Fast pulse thermal cautery probe and method
US4449528A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 20, 1981 |
| Grant date | May 22, 1984 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 20, 2001 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2018/087
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A miniaturized, endoscopically deliverable thermal cautery probe for cauterizing internal vessels. The probe is applied to tissues cold, and a large number of electric heating pulses of equal energy are then applied to an internal heating element in the probe. The probe has an internal heating element in direct thermal contact with an active heat-transfer portion that has a low heat capacity to insure quick heating and subsequent cooling, thereby adequately coagulating tissue while minimizing heat penetration and resulting tissue damage. The electrical power applied to the probe is continuously measured and is terminated when the energy delivered reaches a preset value. The number of such pulses applied to the probe (and hence the total energy delivered) may be preset while the duration of the period during which the pulses were applied is displayed. Alternatively, the duration of the period during which such pulses are applied to the probe may be preset while the number of pulses applied (and hence the total energy delivered) is displayed. The heating element for the probe is a controlled breakdown diode which has a breakdown voltage that is a function of its temperature so that t…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.