Suture welding system and method
US7582097B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 18, 2001 |
| Grant date | Sep 1, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 22, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2017/0619
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A suture welding system for fixedly attaching a first length of suture to a second length of suture includes an electrosurgical energy source and a suture welding device. The suture welding device has a working end, a suture contacting element disposed on the working end, a first electrode electrically coupled to the electrosurgical energy source, and a second electrode electrically coupled to the electrosurgical energy source. The first electrode is disposed on the suture contacting element for providing electrical energy to the first and second lengths of suture, and the second electrode is disposable proximate to the suture welding site for providing a return electrical energy path to the electrosurgical energy source. When electrical energy is provided by the first electrode to the first and second lengths of suture welds, the first and second lengths of suture are welded into a fixed attachment.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.