The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 03, 1998
Filed:
Oct. 25, 1996
James R Flom, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Matthias Vaska, Los Altos Hills, CA (US);
Scott Miller, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Lee R Bolduc, Mountain View, CA (US);
Heartport, Inc., Redwood City, CA (US);
Abstract
The invention provides an electrosurgical device (2) and method for cauterizing tissue and evacuating fluid from the surgical site. The device comprises an insulated conductive shaft (4) having a proximal end coupled to an electric generator (40) and a distal end coupled to an electrode (6) for cutting or coagulating tissue. The shaft has an inner lumen (14) fluidly coupled to a vacuum source (50) and a plurality of insulated side holes (8) in communication with the lumen. The side holes are configured to remain free of obstructions so that fluid, such as smoke, can be continuously evacuated during the surgical procedure.