Articulating ionizable gas coagulator
US6475217B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 21, 2000 |
| Grant date | Nov 5, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 28, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2017/00292
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An electrosurgical apparatus for coagulating tissue includes an elongated flexible tube having a proximal end, a distal end and a source for supplying pressurized ionizable gas to the proximal end of the tube. The apparatus also includes a hollow sleeve made from a shape memory alloy having a generally curved austenite state and displaying stress-induced martensite behavior. The hollow sleeve is restrained in a deformed stress-induced martensite configuration within the tube and partial extension of a portion of the hollow sleeve from the tube transforms the portion of the sleeve from the deformed configuration to the generally curved austenite configuration such that the gas is directed transversely at the tissue. An electrode ionizes the gas in the region between the sleeve and the tissue. Other embodiments of the present disclosure also include a wire connected to the distal end of the tube which movable from a first position wherein the tube is disposed in a generally rectilinear, parallel fashion relative to the tissue to a second retracted position wherein the distal end of the tube flexes at an angle to direct the gas towards the tissue. Still other embodiments of the presen…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.