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. 28, 2000
Filed:
Apr. 28, 1999
Thomas Ryan, Fort Collins, CO (US);
Sherwood Services AG, Schaffhausen, CH;
Abstract
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.