Abstract: A method of electrothermally fusing together pieces of tissue at an interface and simultaneously cutting the fused tissue along a linear path through the interface, including: compressing the tissue pieces together at the interface sufficiently for fusing the tissue pieces together and for cutting the fused tissue pieces in the linear path through the fused tissue at the interface; delivering an impulse of electrical power of no greater than 4.0 seconds time duration which contains sufficient energy to fuse the tissue pieces together at the interface and to simultaneously cut the fused tissue; converting the electrical power impulse into thermal energy applied at the interface; and regulating the temperature of the thermal energy applied at the interface in a range of 200° C. to 320° C. while fusing and simultaneously cutting the tissue pieces at the interface by controlling characteristics of the electrical power impulse.

Abstract: A method of electrothermally fusing together pieces of tissue at an interface includes: compressing the tissue pieces together at the interface sufficiently for fusing the tissue pieces together at the interface; delivering an impulse of electrical power of no greater than 4.0 seconds time duration which contains sufficient energy to fuse the tissue pieces together at the interface within the time duration of the electrical power impulse; converting the electrical power impulse into thermal energy applied at the interface to fuse the tissue pieces; and regulating the temperature of the thermal energy applied at the interface in a range of 150° C. to 200° C. while fusing the tissue pieces by controlling characteristics of the electrical power impulse.

Abstract: Pieces of tissue are fused together and simultaneously cut by compressing the pieces together at an interface, delivering an impulse of electrical power which is converted into sufficient thermal energy to fuse the pieces together at the interface and simultaneously cut the fused tissue pieces along a well-defined linear path. The impulse, and the fusion and the simultaneous cutting, occur within a preferable time of 1.5-2.0 seconds but no greater than 4.0 seconds. The temperature of the thermal energy is regulated between 220° C.-320° C. The force applied on the tissue pieces is sufficient to fuse the tissue at the interface followed by further compression to cut the fused tissue along the linear path as a result of the thermal energy and a zero distance gap between jaws which compress the tissue pieces. The jaws have smooth working surfaces with an Ra of 0.15 or less microns up to 0.40 microns.

Abstract: Pieces of tissue are fused together by compressing the pieces together at an interface, delivering an impulse of electrical power which is converted into sufficient thermal energy to fuse the pieces together at the interface. The impulse and the fusion occur within a preferable time of 0.5-2.0 seconds but no greater than 4.0 seconds. The temperature of the thermal energy is regulated between 150° C.-200° C. The tissue pieces are compressed to a thickness of 0.05-0.10 mm. Jaws which compress the tissue and transfer the energy have smooth working surfaces with an Ra of 0.15 or less microns to 0.40 microns.

Abstract: Biological tissue is sealed or fused to occlude an opening by compressing apposite sidewall portions of the tissue and applying sufficient energy to cause the fibers of the compressed apposed sidewall portions to intertwine and fuse with one another to form a permanent seal. The energy application is controlled by detecting a precursor fusion condition while applying the energy and before sufficient energy has been applied to achieve a permanent seal. The application of energy is terminated in a time-delayed relationship to the detection of the precursor fusion condition. The precursor fusion condition is detected from derivative values of the total accumulated amount of high-frequency energy conducted through the tissue.

Abstract: Biological tissue is sealed or fused to occlude an opening by compressing apposite sidewall portions of the tissue and applying sufficient energy to cause the fibers of the compressed apposed sidewall portions to intertwine and fuse with one another to form a permanent seal. The energy application is controlled by detecting a precursor fusion condition while applying the energy and before sufficient energy has been applied to achieve a permanent seal. The application of energy is terminated in a time-delayed relationship to the detection of the precursor fusion condition. The precursor fusion condition is detected from derivative values of an envelope established by peak values of cycles of high-frequency current conducted through the tissue.

Abstract: A sidewall of biological tissue which surrounds and defines an opening in the tissue is sealed or fused to occlude the opening by compressing apposite sidewall portions and applying sufficient energy to cause the fibers of the compressed apposed sidewall portions to intertwine and fuse with one another to form a permanent seal. The energy application is controlled by detecting a precursor fusion condition while applying the energy and before sufficient energy has been applied to achieve an adequate seal. The application of energy is terminated in a time-delayed relationship to the detection of the precursor fusion condition such that sufficient energy has been applied to achieve an effective seal. The precursor fusion condition is detected upon the peak RF current delivered to the tissue remaining below a threshold value for a threshold time.

Abstract: Biological tissue is sealed or fused to occlude an opening by compressing apposite sidewall portions of the tissue and applying sufficient energy to cause the fibers of the compressed apposed sidewall portions to intertwine and fuse with one another to form a permanent seal. The energy application is controlled by detecting a precursor fusion condition while applying the energy and before sufficient energy has been applied to achieve a permanent seal. The application of energy is terminated in a time-delayed relationship to the detection of the precursor fusion condition. The precursor fusion condition is detected from derivative values of the total accumulated amount of high-frequency energy conducted through the tissue.

Abstract: Biological tissue is sealed or fused to occlude an opening by compressing apposite sidewall portions of the tissue and applying sufficient energy to cause the fibers of the compressed opposed sidewall portions to intertwine and fuse with one another to form a permanent seal. The energy application is controlled by detecting a precursor fusion condition while applying the energy and before sufficient energy has been applied to achieve a permanent seal. The application of energy is terminated in a time-delayed relationship to the detection of the precursor fusion condition. The precursor fusion condition is detected from derivative values of an envelope established by peak values of cycles of high-frequency current conducted through the tissue.

Abstract: Pieces of tissue are fused together and simultaneously cut by compressing the pieces together at an interface, delivering an impulse of electrical power which is converted into sufficient thermal energy to fuse the pieces together at the interface and simultaneously cut the fused tissue pieces along a well-defined linear path. The impulse, and the fusion and the simultaneous cutting, occur within a preferable time of 1.5-2.0 seconds but no greater than 4.0 seconds. The temperature of the thermal energy is regulated between 220° C.-320° C. The force applied on the tissue pieces is sufficient to fuse the tissue at the interface followed by further compression to cut the fused tissue along the linear path as a result of the thermal energy and a zero distance gap between jaws which compress the tissue pieces. The jaws have smooth working surfaces with an Ra of 0.15 or less microns up to 0.40 microns.

Abstract: Tissue sticking is substantially reduced or eliminated altogether by smoothing a working surface of a ceramic material or material with a ceramic-like surface microstructure of a tissue fusion instrument to an Ra in the range of less than 0.15 to 0.40 microns. The ceramic material may be aluminum nitride. Reducing or eliminating tissue sticking is particularly advantageous when fusing tissue.

Abstract: Pieces of tissue are fused together by compressing the pieces together at an interface, delivering an impulse of electrical power which is converted into sufficient thermal energy to fuse the pieces together at the interface. The impulse and the fusion occur within a preferable time of 0.5-2.0 seconds but no greater than 4.0 seconds. The temperature of the thermal energy is regulated between 150° C.-200° C. The tissue pieces are compressed to a thickness of 0.05-0.10 mm. Jaws which compress the tissue and transfer the energy have smooth working surfaces with an Ra of 0.15 or less microns to 0.40 microns.