Electrothermal instrument for sealing and joining or cutting tissue

US6626901B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York · US

Inventors

• Michael R. Treat · New York, US
• Fred H. Co · Santa Clara, US
• George D. Hermann · Los Gatos, US
• Thomas A. Howell · Palo Alto, US
• Theodore R. Kucklick · Campbell, US
• Michelle Y. Monfort · Clovis, US
• Kenneth H. Mollenauer · Portola Valley, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 13, 1999
• Grant date: Sep 30, 2003
• Expiry date: Aug 13, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61F2007/0078
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An instrument and method are provided for sealing and joining or hemostatically dividing tissue, which is particularly suitable for laparoscopic and endoscopic surgery. The instrument makes use of the controlled application of a combination of heat and pressure to seal adjacent tissues, to join adjacent tissues, or to anastomose tissues, whereby tissue is heated for an optimal time and at an optimal temperature under optimal pressure to maximize tissue seal strength while minimizing collateral tissue damage. The instrument of the present invention is lightweight and therefore portable, and is particularly useful in field conditions where a source of external power may not be readily available.