Electrosurgical methods and apparatus for making precise incisions in body vessels
US7189231B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 13, 2004 |
| Grant date | Mar 13, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 13, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2090/036
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Methods and apparatus employed in surgery involving making precise incisions in vessels of the body, particularly cardiac blood vessels in coronary revascularization procedures conducted on the stopped or beating heart are disclosed. Such incisions are created by applying an elongated electrosurgical cutting electrode to the outer surface of the vessel wall in substantially parallel alignment with the body vessel axis, the elongated electrosurgical cutting electrode having a predetermined cutting electrode length exceeding the cutting electrode width. RF energy is applied between the electrosurgical cutting electrode and the ground electrode at an energy level and for a duration sufficient to cut an elongated slit through the vessel wall where the elongated electrosurgical cutting electrode is applied to the surface of the vessel wall.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.