Patent•
Methods and apparatus for surgical cutting
10 May 1994-
TL;DR: An electrosurgical probe comprises a shaft having an electrode array (12) at its distal end and a connector at its proximal end as mentioned in this paper, which is used to cut or ablate target tissue while heat dissipation through low impedance paths.
Abstract: An electrosurgical probe comprises a shaft having an electrode array (12) at its distal end and a connector at its proximal end. The array (12) includes a plurality of isolated electrode terminals, and an electrosurgical power supply (28) is provided with a multiplicity of independently limited or controlled current sources and a connector. The electrosurgical probe and the power supply may be connected through their respective connectors so that the independent current sources are connected to individual electrode terminals. By applying very high frequency electrical energy to the electrode array, target tissue may be cut or ablated while heat dissipation through low impedance paths, such as blood and normal saline, will be minimized.
Citations
More filters
•
20 Jun 1996
TL;DR: In this article, an electrosurgical instrument for the treatment of tissue in the presence of an electrically-conductive fluid was disclosed, consisting of an instrument shaft (32), and a tissue treatment electrode (31) at one end of the shaft.
Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument is disclosed for the treatment of tissue in the presence of an electrically-conductive fluid. The instrument comprises an instrument shaft (32), and a tissue treatment electrode (31) at one end of the shaft, the tissue treatment electrode being constructed to define a plurality of pockets for trapping electrically-conductive fluid. Alternatively, the tissue treatment electrode (81) is made from an electrically-conductive material (81a) and is coated with a resistive inert material (81b) which is effective to increase the local power density within the tissue treatment electrode.
3,721 citations
•
14 Jun 2016
TL;DR: Newness and distinctiveness is claimed in the features of ornamentation as shown inside the broken line circle in the accompanying representation as discussed by the authors, which is the basis for the representation presented in this paper.
Abstract: Newness and distinctiveness is claimed in the features of ornamentation as shown inside the broken line circle in the accompanying representation.
1,500 citations
•
21 Apr 2011TL;DR: In this paper, a surgical instrument can comprise a channel configured to support a staple cartridge and, in addition, an anvil pivotable between open and closed positions relative to the channel.
Abstract: A surgical instrument can comprise a channel configured to support a staple cartridge and, in addition, an anvil pivotable between open and closed positions relative to the channel. The surgical instrument can further comprise a cutting member configured to incise tissue positioned captured between the staple cartridge and the anvil and, in addition, means for stopping the cutting member prior to a distal end datum, wherein the distal end datum can be defined by the distal-most staple cavity in the staple cartridge. In such embodiments, the incision within the tissue may not extend beyond the portion of the tissue that has been stapled.
1,498 citations
•
19 Jun 1996TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a controller that can cause the generator to supply a blended output signal alternating constantly between a first output signal across the output connections in which the radio frequency output voltage developed across output connections is limited to at least a first predetermined threshold value for cutting or vaporization of tissue, and a second output signal with a power supply coupled to the output stage for supplying power to output stage.
Abstract: In an electrosurgical generator for generating radio frequency power, the generator includes a radio frequency output stage having two or more output connections, and a power supply coupled to the output stage for supplying power to the output stage. A controller is operable to cause the generator to supply a blended output signal alternating constantly between a first output signal across the output connections in which the radio frequency output voltage developed across the output connections is limited to at least a first predetermined threshold value for cutting or vaporisation of tissue, and a second output signal across the output connections in which the radio frequency output voltage developed across the output connections is limited to a second threshold value for coagulation. There is also provided adjustment means, operable by a user of the electrosurgical generator, for changing between various preset settings for the blended signal, the preset settings each having a predetermined duty cycle of the blended signal that is limited to the first threshold value for cutting or vaporisation, and a predetermined duty cycle of the blended signal that is limited to the second threshold value for coagulation.
1,486 citations
•
20 Sep 2016TL;DR: In this article, an E-beam firing bar is used to drive staples on each side of the cut in a surgical severing and stapling instrument, which is suitable for laparoscopic and endoscopic clinical procedures, clamps tissue within an end effector of an elongate channel pivotally opposed by an anvil.
Abstract: A surgical severing and stapling instrument, suitable for laparoscopic and endoscopic clinical procedures, clamps tissue within an end effector of an elongate channel pivotally opposed by an anvil. An E-beam firing bar moves distally through the clamped end effector to sever tissue and to drive staples on each side of the cut. The E-beam firing bar affirmatively spaces the anvil from the elongate channel to assure properly formed closed staples, especially when an amount of tissue is clamped that is inadequate to space the end effector. In particular, an upper pin of the firing bar longitudinally moves through an anvil slot and a channel slot is captured between a lower cap and a middle pin of the firing bar to assure a minimum spacing. Forming the E-beam from a thickened distal portion and a thinned proximal strip enhances manufacturability and facilitates use in such articulating surgical instruments.
1,384 citations
References
More filters
•
11 Aug 1993
TL;DR: A medical probe device comprises a catheter having a stylet guide housing with one or more stylet ports in a side wall of the probe, which can be used to direct a flexible stylet outward through the stylet port and through intervening tissue at a preselected, adjustable angle to a target tissue as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: A medical probe device comprises a catheter having a stylet guide housing with one or more stylet ports in a side wall thereof and a stylet guide for directing a flexible stylet outward through the stylet port and through intervening tissue at a preselected, adjustable angle to a target tissue. The total catheter assembly includes a stylet guide lumen communicating with the stylet port and a stylet positioned in said stylet guide lumen for longitudinal movement from the port through intervening tissue to a target tissue. The stylet can be an electrical conductor enclosed within a non-conductive layer, the electrical conductor being a radiofrequency electrode. Preferably, the non-conductive layer is a sleeve which is axially moveable on the electrical conductor to expose a selected portion of the electrical conductor surface in the target tissue. The stylet can also be a microwave antenna. The stylet can also be a hollow tube for delivering treatment fluid to the target tissue. It can also include a fiber optic cable for laser treatment. The catheter can include one or more inflatable balloons located adjacent to the stylet port for anchoring the catheter or dilation. Ultrasound transponders and temperature sensors can be attached to the probe end and/or stylet. The stylet guide can define a stylet path from an axial orientation in the catheter through a curved portion to a lateral orientation at the stylet port.
1,634 citations
•
30 Sep 1988
TL;DR: In this paper, a vibratable tip for ultrasonically disintegrating tissue in a surgical procedure and for aspirating the disintegrated tissue and fluids away from the surgical site through an opening in the tip was presented.
Abstract: An apparatus having a vibratable tip for ultrasonically disintegrating tissue in a surgical procedure and for aspirating the disintegrated tissue and fluids away from the surgical site through an opening in the tip. A connection to an electrosurgical unit provides for delivery of RF cutting current, RF coagulating current or a blend thereof to the tip so that electrosurgical procedures can be conducted separately or simultaneously with ultrasonic aspiration through the tip. It thus is now possible, for example, to electrocauterize simultaneously with ultrasonic fragmentation with a single handheld surgical device. The simultaneous delivery of ultrasonic vibrations and RF current to the tip also has been found to increase the tissue fragmentation rate.
1,288 citations
•
31 Mar 1992
TL;DR: An electrosurgical bipolar treating apparatus comprising a handpiece to which is connected a first active electrode and a second return electrode having exposed distal ends which define a bipolar tip for electrosurgically treating tissue at an operational site on a patient, which tip is structured so that both distal end simultaneously contact said tissue and wherein the active electrode has a higher tissue to electrode impedance than the return electrode as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: An electrosurgical bipolar treating apparatus comprising a handpiece to which is connected a first active electrode and a second return electrode having exposed distal ends which define a bipolar tip for electrosurgically treating tissue at an operational site on a patient, which tip is structured so that both distal ends simultaneously contact said tissue and wherein the active electrode has a higher tissue to electrode impedance than the return electrode.
974 citations
•
19 Feb 1991
TL;DR: In this article, a catheter with a tip member which during the initial placement of the catheter within the vascular system so that the distal tip member is disposed in a working relation with the lesion to be removed is described.
Abstract: A RF ablation catheter for removing athero-stenotic lesions or modifying the tissue characteristics of the interior walls of selected blood vessels is described. The catheter is characterized in having a tip member which during the initial placement of the catheter within the vascular system so that the distal tip member is disposed in a working relation with the lesion to be removed, means are provided for increasing the cross-sectional profile of the tip members to thereby cause it to move into engagement with the lesion to be excised. The application of an RF voltage across a pair of bipolar electrodes is used to create an electric arc for effecting the cutting action, or alternatively, just sufficient RF energy to sear or otherwise alter the tissue surfaces engaged by the distal tip member.
947 citations
•
05 May 1995
TL;DR: In this paper, a handpiece and an electrode with an electrode proximal end (16) associated with the handpiece are used to control contraction of tissue that includes collagen fibers.
Abstract: An apparatus (10) and method are provided for control contraction of tissue that includes collagen fibers. The apparatus (10) includes a handpiece (12), and an electrode (14) with an electrode proximal end (16) associated with the handpiece (12). A distal end (18) of the electrode (14) has a geometry that delivers a controlled amount of energy to the tissue for a desired contraction of the collagen fibers. This is achieved while dissociation and breakdown of the collagen fibers is minimized. The handpiece (12), with electrode (14), is adapted to be introduced through an operating cannula in percutaneous applications. Additionally, an operating cannula may be included in the apparatus (10) and be attached to the handpiece (12). The apparatus (10) and method provides for a desired level of contraction of collagen soft tissue without dissociation or breakdown of collagen fibers.
813 citations