Sherwood Services Ag

Valleylab, Inc.

Thomas Patrick Ryan

Steven Paul Buysse

Jenifer Serafin Kennedy

Michael J Lands

S Wade Lukianow

Donald Robert Loeffler

Stuart B Trembly

Stephen Wade Lukianow

Dale F Schmaltz

James Joseph Podracky

Gregory Herbert Lambrecht

An axial elongate bipolar tissue sealer/cutter and method of use by a surgeon for electrosurgery on tissue. A chassis on a handle extends axially for axial movement. An effector on a distal end of the chassis first contacts tissue with axial movement. The effector provides bipolar electrosurgery. A member extending from the distal end is opposite the patient end of a tube. A part on the member is transverse to the axis to conduct electrosurgery. First and second bipolar electrodes on the effector and part are electrically isolated. A generator for bipolar electrosurgery supplies the electrodes. An activator is movably supported on the handle connects to the tube and/or chassis to axially move the patient end and its effector relative to the part. Tissue and bodily fluid therebetween are sealed or cut through application of compression and bipolar electrosurgery between the first and second electrodes. The effector and the part have complimentary sealing or cutting surfaces for partial mating engagement upon axial movement toward one another.

Apparatus and method for sealing and cutting tissue

An axial elongate bipolar tissue sealer/cutter and method of use by a surgeon for electrosurgery on tissue. A chassis on a handle extends axially for axial movement. An effector on a distal end of the chassis first contacts tissue with axial movement. The effector provides bipolar electrosurgery. A member extending from the distal end is opposite the patient end of a tube. First and second bipolar electrodes on the effector and a part on the member electrically isolated. A generator supplies the electrodes. An activator is movably supported on the handle and connects to the tube and/or chassis to axially move the effector relative to the part. Tissue and bodily fluid therebetween are sealed or cut through application of compression and bipolar electrosurgery between the first and second electrodes. The effector and the part have complimentary sealing or cutting surfaces for partial mating engagement upon axial movement toward one another.

To ablate target tissue a handle with proximal and distal ends connect to an interior passageway and along an axis. A semi rigid and helical effector at the distal end is along the axis and has a sharpened distal tip and a mount at its handle attachment. A source of radio frequency current supplies the effector and is insulated from the handle for delivery to bipolar and monopolar circuits. A return electrode connects between tissue and the source of radio frequency current. A sensor is carried on the handle positioned to measure target tissue ablation. A control couples the source of radio frequency current and the sensor for loop regulation of ablation. The effector is a wire bent into the helical shape with an insulating sleeve to prevent passage of radio frequency current near its mount. The sensor has a calculator to find impedance or temperature changes and the control examines for a rise. The effector is in an alternate a hollow tube bent into the helical shape and closed at its distal tip; the handle has a passage for fluid circulation. A return located on the effector insulating sleeve has a larger surface area than the distal tip. A bipolar delivery effector carries at least two electrodes supplied with current of opposite polarity between the electrodes. The effector is a framework with at least two supports for locating electrodes in spaced apart relationship about the distal tip. A plurality of electrodes are in an alternate coupled to the source of radio frequency current to receive opposite polarity from a multiplexer coupled electrically between the source of radio frequency current and the plurality of electrodes for selective delivery of radio frequency current of opposite polarity to at least two of the electrodes at the same time. An elongate shank extending from the mount to the helical shaped part of the effector for laparoscopic applications. A portal near the distal tip diverts the sensor to a position to measure target tissue. A light based system has a fiber optic for measurement of radiation of the target tissue with a meter. The control has a power modulator to maintain the impedance at approximately its low point. A method of ablating subsurface tissue includes inserting the distal tip into an entry point, rotating the effector about its axis to screw the helical shape into the tissue, and delivering controlled amounts of radio frequency current to the tissue.

Apparatus and method for RF lesioning

An axial elongate bipolar tissue sealer and method of use by a surgeon for electrosurgery on tissue has a handle. A tube may move axially relative to a chassis on the handle. The effector provides bipolar electrosurgery. A member extending from the distal end is opposite the patient end of the tube. A part on the member is transverse to the axis to conduct electrosurgery. First and second bipolar electrodes on the effector and part are electrically isolated. A generator for bipolar electrosurgery supplies the electrodes. An activator is movably supported on the handle connects to the tube and/or chassis to axially move the patient end and its effector relative to the part. Tissue and bodily fluid therebetween are sealed through application of compression and bipolar electrosurgery between the first and second electrodes. The effector and the part have complimentary sealing surfaces for partial mating engagement upon axial movement toward one another. The effector and the part can be removably attached to the distal end or member, respectively.

A method and apparatus for thermal treatment of tissue employing microwave energy is disclosed. Preferably, the apparatus includes an elongated member having a tissue capturing portion. A microwave conductor operatively mounts with the elongated member and has a forward conductor end. The microwave conductor is adapted for movement between an unadvanced position where the forward conductor end is displaced from the tissue capturing portion and an advanced position where the forward conductor end is adjacent to the tissue capturing portion to direct microwave energy toward the body tissue portion supported therein. A source of microwave energy in electrical communication with the microwave conductor supplies microwave energy having a frequency ranging from about 400 MHz to about 2500 MHz. Preferably, the microwave conductor includes an active conductor and a return conductor in a coaxial arrangement. The forward conductor end may be uninsulated or insulated. Most preferably, a handle is connected to the elongated member.

Tissue sealing using microwaves

A clamping force mechanism and its method of use with electrosurgery allow a user to seal and/or join patient's particular vascular tissue; the mechanism is elongate with user and patient ends. An actuator is at the user end and the effectors are at the patient end. Each effector has a face of an area to contact the particular vascular tissue. A lost motion connection transfers user actuation to the effectors to hold a predetermined clamping force during electrosurgical tissue sealing. A yielding member in the loss motion connection clamps the particular tissue between the faces with a predetermined force. The yielding member is a spring, slip clutch or hydraulic coupling possibly near the actuator. An active electrode is carried on one end effector and a return electrode contacts the tissue so an electrosurgical energy supply connected thereacross delivers energy therebetween. A feedback circuit responds to parameters of energy delivered to tissue. A temperature sensor on one face and an impedance monitor respond to energy delivered. A control applies energy to held tissue to seal and/or join it. The method transfers user actuation of the effectors with the lost motion connection, maintains clamping force while sealing and applying electrosurgical energy to seal and/or join held tissue. Energy is applied to a temperature or an impedance. The method shifts the yielding member so the opposing faces clamp the particular tissue therebetween with the force from the spring via a transfer rod or by the hydraulic coupling or the slip clutch for a range of pressure.

Vascular tissue sealing pressure control and method

A bipolar forceps for sealing, cauterizing, coagulating and/or cutting vessels and vascular tissue at multiple sites includes a pair of multi-pronged jaw members pivotally attached in opposing relation relative to one another and selectively movable from an open position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second clamping position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The forceps also includes at least one electrode disposed on the inner facing surface of each prong of the jaw members and a switch for selectively controlling electrosurgical energy to each electrode. The electrodes on each of the jaw members can be activated simultaneously, sequentially, or in a multiplexed fashion. The disclosure also relates to a method of sealing, cauterizing, coagulating and/or cutting vessels and vascular tissue at multiple sites without manipulation of the forceps.

Multi-contact forceps and method of sealing, coagulating, cauterizing

An apparatus for transcervical sterilization or transcatheter embolization with a controlled bipolar RF catheter for creating thermal lesions in the fallopian tubes or thrombosing vessels has a catheter elongate along an axis thereof with a patient end. The catheter is circular and sized for transcervical insertion into the fallopian tube or transcatheter vessel insertion, respectively. A connector on an end of the catheter opposite the patient end has the terminations for RF and monitoring and is shaped for the surgeon to manipulate during placement and withdrawal. Two or more bipolar electrodes on the patient end are placed so each electrode is spaced from another with each circumscribing the catheter. A mucosa or thrombus sensor responsive to applied RF energy passing between the two or more bipolar electrodes determines the condition of the transmural formation of a lesion or the thrombus between each of the electrodes. The sensor is a temperature sensor positioned in the space between the electrodes measures the change in mucosal layer temperature or the thrombus during the application of RF energy. An RF generator electrically coupled to the electrodes and the sensor is alternately a phase detector in circuit with the coupling determines reactance of tissue as an indicator of lag or lead of the voltage wave form or current wave form delivered or is an impedance responsive circuit positioned in the RF generator to determine voltage and current delivered so a calculator finds impedance delivered for finding initial electrode contact with the tissue and for measuring the change in mucosal layer. The temperature sensor connects to an RF generator with control circuitry regulating delivery to a temperature range. A method for sterilization has the steps of inserting a catheter, delivering RF and monitoring the effect on the mucosa or thrombus, circumscribing the catheter with two or more bipolar electrodes, each of the electrodes spaced from one another and passing RF energy therebetween.

Apparatus and method for sterilization and embolization

Method of vascular tissue sealing pressure control

Electrosurgical energy is used in combination with a surgical tool to seal vessels and vascular tissue of a patient. One of the important advances of the present system is that it can effectively seal vessels of a patient without leaving any foreign material in the body of the patient. The present system is also capable of sealing vessels as large as ten millimeters in diameter. Another advantage of the present system is that the surgeon can visually inspect the integrity of the seal. The invention works with a combination of pressure and controlled application of electrosurgical energy to achieve the desired result. A surgical tool is used to grasp and apply an appropriate amount of closure force to the tissue of the patient. The tool is capable of conducting electrosurgical energy to the tissue concurrently with the application of the closure force. A method for sealing vessels and vascular tissue of a patient includes the steps of applying pressure to the vessels and other tissues of the patient; applying a first level of electrosurgical power to the vessels and other tissue sufficient to melt proteins in the tissue; applying a second level of electrosurgical power to the vessels and other tissue sufficient to cause desiccation without charring; reducing the electrosurgical power substantially to zero for a length of time sufficient to allow the vessels and other tissues to cool into a new compressed form; and relieving the pressure on the tissue.

Energy delivery system for vessel sealing

A clamping force mechanism for use with electrosurgery allow a user to seal and/or join patient's particular vascular tissue; the mechanism is elongate with user and patient ends. An actuator is at the user end and the effectors are at the patient end. Each effector has a face of an area to contact the particular vascular tissue. A lost motion connection transfers user actuation to the effectors to hold a predetermined clamping force during electrosurgical tissue sealing. A yielding member in the loss motion connection clamps the particular tissue between the faces with a predetermined force. The yielding member is a spring, slip clutch or hydraulic coupling possibly near the actuator. An active electrode is carried on one end effector and a return electrode contacts the tissue so an electrosurgical energy supply connected thereacross delivers energy therebetween. A feedback circuit responds to parameters of energy delivered to tissue. A temperature sensor on one face and an impedance monitor respond to energy delivered. A control applies energy to held tissue to seal and/or join it.

Vascular tissue sealing pressure control

A valve and irrigator used with a suction tube has an elongate funnel with an axis through an enlarged entrance and an opposed extended exit duct of a flexible elastomer. A flow passage through the elongate funnel connects the entrance to the exit permitting fluid communication. A web across and near the enlarged entrance sealingly separates that from the exit. The web and the elongate funnel are made of silicone elastomer and are adhesively adhered to together. A portal in the web passes therethrough along the axis and is circular in shape to surround in fluid tight engagement the suction tube. A lid, proximally of the web on the enlarged entrance, has an inlet for irrigation and a pass through for the tube; the lid closes the enlarged entrance forming a chamber between the web and the lid. A slit within the web, near the portal and spaced from the axis is in the form of a closed mouth composed of a pair of sealing lips. Normally the pair of lips are together but are able to separate and define a passageway for fluid flow through the web. A peripheral bump is radially disposed relative to the slit and is located on the entrance in position to align flexure force therethrough and toward the axis. A method of using the valve and irrigator with the suction tube has steps including locating an elongate funnel along the axis with the entrance thereon. Positioning the exit on the elongate funnel opposite the entrance and along the axis is a step. Merging the exit with the entrance is step. A step is permitting fluid communication through the flow passage between the entrance and exit. Sealingly separating the entrance and exit with the web is a step. The step of passing the portal through the web along the axis so it surrounds tube therethrough. A method for making the valve and irrigator has steps of locating the web near the entrance, passing through the web the portal and slit.

Growing community of inventors

Fort Collins, CO, United States of America

Thomas Patrick Ryan