Polypectomy device and method

• US 6,616,654 B2
• Filed: 07/27/2001
• Issued: 09/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microline Surgical, Inc. (Hoya Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Starion Instruments Corp. (Hoya Corporation)
• Inventors: Mollenauer, Kenneth H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gibson, Roy D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vrettakos, Peter J
• Application Number:
  US09/916,356
• Publication Number:
  US 20030023237A1
• Time in Patent Office: 774 Days
• Field of Search: 606/47, 606/32-34, 606/39-40, 606/41, 606/46, 606/49-52, 606/113, 606/110, 606/114
• US Class Current: 606/28
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32056 Surgical snare instruments for removing or smashing calculi A61B2017/2212; tonsillotomes A61B17/26
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/085 Forceps, scissors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/10 Power sources therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1442 Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00327 Ear, nose or throat
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00482 Digestive system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00642 with feedback, i.e. closed loop control
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1407 Loop

Abstract

A polypectomy device and method which includes a snare cable, a fixed jaw and a moveable jaw. The snare cable is routed through both the fixed jaw and the moveable jaw. The snare cable forms a hoop for encircling the polyp. Shortening the snare cable positions the jaws about the base of the polyp and further shortening the cable closes the jaws. The fixed jaw includes a heating element which cauterizes the base of the polyp. The closing of the jaws and the heating of the heating element cuts and seals the polyp.

Claims

1. A device for removing polyps comprising:

a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end;

a cable trigger operatively connected to the proximal end of the catheter;

a pair of jaws extending out of the distal end of the catheter;

a snare cable routed through the pair of jaws and operatively connected to the cable trigger; and

a heating element disposed on at least one of the jaws and located between the pair of jaws.

2. A polypectomy device comprising:

a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end;

a cable trigger operatively connected to the proximal end of the catheter;

a first jaw extending out of the distal end of the catheter;

a second jaw extending from the distal end of the catheter, the second jaw being rotatable relative to the first jaw;

snare cable operatively connected to the second jaw and running from the second jaw to the first jaw and then to the cable trigger; and

a heating element disposed on at least one of the jaws, said heating element located between the first jaw and the second jaw.

3. A device for removing polyps comprising:

a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end;

a handle operatively connected to the proximal end of the catheter, the handle having a cable trigger;

an electrical connector operatively connected to the proximal end of the catheter;

a first jaw extending out of the distal end of the catheter;

a second jaw extending from the distal end of the catheter, the second jaw being rotatable relative to the first jaw;

a snare cable routed from the first jaw to the second jaw and operatively connected to the cable trigger; and

a heating element disposed on the first jaw operatively connected to the electrical connector, the heating element being disposed between the first jaw and the second jaw.

4. A device for removing polyps comprising:

a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end;

a handle operatively connected to the proximal end of the catheter, the handle having a cable trigger;

an electrical connector operatively connected to the proximal end of the catheter;

a first jaw extending out of the distal end of the catheter;

a second jaw extending from the distal end of the catheter, the second jaw being rotatable relative to the first jaw;

a snare cable routed from the first jaw to the second jaw, the snare cable being operatively connected to the cable trigger; and

a heating element disposed on the first jaw operatively connected to the electrical connector, the heating element being disposed between the first jaw and the second jaw.

5. A polypectomy device comprising:

a catheter having a lumen, a proximal end and a distal end;

a handle operatively connected to the proximal end of the catheter, the handle having a cable trigger;

an electrical connector operatively connected to the proximal end of the catheter;

a first jaw extending out of the distal end of the catheter, the first jaw being fixed to the catheter, wherein the lumen of the catheter extends through the center of the first jaw;

a second jaw extending from the distal end of the catheter, the second jaw being rotatable relative to the first jaw, the second jaw having a distal tip and a hole located at the distal tip;

a snare cable routed out of the lumen of the first jaw and through the hole of the second jaw, the snare cable having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the distal end is fixed to the catheter and the proximal end is operatively connected to the cable trigger; and

a heating element disposed on the first jaw operatively connected to the electrical connector, the heating element being disposed between the first jaw and the second jaw.

6. A polypectomy device comprising:

a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end;

a first jaw having a first grasping face, said first jaw extending distally from the distal end of the catheter, said first jaw having an aperture extending there through;

a second jaw having a second grasping face, said second jaw extending distally from the distal end of the catheter, said second jaw being rotatable relative to the first jaw between open and closed positions relative to the first jaw to bring the first grasping face and the second grasping face into apposition to each other;

a snare cable having a proximal end and a distal end, said snare cable extending from the proximal end of the catheter to the distal end of the catheter, wherein the distal end of the snare cable engages the first jaw and the second jaw such that jaws may be moved toward a closed position by pulling proximally on the proximal end of the snare cable;

a heating element positioned between the first grasping face and the second grasping face; and

a power source for selectively supplying heating power to the heating element.