Shape memory surgical polypectomy tool
OwnerBarry L. Stein, Alvin Marion Postinventors
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Abstract
The present invention relates to surgical instruments and more specifically to surgical instruments for removing polyps and growths from within a patient's body. The surgical instrument of the present invention comprises an electrically conductive probe and a shape memory alloy filament attached to the working end of the electrically conductive probe. The shape memory alloy has a first working position and a second working position and is capable of acquiring the second working position in response to the passage of electrical current flowing through, and elevating the temperature of the filament.
Claims16
A surgical tool for removing a growth from within a patient's body, said surgical tool comprising:
- an electrically conductive probe having a working end adapted to be inserted into a patient's body;
- a shape memory alloy filament located at said working end and having a first working position and a second working position, wherein;
- a) in said first working position, said shape memory alloy filament is in a condition that enables it to be inserted into a patient's body and placed next to the growth;
- b) in said second working position, said shape memory alloy filament forms a bend around the growth;
- said shape memory alloy filament transitioning from said first working position to said second working position in response to the passage of electrical current therethrough that elevates a temperature of said shape memory alloy filament ;
- said shape memory alloy filament when in said second working position around the growth, and when hot, operative to excise the growth.
A process for removing a growth from within a patient's body, said process comprising:
- providing a shape memory alloy filament having a first working position and a second working position, wherein;
- a) in said first working position, said shape memory alloy filament is in a condition that enables it to be inserted into a patient's body and placed next to the growth;
- b) in said second working position, said shape memory alloy filament forms a bend around the growth;
- c) said shape memory alloy filament transitioning from said first working position to said second working position in response to the passage of electrical current therethrough that elevates a temperature of said shape memory alloy filament;
- d) said shape memory alloy filament when in said second working position around the growth, and when hot, operative to excise the growth;
- inserting said shape memory alloy filament in into the patient's body while said shape memory alloy filament is in said first working position;
- positioning said shape memory alloy filament while in said first working position next to the growth;
- applying an electrical current through said shape memory alloy filament for transitioning said shape memory alloy filament into the second working position wherein said shape memory alloy filament forms a bend around the growth;
- excising the growth with the shape memory alloy filament.
A method for setting at least one working position of a shape memory alloy filament for use in excising a growth from within a patient's body, said method comprising:
- forming the shape memory alloy filament into a bend;
- heating the shaped memory alloy filament while in the formed bend;
- quenching the shaped memory alloy filament while in the formed bend.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.