US6409725B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electrosurgical knife
Assignee: TRIAD SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIES Inc
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Filing: 2000-02-01
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Granted: 2002-06-25
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Expires: 2020-02-01
Abstract
Abstract An electrosurgical knife is provided with an improved surface coating designed for substantially non-stick hemostatic cutting of soft patient tissue. The electrosurgical knife includes a conductive knife blade adapted for connection to a suitable high frequency current source for electrocauterizing tissue at the point of contact to prevent or minimize bleeding. The knife blade includes the improved surface coating formed on at least a cutting edge thereof, wherein the outer surface of the coating includes a relatively non-stick constituent such as an aromatic hydrocarbon in combination with a relatively hard ceramic constituent. The surface coating is additionally loaded with a substantially uniformly dispersed matrix of conductive material for transmitting the electrical energy to patient tissue primarily by conduction. In a preferred form, the surface coating may be applied to the knife blade in multiple layers, wherein each layer is loaded with the conductive material, and further wherein at least the outermost layer further includes the combined non-stick and ceramic constituents.
Inventors
- 👤 Ashok C Khandkar
- 👤 Aaron A. Hofmann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 20:30
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B2018/00571; A61B2018/00601
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 49
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
An electrosurgical instrument for cooperation with a supply of electrical energy, said electrosurgical instrument of the type including a handle, one or more conductors coupling the power supply to the handle, and a knife blade for use in the hemostatic cutting of soft tissue, said cutting being accomplished through the transfer of electrical energy from the knife blade to a patient during surgery primarily through conduction, said knife blade comprising: a conductive substrate having a surface; one or more coatings applied to at least a portion of the conductive substrate, at least one of said one or more coatings including a non-stick polymer agent substantially uniformly impregnated with a conductive agent; and at least a portion of said at least one of said one or more coatings being coated with a top coating including a non-stick agent impregnated substantially uniformly with a conductive agent and a hardening agent.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
148 words
An electrosurgical instrument for cooperation with a supply of electrical energy, said electrosurgical instrument of the type including a handle, one or more conductors coupling the power supply to the handle, and a knife blade for use in the hemostatic cutting of soft tissue, said cutting being accomplished through the transfer of electrical energy from the knife blade to a patient during surgery primarily through conduction, said knife blade comprising: a conductive substrate having a surface; one or more coatings applied to at least a portion of the conductive substrate, at least one of said one or more coatings including a non-stick polymer agent substantially uniformly impregnated with a conductive agent; and at least a portion of said at least one of said one or more coatings being coated with a top coating including a non-stick agent impregnated substantially uniformly with a conductive agent and a hardening agent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The electrosurgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the conductive substrate comprises an electrosurgical knife blade.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electrosurgical instrument of claim 1 wherein said conductive agent comprises conductive materials selected from the group consisting of carbon and semiconductive metal oxides.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The electrosurgical instrument of claim 3 wherein said conductive materials have a dimension of about 10-20 nanometers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The electrosurgical instrument of claim 3 wherein said conductive materials comprise conductive particles having a particle size of about 10-20 nanometers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electrosurgical instrument of claim 1 wherein said conductive agent comprises conductive materials selected from at least one of organic matter and inorganic matter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The electrosurgical instrument of claim 6 wherein said conductive materials have a dimension of about 10-20 nanometers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The electrosurgical instrument of claim 7 wherein said conductive materials comprises conductive particles having a particle size of about 10-20 nanometers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The electrosurgical instrument of claim 1 wherein said nonstick agent comprises an aromatic hydrocarbon binder.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The electrosurgical instrument of claim 9 wherein said aromatic hydrocarbon binder is selected from the group consisting of fluorinated ethylene propylene copolymer (FEP) and perfluoroalkoxy (PFA).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The electrosurgical instrument of claim 1 wherein said non-stick agent comprises a fluorinated hydrocarbon.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The electrosurgical instrument of claim 11 wherein said flourinated hydrocarbon comprises polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The electrosurgical instrument according to claim 1 wherein said hardening agent includes a ceramic agent.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The electrosurgical instrument of claim 13 wherein said ceramic agent is selected from the group consisting of alumina and mica.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
61 words
The electrosurgical instrument of claim 1 wherein said at least one or more coatings include a base coat loaded with said conductive agent and applied to cover at least a portion of said substrate, and a top coat loaded with said conductive agent, said non-stick agent and a ceramic agent, said top coat being applied to substantially cover said base coat.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
The electrosurgical instrument of claim 15 wherein said top coat includes said conductive agent in a weight proportion of about 30-67%, said non-stick agent: in a weight proportion of about 30-67%, and said ceramic agent in a weight proportion of about 20-35%.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
The electrosurgical instrument of claim 15 wherein said top coat includes said conductive agent in a weight proportion of about 30-33%, said non-stick agent in a weight proportion of about 45-50%, and said ceramic agent in a weight proportion of about 25%.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
94 words
The electrosurgical instrument of claim 1 wherein said at least one or more coatings include a base coat loaded with said conductive agent and applied to cover at least a portion of said substrate, a mid coat loaded with said conductive agent and said non-stick agent, said mid coat being applied to substantially cover at least a portion of said base coat, and a top coat loaded with said conductive agent, said non-stick agent and a ceramic agent, said top coat being applied to substantially cover at least a portion of said mid coat.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The electrosurgical instrument of claim 18 wherein said mid coat includes said conductive agent in a weight proportion of about 25-30%.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
42 words
The electrosurgical instrument of claim 18 wherein said top coat includes said conductive agent in a weight proportion of about 30-67%, said non-stick agent in a weight proportion of about 30-67%, and said ceramic agent in a weight proportion of about 20-35%.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
42 words
The electrosurgical instrument of claim 18 wherein said top coat includes said conductive agent in a weight proportion of about 30-33%, said non-stick agent in a weight proportion of about 45-50%, and said ceramic agent in a weight proportion of about 25%.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
164 words
A method of making an electrosurgical instrument for use in cooperation with a supply of electrical energy, said electrosurgical instrument of the type including a handle, one or more conductors coupling the power supply to the handle, and a knife blade having a conductive substrate, for use in the hemostatic cutting of soft tissue, said cutting being accomplished through the transfer of electrical energy from the knife blade to a patient during electrosurgical surgery primarily through conduction, said method comprising the steps of: applying one or more coatings to at least a portion of the substrate, wherein at least one of the one or more coatings includes a non-stick polymer agent substantially uniformly impregnated with a conductive agent; and applying a top coating including a non-stick agent loaded with a conductive agent and a hardening agent to at least a portion of the at least one of said one or more coatings which includes a nonstick agent substantially uniformly impregnated with a conductive agent.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
164 words
A method of making an electrosurgical instrument for use in cooperation with a supply of electrical energy, said electrosurgical instrument of the type including a handle, one or more conductors coupling the power supply to the handle, and a knife blade having a conductive substrate, for use in the hemostatic cutting of soft tissue, said cutting being accomplished through the transfer of electrical energy from the knife blade to a patient during electrosurgical surgery primarily through conduction, said method comprising the steps of: applying one or more coatings to at least a portion of the substrate, wherein at least one of the one or more coatings includes a non-stick polymer agent substantially uniformly impregnated with a conductive agent; and applying a top coating including a non-stick agent loaded with a conductive agent and a hardening agent to at least a portion of the at least one of said one or more coatings which includes a nonstick agent substantially uniformly impregnated with a conductive agent.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 22 further including the step of cleaning at least a portion of the substrate in preparation for said step of applying said one or more coatings.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 22 wherein said step of applying said one or more coatings includes subjecting at least one of said coatings to heat for a sufficient time to cure said at least one coating.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the conductive agent comprises conductive material selected from the group consisting of graphite and semiconductive metal oxides.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 25 wherein the conductive material has a dimension of about 10-20 nanometers.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 25 wherein the conductive material comprises conductive particles having a particle size of about 10-20 nanometers.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the non-stick agent comprises an aromatic hydrocarbon binder.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 28 wherein the aromatic hydrocarbon binder is selected from the group consisting of fluorinated ethylene propylene copolymer (FEP) and perfluoroalkoxy (PFA).
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the hardening agent includes a ceramic agent.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 30 wherein the ceramic agent is selected from the group consisting of alumina and mica.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method of claim 22 wherein said step of applying said one or more coatings includes the steps of applying a base coat loaded with the conductive agent to cover at least a portion of the substrate, and then applying a top coat loaded with the conductive agent, the non-stick agent and a ceramic agent to substantially cover at least a portion of the base coat.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 32 wherein the top coat includes the conductive agent in a weight proportion of about 30-67%, the non-stick agent in a weight proportion of about 30-67%, and the ceramic agent in a weight proportion of about 20-35%.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 32 wherein the top coat includes the conductive agent in a weight proportion of about 30-33%, the non-stick agent in a weight proportion of about 45-50%, and the ceramic agent in a weight proportion of about 25%.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 32 wherein the combined thickness of the base and top coats is about 30-50 microns.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
88 words
The method of claim 22 wherein said step of applying said one or more coatings includes the steps of applying a base coat loaded with the conductive agent to substantially cover at least a portion of the substrate, a mid coat loaded with the conductive agent and the non-stick agent to substantially cover at least a portion of the base coat, and a top coat loaded with the conductive agent, the non-stick agent and a ceramic agent to substantially cover at least a portion of the mid coat.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 36 wherein said mid coat includes said conductive agent in a weight proportion of about 25-30%.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 36 wherein the top coat includes the conductive agent in a weight proportion of about 30-67%, the non-stick agent in a weight proportion of about 30-67%, and the ceramic agent in a weight proportion of about 20-35%.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 36 wherein the top coat includes the conductive agent in a weight proportion of about 30-33%, the non-stick agent in a weight proportion of about 45-50%, and the ceramic agent in a weight pro portion of about 25%.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
71 words
The method of claim 36 further including the steps of preparing the base coat by loading a liquid carrier with the conductive agent in a proportion of about 10-50% by weight, applying the loaded liquid carrier to at least a portion of the substrate, allowing the liquid carrier to dry, and subjecting the resultant base coat and substrate to heat for a sufficient period of time to cure the base coat.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 40 wherein the step of preparing the base coat comprises loading the liquid carrier with the conductive agent in a proportion of about 25-30% by weight.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 40 wherein the cured base coat has a thickness of about 2-10 microns.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
71 words
The method of claim 36 further including the steps of preparing the mid coat by loading a liquid carrier with the conductive agent in a weight proportion of about 30-33% by weight and the non-stick agent in a weight proportion of about 45-50% by weight, applying the loaded liquid carrier to the substrate to substantially cover at least a portion of the base coat, and allowing the liquid carrier to dry.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
100 words
The method of claim 43 further including the steps of preparing the top coat by loading a liquid carrier with the conductive agent in a weight proportion of about 30-33% by weight, the non-stick agent in a weight proportion of about 45-50% by weight, and the ceramic agent in a weight proportion of about 20-35% by weight, applying the loaded liquid carrier to substantially cover at least a portion of the mid coat, allowing the liquid carrier to dry, and subjecting the resultant top coat and substrate to heat for a sufficient period of time to cure the top coat.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 44 wherein the combined thickness of the cured base, mid and top coatings is about 30-50 microns.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
34 words
An electrosurgical instrument, comprising: a conductive substrate; and a surface coating applied to at least a portion of said substrate, said surface coating including a conductive agent, a non-stick agent and a ceramic agent.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
34 words
An electrosurgical instrument, comprising: a conductive substrate; and a surface coating applied to at least a portion of said substrate, said surface coating including a conductive agent, a non-stick agent and a ceramic agent.
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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) | 2005-06-24 | 2005-12-24 | 2006-06-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-06-24 | 2009-12-24 | 2010-06-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-06-24 | 2013-12-24 | 2014-06-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |