US6503248B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cooled, non-sticking electrosurgical devices
Assignee: Ethicon Endo Surgery Inc
•
Filing: 2000-10-30
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Granted: 2003-01-07
•
Expires: 2020-10-30
Abstract
Abstract An electrosurgical device has an electrode and a heat pipe to conduct heat from the electrodes where substantially all heat conducted from the electrode through the heat pipe is dissipated along the length of the heat pipe. The heat pipe can have a thermal time constant less than 60 seconds and preferably less than 30 seconds.
Inventors
- 👤 Andy Levine
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:11
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1402; A61B2018/00005; A61B18/1206; A61B2018/1246; A61B2018/1253
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
36 words
An electrosurgical device comprising: an electrode; and a heat pipe for conducting heat from the electrode, substantially all heat conducted from the electrode through the heat pipe being dissipated along the length of the heat pipe.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
36 words
An electrosurgical device comprising: an electrode; and a heat pipe for conducting heat from the electrode, substantially all heat conducted from the electrode through the heat pipe being dissipated along the length of the heat pipe.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 1 wherein the electrode comprises an outer surface having a nickel plated layer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 1 wherein the electrode comprises an outer surface having a gold plated layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 1 wherein the heat pipe comprises a sheath.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 4 wherein the sheath comprises heat shrink tubing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 1 wherein the heat pipe has a thermal time constant less than 60 seconds.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 1 wherein the heat pipe has a thermal time constant less than 30 seconds.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 1 wherein the heat pipe comprises a surface area between approximately 11.0 cm 2 and 15.0 cm 2 .
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 1 wherein the heat pipe comprises a diameter of about 3 mm and a length between approximately 9 cm and 11.5 cm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 1 wherein the heat pipe extends from a handle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
10 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 1 in a bipolar instrument.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for using an electrosurgical device comprising: providing an electrosurgical device having an electrode and a heat pipe for conducting heat from the electrode; placing the electrode against a surgical site; applying electrical power to the electrode to heat the surgical site; and dissipating heat from the electrode through the heat pipe, substantially all heat conducted from the electrode through the heat pipe being dissipated along the length of the heat pipe.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for using an electrosurgical device comprising: providing an electrosurgical device having an electrode and a heat pipe for conducting heat from the electrode; placing the electrode against a surgical site; applying electrical power to the electrode to heat the surgical site; and dissipating heat from the electrode through the heat pipe, substantially all heat conducted from the electrode through the heat pipe being dissipated along the length of the heat pipe.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 12 further comprising cauterizing a surgical site.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 12 further comprising cutting a surgical site.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 12 further comprising coagulating a surgical site.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 12 further comprising supplying the electrical energy through bipolar electrodes.
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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) | 2006-01-06 | 2006-07-08 | 2007-01-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-01-06 | 2010-07-08 | 2011-01-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-01-06 | 2014-07-08 | 2015-01-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |