US 5,980,518 A · Microcautery surgical tool

Abstract

A surgical instrument is provided which is formed of a semiconductor substrate material having at least one anisotropically etched sharpened edge and a heating circuit disposed on the substrate. The heating circuits generate heat by means of resistive elements interposed along the circuit path. The substrate material itself may serve as the resistive elements, or resistive layers may be used in the alternative. The resistive heating may be used to heat the sharpened edge directly, or the heating may be thermally isolated from the sharpened edge. The heating circuit may also include a thermal sensor which may be used to control the generation of heat and/or detect damage to the instrument itself. The conformation of the instrument may include a variety of different shapes, including central recesses and windows. The recesses may further include ribs or support members. The substrate may further a suction mechanism for removing fluid which may build up in the vicinity of the surgery.

Claims4

Dependent claims

A surgical tool comprising:

an etchable semiconductor material forming a substrate having at least one lateral edge, wherein at least one of said at least one lateral edge is sharpened to form a blade;
means for sensing the temperature of said substrate, said means including an electrical circuit disposed on said substrate which circuit includes a thermistor;
and
said circuit including
a voltage source having first and second terminals,
electrically conductive material, forming a current carrying loop, which conducts from said first terminal to said second terminal of said voltage source, said loop including at least one discontinuity,
at least one thermistor disposed in thermal association with said substrate and across said at least one discontinuity, whereby the current flowing through said circuit passes through said thermistor and is altered according to the resistance value of the thermistor, which value is related to the temperature of the substrate, and
means for measuring said current in said current carrying loop.

5 more elements

A surgical tool comprising:

an etchable semiconductor material forming a substrate having at least one lateral edge, wherein at least one of said at least one lateral edge is sharpened to form a blade;
means for heating said blade, said means including an electrical circuit disposed on said substrate;
said electrical circuit further including
a voltage source having first and second terminals,
electrically conductive material disposed on a surface of said substrate for conducting a current from said first terminal to said second terminal of said voltage source, said electrically conductive material having at least one discontinuity therein,
said at least one discontinuity forming at least two adjacent conduction end points, and
at least one resistive element, wherein said at least two adjacent conduction end points are coupled in electrical current flowing relation to a corresponding one of said at least one resistive element, such that when said current flows through said circuit, current is directed by said electrically conductive material at said at least two conduction end points into and out of said corresponding at least one resistive element at said contact points thereof, whereby heat is generated by the resistive power dissipation of said corresponding at least one resistive element as said current flows therethrough;
and
wherein the substrate semiconductor material comprises recesses disposed beneath at least one of said at least one resistive element.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Microcautery surgical tool

Life of this patent

Microcautery surgical tool

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims4