Tissue sealing electrosurgery device and methods of sealing tissue

• US 6,443,952 B1
• Filed: 05/26/2000
• Issued: 09/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Hoey, Michael F., Mulier, Peter M. J.
• Primary Examiner(s): GIBSON, ROY DEAN
• Application Number:
  US09/580,229
• Time in Patent Office: 830 Days
• Field of Search: 606/45, 606/46, 606/49, 606/51, 606/52, 606/170, 606/206, 606/207, 128/898
• US Class Current: 606/49
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1402 Probes for open surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1445 at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00296 mounted on an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2945 Curved jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1425 Needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1432 curved
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1472 for use with liquid electrolyte, e.g. virtual electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/002 Irrigation

Abstract

An electrosurgery medical device is enhanced with unique solution-assistance, and comprises, in combination, co-operating device jaws including jaw portions for manipulating tissue, and a plurality of solution infusion openings defined and spaced along each of the jaw portions, for receiving electrolytic solution and infusing the solution onto and into tissue to be manipulated, along said jaw portions. As preferred, the device further comprises at least one, and most preferably, many, longitudinal groove(s) along at least one and most preferably, both, of the jaw portions, with the solution infusion openings located in the groove or grooves. The solution is energized with RF energy and contributes to the functions and beneficial effects of the instrument. The solution exits the openings in the grooves at sufficient flow rates to separate substantially all the operative surfaces of the device from tissue, thereby substantially completely preventing adherence between the operative surfaces and tissue. The solution is further energized to a range of energy densities such that tissues to be affected are sealed against flow of blood, lymphatic fluids, air, and other bodily fluids and gases.

Claims

1. A method of treating lung tissue of a patient, the lung tissue having masses surrounded by healthy lung tissue, comprising:

isolating the masses from the surrounding healthy lung tissue by sealing the lung tissue encircling each mass.

2. A method as in claim 1, in which the sealed lung tissue is sealed into omnistasis.

3. A method as in claim 1, further comprising:

resecting the masses to remove the masses from the lung tissue.

4. A method as in claim 1, the sealing of lung tissue being conducted through application of electrolytic solution energized by electrical energy.

5. A method as in claim 1, or claim 4, the sealing of lung tissue being conducted through application of compression to the tissue.

6. A method of treating the body tissue of a patient, the body tissue including masses surrounded by healthy body tissue, comprising:

at least partially isolating the masses from the surrounding healthy tissue by sealing the tissue at least partially encircling each mass.

7. A method as in claim 6 in which the sealed tissue is sealed into omnistasis.

8. A method as in claim 6, further comprising:

resecting the masses to remove the masses from the body.

9. A method as in claim 6, the sealing of tissue being conducted through application of electrolytic solution energized by electrical energy.

10. A method as in claim 6, or claim 9, the sealing of tissue being conducted through application of compression to the tissue.