Patents Assigned to Envision Surgical Systems, Inc.
  • Method of using a multimodality probe with extendable bipolar electrodes
    Patent number: 5441498
    Abstract: A surgical probe, and procedure using the same, enabling a surgeon to cut body tissue by delivering energy, such as a laser beam, to the body tissue and without removing the instrument to cauterize the body tissue by direct application of electric current. The surgical probe includes an elongated member having a fiber optic positioned on a longitudinal axis of the elongated member and pair of elongated electrodes that span an entire length of the elongated member. The elongated electrodes slide lengthwise in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. During cutting procedures, the distal ends of the electrodes are in a retracted position not beyond the distal end of the elongated member, and during cauterization procedures, the distal ends of the electrodes are in an extended position beyond the distal end of the elongated member. In a preferred embodiment, the distal ends of the electrodes are pre-bent so as to converge toward each other as they are extended beyond the distal end of the elongated member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Assignee: Envision Surgical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Rodney C. Perkins
  • Multimodality probe with extendable bipolar electrodes
    Patent number: 5401272
    Abstract: A surgical probe, and procedure using the same, enabling a surgeon to cut body tissue by delivering energy, such as a laser beam, to the body tissue and without removing the instrument to cauterize the body tissue by direct application of electric current. The surgical probe includes an elongated member having a fiber optic positioned on a longitudinal axis of the elongated member and pair of elongated electrodes that span an entire length of the elongated member. The elongated electrodes slide lengthwise in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. During cutting procedures, the distal ends of the electrodes are in a retracted position not beyond the distal end of the elongated member, and during cauterization procedures, the distal ends of the electrodes are in an extended position beyond the distal end of the elongated member. In a preferred embodiment, the distal ends of the electrodes are pre-bent so as to converge toward each other as they are extended beyond the distal end of the elongated member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Envision Surgical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Rodney C. Perkins