Method and apparatus for simultaneously holding and sealing tissue
AssigneeProclosure Inc.
InventorDallas W. Anderson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for sealing approximated edges of tissue with thermal energy includes a clamp having members which grasp and hold tissue. A transmissive material is supported by at least one of the members. The members pivot to pull the tissue edges in tight approximation against the transmissive material to form a seam. Thermal energy is then directed at the tissue through the transmissive material and at the seam with sufficient intensity and duration to heat the tissue to an adhesive proteinaceous substance to seal the seam. The approximated seam is held against the transmissive material with an appropriate pressure to avoid over inverted or over everted tissue approximation.
Claims15
An apparatus for sealing approximated edges of tissue comprising:
- a first elongated member pivotally engaging a second elongated member to form a clamp that opens and closes, said members having an edge with a surface adapted to grasp tissue and pull the edges of the tissue into tight approximation to form a seam when said clamp closes;
- an energy source for providing energy which is capable of heating the tissue to form an adhesive proteinaceous substance;
- and
- a layer of material supported by at least one of said members and transmissive to energy that heats tissue.
- means for directing energy from said source through said layer of material at said tissue seam when said edges are pulled into tight approximation;
- and
- said layer of material having a thickness that maintains a predetermined distance between said directing means and said tissue seam when energy from said source is directed at the tissue.
A method for sealing approximated edges of a tissue wound, the method comprising the steps of:
- pivotally engaging a first elongated member with a second elongated member to form a clamp that opens and closes;
- forming tissue engaging edges with said members;
- extend in said engaging edges substantially parallel to each other;
- positioning both parallel extending edges in a plane parallel to the plane of the surface of the tissue;
- grasping tissue with the edges of said members;
- closing the clamp when grasping the tissue to pull the edges of the tissue wound into tight approximation;
- forming a seam along the tightly approximated edges of the tissue wound when said clamp grasping the tissue closes;
- providing energy from a source which is capable of heating the tissue to form an adhesive proteinaceous substance;
- and
- directing energy with a delivery means from said source at said tissue seam when said edges are pulled into tight approximation to seal the seam.
A method for sealing approximated edges of tissue, the method comprising the steps of:
- pivotally engaging a first elongated member with a second elongated member to form a clamp that opens and closes;
- grasping tissue with an edge of at least one of said members;
- closing the clamp when grasping the tissue to pull the edges of the tissue into tight approximation;
- forming a seam along the tightly approximated edges of the tissue when said clamp grasping the tissue closes;
- providing energy from a source which is capable of heating the tissue to form an adhesive proteinaceous substance;
- directing energy with a delivery means from said source at said tissue seam when said edges are pulled into tight approximation to seal the seam;
- positioning a layer of material that is transmissive to energy from the source between the delivery means and the seam;
- and
- selecting the thickness of the material to maintain a predetermined distance between said delivering means and said tissue seam when energy from said source is directed at the tissue.
A method for sealing approximated edges of tissue, the method comprising the steps of:
- pivotally engaging a first elongated member with a second elongated member to form a clamp that opens and closes;
- grasping tissue with an edge of at least one of said members;
- closing the clamp when grasping the tissue to pull the edges of the tissue into tight approximation;
- forming a seam along the tightly approximated edges of the tissue when said clamp grasping the tissue closes;
- providing energy from a source which is capable of heating the tissue to form an adhesive proteinaceous substance;
- directing energy with a delivery means from said source at said tissue seam when said edges are pulled into tight approximation to seal the seam;
- and
- contacting the seam with a material that prevents the edges of the tissue from becoming everted and inverted when the tissue edges are pulled into tight approximation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.