Tissue sealing electrosurgery device and methods of sealing tissue

An electrosurgical, tissue sealing medical device, comprising in combination:

• co-operating device jaws including jaw portions for manipulating tissue;
• solution infusion openings defined along the jaw portions, the solution infusion openings being constructed and arranged for receiving an electrically conductive solution and infusing the solution through the openings and along the jaw portions into tissue manipulated by the jaw portions;
• and
• an electrical conductor operatively associated with the device jaws for conducting electrical energy to the electrically conductive solution in contact with the manipulated tissue, the solution being supplied in quantity and the electrical energy being supplied in power such that energy density in the tissue in contact with the solution is in a range that seals the tissue against substantial flow of air;
• whereby tissue many be manipulated without desiccation of the tissue and with sealing of the tissue against substantial air flow from the tissue.

An electrosurgical, tissue sealing medical device, comprising in combination:

• co-operating device jaws including jaw portions for manipulating tissue, a plurality of longitudinal grooves along said jaw portions;
• a pivot for pivoting movement of said jaws into contact with each other and away from contact with each other;
• a plurality of solution infusion openings defined and spaced along each of the jaw portions for manipulating tissue, said solution infusion openings located in said plurality of longitudinal grooves, for receiving solution and infusing solution into the tissue along said jaw portions;
• a solution supply to said plurality of solution infusion openings, for supplying solution at a rate in a range of 0.01 to 100 cc/min;
• an electrical supply of electrical energy sufficient to affect tissue, to said solution supply;
• and
• an extended shaft connected to said jaws for endoscopic use of said device.

A medical procedure of manipulating tissue, comprising:

• infusing an electrolytic solution to tissue;
• supplying electrical energy to said solution and thereby said tissue;
• and
• supplying the solution in quantity and the electrical energy in power sufficient to seal the tissue against fluid flow from the tissue.

A medical procedure of manipulating thin, delicate tissue, such as connective tissue, using an enhanced solution-assisted electrosurgical medical device, an electrolytic solution source, and an electrical energy source, said device comprising in combination co-operating device jaws including jaw portions for manipulating tissue, and a plurality of solution infusion openings defined and spaced along each of the jaw portions for manipulating tissue, for receiving solution and infusing solution into the tissue along said jaw portions, the medical procedure comprising:

• supplying electrolytic solution from the solution source to the solution infusion openings of said jaw portions, thereby infusing solution into tissue along the jaw portions;
• supplying electrical energy from the electrical energy source sufficient to affect tissue to said solution;
• and
• manipulating tissue with said jaw portions at least in part while solution is infused into tissue along said jaw portions and electrical energy is supplied to said solution;
• whereby the manipulated tissue is sealed against fluid flow from the tissue during manipulation.