to a maximum amplitude greater than about two amperes RMS while the surgical tool is applying the closure force, thereafter lowering the electrosurgical power to desiccate the vessels without charring, and hereafter terminating the electrosurgical power to the surgical tool.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The electrosurgical energy delivery system of claim 1 wherein the means for maintaining the closure force in the surgical tool further comprises means for selectively applying multiple levels of closure force between the members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The electrosurgical energy delivery system of claim 1 wherein the generator further comprises means for approximating impedance of the vessels and other tissues of the patient as they are grasped by the members of the surgical tool.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The electrosurgical energy delivery system of claim 3 wherein the power control circuit includes a power cutoff function for substantially terminating the power delivery to the surgical tool when the impedance of the vessels and other tissues rises above approximately one thousand ohms.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
92 words
The electrosurgical energy delivery system of claim 3 wherein the power control circuit further comprises: an output current delivery capability for rapidly increasing the output current delivery to the vessels and other tissues until a first impedance breakpoint is reached; a constant power delivery capability for maintaining a constant power delivery to the vessels and other tissues until proteins in the vessels and other tissues have melted; and a low power delivery capability for maintaining a low power delivery to the vessels and other tissues until a second impedance breakpoint is reached.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The electrosurgical energy delivery system of claim 5 wherein the first impedance breakpoint is located at approximately 16 ohms.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The electrosurgical energy delivery system of claim 5 wherein the second impedance breakpoint is located at approximately 2048 ohms.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
196 words
An electrosurgical energy delivery system for sealing interior passageways of vessels of a patient, the system comprising: a generator capable of delivering electrosurgical power by producing an output voltage and an output current; a surgical tool electrically connected to the generator for receiving the electrosurgical power, the surgical tool having electrically conductive members arranged for grasping the vessels of the patient and for transmitting the electrosurgical power thereto, the surgical tool having means for maintaining a closure force between the members sufficient to substantially close the interior passageways, and a power control circuit in the generator for automatically sequencing the electrosurgical power delivered to the surgical tool while the output voltage is kept below one-hundred-sixty volts RMS, wherein the sequence includes raising the output current to a maximum amplitude greater than about two amperes RMS while the surgical tool is applying the closure force, thereafter lowering the electrosurgical power to desiccate the vessels without charring, and thereafter terminating the electrosurgical power to the surgical tool; wherein the generator includes means for substantially terminating the power delivery to the surgical tool when the output current leads the output voltage by an angle greater than approximately fifty degrees.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
196 words
An electrosurgical energy delivery system for sealing interior passageways of vessels of a patient, the system comprising: a generator capable of delivering electrosurgical power by producing an output voltage and an output current; a surgical tool electrically connected to the generator for receiving the electrosurgical power, the surgical tool having electrically conductive members arranged for grasping the vessels of the patient and for transmitting the electrosurgical power thereto, the surgical tool having means for maintaining a closure force between the members sufficient to substantially close the interior passageways, and a power control circuit in the generator for automatically sequencing the electrosurgical power delivered to the surgical tool while the output voltage is kept below one-hundred-sixty volts RMS, wherein the sequence includes raising the output current to a maximum amplitude greater than about two amperes RMS while the surgical tool is applying the closure force, thereafter lowering the electrosurgical power to desiccate the vessels without charring, and thereafter terminating the electrosurgical power to the surgical tool; wherein the generator includes means for substantially terminating the power delivery to the surgical tool when the output current leads the output voltage by an angle greater than approximately fifty degrees.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
The electrosurgical energy delivery system of claim 1 wherein the generator further comprises means for substantially terminating the power delivery to the surgical tool, and an audible tone indicator for producing an audible tone after substantially terminating the power delivery to the surgical tool and after a further delay of less than five seconds.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
170 words
A method for sealing interior passageways of vessels of a patient using electrosurgical power, the electrosurgical power having an output voltage and an output current which are applied through end effectors of a surgical tool, the method comprising the steps of: applying compression to the vessels of the patient with the end effectors sufficient to substantially close the interior passageways; applying a first level of electrosurgical power to the vessels, wherein the output current has a maximum RMS amplitude greater than two amperes and the output voltage is less than one hundred sixty volts RMS; reducing the electrosurgical power to a second level which is less than half of the first level; applying the second level of electrosurgical power to the vessels and other tissue of the patient for a length of time sufficient to cause desiccation without charring; reducing the electrosurgical power substantially to zero for a length of time sufficient to allow the vessels to cool into a new compressed form; and relieving the compression on the vessels.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
170 words
A method for sealing interior passageways of vessels of a patient using electrosurgical power, the electrosurgical power having an output voltage and an output current which are applied through end effectors of a surgical tool, the method comprising the steps of: applying compression to the vessels of the patient with the end effectors sufficient to substantially close the interior passageways; applying a first level of electrosurgical power to the vessels, wherein the output current has a maximum RMS amplitude greater than two amperes and the output voltage is less than one hundred sixty volts RMS; reducing the electrosurgical power to a second level which is less than half of the first level; applying the second level of electrosurgical power to the vessels and other tissue of the patient for a length of time sufficient to cause desiccation without charring; reducing the electrosurgical power substantially to zero for a length of time sufficient to allow the vessels to cool into a new compressed form; and relieving the compression on the vessels.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method for sealing vessels and other tissues in claim 10 wherein the step of reducing the electrosurgical power substantially to zero occurs for a duration of less than five seconds.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method for sealing vessels and other tissues in claim 10 further comprising the steps of: approximating a phase angle between the output current and the output voltage, and after the step of applying a second level of electrosurgical power, substantially terminating the power delivery to the surgical tool when the output current leads the output voltage by an angle greater than approximately fifty degrees.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method for sealing vessels and other tissues in claim 10 further comprising the step of substantially terminating the power delivery to the surgical tool when the output current drops below approximately 200 milliamperes RMS.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method for sealing vessels and other tissues in claim 10 further comprising the step of audibly indicating when the closure force on the vessels and other tissues should be removed, the audible indication occurring after substantially reducing the level of electrosurgical power to zero, and after a further delay of less than five seconds.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method for sealing vessels and other tissues in claim 10 further comprising the step of continuously limiting the output voltage to a value below approximately one hundred sixty volts RMS.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method for sealing vessels and other tissues in claim 10 comprising the additional step of approximating impedance of the vessels and other tissues.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method for sealing vessels and other tissues in claim 16 wherein the step of applying a second level of electrosurgical power is terminated after the impedance of the vessels and other tissues rises above approximately one thousand ohms.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
135 words
A method for sealing interior passageways of vessels of a patient using electrosurgical power, the electrosurgical power having an output voltage and an output current which are applied through end effectors of a surgical tool, the method comprising the steps of: applying compression to the vessels of the patient with the end effectors sufficient to substantially close the interior passageways; approximating impedance of the vessels; increasing the electrosurgical power to the vessels until the output current has a maximum of greater than two amperes while the output voltage is held below one hundred sixty volts RMS; decreasing the electrosurgical power delivery to the vessels until the impedance rises above approximately one thousand ohms; reducing the electrosurgical power substantially to zero for a duration of less than five seconds; and relieving the compression on the vessels.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
135 words
A method for sealing interior passageways of vessels of a patient using electrosurgical power, the electrosurgical power having an output voltage and an output current which are applied through end effectors of a surgical tool, the method comprising the steps of: applying compression to the vessels of the patient with the end effectors sufficient to substantially close the interior passageways; approximating impedance of the vessels; increasing the electrosurgical power to the vessels until the output current has a maximum of greater than two amperes while the output voltage is held below one hundred sixty volts RMS; decreasing the electrosurgical power delivery to the vessels until the impedance rises above approximately one thousand ohms; reducing the electrosurgical power substantially to zero for a duration of less than five seconds; and relieving the compression on the vessels.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
137 words
A method for sealing interior passageways of vessels larger than 2.5 millimeters in diameter of a patient using electrosurgical power, the vessels comprised of proteins, the electrosurgical power having an output voltage and an output current which are applied through end effectors of a surgical tool, the method comprising the steps of: applying compression to the vessels of the patient with the end effectors sufficient to substantially close the interior passageways; increasing the electrosurgical power to the vessels until the output current has a maximum value which is sufficient to melt the proteins; decreasing the electrosurgical power delivery to the vessels so that the vessels becomes desiccated without being charred; reducing the electrosurgical power substantially to zero for a duration sufficient to cool the vessels into a new compressed form; and relieving the compression on the vessels.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
137 words
A method for sealing interior passageways of vessels larger than 2.5 millimeters in diameter of a patient using electrosurgical power, the vessels comprised of proteins, the electrosurgical power having an output voltage and an output current which are applied through end effectors of a surgical tool, the method comprising the steps of: applying compression to the vessels of the patient with the end effectors sufficient to substantially close the interior passageways; increasing the electrosurgical power to the vessels until the output current has a maximum value which is sufficient to melt the proteins; decreasing the electrosurgical power delivery to the vessels so that the vessels becomes desiccated without being charred; reducing the electrosurgical power substantially to zero for a duration sufficient to cool the vessels into a new compressed form; and relieving the compression on the vessels.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4474179A
Cited
US4559943A
Cited
US4860745A
Cited
US5151102A
Cited
WO1992006642A1
Cited
US5483952A
Cited
US5207691A
Cited
US5423809A
Cited
EP0556705A1
Cited
US5423810A
Cited
US5201900A
Cited
WO1994024949A1
Cited
WO1995019148A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-10-26 | 2002-04-27 | 2002-10-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-10-26 | 2006-04-27 | 2006-10-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-10-26 | 2010-04-27 | 2010-10-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |