Method, apparatus, and kit for thermal suture cutting
First Claim
1. A suture removal instrument comprising:
- (a) an elongated body comprising a proximal handle portion and distal portion configured to receive an insulated distal tip assembly;
(b) a demountable insulated distal tip assembly having a generally wedge-shaped distal end, comprising (i) a first conductive member terminating in a tapered distal tip and (ii) a resistive heating element extending alongside said first conductive member and affixed at its distal end to the distal end of said tapered distal tip;
(c) conduction means for supplying power to said heating element;
(d) activation means for initiating an automated current control means; and
(e) an automated current control means programmed to monitor and control the delivery of a predetermined amount of energy to the heating element as a pulse of high current having a predetermined duration, said duration ranging from 0.1 to 1 second, wherein said high current pulse of predetermined duration and energy heats said heating element to a temperature sufficient to rupture a suture but insufficient to heat said conductive member to a temperature which could potentially burn a patient.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A novel suture removal instrument, kit and technique are described herein. The invention utilizes a newly designed thermal filament to allow the tip of the suture removal instrument to be slipped under the stitch in order to heat and cut the stitch. Current suture removal techniques utilize scissors, forceps, and/or scalpels. These techniques, which are well known in the art, are problematic because they exert tension on the stitch and are associated with patient discomfort. Small stitches add to the difficulty of suture removal because they have less suture laxity for scissor insertion. The present invention therefore allows for more rapid suture removal with less patient discomfort and at a competitive or lower cost.
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Citations
45 Claims
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1. A suture removal instrument comprising:
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(a) an elongated body comprising a proximal handle portion and distal portion configured to receive an insulated distal tip assembly; (b) a demountable insulated distal tip assembly having a generally wedge-shaped distal end, comprising (i) a first conductive member terminating in a tapered distal tip and (ii) a resistive heating element extending alongside said first conductive member and affixed at its distal end to the distal end of said tapered distal tip; (c) conduction means for supplying power to said heating element; (d) activation means for initiating an automated current control means; and (e) an automated current control means programmed to monitor and control the delivery of a predetermined amount of energy to the heating element as a pulse of high current having a predetermined duration, said duration ranging from 0.1 to 1 second, wherein said high current pulse of predetermined duration and energy heats said heating element to a temperature sufficient to rupture a suture but insufficient to heat said conductive member to a temperature which could potentially burn a patient. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A suture removal kit comprising:
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i. an elongated body comprising a proximal handle portion and distal portion configured to receive an insulated distal tip assembly, said body housing a first, rechargeable power source;
a conduction means for delivering power from said first power source to a heating element;
an activation means for initiating an automated current control means; and
an automated current control means programmed to monitor and control the delivery of a predetermined amount of energy to the heating element as a pulse of high current having a predetermined duration, said duration ranging from 0.1 to 1 second, wherein said high current pulse of predetermined duration and energy heats said heating element to a temperature sufficient to rupture a suture but insufficient to heat said conductive member to a temperature which could potentially burn a patient;ii. one or more insulated distal tip assemblies having a generally wedge-shaped distal end, comprising (i) a first conductive member terminating in a tapered distal tip and (ii) a resistive heating element extending alongside said first conductive member and affixed at its distal end to the distal end of said tapered distal tip, said tip assembly detachably mountable to the distal end of said elongated body; iii. a charging cradle connectable to a second, external power source for recharging the first power source housed within said elongated body. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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Specification