Patent EP0640317A1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
← Back to Patent Explorer
EP0640317A1 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Electrosurgical hemostatic device

Assignee: Ethicon Inc
•
Filing: 1994-07-21
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2014-07-21
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract An electrosurgical instrument is provided for cauterization and/or welding of tissue of varying impedances, thicknesses and vascularity especially in the performance of endoscopic procedures. The instrument compresses the tissue between one pole of a bipolar energy source located on one interfacing surface, and a second interfacing surface. A second pole is located one of the two interfacing surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the second pole is located on the same interfacing surface as the first pole and an insulator electrically isolates the two poles. A preferred application of the invention is in a cutting instrument wherein a hemostatic line is formed along a cut line using RF energy.

Inventors

  • 👤 David C. Yates
  • 👤 Jesse J. Kuhns
  • 👤 Steven H. Mersch
  • 👤 Martin Madden
  • 👤 Richard P. Nuchols

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 06:57
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/1206; A61B17/00; A61B17/068; A61B17/072; A61B17/07207; A61B18/14; A61B18/1442; A61B18/1445; A61B18/1447; A61B17/11; A61B17/115; A61B17/1155; A61B17/32; A61B18/1402; A61B2017/07214; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00345; A61B2018/00404; A61B2018/00571; A61B2018/00601; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/00642; A61B2018/00666; A61B2018/00672; A61B2018/00678; A61B2018/00684; A61B2018/00696; A61B2018/00702; A61B2018/00708; A61B2018/00761; A61B2018/00773; A61B2018/00875; A61B2018/00886; A61B2018/1273; A61B90/00; A61B90/03; A61B2090/032

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 49
Claim 1
Independent Claim 73 words
An electrosurgical device having an end effector comprising: first and second opposing interfacing surfaces said interfacing surfaces capable of engaging tissue therebetween, and said end effector capable of receiving bipolar energy therein, electrically isolated first and second poles comprising electrically opposite electrodes capable of conducting bipolar energy therethrough; and wherein each said pole is contained on a said interfacing surface so that bipolar energy may be communicated between said poles through the tissue.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 21 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 1 wherein the second pole is contained on a same interfacing surface as the first pole.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 21 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 1 wherein the second pole is contained on an opposite interfacing surface as the first pole.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 28 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 1 wherein a portion of said second interfacing surface comprises a ridge forming a tissue compression zone for compressing tissue between interfacing surfaces.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 21 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 4 wherein current flowing between said first and second poles, provides coagulation in the compression zone.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 32 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 4 wherein a portion of said first interfacing surface comprises a ridge capable of forming said tissue compression zone with said ridge of said second interfacing surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 34 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 4 where in said first pole is contained on the first interfacing surface and the ridge arranged on the second interfacing surface to compress tissue against the first pole.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 28 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 4 wherein the ridge is formed of said first pole and an insulator electrically isolating the first and second poles from each other.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 32 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 1 wherein at least one of said poles comprises a series of electrically communicating electrodes staggered on at least one of said first and second interfacing surfaces.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 25 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 9 wherein said at least one pole is arranged in a parallel manner with respect to the electrically opposite pole.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 41 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 9 wherein said first pole comprises a series of first electrodes and said second pole comprises a series of second electrodes; and wherein the first electrodes alternate with said second electrodes on the first interfacing surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 39 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 9 wherein said first pole comprises a first said series of electrodes staggered on said first interfacing surface and said second pole comprises a second said series of electrodes on said second interfacing surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 14 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 1 wherein the first pole comprises an elongated electrode.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 14 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 1 wherein said device is capable of welding tissue.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 18 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 1 further comprising a cutting means for dividing tissue through a cutting line.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 14 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 1 further comprising a stapling means for stapling tissue.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 17 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 15 wherein the end effector provides hemostasis lateral to said cutting line.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 19 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 15 further comprising a stapling means for applying staples lateral to said cutting line.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 20 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 15 wherein said cutting means movable in a cutting path to form said cutting line.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 25 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 15 wherein the first pole comprises a first and second electrode between which the cutting means is adapted to move.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 35 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 20 wherein said first and second electrode each comprise a parallel elongated bar electrode in electrical communication, and a slot for the cutting means to travel between the bar electrodes.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 79 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 16 wherein said stapling means comprises: a cartridge containing at least one parallel row of staples, having a slot extending longitudinally therethrough for a cutting means to travel lateral to said at least one row of staples, said cartridge forming the second interfacing surface; driving means for applying staples to tissue in between the surfaces; and an anvil for receiving and forming said staples, said anvil forming a portion of the first interfacing surface.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 23 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 22 wherein said driving means applies staples to tissue as the cutting means cuts between the parallel rows.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 15 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 22 wherein said second pole is contained on said anvil.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 15 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 22 wherein the cartridge is formed of an insulating material.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 21 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 24 wherein the second pole is contained on the second interfacing surface formed by said cartridge.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 17 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 22 wherein bipolar energy is applied before the cutting means is advanced.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 15 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 15 wherein said cutting line comprises a substantially circular shape.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 40 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 28 wherein said first pole is relatively circular in shape and is contained on an outer circumference of said first interfacing surface; and wherein said cutting line is located radially inward from said first pole.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 19 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 16 wherein said stapling means is capable of being used to rejoin a lumen.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 68 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 16 wherein said stapling means comprises: a cartridge containing staples arranged about an outer periphery of said cartridge; a cutting means for cutting tissue, said cutting means located radially inward of said staples; driving means for applying staples to tissue between said interfacing surfaces; and an anvil for receiving and forming said staples, said anvil forming a portion of the first interfacing surface.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 20 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 31 wherein said driving means applies staples to tissue as said cutting means divides tissue.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 15 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 31 wherein said second pole is contained on said anvil.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 15 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 31 wherein the cartridge is formed of an insulating material.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 21 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 33 wherein the second pole is contained on the second interfacing surface formed by said cartridge.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 18 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 31 wherein bipolar energy is applied prior to dividing tissue with cutting means.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 17 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 1 further comprising a means for detecting out of range electrical parameters.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim 23 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 1 further comprising a feedback means for determining when the tissue has been cauterized to a predetermined degree.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim 28 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 38 wherein said feedback means determines when predetermined degree of cauterization has occurred based on a determination of electrical parameters of the device.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim 33 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 38 wherein said feedback means determines when desired degree of cauterization has occurred based on a determination of at least one characteristic of the tissue in coagulation zone.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim 14 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 40 wherein the tissue characteristic is the tissue impedance.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim 26 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 1 further comprising an indicator means for communicating to a user that the tissue has been cauterized to a desired degree.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim 14 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 42 wherein the indicator means comprises an audible signal.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim 14 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 42 wherein the indicator means comprises a visible signal.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim 13 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 42 wherein the indicator means comprises tactile feedback.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim 155 words
An electrosurgical instrument comprising: a handle, an actuating means coupled to said handle, an end effector coupled to the distal end of said actuating means, a means for communicating bipolar electrical energy from a bipolar energy source to said end effector, said end effector including: a first interfacing surface, a second interfacing surface, a first pole located on at least one of said interfacing surfaces, a second pole located on at least one of said interfacing surfaces, and an insulator electrically isolating the first pole from the second pole, wherein said actuating means is capable of causing said end effector to engage tissue between the first interfacing surface and the second interfacing surface, and wherein said first pole and said second pole are electrically opposite electrodes capable of conducting electrical energy supplied from said means for communicating bipolar electrical energy from a bipolar energy source, through tissue adjacent said first pole and said second pole.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim 74 words
An electrosurgical device having an end effector comprising: a first jaw having a first interfacing surface and a second jaw having a second interfacing surface, said first and second jaws for engaging tissue therebetween; and electrically isolated first and second poles comprising electrically opposite electrodes capable of conducting bipolar energy therethrough; wherein each pole is contained on said first jaw and at least one of said poles is contained on said first interfacing surface.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim 18 words
The electrosurgical device if claim 47 wherein both of said poles are contained on said first interfacing surface.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim 29 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 47 wherein said first pole is contained on said first interfacing surface and said second pole is contained off of said first interfacing surface.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

EP0210125A1 Cited
US5151102A Cited
DE3942998A1 Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Maintenance schedule is calculated for granted US utility patents.

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag