×

Surgical instrument with auto-regulating heater and method of using same

  • US 5,480,397 A
  • Filed: 05/17/1994
  • Issued: 01/02/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/01/1992
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
Patent Images

1. An instrument for use in surgery comprising:

  • a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;

    a working end connected to the distal end of the shaft for manipulating and coagulating tissue, the working end having a working surface for contacting tissue and a cross-section extending perpendicularly to the working surface, the working end integrally formed of a heating element, the working surface maintained at an auto-regulated temperature by conducting a current throughout the entire cross-section of the working end, the heating element comprising a material having a skin depth extending substantially throughout the cross-section of the working end responsive to the temperature of the heating element and that decreases as the temperature of the heating element falls below the auto-regulated temperature;

    first and second electrode leads connected to the proximal end of the shaft; and

    means connecting the first and second electrode leads to the working end.

View all claims
  • 0 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×