Bipolar Electrodes Patents (Class 606/50)
  • Patent number: 8591508
    Abstract: An electrosurgical probe having a plenum which prevents contact of the active electrode with tissue, while simultaneously allowing a fluid/interfacing agents to contact the active electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: NuOrtho Surgical, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy E. Morgan, Wayne K. Auge, II
  • Patent number: 8585700
    Abstract: A medical device is configured to perform a holding operation by a clamping mechanism with respect to a biological tissue at a periphery of a defect and a supply operation of electric energy independently by flowing current in the clamping mechanism while sandwiching biological tissue composed of an atrial septum secundum and a foramen ovale valve by way of the clamping mechanism to fuse the biological tissues by, for example, turning on a switch which on-off controls the supply of the electric energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yukitoshi Katou
  • Patent number: 8585701
    Abstract: An apparatus for use with a clamp including a base member configured to be secured to the clamp and at least one energy transmission device carried by the base member. An apparatus for use with a clamp and a probe that carries at least one energy transmission device including a base member configured to be secured to the clamp and an engagement device associated with the base member and configured to engage the probe. A clamp including first and second clamp members, at least one of which is malleable, and a movement apparatus that moves at least one of the first and second clamp members relative to the other. A surgical system including a clamp with first and second clamp members and a device that removably mounts at least one electrode on at least one of the first and second clamp members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: ESTECH, Inc. (Endoscopic Technologies, Inc.)
    Inventor: David K. Swanson
  • Publication number: 20130296853
    Abstract: A balloon catheter is provided with a balloon on the tip of a main shaft. The balloon catheter is provided with: protruding parts that are furnished on the outer surface of the balloon and protrude outward from the outer surface of the balloon at least when the balloon is expanded; and electrodes that are furnished on the leading edges of the protruding parts in the direction of protrusion and are capable of transmitting energy to living tissue. The leading edge electrodes can thereby be delivered near the desired site of treatment by thrusting the protruding parts into living tissue and, in this configuration, energy is transmitted to said treatment site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: TERUMO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryota Sugimoto, Yousuke Ootani, Ichirou Hirahara
  • Patent number: 8574265
    Abstract: A PFO closing device for bringing the septum primum and the septum secundum into contact with each other and joining them together includes a clamping mechanism and energy supplying device. The clamping mechanism includes a needle part for puncturing the septum primum, and a clamping member for cooperating with the needle part in clamping therebetween tissue of the septum primum and the septum secundum. The energy supplying device supplies energy for joining the tissues clamped by the needle part and the clamping member. The clamping mechanism is mounted in a catheter so as to be protrudable from and retractable into the catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yukitoshi Kato
  • Patent number: 8540711
    Abstract: An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof. The jaw members are movable relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The forceps also includes a source of electrical energy connected to each jaw member such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal. A generally tube-like cutter is included which is slidably engaged about the elongated shaft and which is selectively movable about the elongated shaft to engage and cut tissue on at least one side of the jaw members while the tissue is engaged between jaw members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien AG
    Inventors: Sean T. Dycus, Darion Peterson
  • Patent number: 8523856
    Abstract: A method and system for achieving hemostasis (the stoppage of bleeding) is described. RF (radio frequency) energy is used to ablate the surface of tissue to stop bleeding. The depth of destruction of the tissue can be controlled so as to desiccate and coagulate the tissue. In one implementation, an electrode carrier including bipolar electrodes is applied to the tissue, and RF energy transmitted through the bipolar electrodes to ablate the tissue. A layer of desiccated tissue can be created as well as coagulation of the tissue to achieve hemostasis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Cytyc Corporation
    Inventors: Russel M. Sampson, Eugene V. Skalnyi
  • Patent number: 8517243
    Abstract: A surgical instrument, such as an endoscopic or laparoscopic instrument. The surgical instrument may comprise an end effector comprising at least one sensor. The surgical instrument may also comprise an electrically conductive shaft having a distal end connected to the end effector wherein the sensor is electrically insulated from the shaft. The surgical instrument may also comprise a handle connected to a proximate end of the shaft. The handle may comprise a control unit electrically coupled to the shaft such that the shaft radiates signals as an antenna from the control unit to the sensor and receives radiated signals from the sensor. Other components electrically coupled to the shaft may also radiate the signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Giordano, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 8518033
    Abstract: In an electro-surgical instrument (1), two electrode surfaces (25, 27) are provided for a first electrode (15, 31, 32, 34, 36) having different sizes, each forming a pair of electrodes with electrode surfaces (26, 28) of a second electrode (14, 16, 33). The smaller electrode surface (25) of the first electrode (15, 31, 32, 34, 36) can be used as the active electrode for cutting and the larger electrode surface (27) of the first electrode (15, 31, 32, 34, 36) is used for coagulation. During operation, the electrodes (14, 15, 16, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36) are connected to a two-pole outlet of a commercial generator that can switch between two output signals for cutting and coagulation. A layered, stacked structure of the effective area (8) of the instrument (1) of electrode bodies (14, 15, 16, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36) with intermediate insulating layers (17) allows a design resembling the shape of a knife or a blade (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Sutter Medizintechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Bert Sutter
  • Patent number: 8512337
    Abstract: A method of and a system for treatment of atrial tachyarrhythmias. The system includes a set of hemostats having elongated opposing jaws carrying mechanisms for applying ablation energy along the jaws. The jaws having straight and curved configurations selected to allow arrangement of the jaws of along opposite sides of walls of a patient's atrium. Treatment is accomplished by applying of ablation energy to the walls of a patient's artria to create lines of lesion corresponding generally to incisions employed in a Maze type procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Francischelli, Rahul Mehra
  • Patent number: 8512336
    Abstract: An end effector assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument is provided. The end effector assembly has a first jaw member having a first pair of tissue contacting surfaces and an insulator disposed therebetween. The end effector assembly also has a second jaw member that includes a second pair of tissue contacting surfaces, a pair of insulators disposed between the second pair of tissue contacting surfaces, and a cutting element disposed between the pair of insulators. The relative movement of the first jaw member toward the second jaw member causes the insulator of the first jaw member and the pair of insulators of the second jaw member to pinch tissue disposed between the first jaw member and the second jaw member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Gary M. Couture
  • Patent number: 8500736
    Abstract: A treatment method for a living tissue using energy includes a first step of outputting high-frequency energy to grasped living tissues to destroy cell membranes of the grasped living tissues, allowing proteins to flow out of cells and joining the living tissues to each other, and a second step of, after the first step, outputting heat energy to the grasped living tissues to dehydrate the grasped living tissues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Kazue Tanaka, Yoshitaka Honda, Tomoyuki Takashino, Hideyuki Kasahara
  • Patent number: 8500735
    Abstract: A treatment method for a living tissue using energy includes a first step of outputting energy to a grasped living tissue and raising a temperature of cells of the grasped living tissue, a second step of, after the first step, outputting high-frequency energy to the grasped living tissue and destroying cell membranes of the grasped living tissue to discharge proteins in the cells to the outside of the cells, and a third step of, after the second step, outputting heat energy to the living tissue and welding the proteins to each other while dehydrating the grasped living tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Kazue Tanaka, Yoshitaka Honda, Tomoyuki Takashino, Hideyuki Kasahara, Satomi Sakao
  • Patent number: 8496654
    Abstract: An apparatus for cosmetic RF skin treatment where the RF energy supply is isolated from the patient treated, such that in course of treatment no undesired current flows through the subject body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Syneron Medical Ltd.
    Inventors: Yossef Ori Adanny, Genady Nahshon, Baruch Levine, Avner Rosenberg
  • Patent number: 8486065
    Abstract: Efficient ablation with multiple electrodes is obtained by rapidly switching electric power to the electrodes. In this way, shielding effects caused by the field around each electrode which would otherwise create cool spots, are avoided. Complex inter-electrode current flows are also avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Fred T. Lee, Dieter Haemmerich, John G. Webster, Andrew S. Wright, Chris D. Johnson, David M. Mahvi
  • Publication number: 20130178845
    Abstract: An integrated catheter assembly comprises a bipolar electrode tool and a monopolar electrode tool. The catheter assembly enables an operator to perform both bipolar and monopolar procedures on tissue without having to withdraw the catheter assembly, without having to remove or replace any part of the catheter assembly, and/or without having to insert any additional tools or parts. The catheter assembly may comprise a switching mechanism such that when one of the bipolar electrode tool and monopolar electrode tool is electrically activated, the other of the bipolar electrode tool and monopolar electrode tool cannot be electrically activated. In one embodiment of a method, the operator uses a single catheter assembly for applying bipolar current for tissue electro-therapy and monopolar current for tissue cutting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Paul SMITH, Samuel RAYBIN, Joseph LEVENDUSKY, Naroun SUON, Paul AQUILINO
  • Patent number: 8480670
    Abstract: A bipolar high-frequency treatment tool for an endoscope comprising a flexible sheath having a multi-lumen tube which is rotatable about an axis of the flexible sheath and is formed to have a pair of guide lumens, a pair of high-frequency electrodes which are arranged to be movable at a tip end of the flexible sheath and are adapted to be electrically insulated from each other, a pair of operating wires which are made of an electrically conductive material but are adapted to be electrically insulated from each other, wherein each of the pair of operating wires is respectively arranged in each of the guide lumens, and wherein the pair of high-frequency electrodes is rotated as the pair of operating wires is rotated and as the multi-lumen tube is rotated about the axis of the flexible sheath accordingly, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventor: Noriyuki Sugita
  • Patent number: 8475452
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are high efficiency surgical devices and methods of using same using radio frequency (RF) electrical power and/or electrically heated filaments to destroy tumors, form lesions, denaturize, desiccate, coagulate and ablate soft tissues, as well as to drill, cut, resect and vaporize soft tissues. According to the principles of this invention, the electrosurgical instruments can be used with externally supplied conductive or non-conductive liquids, as well as without externally supplied liquids, a mode of operation often referred to as “dry field” environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: ElectroMedical Associates, LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Van Wyk, Yuval Carmel, Anatoly Shkvarunets
  • Patent number: 8465488
    Abstract: An endoscopic surgical instrument includes an insertion section which is inserted into a body cavity, and a surgical section which is disposed on a tip of the insertion section and treats an object. The surgical section includes a body section, and a first electrode, a second electrode, and a third electrode which are disposed on the body section. The surgical section coagulates and cuts the object by using a combination of not less than two of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignees: Olympus Medical Systems Corporation, Terumo Cardiovascular Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Seiji Maeda, Hideyuki Kasahara, Ken Yamatani, Akihito Kano, Randal James Kadykowski, Lyne Madeleine Charron-Keller
  • Patent number: 8465485
    Abstract: Methods, devices and systems for treating patent foramen ovale (PFO) involve advancing a catheter device to a position in a heart for treating a PFO, bringing tissues adjacent the PFO at least partially together, and applying energy to the tissues to substantially close the PFO acutely. Catheter devices generally include an elongate catheter body, at least one tissue apposition member at or near the distal end for bringing the tissues together, and at least one energy transmission member at or near the distal end for applying energy to the tissues. In some embodiments, the tissue apposition member(s) also act as the energy transmission member(s). Applied energy may be monopolar or bipolar radiofrequency energy or any other suitable energy, such as laser, microwave, ultrasound, resistive heating or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: William Malecki, Dan Francis, Kenneth Horne, Mark E. Deem, Hanson Gifford, Jose Alejandro
  • Patent number: 8459520
    Abstract: A surgical instrument, such as an endoscopic or laparoscopic instrument. The surgical instrument may comprise an end effector comprising at least one sensor. The surgical instrument may also comprise an electrically conductive shaft having a distal end connected to the end effector wherein the sensor is electrically insulated from the shaft. The surgical instrument may also comprise a handle connected to a proximate end of the shaft. The handle may comprise a control unit electrically coupled to the shaft such that the shaft radiates signals as an antenna from the control unit to the sensor and receives radiated signals from the sensor. Other components electrically coupled to the shaft may also radiate the signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Giordano, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 8460291
    Abstract: An electrosurgical suction coagulator includes a housing having proximal and distal ends. An elongated tube-like shaft extends longitudinally from the distal end of the housing. The elongated tube-like shaft includes a tube-like dielectric sheath and a tube-like electrode disposed coaxially through the tube-like dielectric sheath. The tube-like electrode couples to a source of electrosurgical energy. A proximal end of the tube-like electrode couples to a source of suction. An electrically conductive distal tip is mechanically coupled to a distal end of the tube-like electrode and is in electrical communication with the tube-like electrode. The electrically conductive tip protrudes from a distal end of the tube-like shaft and has one or more aspiration ports defined at its distal end. The electrically conductive distal tip is made from a material having less thermal conductivity than the tube-like electrode such that the electrically conductive distal tip impedes the propagation of thermal energy proximally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Mark J. Huseman
  • Patent number: 8454599
    Abstract: A treatment apparatus to treat living tissues by applying energy to the living tissues, includes an energy source which supplies energy, a pair of holding faces to hold the living tissues, a joining treatment portion arranged in at least one of the holding faces to join the living tissues held between the holding faces, a detection portion which detects, through the joining treatment portion, living information of the living tissues by supplying energy to the living tissues through the joining treatment portion, a fluid feed portion disposed on at least one of the holding faces to feed fluid to the living tissues, and the fluid fed from the fluid feed portion guides energy to the living tissues, and a control portion to control a feed rate of the fluid fed from the fluid feed portion based on the living information of the living tissues detected by the detection portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Genri Inagaki, Takashi Mihori, Akinori Kabaya
  • Patent number: 8454600
    Abstract: An electrosurgical suction coagulator includes a housing having proximal and distal ends and a malleable elongated tube-like shaft extending longitudinally from the distal end of the housing. The tube-like shaft includes a tube-like dielectric sheath and a tube-like electrode having a first thermal conductivity K1 disposed coaxially through the tube-like dielectric sheath. The tube-like electrode operably couples to a source of electrosurgical energy. A distal end of the tube-like electrode protrudes from a distal end of the tube-like shaft. One or more aspiration ports are defined in a distal end of the tube-like electrode. A proximal end of the tube-like electrode operably couples to a source of suction. A thermally conductive member having a second thermal conductivity K2 that is less than K1 is disposed concentrically about the tube-like shaft. The thermally conductive member is configured to impede the propagation of thermal energy in a proximal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Mark J. Huseman
  • Patent number: 8454597
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a medical device including a handle portion, an end effector assembly, an elongate member connecting the handle portion and the end effector assembly, and one or more treatment devices extendable through the elongate member and end effector assembly. The end effector assembly includes an electrode assembly configured to cauterize tissue. The treatment devices may include an elongate cutting member with a safety tip. The treatment devices may include a multi-lumen catheter with a lumen configured to deliver fluid and another lumen configured to accommodate an injection needle, a cutting member, or other therapeutic or diagnostic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Scopton, Stephen J. Perry, John A. Griego, William J. Shaw
  • Patent number: 8444641
    Abstract: An electrosurgical suction coagulator includes a housing having proximal and distal ends and a substantially malleable elongated tube-like shaft extending longitudinally from the distal end of the housing. The elongated tube-like shaft includes a tube-like dielectric sheath and a tube-like electrode having a first thermal conductivity K1 disposed coaxially through the tube-like dielectric sheath. The tube-like electrode is configured to operably couple to a source of electrosurgical energy and a proximal end of the tube-like electrode is adapted to operably couple to a source of suction. The tube-like shaft also includes a thermally conductive member having a second thermal conductivity K2 that is less than K1. The thermally conductive member is configured to impede the propagation of thermal energy in a proximal direction from the distal end of the tube-like shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Mark J. Huseman
  • Patent number: 8444636
    Abstract: An instrument for thermally-mediated therapies in targeted tissue volumes or for volumetric removal of tissue. In one embodiment, the instrument has an interior chamber that includes a diffuser structure for diffusing a biocompatible conductive fluid that is introduced under high pressure. The interior chamber further includes surfaces of opposing polarity electrodes for vaporizing the small cross-section diffused fluid flows created within a diffuser structure. In one embodiment, the diffuser structure includes a negative temperature coefficient of resistance material between the opposing polarity surfaces. The NTCR structure can self-adjust the lengths of current paths between the opposing polarities to insure complete vaporization of the volume of flow of conductive fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Tsunami MedTech, LLC
    Inventors: John H. Shadduck, Michael Hoey
  • Patent number: 8444639
    Abstract: A cardiac ablation instrument capable of removing blood from a treatment area is provided. The instrument includes a catheter configured to deliver a distal end thereof to a patient's heart. The instrument can also include an expandable element coupled to the distal end of the catheter wherein the expandable member is configured to be positioned adjacent a target area thereby defining a treatment area between the expandable member and the target area. Further, the instrument can include an irrigation mechanism configured to dispense an irrigation fluid from the catheter thereby displacing blood from the treatment area. Additionally, the instrument includes an energy emitter configured to deliver energy to tissue within the treatment area. The instrument can also include a contact sensor configured to determine the presence of such blood within the treatment area. Methods for ablating tissue are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Cardiofocus, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Arnold, Edward L. Sinofsky, Lincoln S. Baxter, Norman E. Farr
  • Publication number: 20130096549
    Abstract: Various embodiments of multielectrode radiofrequency (RF) ablation probes are described herein that disclose methods and apparatus for improved control and predictability of the size and shape of RF thermal electrocoagulations. The features of the invention include the ability to make irregularly shaped ablations in order to conform to irregularly shaped target tissue volumes, and to make very large ablations without the requirement for electrode cooling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: DIROS TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: DIROS TECHNOLOGY INC.
  • Patent number: 8414580
    Abstract: A medical probe kit and method of treating abnormal tissue within a patient is provided. The kit comprises a cannula having a shaft, a lumen extending through the cannula shaft, and a first ablation electrode disposed on the distal end of the cannula shaft. The cannula may have a handle mounted to the proximal end of the cannula shaft, and an optional fluid delivery port on the handle in fluid communication with the cannula lumen. The kit further comprises an ablation probe configured to be removably disposed within the delivery cannula lumen. The ablation probe has a shaft and a second ablation electrode disposed on a distal end of the probe shaft, wherein the first and second ablation electrodes are arranged in a bipolar configuration. Preferably, the ablation probe is slidable relative to the delivery cannula, whereby the distance between the first and second ablation electrodes can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Rioux, Paul DiCarlo, Steve Anderson
  • Patent number: 8409196
    Abstract: An integrated catheter assembly for enabling diverse endoscopic in situ therapies. The assembly includes a catheter with an irrigation fluid lumen, a distal electrode tip portion that acts as a hemostat, and a cutting wire for making incisions in or ablating tissue. A cutting wire hub provides a sealing entrance for a cutting wire. An operator enables the physician to displace the cutting wire between extended and retracted positions. The cutting wire and electrode are electrically isolated. In addition, the catheter assembly may include a planar tip which, when extended outside the distal end of the assembly, assumes a substantially flat unbiased configuration for use. The apparatus of the present invention allows the physician to make incisions in or ablate tissue using electrosurgery, irrigate tissue, and cauterize or coagulate tissue without having to remove the apparatus from the working channel of the endoscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell Francis Durgin, Stephen F. Moreci, William H. Stahley
  • Patent number: 8398631
    Abstract: An ablation catheter system and method of use is provided to endoscopically access portions of the human esophagus experiencing undesired growth of columnar epithelium. The ablation catheter system and method includes controlled depth of ablation features and use of either radio frequency spectrum, non-ionizing ultraviolet radiation, warm fluid or microwave radiation, which may also be accompanied by improved sensitizer agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Robert A. Ganz, Brian D. Zelickson, Roger A. Stern
  • Patent number: 8361069
    Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument has a first and a second set of needle like structures. Each set of needle like structures is functional for puncturing the skin of a patient on opposing sides of a wound or cut. Each needle comprises a body and a pointed portion at a distal end. The distal end is structured to form a sealing surface with an opposing needle on a needle of the other set. The sealing surfaces are adapted to connect to an electrical energy source such that the sealing surfaces are capable of conducting bipolar energy therebetween. The first and second set of needle like structures are movable from a first position where the needles are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position where the first and second sets of needles members are closer to one another. A mechanical force applied to or within a housing is utilized to move the needles sets from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Kristel L. Ambrosius, Paul R. Romero, Dylan R. Kingsley, Randel A. Frazier
  • Patent number: 8361068
    Abstract: The invention provides an electrosurgical unit comprising a radio-frequency power source and a pump, with the throughput of fluid expelled by the pump controlled by the RF power level setting and fluid flow rate setting. The invention also provides various electrosurgical devices which may be used with the electrosurgical unit. In one embodiment, the electrosurgical device comprises a first electrode tip spaced next to a second electrode tip with a portion of the first electrode tip facing the second electrode tip and a portion of the second electrode tip facing the first electrode tip, the first electrode tip and the second electrode tip both having a spherical distal end, and a fluid outlet arrangement to expel fluid onto the electrode tips solely at locations remote from the electrode tip portions facing each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic Advanced Energy LLC
    Inventor: Michael E. McClurken
  • Patent number: 8357157
    Abstract: An energy delivering probe is used for thermally coagulating and/or constricting hollow anatomical structures (HAS) including, but not limited to, blood vessels such as perforator veins. The probe includes a shaft and at least two electrodes where at least one of the electrodes has a generally spherical or toroidal geometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Michael S. Mirizzi, Christopher Scott Jones, Arthur W. Zikorus
  • Patent number: 8357156
    Abstract: An inflatable medical instrument for tissue damage in gastric reduction surgery includes a main chamber composed of a biocompatible material capable of being selectively inflated. The medical instrument also includes a longitudinally extending tab member secured to an outer surface of the main chamber, a series of suction holes are formed along the tab member and an electrode is mounted on the tab member. The present invention also provides a method for forming a tissue junction used in defining a gastric pouch including damaging opposed tissue layers, apposing the tissue layers and fastening the tissue layers to allow the tissue layers to heal together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Ortiz, Thomas E. Albrecht, Mark S. Zeiner, James R. Giordano, Matthew D. Holcomb, Michael J. Stokes
  • Patent number: 8353900
    Abstract: An ablation device, including a catheter and an ablation element incorporating one or more balloons at the distal end of the catheter, has a continuous passageway extending through it from the proximal end of the catheter to the distal side of the expandable ablation element. The ablation device ablates tissue by subjecting it to ultrasound energy, cryogenic energy, chemical, laser beam, microwave, or radiation energy. A probe carrying electrodes is introduced through this passageway and deploys, under the influence of its own resilience, to a structure incorporating a loop which is automatically aligned with the axis of the expandable ablation device, so that minimal manipulation is required to place the probe. Pulmonary vein potential is monitored in real time via the electrodes. The probe may have an atraumatic tip with a ball formed at the leading edge. The atraumatic tip prevents any tissue damage such as perforation of heart wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Jung, Dong Ik Shin, Eric Scott Vaughan, James Savage, Robert C. Pacheco, Jaime Merino
  • Publication number: 20130012940
    Abstract: The invention concerns a flexible application device including a tubular high-frequency catheter with a flexible shaft tube having at least one lumen passing therethrough, a head electrode arranged at the distal end of the catheter, an electric line with a connection for a generator ,and a connecting element arranged at the proximal end of the shaft tube between the shaft tube and the line. An electrically conducting traction element extends in the lumen between the head electrode and the connecting element and is fixedly connected to the head electrode on the one hand and the connecting element on the other hand in such a way and which is of such a tensile strength that all external forces which occur during a treatment and which act on the catheter can be transmitted to the connecting element by way of the head electrode and the traction element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventors: Kai DESINGER, Thomas STEIN, André ROGGAN, Markus FAY
  • Patent number: 8348940
    Abstract: Large tissue regions are treated using pairs of electrode arrays. The electrode arrays may be concave and disposed in tissue so that their concave portions are opposed to each other. Axial conductors may be provided extending from the arrays and toward each other in order to increase the heating of tissues lying along the axis between the deployed electrode arrays. By properly spacing the electrode arrays apart and selecting the diameters of the arrays, desired volumes of tissue may be treated, typically with a bipolar, radiofrequency current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Behl, Morton Grosser, Alexander L. Huang
  • Patent number: 8348946
    Abstract: The invention provides surgical devices and methods to treat tissue. In one device embodiment, the invention comprises a bipolar electrosurgical device to treat tissue in a presence of radio frequency power and a fluid provided simultaneously from a distal portion of the device, with the device comprising a disc shaped distal end. In one method embodiment, the invention comprises a method of treating tissue having a blood vessel during spine surgery, with the method comprising pressing a portion of the blood vessel against a supporting spine structure with a surgical device to provide a compressed portion of the blood vessel, and heating the compressed portion of the blood vessel with the surgical device sufficiently to inhibit a blood flow through the vessel after the surgical device is removed from the blood vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic Advanced Energy LLC
    Inventors: Michael E. McClurken, Roger D. Greeley, Brian M. Conley
  • Patent number: 8348939
    Abstract: An electrosurgical device having a distal tip for creating a lesion on tissue includes a first electrode and a second electrode that are parallel for the delivery of RF energy to tissue. A sensor electrode is provided parallel to and spaced away from the first electrode a different distance than the second electrode. When the sensor electrode and at least one of the first and second electrodes are in contact with tissue. The electrosurgical device can perform at least one of the following: ablating tissue, and sensing at least one selected from the group of voltage, tissue impedance, electrical conduction, conduction time, conduction velocity, and signal phase angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Edward Martin, Salvatore Privitera, Christopher J. Park
  • Publication number: 20130006234
    Abstract: An endoscope or other medical device includes an elongated shaft having a flexible proximal section, an articulatable distal region, and distal tip. The endoscope or other device includes an associated hemostasis device for treating internal bleeding during a contemporaneous medial procedure. Embodiments of the present invention may incorporate mechanical, chemical, and/or electrical techniques for performing hemostasis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventor: Lucien Alfred COUVILLON, JR.
  • Patent number: 8343149
    Abstract: A microwave ablation system for treating tissue includes an assembly of antennas adapted to connect to a microwave generator. The microwave generator generates microwave energy. Each antenna of the assembly of antennas includes inner and outer conductors. The inner conductor has a length. The outer conductor has a longitudinal axis defined along a length thereof. The outer conductor at least partially surrounding the inner conductor at least partially along the length thereof. One of the inner conductor and the outer conductor is movable with respect to the other. At least one antenna of the assembly of antennas is deployable from a first state for ablating a first ablation region of tissue to a second deployable state for ablating a second ablation region of tissue. The first and second ablation tissue regions overlap to define an aggregate ablation region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Vivant Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Francesca Rossetto, Mani N. Prakash
  • Patent number: 8333763
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of electrosurgery, and more particularly to systems and methods for ablating, cauterizing and/or coagulating body tissue using radio frequency energy. More in particular, the systems utilize voltage threshold means for controlling the voltage applied to tissue in a cycle-to-cycle manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: ARQOS Surgical, Inc.
    Inventors: Csaba Truckai, Bruno Strul
  • Patent number: 8328774
    Abstract: A jig and a cooling fluid injection tool are provided for use in the correction of corneal shape of an eyeball. Correction of the eyeball takes place while the cornea is warmed. The jig includes a shape retention part of a sucking disc configuration having an inner surface side that contacts the eyeball and a grip part formed on an outer surface side of the shape retention part. An inner surface-sided cornea contacting section of the shape retention part is flattened and a cooling fluid injection hole passing through the grip part is formed in the center of the shape retention part with a diameter large enough for a wearer to see outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Inventors: Tokuichiro Hasegawa, Sakichi Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 8315691
    Abstract: The invention provides a non-invasive system and method for treatment of the heart. In a first aspect, a method for treatment of an anatomical site related to arrhythmogenesis of a heart of a patient comprises creating a target shape encompassing the anatomical site, directing particle beam radiation or x-ray radiation from outside the patient toward the target shape wherein one or more doses of radiation ablates the target shape and disregarding at least one orientation of cardiac motion while creating the target shape or directing the particle beam or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: CyberHeart, Inc.
    Inventors: Thilaka Sumanaweera, Patrick Maguire, Roderick A. Young
  • Patent number: 8308724
    Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument, system, and methods are provided for the vaporization, cutting, coagulation, or treatment of tissue in the presence of an electrically conductive fluid medium. The electrosurgical probe comprises at least one active electrode, and at least one “floating” electrode having at least one end in close proximity to at least one active electrode. The floating electrode is not connected in any way to the electrosurgical power supply, but rather has a “floating” potential determined by the shape and position of the electrode. The floating electrode increases current density in the region of the probe distal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: ElectroMedical Associates, LLC
    Inventors: Yuval Carmel, Robert A. Van Wyk, Anatoly Shkvarunets
  • Patent number: 8308725
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and related method for sealing and/or dissecting body tissue using a reverse action instrument. The devices and methods described permit laparoscopic or natural body orifice access to an anatomical space and facilitate sealing portions of tissue together, dissecting tissue or combinations thereof. A surgical instrument for sealing and dissecting body tissue is described having distal and proximal ends with an elongated body. The body includes a jaw member positioned at the distal end that is defined by a stationary arm and a pivotable arm. A moveable closure sleeve is disposed at least partially about the body and the closure sleeve is configured such that coaxial movement of the sleeve along the longitudinal axis of the body causes the jaw member to open or close.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Minos Medical
    Inventors: Stephen G. Bell, Wayne A. Noda
  • Publication number: 20120283733
    Abstract: In a method suitable for tissue fusion or coagulation, after the start of treatment of the tissue, i.e., after completion of a first phase, a second phase is commenced, during which the biological tissue is treated for a certain specified process time with moderate energy input. The specification of a negative internal resistance of a supplying source enables the process in the second phase to have a treatment time that remains constant and thus avoids premature drying-out of the tissue. A sufficient and reliable bonding of the participating proteins in the moist milieu is reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: Heiko Schall, Achim Brodbeck, Martin Fritz
  • Patent number: 8298232
    Abstract: An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes a housing having a shaft affixed thereto, the shaft including jaw members at a distal end thereof. The forceps also includes a drive assembly which moves the jaw member relative to one another for manipulating tissue and a knife assembly for cutting tissue disposed between jaw members. The forceps also includes a knife lockout mechanism operatively connected to the drive assembly. Movement of the drive assembly moves the knife lockout mechanism from a first orientation in obstructive relationship with the knife bar to prevent movement thereof to a second position which allows selective, unencumbered movement of the knife assembly to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: TYCO Healthcare Group LP
    Inventor: Jeff Unger