US5569244A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Loop electrodes for electrocautery probes for use with a resectoscope
Assignee: Boston Scientific Miami Corp
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Filing: 1995-04-20
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Granted: 1996-10-29
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Expires: 2015-04-20
Abstract
Abstract An electrocautery probe includes a distal loop electrode mounted between a pair of arms which are joined at their proximal ends to an electrode lead, and a mounting sleeve for slideably coupling the probe to the guide tube of a resectoscope. The loop electrode is formed with a relatively broad lower surface defining a sharp distal edge and a sharp proximal edge. The electrode may have a triangular cross section or a cross section which is defined by an upper convex surface and a lower flat surface. A presently preferred embodiment of the electrode has a triangular cross section with a lower base surface approximately 0.039-0.043 inches wide, a distal upper surface extending approximately 0.018-0.022 inches from the base, and a proximal upper surface which extends approximately 0.063-0.067 inches from the distal upper surface to the lower base surface. The electrode thereby defines a sharp distal edge having an angle of approximately 95°, and a sharp proximal edge having an angle of approximately 30°. The electrode is preferably made of chromium cobalt or carbonless stainless steel. Tests have demonstrated that the electrode according to the invention is approximately 90% more effective in coagulation than the known loop electrodes. It is believed that the sharp distal and proximal edges aid in cutting and focus cautery current to this effect while the relatively broad base serves to enhance coagulation.
Inventors
- 👤 Kevin F. Hahnen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:42
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/149; A61B18/1485; A61B2018/00571; A61B2018/00607
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
42 words
A loop electrode for use in an electrocautery probe having two arms between which said electrode is mounted, said electrode comprising: a substantially U-shaped conductive member having a cross section defining at least one sharp edge and a substantially flat lower surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
42 words
A loop electrode for use in an electrocautery probe having two arms between which said electrode is mounted, said electrode comprising: a substantially U-shaped conductive member having a cross section defining at least one sharp edge and a substantially flat lower surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A loop electrode according to claim 1, wherein: said cross section defines a sharp distal edge and a sharp proximal edge.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A loop electrode according to claim 2, wherein: said cross section is substantially triangular.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
A loop electrode according to claim 3, wherein: said cross section is defined by a distal surface, a proximal surface, and said substantially flat lower surface, said lower surface extending approximately 0.039-0.043 inches between said distal surface and said proximal surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A loop electrode according to claim 4, wherein: said distal surface extends approximately 0.018-0.022 inches between said lower surface and said proximal surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A loop electrode according to claim 5, wherein: said proximal surface extends approximately 0.063-067 inches between said distal surface and said lower surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A loop electrode according to claim 3, wherein: said substantially triangular cross section defines an acute triangle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A loop electrode according to claim 3, wherein: said substantially triangular cross section defines an obtuse triangle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
A loop electrode according to claim 3, wherein: the two arms of the probe lie in a first plane; said cross section is defined by a distal surface, a proximal surface, and said substantially flat lower surface; and said distal surface lies in a second plane adapted to be angled proximally relative to the first plane.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A loop electrode according to claim 2, wherein: said cross section is defined by a convex upper surface and said substantially flat lower surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A loop electrode according to claim 1, wherein: said substantially U-shaped member is made of one of chromium cobalt and carbonless stainless steel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
97 words
An electrocautery probe, comprising: a) a pair of conductive arms having proximal and distal ends, said arms lying in a first plane and being joined to each other at their said proximal ends; b) an electrode lead coupled to said proximal ends of said conductive arms and extending proximally therefrom; and c) a substantially U-shaped electrode having two upper ends, each of which is coupled to a respective one of said distal ends of said pair of conductive arms, said electrode having a cross section defining at least one sharp edge and a substantially flat lower surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
97 words
An electrocautery probe, comprising: a) a pair of conductive arms having proximal and distal ends, said arms lying in a first plane and being joined to each other at their said proximal ends; b) an electrode lead coupled to said proximal ends of said conductive arms and extending proximally therefrom; and c) a substantially U-shaped electrode having two upper ends, each of which is coupled to a respective one of said distal ends of said pair of conductive arms, said electrode having a cross section defining at least one sharp edge and a substantially flat lower surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
An electrocautery probe according to claim 12, wherein: said cross section defines a sharp distal edge and a sharp proximal edge.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
An electrocautery probe according to claim 13, wherein: said cross section is substantially triangular.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
An electrocautery probe according to claim 14, wherein: said substantially triangular cross section defines an acute triangle.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
An electrocautery probe according to claim 14, wherein: said substantially triangular cross section defines an obtuse triangle.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
41 words
An electrocautery probe according to claim 13, wherein: said cross section is defined by a distal surface, a proximal surface, and said substantially flat lower surface, said lower surface extending approximately 0.039-0.043 inches between said distal surface and said proximal surface.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electrocautery probe according to claim 17, wherein: said distal surface extends approximately 0.018-0.022 inches between said lower surface and said proximal surface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electrocautery probe according to claim 18, wherein: said proximal surface extends approximately 0.063-0.067 inches between said distal surface and said lower surface.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
An electrocautery probe according to claim 12, wherein: said cross section is defined by a convex upper surface and said substantially flat lower surface.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
55 words
An electrocautery probe according to claim 12, wherein: said two arms of said probe lie in a first plane; said cross section is defined by a distal surface, a proximal surface and said substantially flat lower surface; and said distal surface lies in a second plane which is angled proximally relative to said first plane.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electrocautery probe according to claim 12, wherein: said substantially U-shaped member is made of one of chromium cobalt and carbonless stainless steel.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
An electrocautery probe according to claim 12, further comprising: d) means for coupling said probe to a resectoscope.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
An electrocautery probe according to claim 23, wherein: said means for coupling comprises a mounting sleeve for sildeably coupling said probe to the resectoscope.
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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) | 1999-10-29 | 2000-04-29 | 2000-10-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-10-29 | 2004-04-29 | 2004-10-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-10-29 | 2008-04-29 | 2008-10-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |