Tissue sealing electrosurgery device and methods of sealing tissue
First Claim
1. An electrosurgical device for ablating tissue, the device comprising:
- a jaw comprising a first jaw arm and a second jaw arm, the first and second jaw arms each having a portion on an inner face for engaging tissue;
a curved portion on at least one of the first jaw arm and the second jaw arm, the curved portion permitting at least one of the portions for engaging tissue to correspond to the contour of the tissue to be ablated;
a plurality of infusion openings positioned along an inner face of at least one of the first and second jaw arms, the plurality of infusion openings in fluid communication with a source of an electrically conductive liquid; and
an electrical conductor for conducting electrical energy to at least one of the first and second jaw arms.
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Accused Products
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.
450 Citations
47 Claims
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1. An electrosurgical device for ablating tissue, the device comprising:
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a jaw comprising a first jaw arm and a second jaw arm, the first and second jaw arms each having a portion on an inner face for engaging tissue;
a curved portion on at least one of the first jaw arm and the second jaw arm, the curved portion permitting at least one of the portions for engaging tissue to correspond to the contour of the tissue to be ablated;
a plurality of infusion openings positioned along an inner face of at least one of the first and second jaw arms, the plurality of infusion openings in fluid communication with a source of an electrically conductive liquid; and
an electrical conductor for conducting electrical energy to at least one of the first and second jaw arms. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An electrosurgical system for ablating tissue, the system comprising:
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a forceps, the forceps having a first jaw arm and a second jaw arm, each jaw arm including a plurality of infusion openings and at least one electrical conductor;
the forceps having a curved portion on each of the first jaw arm and the second jaw arm, the curved portion permitting at least one of the first jaw arm and second jaw arm to correspond to the contour of the tissue to be ablated;
an electrically conductive liquid source in fluid communication with the plurality of openings; and
an electrical energy source for supplying electrical energy to the electrical conductor. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A method of ablating tissue using an electrosurgical system, the method comprising:
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providing an electrosurgical forceps, the forceps having a first jaw arm and a second jaw arm, each jaw arm including a plurality of infusion openings and at least one electrical conductor, the forceps having a curved portion on each of the first jaw arm and the second jaw arm, the curved portion permitting at least one of the first jaw arm and second jaw arm to correspond to the contour of the tissue to be ablated;
grasping an area of tissue using the curved electrosurgical forceps;
supplying an electrically conductive fluid from an electrically conductive solution source to the plurality of infusion openings; and
supplying electrical energy from an electrical energy source to the electrical conductor. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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Specification