Patent · US Expired

Thermal cautery system

US4691703A · kind A · utility

1,339Cited by
3References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 25, 1986
Grant dateSep 8, 1987
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 25, 2006

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B2018/087
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A thermal cautery system having an endoscopically deliverable probe connected to a power supply and display unit. The power supply and display unit, when triggered by a footswitch, energizes a voltage regulator having a current limited output that supplies power to the probe. The current limiting function of the voltage regulator is disabled for a predetermined period that power is initially applied to said probe to minimize the heating time of said probe. The current through said probe is sensed and used to increase the voltage at the output of the voltage regulator as the current increases to compensate for the voltage drop in the conductors connecting the probe to the power supply. A manually selected portion of the sensed current through the probe is also integrated and used to terminate the flow of current through the probe when the integral of the current with respect to time has reached a predetermined value. A tone generator provides an audible indication when power is being applied to the probe and for a predetermined period thereafter to allow the probe to cool before the absence of the tone signals the removal of the probe from tissue being coagulated. The probe is heate…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.