Vacuum coagulation probes
AssigneeAtriCure, Inc.
InventorsJames G. Whayne, Sidney D. Fleischman, Earl W. Rogers
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A surgical device integrating a suction mechanism with a coagulation mechanism is provided for improving lesion creation capabilities. The device comprises an elongate member having an insulative covering attached about means for coagulating soft tissue. Openings through the covering expose regions of the coagulation-causing elements and are coupled to lumens in the elongate member which are routed to a vacuum source. A fluid source to passively transport fluid along the contacted soft tissue surface may be provided in order to push the maximum temperature deeper into tissue.
Claims11
A surgical device for coagulating soft tissue of organs and for use with a vacuum source to improve contact with the soft tissue and a track to position the device, the device comprising:
- a shaft;
- an energy transfer element;
- an elongate housing being flexible to conform to a surface of the soft tissue, the housing being located at a distal portion of the shaft and having a main cavity containing the energy transfer element, the housing having at least one opening in a side wall to expose the main cavity and allow the energy transfer element to contact the soft tissue, the housing further including a track tubing extending through a portion of the housing and having a track lumen within the track tubing, the track lumen extending along the housing having an opening at a distal end of the housing such that the track lumen allows for the housing to be advanced over the track, where the track lumen is fluidly isolated from the main cavity;
- and
- where the housing further includes a plug having at least two channels, where a first channel fluidly couples the perfusion lumen with the main cavity, and a second channel extends from the perfusion lumen through the distal end of the housing and contains the track tubing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.