Electrosurgical instrument and method of use
First Claim
1. An electrosurgical jaw structure for controlled application of energy to tissue, the structure comprising:
- first and second jaws movable between opened and closed positions, the jaws defining first and second engagement surface layers respectively for contacting tissue, the first engagement surface layer carrying a matrix material that defines a positively sloped temperature coefficient of resistance;
a first conductor in contact with the matrix material, said first conductor coupled to an electrical energy source to define a first polarity therein during operation wherein a portion of current flowing through the matrix can flow to tissue; and
a second conductor exposed in the second engagement surface layer, said second conductor coupled to said electrical energy source to define a second polarity therein during operation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrosurgical medical device and method for creating thermal welds in engaged tissue. In one embodiment, at least one jaw of the instrument defines a tissue engagement plane carrying a conductive-resistive matrix of a conductively-doped non-conductive elastomer. The engagement surface portions thus can be described as a positive temperature coefficient material that has a unique selected decreased electrical conductance at each selected increased temperature thereof over a targeted treatment range. The conductive-resistive matrix can be engineered to bracket a targeted thermal treatment range, for example about 60° C. to 80° C., at which tissue welding can be accomplished. In one mode of operation, the engagement plane will automatically modulate and spatially localize ohmic heating within the engaged tissue from Rf energy application—across micron-scale portions of the engagement surface.
1935 Citations
9 Claims
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1. An electrosurgical jaw structure for controlled application of energy to tissue, the structure comprising:
- first and second jaws movable between opened and closed positions, the jaws defining first and second engagement surface layers respectively for contacting tissue, the first engagement surface layer carrying a matrix material that defines a positively sloped temperature coefficient of resistance;
a first conductor in contact with the matrix material, said first conductor coupled to an electrical energy source to define a first polarity therein during operation wherein a portion of current flowing through the matrix can flow to tissue; and
a second conductor exposed in the second engagement surface layer, said second conductor coupled to said electrical energy source to define a second polarity therein during operation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
- first and second jaws movable between opened and closed positions, the jaws defining first and second engagement surface layers respectively for contacting tissue, the first engagement surface layer carrying a matrix material that defines a positively sloped temperature coefficient of resistance;
Specification