Patent · US Expired

Multi-contact forceps and method of sealing, coagulating, cauterizing and/or cutting vessels and tissue

US6152923A · kind A · utility

704Cited by
102References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateApr 28, 1999
Grant dateNov 28, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 28, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B2018/126
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A bipolar forceps for sealing, cauterizing, coagulating and/or cutting vessels and vascular tissue at multiple sites includes a pair of multi-pronged jaw members pivotally attached in opposing relation relative to one another and selectively movable from an open position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second clamping position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The forceps also includes at least one electrode disposed on the inner facing surface of each prong of the jaw members and a switch for selectively controlling electrosurgical energy to each electrode. The electrodes on each of the jaw members can be activated simultaneously, sequentially, or in a multiplexed fashion. The disclosure also relates to a method of sealing, cauterizing, coagulating and/or cutting vessels and vascular tissue at multiple sites without manipulation of the forceps.

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