US6613048B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tissue sealing electrosurgery device and methods of sealing tissue
Assignee: Medtronic Inc
•
Filing: 2002-02-07
•
Granted: 2003-09-02
•
Expires: 2022-02-07
Abstract
Abstract An electrosurgery medical device is enhanced with unique solution-assistance, and includes, in combination, co-operating device jaws including jaw portions for manipulating tissue, and a plurality of solution infusion openings defined and spaced along each of the jaw portions, for receiving electrolytic solution and infusing the solution onto and into tissue to be manipulated, along said jaw portions. As preferred, the device further includes at least one, and most preferably, many, longitudinal groove(s) along at least one and most preferably, both, of the jaw portions, with the solution infusion openings located in the groove or grooves. The solution is energized with RF energy and contributes to the functions and beneficial effects of the instrument. The solution exits the openings in the grooves at sufficient flow rates to separate substantially all the operative surfaces of the device from tissue, thereby substantially completely preventing adherence between the operative surfaces and tissue. The solution is further energized to a range of energy densities such that tissues to be affected are sealed against flow of blood, lymphatic fluids, air, and other bodily fluids and gases.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter M. J. Mulier
- 👤 Michael F. Hoey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 22:10
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1442; A61B18/1445; A61B18/1402; A61B17/00; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00292; A61B2017/00296; A61B17/28; A61B17/29; A61B2017/2926; A61B2017/2945; A61B2018/1405; A61B2018/1425; A61B2018/1432; A61B2018/1472; A61B2218/00; A61B2218/001; A61B2218/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 49
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
An electrosurgical device for ablating tissue, the device comprising: a jaw comprising a first jaw arm and a second jaw arm, the first and second jaw arms each having a portion on an inner face for engaging tissue; an elongated, hollow tube on the inner face of at least one of the first jaw arm and the second jaw arm; the tube extending along a portion of the jaw arm and at least partially recessed within a portion of the jaw arm, the tube having a plurality of infusion openings positioned along the length of tube, the plurality of infusion openings in fluid communication with a source of an electrically conductive liquid; and an electrical conductor for conducting electrical energy to the tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
An electrosurgical device for ablating tissue, the device comprising: a jaw comprising a first jaw arm and a second jaw arm, the first and second jaw arms each having a portion on an inner face for engaging tissue; an elongated, hollow tube on the inner face of at least one of the first jaw arm and the second jaw arm; the tube extending along a portion of the jaw arm and at least partially recessed within a portion of the jaw arm, the tube having a plurality of infusion openings positioned along the length of tube, the plurality of infusion openings in fluid communication with a source of an electrically conductive liquid; and an electrical conductor for conducting electrical energy to the tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
An electrosurgical device as in claim 1 wherein the infusion openings are positioned in a groove in the inner face of the jaw arm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
An electrosurgical device as in claim 1 wherein the infusion openings are micropores.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electrosurgical device as in claim 1 wherein the infusion openings have diameters in a range from about 0.002 to about 0.006 inches.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
An electrosurgical device as in claim 1 wherein the hollow tube comprises a conductive material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
An electrosurgical device as in claim 5 wherein the conductive material is metal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
An electrosurgical device as in claim 6 wherein the metal is stainless steel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electrosurgical device as in claim 1 wherein the hollow tube is recessed within an electrically insulative portion of the jaw arm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
An electrosurgical device as in claim 1 wherein the inner face of the jaw arm includes one or more grooves.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
An electrosurgical device as in claim 1 wherein the tube is curved.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
An electrosurgical device as in claim 1 further comprising a handle and a mechanism connected to the handle and to the first and second jaw arms, whereby the movement of the first jaw arm in relationship to the second jaw arm may be manipulated from the handle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
An electrosurgical device as in claim 11 further comprising a shaft extending from the handle to the first and second jaw arms, the shaft and jaws arms being elongated to permit endoscopic use of the device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
An electrosurgical device as in claim 1 further comprising a pivot for pivoting movement of the first and second jaw arms towards each other and away from each other.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electrosurgical device as in claim 1 further comprising means for moving the first and second jaw arms in a parallel spaced relationship.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
An electrosurgical device as in claim 1 further comprising means for substantially uniformly compressing tissue by the portions for engaging tissue.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
An electrosurgical device as in claim 1 wherein both of jaw arms are curved to correspond to a contour of the tissue to be ablated.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
An electrosurgical device as in claim 1 wherein the curved portion has a circular contour.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
An electrosurgical device as in claim 1 wherein at least one portion for engaging tissue comprises a porous surface.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
107 words
An electrosurgical system for ablating tissue, the system comprising: a forceps, the forceps having a first jaw arm and a second jaw arm, each jaw arm including an elongated, hollow tube on the inner face of the jaw arm; the tube extending along a portion of the jaw arm and at least partially recessed within a portion of the jaw arm, the tube having a plurality of infusion openings positioned along the length of tube, and at least one electrical conductor; an electrically conductive liquid source in fluid communication with the plurality of openings; and an electrical energy source for supplying electrical energy to the electrical conductor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
107 words
An electrosurgical system for ablating tissue, the system comprising: a forceps, the forceps having a first jaw arm and a second jaw arm, each jaw arm including an elongated, hollow tube on the inner face of the jaw arm; the tube extending along a portion of the jaw arm and at least partially recessed within a portion of the jaw arm, the tube having a plurality of infusion openings positioned along the length of tube, and at least one electrical conductor; an electrically conductive liquid source in fluid communication with the plurality of openings; and an electrical energy source for supplying electrical energy to the electrical conductor.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
An electrosurgical system as in claim 19 wherein the infusion openings are positioned in a groove in the inner face of the jaw arm.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
An electrosurgical system as in claim 19 wherein the infusion openings are micropores.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electrosurgical system as in claim 19 wherein the infusion openings have diameters in a range from about 0.002 to about 0.006 inches.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
An electrosurgical system as in claim 19 wherein the hollow tube comprises metal.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
An electrosurgical system as in claim 23 wherein the hollow tube comprises stainless steel.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electrosurgical device as in claim 19 wherein the hollow tube is recessed within an electrically insulative portion of the jaw arm.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
20 words
An electrosurgical device as in claim 19 wherein the inner face of the jaw arm includes one or more grooves.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
12 words
An electrosurgical device as in claim 19 wherein the tube is curved.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
An electrosurgical system as in claim 19 wherein the electrically conductive liquid is saline solution.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
30 words
An electrosurgical system as in claim 19 wherein the electrically conductive liquid source supplies electrically conductive liquid at a rate in a range of about 0.01 to about 100 cc/mm.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
28 words
An electrosurgical system as in claim 19 wherein the electrical energy source supplies electrical energy at a power in a range of about 1 to about 200 watts.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
16 words
An electrosurgical system as in claim 19 wherein the electrically conductive liquid source comprises a reservoir.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
14 words
An electrosurgical system as in claim 31 wherein the reservoir is an IV bag.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
16 words
An electrosurgical system as in claim 19 wherein the electrical energy source is a RF generator.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
19 words
An electrosurgical device as in claim 33 wherein the RF generator provides RF energy having a sine wave waveform.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
19 words
An electrosurgical device as in claim 34 wherein the sine wave waveform has a frequency of about 500 kHz.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of ablating tissue using an electrosurgical system, the method comprising: providing an electrosurgical forceps, the forceps having a first jaw arm and a second jaw arm, each jaw arm including an elongated, hollow tube on the inner face of the jaw arm; the tube extending along a portion of the jaw arm and at least partially recessed within a portion of the jaw arm, the tube having a plurality of infusion openings positioned along the length of tube; grasping an area of tissue using the electrosurgical forceps; supplying an electrically conductive fluid from an electrically conductive solution source to the plurality of infusion openings; and supplying electrical energy from an electrical energy source to the electrical conductor.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of ablating tissue using an electrosurgical system, the method comprising: providing an electrosurgical forceps, the forceps having a first jaw arm and a second jaw arm, each jaw arm including an elongated, hollow tube on the inner face of the jaw arm; the tube extending along a portion of the jaw arm and at least partially recessed within a portion of the jaw arm, the tube having a plurality of infusion openings positioned along the length of tube; grasping an area of tissue using the electrosurgical forceps; supplying an electrically conductive fluid from an electrically conductive solution source to the plurality of infusion openings; and supplying electrical energy from an electrical energy source to the electrical conductor.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as in claim 36 wherein the supplied electrically conductive liquid is saline solution.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as in claim 36 wherein the electrically conductive liquid is supplied at a rate in a range of about 0.01 to about 100 cc/mm.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as in claim 36 wherein the electrical energy is supplied at a power in a range of about 1 to about 200 watts.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as in claim 36 wherein the electrically conductive liquid is supplied from a reservoir.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as in claim 36 wherein the reservoir is an IV bag.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as in claim 36 wherein the electrically conductive liquid is supplied at a rate in a range of about 0.01 to about 100 cc/mm while the electrical energy is supplied at a power in a range of about 1 to about 200 watts.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as in claim 42 wherein the electrically conductive liquid is supplied at a rate in a range of about 2 to 8 cc/mm while the electrical energy is supplied at a power in a range of about 20 to 40 watts.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as in claim 36 wherein the electrical energy source is a RF generator.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
19 words
An electrosurgical device as in claim 44 wherein the RF generator provides RF energy having a sine wave waveform.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
19 words
An electrosurgical device as in claim 45 wherein the sine wave waveform has a frequency of about 500 kHz.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5151102A
Cited
US5364394A
Cited
US5167659A
Cited
US5156613A
Cited
US5217460A
Cited
US5300087A
Cited
US5395312A
Cited
US5318589A
Cited
US5584872A
Cited
US5403312A
Cited
US5431649A
Cited
US5458598A
Cited
US5569242A
Cited
WO1995031144A2
Cited
US5964755A
Cited
US5609151A
Cited
US5725524A
Cited
US5647871A
Cited
WO1997005829A1
Cited
US5827271A
Cited
WO1999003414A1
Cited
US6096037A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-09-01 | 2007-03-03 | 2007-09-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-09-01 | 2011-03-03 | 2011-09-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-09-01 | 2015-03-03 | 2015-09-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |