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. 18, 2014
Filed:
Jun. 09, 2010
Timothy G. Dietz, Terrace Park, OH (US);
David A. Witt, Maineville, OH (US);
Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Lebanon, OH (US);
Zhifan F. Huang, Mason, OH (US);
Mary E. Mootoo, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Raymond M. Banks, Cupertino, CA (US);
Timothy G. Dietz, Terrace Park, OH (US);
David A. Witt, Maineville, OH (US);
Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Lebanon, OH (US);
Zhifan F. Huang, Mason, OH (US);
Mary E. Mootoo, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Raymond M. Banks, Cupertino, CA (US);
Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc., Cincinnati, OH (US);
Abstract
An electrosurgical surgical instrument can comprise a handle and an end effector, wherein the end effector can comprise first and second jaws which can be opened and closed in order to capture tissue therebetween. In various embodiments, the first and second jaws can comprise one or more electrodes configured to apply a voltage across the tissue, wherein at least one of the electrodes can comprise a conductive material positioned within a non-conductive, or high-resistance, material. In use, current flowing through the conductive material can heat the conductive material and cause it to evaporate and leave behind the non-conductive material. In such circumstances, the current flowing through the electrode may cease or may be substantially reduced.