Vessel sealing instrument with pre-heated electrodes

• US 20080015575A1
• Filed: 07/14/2006
• Published: 01/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Sherwood Services AG
• Inventors: Weinberg, Craig, Denham, Amy, Odom, Darren
• Application Number:
  US11/487,297
• Publication Number:
  US 20080015575A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/51
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/08 by means of electrically-heated probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1442 Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1445 at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2945 Curved jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00041 Heating, e.g. defrosting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0063 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1432 curved

Abstract

An electrode assembly having a pair of opposing first and second jaw members is provided. Each jaw member includes an electrically conductive tissue sealing surface extending along a length thereof, each tissue sealing surface is adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the tissue sealing surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal. The assembly includes at least one heating element disposed within at least one of the jaw members. The heating element is configured to pre-heat the electrically conductive tissue sealing surfaces before electrosurgical energy is applied.

Claims

1. An electrode assembly comprising:

a pair of opposing first and second jaw members at least one of which is movable relative to the other from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween;

each jaw member including at least one electrically conductive tissue sealing surface extending along a length thereof, each tissue sealing surface being adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the at least one electrically conductive tissue sealing surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal; and

at least one heating element disposed within at least one of the jaw members, the at least one heating element configured to pre-heat the at least one electrically conductive tissue sealing surface before electrosurgical energy is applied.

2. The electrode assembly according to claim 1, wherein the heating element is selected from the group consisting of Nichrome wire, Nichrome ribbon, Calrod and PTC ceramic.

3. The electrode assembly according to claim 1, further comprising an insulative material disposed on each jaw member, the insulative material selected from the group consisting of glass, ceramic and polymeric materials.

4. The electrode assembly according to claim 1, further comprising an RF energy source operable to supply RF energy to the heating element.

5. The electrode assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a feedback control mechanism operable to predict a heating rate.

6. The electrode assembly according to claim 1, further comprising an electrically conductive cutting element disposed upon at least one of the first jaw member and the second jaw member.

7. The electrode assembly according to claim 6, wherein the heating element is disposed within the electrically conductive cutting element.

8. The electrode assembly according to claim 7, wherein the heating element is selected from the group consisting of Nichrome wire, Nichrome ribbon, Calrod and PTC ceramic.

9. The electrode assembly according to claim 1, further comprising at least one sensor configured to measure the temperature of the at least one electrically conductive tissue sealing surface.

10. The electrode assembly according to claim 1, further comprising at least one sensor configured to measure the temperature of the tissue.

11. A method of focusing energy to a specific area within tissue, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a pair of opposing jaw members, each jaw member including an electrically conductive tissue sealing surface extending along a length thereof;

positioning the opposing first and second jaw members about tissue;

pre-heating the electrically conductive tissue sealing surface with a heating element; and

directing electrosurgical energy to the electrically conductive tissue sealing surfaces to treat tissue.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of predicting a heating rate utilizing a feedback control mechanism.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the heating element is selected from the group consisting of Nichrome wire, Nichrome ribbon, Calrod and PTC ceramic.

14. The method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of providing an electrically conductive cutting element disposed upon at least one of the first jaw member and the second jaw member.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the heating element of the providing step is disposed within the electrically conductive cutting element.

16. A system for sealing tissue comprising:

a pair of opposing first and second jaw members at least one of which is movable relative to the other from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween;

each jaw member including at least one electrically conductive tissue sealing surface extending along a length thereof, each tissue sealing surface being adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the at least one electrically conductive tissue sealing surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal;

at least one heating element disposed within at least one of the jaw members, the at least one heating element configured to pre-heat the at least one electrically conductive tissue sealing surface before electrosurgical energy is applied; and

a source of electrical energy operatively connected to each jaw member, the source of electrical energy configured to provide electrical energy thereto.

17. The system according to claim 16 wherein the at least one heating element is selected from the group consisting of Nichrome wire, Nichrome ribbon, Calrod and PTC ceramic.

18. The system according to claim 16 further comprising an electrically conductive cutting element disposed upon at least one of the first jaw member and the second jaw member.

19. The system according to claim 16 further comprising a feedback control mechanism operable to predict a heating rate.

20. The system according to claim 16 further comprising at least one sensor configured to measure the temperature of the at least one electrically conductive tissue sealing surface.