Tissue welding and cutting apparatus and method

US7918848B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• MAQUET CARDIOVASCULAR LLC · US

Inventors

• Liming Lau · Mountain View, US
• Arnold M. Escano · Santa Clara, US
• Jerry Jarrard · San Jose, US
• Sam Ho · Fremont, US
• Ryan C. Abbott · San Jose, US
• Arthur M. Lin · Fremont, US
• Jesse McQuiston · Redwood City, US
• Peter Callas · Castro Valley, US
• Geoffrey H. Willis · Redwood City, US
• Michael C. Stewart · San Jose, US
• Kimberly D. Barkman · Redwood City, US
• Joseph N. Lamberti · Castro Valley, US
• Kenny L. Dang · San Jose, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 25, 2005
• Grant date: Apr 5, 2011
• Expiry date: Sep 12, 2027

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2018/1432
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A surgical apparatus and methods for severing and welding tissue, in particular blood vessels, include a pair of relatively movable jaws at a distal end of an elongated shaft. A first heating element on one of the jaws is adapted to heat up to a first temperature and form a welded region within the tissue, while a second heating element on one of the jaws is adapted to heat up to a second temperature and sever the tissue within the welded region. A force-limiting mechanism is provided to limit the pressure applied to the tissue by the jaws to ensure that the tissue is severed and the ends effectively welded within a short amount of time.