# US 10,441,342 B2 · Multi-mode surgical tool

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- Number: US 10,441,342 B2
- Document ID: US10441342B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/050,453
- Filed: 2016-02-22
- Published: 2016-09-01
- Granted: 2019-10-15
- Earliest claimed: 2009-04-17
- Assignees: Domain Surgical, Inc.
- Applicants: Domain Surgical, Inc.
- Inventors: Kim Manwaring; David McNally
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10441342B2

## CPC

- A61B 18/085: {Forceps, scissors}
- A61B 17/00234: {for minimally invasive surgery (A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence)}
- A61B 17/320068: {using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic (A61B17/22012 takes precedence; dental tooth drilling devices operated by vibration A61C3/03; removing intra-ocular material using mechanical vibrations A61F9/00745)}
- A61B 17/3211: Surgical scalpels, knives; Accessories therefor
- A61B 18/08: by means of electrically-heated probes
- A61B 18/082: {Probes or electrodes therefor}
- A61B 18/10: Power sources therefor
- A61B 18/1206: {Generators therefor}
- A61B 18/1492: {having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation (A61B18/1477 takes precedence)}
- A61M 25/0082: {Catheter tip comprising a tool}
- A61B 18/04: by heating (by applying electromagnetic radiation A61B18/18)
- A61B 2017/00141: {continuous, e.g. wave}
- A61B 2017/00876: {magnetic}
- A61B 2017/00973: {pedal-operated}
- A61B 2017/320069: {for ablating tissue}
- A61B 2017/32007: {with suction or vacuum means}
- A61B 2017/320082: {for incising tissue}
- A61B 2018/00077: {high, i.e. electrically conducting}
- A61B 2018/00095: {high, i.e. heat conducting}
- A61B 2018/00107: {Coatings on the energy applicator}
- A61B 2018/0013: {non-sticking}
- A61B 2018/00577: {Ablation}
- A61B 2018/00589: {Coagulation}
- A61B 2018/00595: {Cauterization}
- A61B 2018/00601: {Cutting}
- A61B 2018/00619: {Welding}
- A61B 2018/00642: {with feedback, i.e. closed loop control}
- A61B 2018/00654: {with individual control of each of a plurality of energy emitting elements}
- A61B 2018/00702: {Power or energy}
- A61B 2018/00714: {Temperature}
- A61B 2018/00755: {Resistance or impedance}
- A61B 2018/00791: {Temperature}
- A61B 2018/00803: {with temperature prediction}
- A61B 2018/00958: {for switching between different working modes of the main function}
- A61B 2018/128: {generating two or more frequencies}
- A61B 2018/1407: {Loop}
- A61B 2018/1412: {Blade}
- A61M 25/00: Catheters; Hollow probes (dilators A61M29/00; {peritoneal catheters A61M1/285; tracheal tubes A61M16/04; for drainage A61M27/00; for uterus, vagina or rectum A61M31/00} ; for measuring or testing A61B; {materials for catheters A61L29/00})
- Y10T 29/49124: On flat or curved insulated base, e.g., printed circuit, etc.
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)}
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

Thermal, electrosurgical and mechanical modalities may be combined in a surgical tool. Potentially damaging effects in a first modality may be minimized by using a secondary modality. In one example, thermal hemostasis may thus help electrosurgical applications avoid the adverse tissue effects associated with hemostatic monopolar electrosurgical waveforms while retaining the benefits of using monopolar incising waveforms.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A multi-mode surgical tool comprising:
a handpiece;
a first modality for treating tissue, the first modality connected to the handpiece and including a first bipolar electrode and a second bipolar electrode;
a thermal element including a ferromagnetic layer covering at least a portion of an electrical conductor; and
a control on the handpiece and configured to selectively activate the first modality in a first operational mode, the thermal element in a second operational mode, and the first modality and the thermal element in third operational mode.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The multi-mode surgical tool of claim 1, wherein the first modality comprises a first forceps jaw including the first bipolar electrode, and a second forceps jaw including the second bipolar electrode.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The multi-mode surgical tool of claim 2, wherein the thermal element is attached to the first forceps jaw.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The multi-mode surgical tool of claim 3, comprising a thermal sensor attached to the second forceps jaw.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The multi-mode surgical tool of claim 1, wherein the thermal element is separate from the first modality.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The multi-mode surgical tool of claim 1, wherein the thermal element is disposed adjacent to one of the first bipolar electrode or the second bipolar electrode of the first modality.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The multi-mode surgical tool of claim 1, further comprising a power supply for providing signals to the first modality and the thermal element.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The multi-mode surgical tool of claim 7, wherein the signals provided to the first modality and the thermal element include oscillating electrical energy, and wherein the first modality is configured to direct the oscillating electrical energy into tissue and the thermal element is configured to convert the oscillating electrical energy into thermal energy.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The multi-mode surgical tool of claim 7, wherein the power supply for providing the signals is configured to provide a signal that is multiplexed to the first modality and the thermal element.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The multi-mode surgical tool of claim 7, wherein the power supply is configured to provide the signals to the first modality and the thermal element substantially simultaneously in the third operational mode.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The multi-mode surgical tool of claim 1, further comprising a nonstick coating disposed on the thermal element.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The multi-mode surgical tool of claim 1, wherein the multi-mode surgical tool comprises forceps.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The multi-mode surgical tool of claim 1, further comprising a catheter, wherein the first modality and the thermal element are disposed on the catheter.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The multi-mode surgical tool of claim 1, wherein the control includes a first switch configured to selectively activate the first modality, and a second switch configured to selectively activate the thermal element.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The multi-mode surgical tool of claim 1, further comprising:
a first forceps jaw connected to the handpiece, the first forceps jaw including the first bipolar electrode; and
a second forceps jaw connected to the handpiece and spaced apart from the first forceps jaw, the second forceps jaw including a second bipolar electrode,
wherein the control includes a first switch configured to selectively activate the first modality, and a second switch configured to selectively activate the thermal element.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The surgical tool of claim 15, wherein one of the first forceps jaw or the second forceps jaw includes the thermal element, and the other of the first forceps jaw and the second forceps jaw includes a thermal sensor.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The surgical tool of claim 16, comprising a power supply electrically coupled to the thermal element, the power supply, when in use, adjusts an electrical signal supplied to the thermal element based on a temperature sensed by the thermal sensor.

### Claim 18 (depends on 15)

The surgical tool of claim 15, wherein the ferromagnetic layer includes a layer of nickel-iron alloy on the electrical conductor.