US 7,108,695 B2Granted

Feedback control in an ultrasonic surgical instrument for improved tissue effects

AssigneeEthicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.

InventorsDavid A. Witt, Jerome R. Morgan, Foster B. Stulen, James R. Giordano

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A temperature monitoring device and/or method which control the tissue temperature at the end-effector of a therapeutic ultrasonic cutting and coagulating instrument as the tissue is being heated with ultrasonic vibrations from the end-effector. One or more temperature sensors are located at the end-effector, preferably on a clamping member. The temperature sensors measure the temperature of the tissue engaged by the end-effector either directly or indirectly. An alternate method and apparatus provides an electrical tissue impedance measure in combination with an ultrasonic cutting and coagulating instrument to provide active feedback control of an ultrasonic generator.

Claims7

Dependent claims

An ultrasonic surgical instrument comprising:

an ultrasonic transmission member having a proximal end and a distal end;
an ultrasonically actuated blade located at the distal end of the transmission member, wherein the blade comprises a tissue contacting surface;
a clamp member supported adjacent the blade and comprising a clamp pad, the clamp pad comprising:
a first temperature-measuring device arranged to produce a first signal representative of a first measured temperature;
a second temperature-measuring device arranged to produce a second signal representative of a second measured temperature;
and
a signal processing device arranged to receive said first and second signals, said signal processing device generating a control signal for controlling said ultrasonic surgical instrument.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/197,794Filed 18 Jul 2002 · continuation
Priority: 26 May 1999
Published: US 2002/0183774 A15 Dec 2002
Granted: 19 Sep 2006
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

A61B 17/320092
Using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic: with additional movable means for clamping or cutting tissue, e.g. with a pivoting jaw
A61B 2017/00092
Temperature: using thermocouples
A61B 2017/320093
With additional movable means for clamping or cutting tissue, e.g. with a pivoting jaw: additional movable means performing cutting operation
A61B 2017/320094
With additional movable means for clamping or cutting tissue, e.g. with a pivoting jaw: additional movable means performing clamping operation

Family

Application60/136,106Us provisional application · filed 26 May 1999
Application09/573,650Parent of this continuation · filed 18 May 2000
US 2002/0183774 A1Pre-grant publication · published 5 Dec 2002
US 6,454,781 B1Parent of this continuation
US 7,108,695 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.