Surgical instrument with expandable cutting element
US5797941A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 24, 1997 |
| Grant date | Aug 25, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 24, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2018/1455
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A surgical instrument is provided for clamping and cutting during surgical procedures, particularly for use with tissues of varying thicknesses. The instrument in a preferred embodiment compresses tissue between electrodes associated with jaws of the clamping device and applies electrosurgical energy to the tissue. The invention provides an expandable cutting element which is adapted to compensate for various thicknesses in tissue and contractible by providing a knife which can be contained within the jaws and expand as needed for thicker tissues. The cutting element is preferably actuated as or after the electrosurgical energy has been applied, to cut tissue engaged and treated by the jaw members.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.