Ringed forceps

• US 7,083,613 B2
• Filed: 10/08/2002
• Issued: 08/01/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Trustees Of Columbia University In The City Of New York (Columbia University)
• Original Assignee: Trustees Of Columbia University In The City Of New York (Columbia University)
• Inventors: Treat, Michael R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Application Number:
  US10/266,497
• Publication Number:
  US 20030129382A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,393 Days
• Field of Search: 600 27- 31, 600/43, 600/51, 600/52, 600205-210
• US Class Current: 606/29
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/02 Instruments for taking cell samples or for biopsy A61B10/0038 and A61B10/0045 take precedence; needle locating or guiding means A61B17/3403; samplers for enzymology or microbiology C12M1/26; sampling or preparing biological specimens G01N33/48
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/072 for applying a row of staples in a single action , e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32 Surgical cutting instruments A61B18/042 takes precedence; suture cutters A61B17/0467; instruments for ligaturing or cutting A61B17/128; instruments for rupturing the amniotic membrane A61B17/4208; specially adapted knives for eye surgery A61F9/0133
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/085 Forceps, scissors
• 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 18/20 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320069 for ablating tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/32007 with suction or vacuum means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320071 with articulating means for working tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00083 low, i.e. electrically insulating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00095 high, i.e. heat conducting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0022 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00595 Cauterization
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00601 Cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0063 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00666 using a threshold value
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00684 using lookup tables
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00761 Duration
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00886 : Duration
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0091 : Handpieces of the surgical instrument or device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1462 : Tweezers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/064 : for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0078 : with a battery
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/08 : of synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/249981 : Plural void-containing components
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/249984 : Adhesive or bonding component contains voids
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/249985 : Composition of adhesive or bonding component specified
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31544 : Addition polymer is perhalogenated

Abstract

A surgical instrument comprises two oppositely-positioned working numbers each having proximal and distal ends and each having a working surface. The instrument also comprises at least one ring member affixed to a least one of the working members to encompass one or more of a user'"'"'s fingers. In one embodiment at least one working surface has a heating element to cut or seal and cut tissue.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument for cutting or sealing and cutting tissue which comprises two oppositely-positioned working members each having proximal and distal ends and each having a working surface,

wherein at least one ring member is affixed to at least one of said working members to encompass one or more of a user'"'"'s fingers, wherein at least one working surface has a heating element to cut or cut and seal tissue, and wherein a ring member affixed to a working member is slidingly affixed and may be positioned by the user at any point along the working member.

2. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the instrument also comprises a battery pack electrically connected to the heating element.

3. The instrument of claim 1, wherein a working surface contains one heating element.

4. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the heating element is an electrically resistant wire, a printed circuit, thin film, or electrically conductive coating.

5. The instrument of claim 1, wherein a heating element actuator is operatively connected to a working surface heating element.

6. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the opposing working surfaces apply pressure and approximate tissue.

7. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the heating element is capable of being heated to a temperature to first seal and then cut tissue.

8. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the heating element has lower ohmic resistance than body tissue.

9. The instrument of claim 1, wherein a sleeve extends over the distal end of one or both working members.

10. The instrument of claim 1, wherein each heating element is substantially thermally insulated from the working members.

11. The instrument of claim 1, wherein each working surface comprises a thermal conducting material.

12. The instrument of claim 1, wherein each working surface comprises thermally reflective material.

13. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the heating element is a heater wire comprising material selected from the group consisting of nichrome, stainless steel, nitinol, and metallic alloys.

14. The instrument of claim 1, wherein each heating element is operatively connected to a power source.

15. The instrument of claim 14, wherein the power source is a portable DC power source.

16. The instrument of claim 14, wherein the power source is an RF power source.

17. The instrument of claim 14, wherein the power source is a low frequency AC power source.

18. The instrument of claim 1, which also comprises a heating element actuator responsive to a predetermined pressure to activate the heating element.