Electrosurgical stapling apparatus
First Claim
1. In a surgical stapler including a first body portion defining a surface against which a plurality of surgical staples are driven when ejected from a second body portion by an actuation member mounted to translate through the first body portion, the second body portion housing the plurality of surgical staples, the improvement comprising:
- at least one conductive member supported by the first body portion for sequentially applying thermogenic energy to the plurality of surgical staples for providing hemostasis along at least one staple line during surgical stapling.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrosurgical stapling apparatus is provided which uses thermogenic energy as well as surgical fasteners or staples for strengthening tissue, providing hemostasis, tissue joining or welding. The thermogenic energy also strengthens tissue in proximity to a staple line and knife cut line and provides hemostasis along the staple and cut lines formed by the staples and a knife blade during surgical stapling. The use of thermogenic energy provides short-term hemostasis and sealing, and reduces or prevents staple line and cut line bleeding, while the stapling features provide short and long-term tissue strength and hemostasis. The stapling apparatus further substantially reduces or prevents knife cut line bleeding by energizing a knife blade for cauterizing tissue while it is being cut. In one embodiment, energy is applied to the anvil to energize the staples as they make contact with the anvil.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. In a surgical stapler including a first body portion defining a surface against which a plurality of surgical staples are driven when ejected from a second body portion by an actuation member mounted to translate through the first body portion, the second body portion housing the plurality of surgical staples, the improvement comprising:
at least one conductive member supported by the first body portion for sequentially applying thermogenic energy to the plurality of surgical staples for providing hemostasis along at least one staple line during surgical stapling. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
Specification