Endoscopic instrument with disposable auto-regulating heater
First Claim
1. A disposable working tip for use in endoscopically manipulating and coagulating tissue, the disposable working tip adapted to be removably connected to the end of a reusable elongated shaft, the disposable working tip comprising:
- a 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 said 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 terminals electrically coupled to the working end and adapted to be removably coupled to the end of the reusable elongated shaft; and
means for coupling the disposable working tip to the end of the reusable elongated shaft.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An instrument for use in endoscopic surgery is provided. The instrument has a reusable shaft to which a disposable working tip can be removably attached. The disposable working tip has a working surface for providing hemostasis at an auto-regulated temperature. The working surface may include a tapered edge for providing thermally-enhanced cutting and a non-stick coating for operating the instrument at low auto-regulation temperatures. The instrument is capable of being used for a wide variety of endoscopic surgical procedures.
184 Citations
40 Claims
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1. A disposable working tip for use in endoscopically manipulating and coagulating tissue, the disposable working tip adapted to be removably connected to the end of a reusable elongated shaft, the disposable working tip comprising:
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a 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 said 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 terminals electrically coupled to the working end and adapted to be removably coupled to the end of the reusable elongated shaft; and means for coupling the disposable working tip to the end of the reusable elongated shaft. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An instrument for use in endoscopically manipulating and coagulating tissue comprising:
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a reusable elongated shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end having first and second electrical connectors adapted to be coupled to a power supply; and a 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 terminals electrically coupled to the working end and adapted to be coupled to the first and second electrical connectors, respectively; and means for removably coupling the working end to the distal end of the reusable elongated shaft. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A disposable working tip for use in endoscopically manipulating and hemostatically cutting tissue, the disposable working tip adapted to be removably connected to the end of a reusable elongated shaft, the disposable working tip comprising:
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a 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 working surface including an atraumatic edge that becomes capable of cutting tissue when heated to a temperature in the range of the auto-regulated temperature, the heating element comprising a material having a skin depth extending substantially throughout the cross-section of said 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 terminals electrically coupled to the working end and adapted to be removably attached to the end of the reusable elongated shaft; and means for coupling the disposable working tip to the end of the reusable elongated shaft. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. An instrument for use in endoscopically manipulating and hemostatically cutting tissue comprising:
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a reusable elongated shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end having first and second electrical connectors adapted to be coupled to a power supply; and a 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 working surface including an atraumatic edge that becomes capable of cutting tissue when heated to a temperature in the range of the auto-regulated temperature, 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 terminals electrically coupled to the working end and adapted to be coupled to the first and second electrical connectors, respectively; and means for removably coupling the working end to the distal end of the reusable elongated shaft. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification