Patent · US Expired

Method and system for heating tissue with a bipolar instrument

US6682527B2 · kind B2 · utility

1,832Cited by
42References
30Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 13, 2001
Grant dateJan 27, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 1, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B2018/00886
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Methods for heating tissue completely, thoroughly, and uniformly comprise delivering radio frequency energy through a bipolar surgical instrument having first and second jaws with first and second electrode members within the treatment region. Tissue is grasped between the first and second jaws of the bipolar instrument. The electrode members are energized at a power level to deliver electrical energy to and heat tissue between the first and second electrode members. The power level is increased at a predetermined rate from an initial level. The initial level and predetermined rate are selected to avoid creating a vapor layer and to permit an impedance increase to occur as a result of complete tissue desiccation. A tissue impedance may also be measured and compared to a preset impedance limit for terminating the power delivery when the measured impedance exceeds the impedance limit.

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