Thermally adjustable surgical tool, balloon catheters and sculpting of biologic materials
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A thermally adjustable surgical tool comprising:
- a thermal cutting or sealing edge comprising an electrical conductor having a thin ferromagnetic coating covering and in electrically conductive communication with at least a portion of the electrical conductor, wherein the thin ferromagnetic coating has a thickness of between about 1 μ
m and about 50 μ
m; and
one or more moveable arms comprising the electrical conductor and the ferromagnetic coating,wherein the one or more moveable arms are disposed to allow for manipulation of a biological material.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Thermally adjustable surgical tools include a conductor and a ferromagnetic material. The ferromagnetic material may be quickly heated when subjected to high frequency alternating current through the conductor. The ferromagnetic material may also cool rapidly because of its relatively low mass and the small thermal mass of the conductor. The thermally adjustable surgical tools may be used to sculpt, melt, break and/or remove biological material. The thermally adjustable surgical tools may also include balloon catheters which can heat fluid to thereby treat biological material.
383 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A thermally adjustable surgical tool comprising:
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a thermal cutting or sealing edge comprising an electrical conductor having a thin ferromagnetic coating covering and in electrically conductive communication with at least a portion of the electrical conductor, wherein the thin ferromagnetic coating has a thickness of between about 1 μ
m and about 50 μ
m; andone or more moveable arms comprising the electrical conductor and the ferromagnetic coating, wherein the one or more moveable arms are disposed to allow for manipulation of a biological material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A surgical tool comprising:
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a catheter; a tool extendable from the catheter, the tool comprising a thermal element comprising a conductor having a thin ferromagnetic coating on and in electrically conductive communication with the conductor, wherein the thin ferromagnetic coating has thickness of between about 1 μ
m and about 50 μ
m; andat least one arm disposed to engage tissue and hold the tissue adjacent the thermal element. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for removing a gall bladder having a gall stone, the method comprising:
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selecting a surgical tool, wherein the surgical tool comprises; a catheter; a tool extendable from the catheter, the tool comprising a thermal element comprising a conductor, having a thin ferromagnetic coating on and in electrically conductive communication with the conductor, wherein the thin ferromagnetic coating has a thickness of between about 1 μ
m and about 50 μ
m; andat least one arm; using the at least one arm to secure the gall bladder; advancing the thermal element into the gall bladder so as to be adjacent a gall stone; and heating the thermal element to at least partially melt the gall stone.
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14. A method for treating biologic tissue, the method comprising:
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selecting surgical tool, wherein the surgical tool comprises; a catheter; a tool extendable from the catheter, the tool comprising a thermal element comprising a conductor, having a thin ferromagnetic coating on and in electrically conductive communication with the conductor, wherein the thin ferromagnetic coating has a thickness of between about 1 μ
m and about 50 μ
m; andat least one arm disposed to engage tissue and hold the tissue adjacent the thermal element; inserting the catheter into a biologic structure; advancing the thermal element into contact with the biologic tissue to be treated; and heating the thermal element to treat the biologic tissue. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification