Radiofrequency medical instrument and methods for luminal welding
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for welding a vessel comprising:
- a first member having a first vessel engaging surface;
a second member having a second vessel engaging surface and right and left lateral portions, the second vessel engaging surface disposed in opposing relation to the first vessel engaging surface, the second member operatively coupled to the first member to grasp the vessel to define an engagement plane, the right and left lateral portions deflecting outwardly away from one another to elongate the engagement plane when the first member engages the second member; and
first and second bi-polar electrodes disposed in spaced apart relation on one of the first and second members and adapted to be in communication with the engagement plane, the first and second bi-polar electrodes adapted to be coupled to a source of RF energy to provide a flow of current between the first and second bi-polar electrodes.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus are provided for welding or sealing vessels or organs by collapsing and elongating a vessel with a jaw-like structure, and then applying an RF current between first and second bi-polar electrodes to weld the approximated vessel walls together. The jaw-structure is configured to progressively collapse the section of tissue to squeeze fluids out of the lumen of the vessel. The device also may include one or more sensors providing signals to a power controller that modulates application of RF energy to the vessel based on power, temperature or tissue impedance.
282 Citations
20 Claims
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1. Apparatus for welding a vessel comprising:
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a first member having a first vessel engaging surface; a second member having a second vessel engaging surface and right and left lateral portions, the second vessel engaging surface disposed in opposing relation to the first vessel engaging surface, the second member operatively coupled to the first member to grasp the vessel to define an engagement plane, the right and left lateral portions deflecting outwardly away from one another to elongate the engagement plane when the first member engages the second member; and first and second bi-polar electrodes disposed in spaced apart relation on one of the first and second members and adapted to be in communication with the engagement plane, the first and second bi-polar electrodes adapted to be coupled to a source of RF energy to provide a flow of current between the first and second bi-polar electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for welding a vessel comprising:
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providing an instrument comprising a first member having a first vessel engaging surface and a second member having a second vessel engaging surface and right and left lateral portions, the second vessel engaging surface disposed in opposing relation to the first vessel engaging surface; identifying a vessel to be sealed, the vessel having first and second ends; engaging the vessel at the first and second ends between the first and second members; contacting an intermediate portion of the vessel at a location between the first and second ends; longitudinally extending the intermediate portion of the vessel located between the first and second ends by deflecting the right and left lateral portions outwardly away from one another to elongate the engagement plane; contacting first and second bi-polar electrodes to the vessel in spaced apart relation; and applying an RF current between the first and second electrodes so that the RF current flows through and welds the intermediate portion of the vessel. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification