US6074389A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrosurgery with cooled electrodes
Assignee: SEEDLING ENTERPRISES Inc
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Filing: 1997-07-14
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Granted: 2000-06-13
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Expires: 2017-07-14
Abstract
Abstract A cooled electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical device having at least one electrode for applying electrical energy to tissue. In one embodiment, the electrode includes an internal cavity in which a cooling medium such as water is contained. The internal cavity is closed at the distal end of the device such that the cooling medium is contained within the electrode at the surgical site such that the cooling medium does not contact the tissue being treated.
Inventors
- 👤 Andy H. Levine
- 👤 John C. Meade
- 👤 Philip R. Lichtman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 03:01
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1442; A61B18/1402; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B2018/00005; A61B2018/00011; A61B2018/00023; A61B18/1206; A61B2018/1246; A61B2018/1253; A61B2018/126
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
An electrosurgical device comprising: an electrode for applying electrical energy to tissue at a surgical site at a distal end of the electrode to heat and thus cut or stop bleeding of the tissue; a heat exchanger at a proximal end of the electrode for removing heat from the electrode; and a heat pipe for conducting heat from the electrode at the surgical site to the heat exchanger.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
68 words
An electrosurgical device comprising: an electrode for applying electrical energy to tissue at a surgical site at a distal end of the electrode to heat and thus cut or stop bleeding of the tissue; a heat exchanger at a proximal end of the electrode for removing heat from the electrode; and a heat pipe for conducting heat from the electrode at the surgical site to the heat exchanger.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 1, wherein the heat pipe includes a sealed cavity containing a heat transfer fluid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger at the proximal end of the heat pipe includes a plurality of radial heat conductive fins.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The electrosurgical device of claim 1, wherein the heat pipe includes an interior sealed cavity having a side wall with multiple grooves.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The electro-surgical device of claim 1, wherein an electrode-tissue interface temperature is maintained at less than about 80° C.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
44 words
A method of electrosurgery comprising: applying electrical energy to tissue with an electrode at a surgical site to heat and thus cut or stop bleeding of the tissue; and cooling the electrode at the surgical site with a heat pipe contained within the electrode.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
44 words
A method of electrosurgery comprising: applying electrical energy to tissue with an electrode at a surgical site to heat and thus cut or stop bleeding of the tissue; and cooling the electrode at the surgical site with a heat pipe contained within the electrode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 6, further comprising maintaining an electrode-tissue interface temperature of less than about 80° C.
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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) | 2003-06-13 | 2003-12-13 | 2004-06-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-06-13 | 2007-12-13 | 2008-06-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-06-13 | 2011-12-13 | 2012-06-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |