Medical devices and methods incorporating frustrated total internal reflection for energy-efficient sealing and cutting of tissue using light energy
First Claim
1. A medical instrument, comprising:
- a first jaw member having an optical element and a tissue-contacting surface, the optical element including a plurality of crystals, at least one of the plurality of crystals including a side that forms at least a portion of the tissue-contacting surface of the first jaw member;
a second jaw member movably coupled to the first jaw member, the first jaw member and the second jaw member cooperating to grasp tissue between the first jaw member and the second jaw member; and
a plurality of light sources coupled to the plurality of crystals that provides at least one light beam for sealing tissue, at least one light source from the plurality of light sources optically coupled to the first jaw member so that the at least one light beam from the plurality of light sources is directed through the optical element toward the tissue-contacting surface of the first jaw member at a predetermined angle of incidence with respect to an axis perpendicular to the tissue-contacting surface of the first jaw member, so that the at least one light beam from the plurality of light sources is totally internally reflected from any points along an interface between the tissue-contacting surface of the first jaw member and air such that the at least one light beam from the plurality of light sources is not transmitted through the tissue-contacting surface when tissue is not grasped between the first jaw member and the second jaw member, and so that at least a portion of the at least one light beam from the plurality of light sources is transmitted through a portion of the tissue-contacting surface of the first jaw member that is in contact with the tissue when the tissue is grasped between the first jaw member and the second jaw member, wherein at least one light beam from the plurality of light sources is totally internally reflected within the plurality of crystals when tissue is not grasped between the first jaw member and the second jaw member and wherein at least one light beam from the plurality of light sources is totally internally reflected within a crystal in a clockwise direction and at least one light beam from the plurality of light sources is totally internally reflected within a crystal in a counter-clockwise direction.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A medical instrument includes two jaw members, at least one of which creates conditions of frustrated total internal reflection at a tissue-contacting surface when tissue is grasped between the two jaw members. The first jaw member may include an optical element having a tissue-contacting surface. The medical instrument also includes a light source that provides a light beam for sealing tissue. The light source is positioned so that the light beam is totally internally reflected from an interface between the tissue-contacting surface and air when tissue is not grasped by the jaw members. When tissue is grasped by the jaw members, at least a portion of the light beam is transmitted through that portion of the tissue-contacting surface that is in contact with the tissue. The light source may be movably coupled to a jaw member to scan the light beam and/or to change the incident angle based on optical properties of the tissue.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A medical instrument, comprising:
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a first jaw member having an optical element and a tissue-contacting surface, the optical element including a plurality of crystals, at least one of the plurality of crystals including a side that forms at least a portion of the tissue-contacting surface of the first jaw member; a second jaw member movably coupled to the first jaw member, the first jaw member and the second jaw member cooperating to grasp tissue between the first jaw member and the second jaw member; and a plurality of light sources coupled to the plurality of crystals that provides at least one light beam for sealing tissue, at least one light source from the plurality of light sources optically coupled to the first jaw member so that the at least one light beam from the plurality of light sources is directed through the optical element toward the tissue-contacting surface of the first jaw member at a predetermined angle of incidence with respect to an axis perpendicular to the tissue-contacting surface of the first jaw member, so that the at least one light beam from the plurality of light sources is totally internally reflected from any points along an interface between the tissue-contacting surface of the first jaw member and air such that the at least one light beam from the plurality of light sources is not transmitted through the tissue-contacting surface when tissue is not grasped between the first jaw member and the second jaw member, and so that at least a portion of the at least one light beam from the plurality of light sources is transmitted through a portion of the tissue-contacting surface of the first jaw member that is in contact with the tissue when the tissue is grasped between the first jaw member and the second jaw member, wherein at least one light beam from the plurality of light sources is totally internally reflected within the plurality of crystals when tissue is not grasped between the first jaw member and the second jaw member and wherein at least one light beam from the plurality of light sources is totally internally reflected within a crystal in a clockwise direction and at least one light beam from the plurality of light sources is totally internally reflected within a crystal in a counter-clockwise direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification