Optical energy-based methods and apparatus for tissue sealing
First Claim
1. An energy-based instrument for cutting and sealing vascular tissue, comprising:
- first and second deforming members configured to move in opposite directions and configured to deform vascular tissue placed between the first and second deforming members to cause different layers of the vascular tissue to contact each other; and
a cutting blade moveable with respect to the first and second deforming members in a direction different from directions of movement of the first and second deforming members, and configured to cut the vascular tissue, the cutting blade including a first layer, a second layer, a third layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer, and a light distribution element disposed between the first layer and the second layer, the third layer defining a cutting edge at a distal end of the cutting blade, the light distribution element being configured to receive light propagating through the third layer and to distribute light through at least one of the first and second layers of the cutting blade to illuminate at least one cut surface of the vascular tissue with light to seal the at least one cut surface of the vascular tissue.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Optical energy-based methods and apparatus for sealing vascular tissue involves deforming vascular tissue to bring different layers of the vascular tissue into contact each other and illuminating the vascular tissue with a light beam having at least one portion of its spectrum overlapping with the absorption spectrum of the vascular tissue. The apparatus may include two deforming members configured to deform the vascular tissue placed between the deforming members. The apparatus may also include an optical system that has a light source configured to generate light, a light distribution element configured to distribute the light across the vascular tissue, and a light guide configured to guide the light from the light source to the light distribution element. The apparatus may further include a cutting member configured to cut the vascular tissue and to illuminate the vascular tissue with light to seal at least one cut surface of the vascular tissue.
129 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An energy-based instrument for cutting and sealing vascular tissue, comprising:
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first and second deforming members configured to move in opposite directions and configured to deform vascular tissue placed between the first and second deforming members to cause different layers of the vascular tissue to contact each other; and a cutting blade moveable with respect to the first and second deforming members in a direction different from directions of movement of the first and second deforming members, and configured to cut the vascular tissue, the cutting blade including a first layer, a second layer, a third layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer, and a light distribution element disposed between the first layer and the second layer, the third layer defining a cutting edge at a distal end of the cutting blade, the light distribution element being configured to receive light propagating through the third layer and to distribute light through at least one of the first and second layers of the cutting blade to illuminate at least one cut surface of the vascular tissue with light to seal the at least one cut surface of the vascular tissue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of cutting vascular tissue, comprising:
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moving first and second deforming members in opposite directions to deform vascular tissue placed between the first and second deforming members to cause different layers of the vascular tissue to contact each other; moving a cutting blade with respect to the first and second deforming members in a direction different from directions of movement of the first and second deforming members to cut the deformed vascular tissue, wherein the cutting blade includes a first layer, a second layer, a third layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer, and a light distribution element disposed between the first layer and the second layer, the third layer defining a cutting edge at a distal end of the cutting blade; receiving, by the light distribution element, light propagating through the third layer; and distributing, by the light distribution element, light through at least one of the first and second layers of the cutting blade to illuminate at least one cut surface of the vascular tissue with light to seal the at least one cut surface of the vascular tissue. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification