Methods and apparatus for welding blood vessels
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for welding a blood vessel comprising:
- a first member having a first blood vessel engaging surface and a portion defining a first opening extending through the first blood vessel engaging surface;
a second member having a second blood vessel engaging surface and a portion defining a second opening extending through the second blood vessel engaging surface, the second opening aligned with the first opening, the second member operatively coupled to the first member to grasp the blood vessel to define an engagement plane;
an extension member movable from a retracted position, wherein the extension member is remote from the engagement plane, to an extended position, wherein the extension member passes through the first and second openings and the engagement plane, the extension member adapted to contact and extend a portion of the blood vessel when moved to the extended position; and
a first electrode disposed to apply RF energy to the portion of the blood vessel when the extension member is in the extended position.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus are provided for welding or sealing blood vessels or tissue by capturing and stretching the tissue to alter its impedance characteristics prior to application of RF energy. The apparatus includes a working end including a perimeter jaw structure for engaging opposing ends of a section of a targeted blood vessel, and an interior jaw arm that passes through the plane of engagement and stretches the portion of the vessel intermediate the opposing ends, and two or more electrodes for applying RF current. The working end also may include one or more sensors providing signals to a power controller that modulates application of RF energy to the tissue.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. Apparatus for welding a blood vessel comprising:
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a first member having a first blood vessel engaging surface and a portion defining a first opening extending through the first blood vessel engaging surface; a second member having a second blood vessel engaging surface and a portion defining a second opening extending through the second blood vessel engaging surface, the second opening aligned with the first opening, the second member operatively coupled to the first member to grasp the blood vessel to define an engagement plane; an extension member movable from a retracted position, wherein the extension member is remote from the engagement plane, to an extended position, wherein the extension member passes through the first and second openings and the engagement plane, the extension member adapted to contact and extend a portion of the blood vessel when moved to the extended position; and a first electrode disposed to apply RF energy to the portion of the blood vessel when the extension member is in the extended position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for welding a blood vessel comprising:
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identifying a blood vessel for welding, the blood vessel having first and second ends; grasping the blood vessel at the first and second ends; longitudinally extending an intermediate portion of the blood vessel located between the first and second ends to alter an impedance of the intermediate portion while maintaining the ends in a fixed relationship relative to one another; applying RF energy through the intermediate portion of the blood vessel so that an RF current flows longitudinally along the intermediate portion and welds the intermediate portion. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. Apparatus for welding a blood vessel comprising:
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a first member having a first blood vessel engaging surface and a portion defining a first opening extending through the first blood vessel engaging surface; a second member having a second blood vessel engaging surface and a portion defining a second opening extending through the second blood vessel engaging surface, the second opening aligned with the first opening, the second member operatively coupled to the first member to grasp the blood vessel to define an engagement plane; an extension member having an atraumatic surface, and movable from a retracted position, wherein the atraumatic surface is remote from the engagement plane, to an extended position, wherein the atraumatic surface passes through the first and second openings and the engagement plane, the atraumatic surface adapted to contact and longitudinally extend a portion of the blood vessel, without cutting, when moved to the extended position; and a first electrode disposed to apply RF energy to the portion of the blood vessel when the extension member is in the extended position. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A method for welding a blood vessel comprising:
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identifying a blood vessel for welding, the blood vessel having first and second ends; grasping the blood vessel at the first and second ends; contacting an extension member having an atraumatic surface to an intermediate portion of the blood vessel between the first and second ends; longitudinally extending the intermediate portion of the blood vessel to alter an impedance of the intermediate portion while maintaining the ends in a fixed relationship relative to one another; applying RF energy through the intermediate portion of the blood vessel so that an RF current flows longitudinally along the intermediate portion and welds the intermediate portion. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification