Bipolar coaptation clamps
First Claim
1. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for coaptation of tissue, comprisingfirst and second clamp members each comprising a metal clamping surface defining a periphery, a clamp support, and an insulative coating surrounding the periphery of each metal clamping surface;
- a connector pivotally connecting the first and second clamp members such that the clamping surfaces of the first and second clamp members are in facing relation;
a power source configured to apply a voltage between the metal clamp supports of the first and second clamp members; and
a regulator configured to regulate the voltage to achieve coaptation of the tissue;
wherein the first and second clamp members are configured to crush tissue between the clamping surfaces when the clamping surfaces are moved between a tissue-accepting position and a closed position.
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Abstract
A bipolar electrosurgical instrument has first and second clamp members, each comprising an electrically conductive clamping surface, a clamp support and an intermediate electrically insulative spacing layer for joining the clamping surface to the blade support. The first and second clamp members are pivotally joined such that the respective clamping surfaces of each of the first and second clamp members are in facing relation and define a space between the first and second clamp member for capturing tissue. The instrument regulates the space between the first and second clamp member such that only a certain amount of tissue may be captured. The instrument further includes a mechanism for applying a voltage between the metal clamp supports of the first and second clamp members to coaptate the captured tissue.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for coaptation of tissue, comprising
first and second clamp members each comprising a metal clamping surface defining a periphery, a clamp support, and an insulative coating surrounding the periphery of each metal clamping surface; -
a connector pivotally connecting the first and second clamp members such that the clamping surfaces of the first and second clamp members are in facing relation; a power source configured to apply a voltage between the metal clamp supports of the first and second clamp members; and a regulator configured to regulate the voltage to achieve coaptation of the tissue; wherein the first and second clamp members are configured to crush tissue between the clamping surfaces when the clamping surfaces are moved between a tissue-accepting position and a closed position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A bipolar electrosurgical clamp for coaptation of tissue, comprising
first and second clamp members; -
electrically conductive sheaths removably mounted on the first and second clamp members, each sheath having a tissue-grasping surface; a connector pivotally connecting the first and second clamp members such that the tissue-grasping surfaces of the first and second clamp members are in facing relation; a power source configured to apply a voltage between the sheaths as mounted on the first and second clamp members; and a regulator configured to regulate the voltage to achieve coaptation of the tissue; wherein the first and second clamp members are configured to crush tissue between the tissue-grasping surfaces when the tissue-grasping surfaces are moved between a tissue-accepting position and a closed position. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for coaptating tissue, the instrument comprising
first and second clamp members each comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of each clamp member having a finger-receiving portion to receive the fingers of a user, the distal end of each clamp member having a metal clamping surface defining a periphery, a clamp support, and an insulative coating surrounding the periphery; -
a connector pivotally connecting the first and second clamp members such that the clamping surfaces of the first and second clamp members are in facing relation; an electrical source for applying a voltage between the clamping surfaces of the first and second clamp members; a sensor configured to measure a current flow between the clamping surfaces of the first and second clamping members; and a coaptation indicator configured to signal that the tissue captured between the clamping surfaces of the clamping members is coaptated; wherein the first and second clamp members are configured to crush tissue between the clamping surfaces when the clamping surfaces are moved between a tissue-accepting position and a closed position.
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Specification