Radio-frequency tissue welder with polymer reinforcement
OwnerDavid A. Schechterinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
There are disclosed methods and apparatus for attachment and welding of tissue. In an embodiment, the apparatus includes an energy applicator configured to apply energy to generate heat within a target tissue to evaporate water to create dried tissue, and a thermally conductive material disposed adjacent the first tissue contacting surface or the second tissue contacting surface. The thermally conductive material may be configured for direct contact with the target tissue heated by the energy applicator. The thermally conductive material provides a high coefficient of thermal conductivity so as to evenly distribute heat within the targeted tissue area. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
Claims33
Apparatus for attachment and welding of tissue, the apparatus comprising:
- an energy applicator positioned adjacent a first tissue contacting surface, the energy applicator configured to apply an amount of energy to generate heat within a target tissue so as to evaporate intracellular and extracellular water from the target tissue to create dried tissue, and denature at least one of collagen and elastin within the target tissue to attach portions of the target tissue together;
- and
- a thermally conductive material disposed at a second tissue contacting surface, the thermally conductive material configured for direct contact with the target tissue heated by the energy applicator, and the thermally conductive material providing a path of thermal conduction.
Apparatus for attachment and welding of tissue, the apparatus comprising:
- an energy applicator positioned adjacent at least one of a first tissue contacting surface and a second tissue contacting surface, the energy applicator configured to apply an amount of energy to generate heat within a target tissue so as to evaporate intracellular and extracellular water from the target tissue to create dried tissue, and denature at least one of collagen and elastin within the target tissue to attach portions of the target tissue together;
- and
- a thermally conductive material disposed adjacent the at least one of the first tissue contacting surface and the second tissue contacting surface, the thermally conductive material configured for direct contact with the target tissue heated by the energy applicator, and the thermally conductive material providing a high coefficient of thermal conductivity so as to evenly distribute heat within the targeted tissue area.
Apparatus for attachment and welding of tissue, the apparatus comprising:
- an energy applicator positioned adjacent at least one of a first tissue contacting surface and a second tissue contacting surface, the energy applicator configured to apply an amount of energy to generate heat within a target tissue so as to evaporate intracellular and extracellular water from the target tissue to create dried tissue, and denature at least one of collagen and elastin within the target tissue to attach portions of the target tissue together;
- and
- electrodes of the energy applicator offset by a distance, the electrodes configured to direct current flow through the compressed tissue in an direction coplanar to the at least one of the first tissue contacting surface and the second tissue contacting surface, and an applied voltage of the energy applicator not exceeding about 100 V(rms)/mm with respect to the offset electrode spacing between the electrodes.
A method of attaching and reinforcing tissue, the method comprising:
- applying energy adjacent to tissue surfaces with an energy applicator, wherein the application of the energy is configured to generate an amount of heat within a target tissue so as to evaporate intracellular and extracellular water from a target tissue to create dried tissue;
- and
- directing contact with the target tissue heated by the energy applicator with a thermally conductive material disposed adjacent the at least one of the first tissue contacting surface and the second tissue contacting surface, and evenly distributing heat within the targeted tissue area with the thermally conductive material providing a high coefficient of thermal conductivity.
A method of reinforcing tissue, the method comprising:
- applying energy adjacent a tissue surface with an energy applicator, wherein the application of the energy is configured to generate an amount of heat within a target tissue so as to evaporate intracellular and extracellular water from the target tissue to create dried tissue;
- and
- directing current flow through the compressed tissue in an direction coplanar to the at least one of the first tissue contacting surface and the second tissue contacting surface with electrodes of the energy applicator offset by a distance, and limiting an applied voltage of the energy applicator to not exceed about 100 V(rms)/mm with respect to the offset electrode spacing between the electrodes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.