Patent US5876401A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5876401A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electrosurgical hemostatic device with adaptive electrodes
Assignee: Ethicon Endo Surgery Inc
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Filing: 1997-04-14
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Granted: 1999-03-02
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Expires: 2017-04-14
Abstract
Abstract An electrosurgical instrument is provided for cauterization and/or welding of tissue of varying impedance, thickness, compressibility, density, vascularity, etc., especially in the performance of endoscopic procedures. The instrument provides two electrodes of different electrical potentials. One electrode is moveable with respect to the other electrode to vary the distances between the electrodes and thus the impedance of the tissue as presented to the generator. The electrode distances may be varied by an automated or user controlled device.
Inventors
- 👤 Dale R. Schulze
- 👤 William D. Fox
- 👤 David Yates
- 👤 Anil Nalagatla
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:26
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/068; A61B17/072; A61B17/07207; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/1206; 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; A61B2018/124; A61B2018/1273; A61B90/00; A61B90/03; A61B2090/032
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
An electrosurgical device comprising: a handle; a first jaw member and a second jaw member connected to said handle by an actuator adapted to move said first jaw member with respect to said second jaw member; a first surface on one of said first and second jaw members including an elongated spring electrode which extends from a proximal portion of said one jaw member to a distal portion of said one jaw member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
73 words
An electrosurgical device comprising: a handle; a first jaw member and a second jaw member connected to said handle by an actuator adapted to move said first jaw member with respect to said second jaw member; a first surface on one of said first and second jaw members including an elongated spring electrode which extends from a proximal portion of said one jaw member to a distal portion of said one jaw member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
An electrosurgical device according to claim 1 wherein said one jaw member comprises said first jaw member and said second jaw member includes a second electrode arranged on a surface of said second jaw member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
An electrosurgical device according to claim 1 wherein said one jaw member includes a second electrode arranged on a surface of said second jaw member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
74 words
An electrosurgical device having an end effector capable of receiving electrosurgical energy therein, said end effector comprising: first and second electrically insulated opposing interfacing surfaces, said interfacing surfaces capable of engaging tissue therebetween; a first spring electrode; and a second electrode insulated from said first spring electrode; wherein said first spring electrode is located on said first interfacing surface and said second electrode is located on one of said first and second interfacing surfaces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
74 words
An electrosurgical device having an end effector capable of receiving electrosurgical energy therein, said end effector comprising: first and second electrically insulated opposing interfacing surfaces, said interfacing surfaces capable of engaging tissue therebetween; a first spring electrode; and a second electrode insulated from said first spring electrode; wherein said first spring electrode is located on said first interfacing surface and said second electrode is located on one of said first and second interfacing surfaces.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 4 wherein said first spring electrode is flexible and moves with respect to said second electrode from a first position to a second position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 5 wherein said first spring electrode moves as electrosurgical energy is applied to tissue.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 4 wherein said first spring electrode is flexible such that, when said interfacing surfaces engage tissue, said first spring electrode and said second electrode are separated by a distance, said distance being a function of a parameter of said tissue engaged by said surfaces.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 7 wherein said parameter is tissue composition.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 7 wherein said parameter is tissue thickness.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 7 wherein said parameter is tissue type.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 7 wherein said parameter is tissue compressibility.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 7 wherein said parameter is tissue density.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
82 words
An electrosurgical device having an end effector capable of receiving electrosurgical energy therein, said end effector comprising: first and second electrically insulated opposing interfacing surfaces, said interfacing surfaces capable of engaging tissue therebetween; a first electrode; a second electrode insulated from said first electrode; a removable cartridge forming at least a portion of one of said interfacing surfaces, wherein said first electrode is located on said cartridge and said second electrode is located on one of said first and second interfacing surfaces.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
82 words
An electrosurgical device having an end effector capable of receiving electrosurgical energy therein, said end effector comprising: first and second electrically insulated opposing interfacing surfaces, said interfacing surfaces capable of engaging tissue therebetween; a first electrode; a second electrode insulated from said first electrode; a removable cartridge forming at least a portion of one of said interfacing surfaces, wherein said first electrode is located on said cartridge and said second electrode is located on one of said first and second interfacing surfaces.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 13 wherein said cartridge is selectable from a plurality of cartridges, said cartridge adapted for use in a predetermined application.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 13 wherein said cartridge is selectable from a plurality of cartridges, said cartridge adapted for use with tissue having a predetermined tissue parameter.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 15 wherein said tissue parameter is electrical impedance.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 15 wherein said tissue parameter is tissue composition.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 15 wherein said tissue parameter is tissue compressibility.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 15 wherein said tissue parameter is tissue density.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 15 wherein said tissue parameter is tissue type.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 15 wherein said tissue parameter is tissue thickness.
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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) | 2002-03-01 | 2002-08-31 | 2003-03-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-03-01 | 2006-08-31 | 2007-03-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-03-01 | 2010-08-31 | 2011-03-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |