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US 2016/0095658 A1Published application
Energy-based surgical instrument including integrated nerve detection system
AssigneeCovidien LP
InventorWILLIAM H. NAU, JR.
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Abstract
An energy-based surgical system includes a light beam source and a probe defining a channel about a longitudinal axis thereof and a side opening near a distal end thereof. Methods of nerve detection using the system include positioning the probe adjacent targeted tissue, transmitting a beam of light from the light beam source through the channel of the probe and the side opening of the probe to the targeted tissue, measuring a response to determine the presence of a nerve within the targeted tissue, and delivering energy to the targeted tissue with the probe to treat tissue.
Claims14
A method of nerve detection comprising:
- providing an energy-based surgical system including a light beam source and a probe defining a channel about a longitudinal axis thereof and a side opening near a distal end thereof;
- positioning the probe of the energy-based surgical system adjacent targeted tissue;
- transmitting a beam of light from the light beam source through the channel and the side opening of the probe to the targeted tissue;
- measuring a response to determine the presence of a nerve within the targeted tissue;
- and
- delivering energy to the targeted tissue with the probe to treat the targeted tissue.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.