US7329257B2 — Medical treatment instrument

Claim 1

Independent Claim 191 words

A medical treatment instrument used for coagulating and cutting a patient's body tissue, the medical treatment instrument comprising: a treatment portion, which is arranged at a tip of the treatment instrument, and which comprises a grasp portion including a pair of grasp members, which are openable and closeable with respect to each other, for grasping the patient's body tissue; an operating portion which is arranged at a proximal end of the treatment instrument, and which is operable to open and close the pair of grasp members; a heat generating portion which is provided at a first grasp member of the pair of grasp members, and which generates heat in accordance with current supplied thereto; and a cutting member which is disposed at the first grasp portion in contact with the heat generating portion and projecting toward a second grasp member of the pair of grasp members, and which is heated by the heat generating portion to cut the patient's body tissue grasped between the grasp members; wherein the cutting member is shaped so as to be capable of cutting the patient's body tissue only when the heat generating portion is activated.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 191 words

A medical treatment instrument used for coagulating and cutting a patient's body tissue, the medical treatment instrument comprising: a treatment portion, which is arranged at a tip of the treatment instrument, and which comprises a grasp portion including a pair of grasp members, which are openable and closeable with respect to each other, for grasping the patient's body tissue; an operating portion which is arranged at a proximal end of the treatment instrument, and which is operable to open and close the pair of grasp members; a heat generating portion which is provided at a first grasp member of the pair of grasp members, and which generates heat in accordance with current supplied thereto; and a cutting member which is disposed at the first grasp portion in contact with the heat generating portion and projecting toward a second grasp member of the pair of grasp members, and which is heated by the heat generating portion to cut the patient's body tissue grasped between the grasp members; wherein the cutting member is shaped so as to be capable of cutting the patient's body tissue only when the heat generating portion is activated.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 69 words

The treatment instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the treatment instrument comprises a surgical operation instrument adapted for use in an endoscopy operation; wherein the surgical operation instrument comprises an insert portion to be inserted into the patient's body; wherein the treatment portion is disposed at a distal end of the insert portion; and wherein the operating portion is disposed at the proximal end of the insert portion.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 26 words

The treatment instrument according to claim 1 , wherein each of the grasp members comprises a curved portion that is curved substantially in an arc shape.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 24 words

The treatment instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the heat generating portion is connected to temperature control means for controlling a heating temperature.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 21 words

The treatment instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the heat generating portion is provided at only the first grasp member.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 55 words

The treatment instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the cutting portion comprises a heat treatment protrusion portion which protrudes from the first grasp member toward a second grasp member of the pair of grasp members, and wherein a receiving portion is provided at the second grasp member to receive the heat treatment protrusion portion.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 17 words

The treatment instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the heat generating portion comprises an insulation material.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 34 words

The treatment instrument according to claim 7 , wherein the heater portion comprises a ceramic heater having a heat transmitting portion made of ceramic and a heating element provided in the heat transmitting portion.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 256 words

A coagulating/cutting system comprising: a medical instrument used to coagulate and incise a living tissue; and a control element for controlling operation of the medical instrument, wherein the medical instrument comprises: a first engaging portion comprisinci a protrusion having a first engaging surface; a second engaging portion having a second engaging surface which is adapted to cooperate with the first engaging surface to hold the living tissue; a holding drive element which is operable to move the first and second engaging portions toward and away from each other to hold the living tissue; and a heating unit which is provided in the first engaging portion in contact with the protrusion, and which heats the protrusion when energized; wherein the control element comprises: a current supply element for supplying current to the heating unit; a first setting element for adjusting the current supply element to set a temperature of the heating unit to a temperature at which the living tissue is coagulated when the living tissue is held between the first and second engaging surfaces; and a second setting element for adjusting the current supply element to set a temperature of the heating unit to a temperature at which the living tissue is incised when the living tissue is held between the first and second engaging surfaces; and wherein the first engaging surface is shaped such that the medical instrument is only capable of incising the living tissue when the temperature of the heating unit is set to the temperature at which the living tissue is incised.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 256 words

A coagulating/cutting system comprising: a medical instrument used to coagulate and incise a living tissue; and a control element for controlling operation of the medical instrument, wherein the medical instrument comprises: a first engaging portion comprisinci a protrusion having a first engaging surface; a second engaging portion having a second engaging surface which is adapted to cooperate with the first engaging surface to hold the living tissue; a holding drive element which is operable to move the first and second engaging portions toward and away from each other to hold the living tissue; and a heating unit which is provided in the first engaging portion in contact with the protrusion, and which heats the protrusion when energized; wherein the control element comprises: a current supply element for supplying current to the heating unit; a first setting element for adjusting the current supply element to set a temperature of the heating unit to a temperature at which the living tissue is coagulated when the living tissue is held between the first and second engaging surfaces; and a second setting element for adjusting the current supply element to set a temperature of the heating unit to a temperature at which the living tissue is incised when the living tissue is held between the first and second engaging surfaces; and wherein the first engaging surface is shaped such that the medical instrument is only capable of incising the living tissue when the temperature of the heating unit is set to the temperature at which the living tissue is incised.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 42 words

A coagulating/cutting system according to claim 9 , wherein said control element further comprises a set state changing element capable of changing a set state of the current supply element set by at least one of the first and second setting elements.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 44 words

A coagulating/cutting system according to claim 9 , wherein said control element includes a first switch for driving the current supply element set by the first setting element and a second switch for driving the current supply element set by the second setting element.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 129 words

A coagulating/cutting instrument used to coagulate and incise a living tissue, comprising: a first engaging portion comprising a protrusion having a first engaging surface; a second engaging portion having a second engaging surface which is adapted to cooperate with the first engaging surface to hold the living tissue; a holding drive element which is operable to move the first and second engaging portions to hold the living tissue, and a heating unit which is provided in the first engaging portion in contact with the protrusion and which heats the protrusion when energized; wherein the first engaging surface is shaped such that the coagulating/cutting instrument is capable of incising the living tissue held between the first and second engaging portions only when the protrusion is heated by the heating unit.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 129 words

A coagulating/cutting instrument used to coagulate and incise a living tissue, comprising: a first engaging portion comprising a protrusion having a first engaging surface; a second engaging portion having a second engaging surface which is adapted to cooperate with the first engaging surface to hold the living tissue; a holding drive element which is operable to move the first and second engaging portions to hold the living tissue, and a heating unit which is provided in the first engaging portion in contact with the protrusion and which heats the protrusion when energized; wherein the first engaging surface is shaped such that the coagulating/cutting instrument is capable of incising the living tissue held between the first and second engaging portions only when the protrusion is heated by the heating unit.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 24 words

A coagulating/cutting instrument according to claim 12 , wherein the first engaging surface comprises an elongate flat surface opposed to the second engaging surface.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 27 words

A coagulating/cutting instrument according to claim 12 , wherein the first engaging surface comprises an elongate curved surface curved in a shape of a substantially circular arc.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 21 words

A coagulating/cutting instrument according to claim 12 , wherein said second engaging portion includes a receiving member formed of a resin.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 15 words

A coagulating/cutting instrument according to claim 15 , wherein said resin comprises a flexible material.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 20 words

A coagulating/cutting instrument according to claim 12 , wherein said second engaging portion includes a receiving member formed of rubber.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 20 words

A coagulating/cutting instrument according to claim 12 , wherein said second engaging portion includes a receiving member formed of gel.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 20 words

A coagulating/cutting instrument according to claim 12 , wherein said second engaging portion includes a receiving member formed of fluoroplastic.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 26 words

A coagulating/cutting instrument according to claim 15 , wherein said receiving member has a groove at a portion thereof in contact with the first engaging surface.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 182 words

A surgical instrument, comprising: a distal end portion including a pair of holding portions for holding a living tissue, each of said holding portions having a contact surface that is adapted to be brought into contact with said living tissue; and a manual operating portion for opening and closing said holding portions; wherein a first holding portion of said pair of holding portions comprises a heat generating portion which generates heat, and a protrusion which comprises the contact surface of the first holding portion and which is in contact with the heat generating portion to be heated by the heat generating portion; and wherein the contact surface of the first holding portion has a contact area with the living tissue that is smaller than a contact area with the living tissue of the contact surface of a second holding portion of the pair of holding portions that does not include the heat generating portion, and the protrusion is shaped such that the surgical instrument is capable of incising the living tissue only when the protrusion is heated by the heat generating portion.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 182 words

A surgical instrument, comprising: a distal end portion including a pair of holding portions for holding a living tissue, each of said holding portions having a contact surface that is adapted to be brought into contact with said living tissue; and a manual operating portion for opening and closing said holding portions; wherein a first holding portion of said pair of holding portions comprises a heat generating portion which generates heat, and a protrusion which comprises the contact surface of the first holding portion and which is in contact with the heat generating portion to be heated by the heat generating portion; and wherein the contact surface of the first holding portion has a contact area with the living tissue that is smaller than a contact area with the living tissue of the contact surface of a second holding portion of the pair of holding portions that does not include the heat generating portion, and the protrusion is shaped such that the surgical instrument is capable of incising the living tissue only when the protrusion is heated by the heat generating portion.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 22 words

The surgical instrument according to claim 21 , wherein the contact surface of the first holding portion is arcuate in cross section.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 37 words

The surgical instrument according to claim 21 , wherein the contact surface of the second holding portion, which is arranged to face the contact surface of the first holding portion, is formed of a heat insulating material.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 23 words

The surgical instrument according to claim 21 , wherein said holding portions are curved from a distal end toward a proximal end thereof.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 35 words

The surgical instrument according to claim 21 , wherein the contact surface of the second holding portion, which is arranged to face the contact surface of the first holding portion, comprises a slip preventing portion.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 29 words

The surgical instrument according to claim 21 , wherein a coating for preventing sticking of heated living tissue is applied to an outer surface of said first holding portion.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 42 words

The surgical instrument according to claim 21 , wherein the contact surface of the second holding portion, which is arranged to face the contact surface of the first holding portion, comprises a second heat generating portion that is rectangular in cross section.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 46 words

The surgical instrument according to claim 21 , wherein the second holding portion, which is arranged to face the contact surface of the first holding portion, comprises a chamfered portion in which both edge portions of the contact surface are cut to form an obtuse angle.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 36 words

The surgical instrument according to claim 21 , wherein the contact surface of the second holding portion, which is arranged to face the contact surface of the first holding portion, comprises a flexible heat insulating material.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2011-02-11	2011-08-13	2012-02-12	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2015-02-11	2015-08-13	2016-02-12	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2019-02-11	2019-08-13	2020-02-12	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Medical treatment instrument

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