US3662755A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cryo-scalpel
Assignee: Balzers und Leybold Deutschland Holding AG
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Filing: 1969-08-08
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Granted: 1972-05-16
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Expires: 1989-08-08
Abstract
Abstract A method of cryogenic surgery and a scalpel suitable for the practice of the method. The scalpel has a hollow chamber within which a fluid medium may be injected, there being knife blade means in heat transfer contact therewith. In the practice of the method the scalpel is cooled by injection of an appropriate fluid. Thereafter animal tissue is cut with the scalpel thereby freezing the cut areas. The knife is heated as necessary to permit detachment of the scalpel from the frozen areas.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Rautenbach
- 👤 Wolfgang Lutzeyer
- 👤 Udo Werner
- 👤 Stravros Lymberopoulos
- 👤 Hubert Zimmerman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 09:15
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
A cryogenic surgical scalpel, comprising a knife blade defining a hollow chamber, means for passing a fluid through said hollow chamber for cooling said knife blade, means connected to said knife blade for selectively heating said knife blade, said means for passing a fluid having an outer tube communicating with said chamber for providing an outlet for the fluid and an inner tube arranged coaxially within said outer tube and extending substantially across said chamber for providing an inlet for the fluid, said knife blade having two similar side walls in part defining a generally triangular cross section for said knife blade, the means for heating said knife blade having a resistance heater positioned with said chamber in close adjacency to said side walls, the region of the Wall of said inner tube arranged within said chamber being spaced from said side walls and defining a plurality of openings, the scalpel further comprising an insulated handle formed about the exterior of said outer tube, the handle being hollow and having end walls which provide the only connections between said handle and said outer tube, and said resistance heater having leads passing through said insulated handle and into said chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
199 words
A cryogenic surgical scalpel, comprising a knife blade defining a hollow chamber, means for passing a fluid through said hollow chamber for cooling said knife blade, means connected to said knife blade for selectively heating said knife blade, said means for passing a fluid having an outer tube communicating with said chamber for providing an outlet for the fluid and an inner tube arranged coaxially within said outer tube and extending substantially across said chamber for providing an inlet for the fluid, said knife blade having two similar side walls in part defining a generally triangular cross section for said knife blade, the means for heating said knife blade having a resistance heater positioned with said chamber in close adjacency to said side walls, the region of the Wall of said inner tube arranged within said chamber being spaced from said side walls and defining a plurality of openings, the scalpel further comprising an insulated handle formed about the exterior of said outer tube, the handle being hollow and having end walls which provide the only connections between said handle and said outer tube, and said resistance heater having leads passing through said insulated handle and into said chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A scalpel as defined in claim 1, wherein said knife blade has an exchangeable blade.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A scalpel as defined in claim 2, wherein said knife blade defines a channel between said side walls, and said exchangeable blade is detachably mounted in said channel so as to be in heat transfer contact with said chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
93 words
A scalpel as defined in claim 1, wherein said side walls are slightly curved walls curving toward each other and toward an apex forming a knife blade edge, said knife blade having a base wall arranged between and joined to said side walls, and an end wall joined to said side walls and base wall, and wherein said knife blade edge curves from a forward point in which said knife blade edge is in contact with said base wall to a rearward point at which said knife blade edge meets said end wall.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1975-05-16 | 1975-11-15 | 1976-05-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-16 | 1979-11-15 | 1980-05-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-16 | 1983-11-15 | 1984-05-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |