US6030384A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bipolar surgical instruments having focused electrical fields
Assignee: Perfect Surgical Techniques Inc
•
Filing: 1998-05-01
•
Granted: 2000-02-29
•
Expires: 2018-05-01
Abstract
Abstract A bipolar surgical device includes a pair of actuable jaws. A first electrode member which usually includes a line of electrically coupled tissue penetrating elements is formed on one of the jaws, and a second electrode member which usually includes a line of electrically coupled tissue penetrating elements is formed on the same or the other jaw. The electrode members are laterally spaced-apart and arranged in a parallel, usually linear manner so that the lateral distance therebetween remains generally constant. In operation, tissue may be grasped between the jaws so that the electrode members contact and/or the tissue penetrating elements enter into the tissue. By energizing the electrode members at opposite polarities using a high frequency energy source, tissue between the jaws will be heated, coagulated, and/or necrosed, while heating of tissue outside of the lines will be minimized.
Inventors
- 👤 Camran Nezhat
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:45
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1442; A61B18/1445; A61B18/1477; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00059; A61B2018/00089; A61B2018/00101; A61B2018/0016; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00345; A61B2018/00404; A61B2018/00559; A61B2018/00571; A61B2018/00589; A61B2018/00601; A61B2018/00619; A61B18/1206; A61B2018/1246; A61B2018/126; A61B2018/1405; A61B2018/1412; A61B2018/1425; A61B2018/143; A61B2018/1452; A61B2018/1455; A61B2018/1475
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 53
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A bipolar surgical instrument comprising: a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; a pair of opposed jaws at the distal end of the shaft; a first electrode member on one of the jaws; a second electrode member on one of the jaws, wherein the first and second electrode members are electrically isolated from each other; and an actuating mechanism for moving the jaws between an opened and closed configuration, wherein electrode members lie parallel to and laterally spaced-apart from each other when the jaws are closed, wherein at least one of the electrode members comprises a plurality of tissue penetrating elements which project toward the opposed jaw.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
A bipolar surgical instrument comprising: a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; a pair of opposed jaws at the distal end of the shaft; a first electrode member on one of the jaws; a second electrode member on one of the jaws, wherein the first and second electrode members are electrically isolated from each other; and an actuating mechanism for moving the jaws between an opened and closed configuration, wherein electrode members lie parallel to and laterally spaced-apart from each other when the jaws are closed, wherein at least one of the electrode members comprises a plurality of tissue penetrating elements which project toward the opposed jaw.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A bipolar surgical instrument as in claim 1, wherein the electrode members are laterally spaced-apart by a distance in the range from 0.5 mm to 10 mm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A bipolar surgical instrument as in claim 1, wherein the electrode members have a length in the range from 5 mm to 30 mm and a width from 0.5 mm to 5 mm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A bipolar surgical instrument as in claim 1, wherein electrode members are on the same jaw.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A bipolar surgical instrument as in claim 1, wherein the first electrode member is on one jaw and the second electrode member is on the other jaw.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A bipolar surgical instrument as in claim 1, wherein both electrode members comprise a plurality of tissue penetrating elements which project toward the opposed jaw.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A bipolar surgical instrument as in claim 1, wherein the tissue penetrating elements have a length in the range from 1 mm to 6 mm and a diameter in the range from 0.1 mm to 1 mm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A bipolar surgical instrument as in claim 6, wherein the first and second electrode members each comprise from 5 to 20 tissue penetrating elements.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A bipolar surgical instrument as in claim 8, wherein the tissue-penetrating elements are arranged in two straight lines which are parallel to each other when the jaws are closed over tissue.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
A bipolar surgical instrument as in claim 1, further comprising a third electrode member aligned with the first electrode member but disposed on the other jaw and a fourth electrode member aligned with the second electrode member but disposed on the other jaw.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A bipolar surgical instrument as in claim 1, wherein at least one of the jaws is perforated to permit the release of steam during use.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A bipolar surgical instrument as in claim 1, wherein the actuating mechanism comprises scissors, a camming mechanism, or a linear/pivot actuator.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for applying high frequency electrical energy to tissue, said method comprising: grasping tissue between first jaw and a second jaw; applying high frequency energy between a first electrode member comprising a first line of tissue-penetrating elements on one of said jaws and a second electrode member comprising a second line of tissue-penetrating elements on one of said jaws, wherein said lines of tissue penetrating elements are parallel to and laterally spaced-apart from each other when grasping the tissue.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for applying high frequency electrical energy to tissue, said method comprising: grasping tissue between first jaw and a second jaw; applying high frequency energy between a first electrode member comprising a first line of tissue-penetrating elements on one of said jaws and a second electrode member comprising a second line of tissue-penetrating elements on one of said jaws, wherein said lines of tissue penetrating elements are parallel to and laterally spaced-apart from each other when grasping the tissue.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as in claim 13, wherein the high frequency energy is applied at a level and for a time sufficient to necrose substantially all tissue between said electrode members without causing substantial damage to other tissue.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as in claim 14, wherein the high frequency energy has a frequency from 100 kHz to 1 MHz, a power level from 25 W to 200 W, and is applied for a time from 5 seconds to 5 minutes.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as in claim 13, wherein the electrode members are laterally spaced-apart by a distance in the range from 0.5 mm to 10 mm.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as in claim 13, wherein the electrode members have a length in the range from 5 mm to 30 mm and a width from 0.5 mm to 5 mm.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as in claim 13, wherein both electrode members are on the same jaw.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as in claim 13, wherein the first electrode member is on one jaw and the second electrode member is on the other jaw.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as in claim 13, wherein at least one of the electrode members comprises a plurality of tissue penetrating elements which project toward the opposed jaw.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as in claim 19, wherein the tissue penetrating elements have a length from 1 mm to 6 mm and a diameter in the range from 0.1 mm to 1 mm.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
21 words
A method as in claims 21, wherein the first and second electrode members each comprise from 5 to 20 tissue-penetrating elements.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
31 words
A method as in claims 20, wherein the tissue penetrating elements are arranged in two straight lines which are parallel to each other when the jaws are closed over the tissue.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
46 words
A methods as in claim 20, wherein the energy is further applied between a third electrode member aligned with the first electrode member but disposed on the other jaw and a fourth electrode member aligned with the second electrode member but disposed on the other jaw.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 13, wherein at least one of the jaws is perforated to permit the release of steam during use.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
122 words
A bipolar surgical instrument comprising: a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; a pair of opposed jaws at the distal end of the shaft; a first electrode member on one of the jaws; a second electrode member on one of the jaws, wherein the first and second electrode members are electrically isolated from each other; a third electrode member aligned with the first electrode member but disposed on the other jaw and a fourth electrode member aligned with the second electrode member but disposed on the other jaw; and an actuating mechanism for moving the jaws between an opened and closed configuration, wherein electrode members lie parallel to and laterally spaced-apart from each other when the jaws are closed.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
122 words
A bipolar surgical instrument comprising: a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; a pair of opposed jaws at the distal end of the shaft; a first electrode member on one of the jaws; a second electrode member on one of the jaws, wherein the first and second electrode members are electrically isolated from each other; a third electrode member aligned with the first electrode member but disposed on the other jaw and a fourth electrode member aligned with the second electrode member but disposed on the other jaw; and an actuating mechanism for moving the jaws between an opened and closed configuration, wherein electrode members lie parallel to and laterally spaced-apart from each other when the jaws are closed.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
27 words
A bipolar surgical instrument as in claim 26, wherein the electrode members are laterally spaced-apart by a distance in the range from 0.5 mm to 10 mm.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
33 words
A bipolar surgical instrument as in claim 26, wherein the electrode members have a length in the range from 5 mm to 30 mm and a width from 0.5 mm to 5 mm.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
16 words
A bipolar surgical instrument as in claim 26, wherein electrode members are on the same jaw.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
27 words
A bipolar surgical instrument as in claim 26, wherein the first electrode member is on one jaw and the second electrode member is on the other jaw.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
29 words
A bipolar surgical instrument as in claim 26, wherein at least one of the electrode members comprises a plurality of tissue penetrating elements which project toward the opposed jaw.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
25 words
A bipolar surgical instrument as in claim 26, wherein both electrode members comprise a plurality of tissue penetrating elements which project toward the opposed jaw.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
37 words
A bipolar surgical instrument as in claim 31, wherein the tissue penetrating elements have a length in the range from 1 mm to 6 mm and a diameter in the range from 0.1 mm to 1 mm.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
23 words
A bipolar surgical instrument as in claim 32, wherein the first and second electrode members each comprise from 5 to 20 tissue-penetrating elements.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
31 words
A bipolar surgical instrument as in claim 34, wherein the tissue-penetrating elements are arranged in two straight lines which are parallel to each other when the jaws are closed over tissue.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
25 words
A bipolar surgical instrument as in claim 26, wherein at least one of the jaws is perforated to permit the release of steam during use.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
21 words
A bipolar surgical instrument as in claim 26, wherein the actuating mechanism comprises scissors, a camming mechanism, or a linear/pivot actuator.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
106 words
A bipolar surgical instrument comprising: a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; a pair of opposed jaws at the distal end of the shaft; a first electrode member on one of the jaws; a second electrode member on one of the jaws, wherein the first and second electrode members are electrically isolated from each other; wherein at least one of the jaws is perforated to permit the release of steam during use; and an actuating mechanism for moving the jaws between an opened and closed configuration, wherein electrode members lie parallel to and laterally spaced-apart from each other when the jaws are closed.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
106 words
A bipolar surgical instrument comprising: a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; a pair of opposed jaws at the distal end of the shaft; a first electrode member on one of the jaws; a second electrode member on one of the jaws, wherein the first and second electrode members are electrically isolated from each other; wherein at least one of the jaws is perforated to permit the release of steam during use; and an actuating mechanism for moving the jaws between an opened and closed configuration, wherein electrode members lie parallel to and laterally spaced-apart from each other when the jaws are closed.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
27 words
A bipolar surgical instrument as in claim 38, wherein the electrode members are laterally spaced-apart by a distance in the range from 0.5 mm to 10 mm.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
33 words
A bipolar surgical instrument as in claim 38, wherein the electrode members have a length in the range from 5 mm to 30 mm and a width from 0.5 mm to 5 mm.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
16 words
A bipolar surgical instrument as in claim 38, wherein electrode members are on the same jaw.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
27 words
A bipolar surgical instrument as in claim 38, wherein the first electrode member is on one jaw and the second electrode member is on the other jaw.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
29 words
A bipolar surgical instrument as in claim 38, wherein at least one of the electrode members comprises a plurality of tissue penetrating elements which project toward the opposed jaw.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
25 words
A bipolar surgical instrument as in claim 38, wherein both electrode members comprise a plurality of tissue penetrating elements which project toward the opposed jaw.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
37 words
A bipolar surgical instrument as in claim 43, wherein the tissue penetrating elements have a length in the range from 1 mm to 6 mm and a diameter in the range from 0.1 mm to 1 mm.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
23 words
A bipolar surgical instrument as in claim 44, wherein the first and second electrode members each comprise from 5 to 20 tissue-penetrating elements.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
31 words
A bipolar surgical instrument as in claim 46, wherein the tissue-penetrating elements are arranged in two straight lines which are parallel to each other when the jaws are closed over tissue.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
43 words
A bipolar surgical instrument as in claim 38, further comprising a third electrode member aligned with the first electrode member but disposed on the other jaw and a fourth electrode member aligned with the second electrode member but disposed on the other jaw.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
21 words
A bipolar surgical instrument as in claim 38, wherein the actuating mechanism comprises scissors, a camming mechanism, or a linear/pivot actuator.
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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) | 2003-02-28 | 2003-08-30 | 2004-02-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-02-28 | 2007-08-30 | 2008-02-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-02-28 | 2011-08-30 | 2012-02-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |