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US 5,735,848 AGranted
Electrosurgical stapling device
AssigneeEthicon, Inc.
InventorsDavid C. Yates, Jesse J. Kuhns, Steven H. Mersch
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An surgical stapling instrument is provided which uses a thermogenic energy preferably bipolar radiofrequency energy for cauterization and/or welding tissue. The instrument compresses tissue between one pole of a bipolar energy sources contained on a first interfacing surface and a second pole of a bipolar energy source contained on a second interfacing surface. Staples and thermogenic energy are applied to the compressed tissue. In a preferred embodiment a cutting element for cutting tissue is incorporated into the instrument.
Claims28
An electrosurgical device having an end effector comprising:
- first and second opposing interfacing surfaces, said interfacing surfaces capable of engaging tissue therebetween, said end effector capable of receiving bipolar energy therein;
- electrically isolated first and second poles comprising electrically opposite electrodes capable of conducting bipolar energy therethrough;
- and
- a stapling means for stapling tissue;
- wherein said first pole is contained on an electrically insulating portion of said first interfacing surface and said second pole is contained on said second interfacing surface so that bipolar energy may be communicated between said poles through said tissue.
2 more elements
An electrosurgical device having an end effector comprising:
- first and second opposing interfacing surfaces, said interfacing surfaces capable of engaging tissue therebetween, said end effector capable of receiving bipolar energy therein,
- electrically isolated first and second poles comprising electrically opposite electrodes capable of conducting bipolar energy therethrough;
- and
- a stapling means for stapling tissue;
- wherein said first pole is contained on a said first interfacing surface and said second pole is contained on said second interfacing surface so that bipolar energy may be communicated between said poles through said tissue;
- and
- wherein at least one of said poles comprises a series of electrically communicating electrodes staggered on at least one of said first and second interfacing surfaces.
4 more elements
An electrosurgical device having an end effector comprising:
- first and second opposing interfacing surfaces, said interfacing surfaces capable of engaging tissue therebetween, said end effector capable of receiving bipolar energy therein;
- electrically isolated first and second poles comprising electrically opposite electrodes capable of conducting bipolar energy therethrough;
- and
- a stapling means for stapling tissue;
- wherein said first pole is contained on a said first interfacing surface and said second pole is contained on said second interfacing surface so that bipolar energy may be communicated between said poles through said tissue;
- wherein said first pole comprises a series of first electrodes and said second pole comprises a series of second electrodes;
- and
- wherein the first electrodes alternate with said second electrodes on each of said first and second interfacing surface.
5 more elements
An electrosurgical device having an end effector comprising:
- first and second opposing interfacing surfaces, said interfacing surfaces capable of engaging tissue therebetween, said end effector capable of receiving bipolar energy therein;
- electrically isolated first and second poles comprising electrically opposite electrodes capable of conducting bipolar energy therethrough;
- and
- a stapling means for stapling tissue;
- a cutting means for dividing tissue through a cutting line;
- wherein said first pole is contained on a said first interfacing surface and said second pole is contained on said second interfacing surface so that bipolar energy may be communicated between said poles through said tissue;
- and
- wherein the first pole comprises a first and second electrode between which the cutting means is adapted to move.
5 more elements
An electrosurgical instrument comprising:
- a handle,
- an actuating means coupled to said handle,
- an end effector coupled to the distal end of said actuating means,
- a means for communicating bipolar electrical energy from a bipolar energy source to said end effector,
- said end effector including:
- a first interfacing surface,
- a second interfacing surface,
- a first pole located on an electrically insulating portion of said first interfacing surface,
- a second pole located on said second interfacing surface, and
- a stapling means for stapling tissue,
- wherein said actuating means is capable of causing said end effector to engage tissue between the first interfacing surface and the second interfacing surface,
- wherein said first pole and said second pole are electrically opposite electrodes capable of conducting electrical energy supplied from said means for communicating bipolar electrical energy from a bipolar energy source, through tissue adjacent said first pole and said second pole, and
- wherein said stapling means is capable of securing tissue together.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.