CUT AND SEAL INSTRUMENT
First Claim
1. A combined cutting and sealing surgical instrument comprising:
- a first tissue sealing electrode; and
a removable cartridge;
wherein the removable cartridge comprises a second tissue sealing electrode and a tissue cutter; and
wherein the second tissue sealing electrode is positioned to oppose the first tissue sealing electrode when the cartridge is inserted in the instrument.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A combined electrical tissue sealing and mechanical tissue cutting instrument. The instrument has two opposing jaw members. A removable cartridge is positioned in one of the jaw members. The cartridge includes a tissue sealing electrode and a tissue cutter. As either the tissue sealing electrode or the cutter deteriorates with use, the cartridge is replaced with a new cartridge. Cartidges are configured with various electrode geometries to accommodate various associated electro-surgical units. One or more pressure sensors in the cartridge or in the instrument jaw that supports the cartridge provide an indication that a required clamping pressure exists between the jaw members to carry out the tissue sealing. A cut and seal controller allows various actions to be carried out when particular clamping pressures are sensed, or when an indication that tissue sealing is complete is sensed.
768 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A combined cutting and sealing surgical instrument comprising:
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a first tissue sealing electrode; and a removable cartridge; wherein the removable cartridge comprises a second tissue sealing electrode and a tissue cutter; and wherein the second tissue sealing electrode is positioned to oppose the first tissue sealing electrode when the cartridge is inserted in the instrument. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A surgical system comprising:
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a cartridge, wherein the cartridge comprises a first tissue sealing electrode; a surgical instrument, wherein the surgical instrument comprises a first jaw and a second jaw, wherein the first jaw comprises a second tissue sealing electrode facing the second jaw, and wherein the second jaw is configured to removably receive the cartridge in a position where the first tissue sealing electrode is opposite the second tissue sealing electrode; and a cut and seal controller, wherein the cut and seal controller automatically generates a command to the surgical instrument to reduce a clamping force between the first and the second jaws after sensing that tissue sealing is complete.
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15. A surgical tissue sealing system comprising:
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a first cartridge, wherein the first cartridge comprises an electrode having a first geometry; a second cartridge, wherein the second cartridge comprises an electrode having a second geometry different from the first geometry; and a surgical instrument, wherein the surgical instrument comprises a first jaw and a second jaw, wherein the first jaw comprises an electrode that faces the second jaw, and wherein the second jaw is configured to interchangeably receive the first cartridge or the second cartridge. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. A surgical tissue sealing system comprising:
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a surgical instrument, wherein the surgical instrument comprises a first jaw, a second jaw, and a pressure sensor, wherein the first jaw comprises a first tissue sealing electrode, wherein the second jaw comprises a second tissue sealing electrode, and wherein the pressure sensor senses a clamping pressure against tissue clamped between the first and second tissue sealing electrodes; and a surgeon'"'"'s console, wherein the surgeon'"'"'s console receives an indication of the pressure sensed by the pressure sensor, and wherein the surgeon'"'"'s console outputs an indication that a pressure required for an effective tissue sealing operation exists between the first and the second tissue sealing electrodes.
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18. A method of operating a combined cut and seal surgical instrument, comprising:
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inserting a removable cartridge into the instrument, wherein the cartridge comprises a tissue sealing electrode and a tissue cutter; generating a command to direct tissue sealing energy to the tissue sealing electrode in response to a surgeon'"'"'s input; automatically generating a second command to cut tissue with the tissue cutter after sensing that tissue sealing is complete. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification