Micromachined electrical cauterizer
US5944717A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 12, 1997 |
| Grant date | Aug 31, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 12, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2562/028
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A micromachined electrical cauterizer. Microstructures are combined with microelectrodes for highly localized electro cauterization. Using boron etch stops and surface micromachining, microneedles with very smooth surfaces are made. Micromachining also allows for precision placement of electrodes by photolithography with micron sized gaps to allow for concentrated electric fields. A microcauterizer is fabricated by bulk etching silicon to form knife edges, then parallelly placed microelectrodes with gaps as small as 5 .mu.m are patterned and aligned adjacent the knife edges to provide homeostasis while cutting tissue. While most of the microelectrode lines are electrically insulated from the atmosphere by depositing and patterning silicon dioxide on the electric feedthrough portions, a window is opened in the silicon dioxide to expose the parallel microelectrode portion. This helps reduce power loss and assist in focusing the power locally for more efficient and safer procedures.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.