US3685518A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Surgical instrument for high-frequency surgery
Assignee: Aesculap Werke AG
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Filing: 1970-07-29
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Granted: 1972-08-22
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Expires: 1990-07-29
Abstract
Abstract Surgical forceps or a similar instrument to be employed in HF surgery for coagulating tissue by means of HF currents in which at least the terminal parts of the jaws of the instrument which are adapted to clamp the tissue are designed so as to prevent them from overheating the tissue when an HF current is conducted to said instrument.
Inventors
- 👤 Herbert Beuerle
- 👤 Roland Haberlen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 19:37
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/30; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1442; A61B18/1402
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
In a surgical instrument adapted to be used in high-frequency surgery, said instrument having a pair of electrically conductive elongated jaw members with spaced terminals for clamping tissue to be coagulated, said jaw members being connected remote from the terminals to an insulating member, means to connect the jaw members to the output of a high-frequency generator, the improvement which comprises as a means for preventing said tissue from being overheated by said terminals when high-frequency current is conducted to said terminals, said surfaces of said terminals have rounded edges so that, when the tissue is clamped by said terminals at said rounded edges, a high current density is prevented.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
In a surgical instrument adapted to be used in high-frequency surgery, said instrument having a pair of electrically conductive elongated jaw members with spaced terminals for clamping tissue to be coagulated, said jaw members being connected remote from the terminals to an insulating member, means to connect the jaw members to the output of a high-frequency generator, the improvement which comprises as a means for preventing said tissue from being overheated by said terminals when high-frequency current is conducted to said terminals, said surfaces of said terminals have rounded edges so that, when the tissue is clamped by said terminals at said rounded edges, a high current density is prevented.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A surgical instrument as defined in claim 1, in which at least the surfaces of said terminals which are adapted to engage with the tissue to be coagulated consist of a material having a higher thermal and electric conductivity than steel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A surgical instrument as defined in claim 2, in which said material consists of a mixture of silver and cadmium oxide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A surgical instrument as defined in claim 1, in which at least said surfaces of said terminals consist of a material having a higher thermal and electric conductivity than steel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A surgical instrument as defined in claim 1, in which said edges have a radius of curvature amounting to at least one-tenth of the width of said terminals at points spaced substantially 3 mm from the tips of said terminals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A surgical instrument as defined in claim 2, in which said material consists of silver.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A surgical instrument as defined in claim 2, in which said material consists of an alloy of silver with at least one material of the group consisting of gold, copper, palladium, cadmium, and nickel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
A surgical instrument as defined in claim 2, in which all of the thermally and electrically conductive parts of said instrument including said surfaces consist of at least one material having a higher thermal and electric conductivity than steel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A surgical instrument as defined in claim 8, in which all of said thermally and electrically conductive parts of said instrument consist of bronze.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-22 | 1976-02-21 | 1976-08-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-22 | 1980-02-21 | 1980-08-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-22 | 1984-02-21 | 1984-08-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |