IP Library Granted Patent US 7,727,232
Granted Patent B1
US 7,727,232 · App. 11/051,090 · Granted Jun 1, 2010

Fluid-assisted medical devices and methods

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,727,232
App. No.
11/051,090
Granted
Jun 1, 2010
Kind
B1
Abstract

A bipolar electrosurgical scraper device is provided comprising a handle, a blade having a thickness and a beveled distal end with the beveled distal end terminating distally in a scraping edge. The beveled distal end includes a first electrode and a second electrode with the first electrode and the second electrode provided along a width of the blade and spaced apart with respect to the thickness of the blade. The device also comprises a fluid passage at least one fluid outlet in fluid communication with the fluid passage.

Claims (48)

1. A bipolar electrosurgical scraper device comprising:

a handle;

a blade distal to the handle, the blade having a front side, a rear side, a thickness and a beveled distal end, the beveled distal end terminating distally in a scraping edge at the rear side of the blade;

the beveled distal end including a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode provided along a width of the blade and spaced apart with respect to the thickness of the blade, wherein the beveled distal end is at a bevel angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the device, and wherein the bevel angle is uniform along the thickness of the blade;

a fluid passage extending distally with the handle; and

at least one fluid outlet in fluid communication with the fluid passage.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein:

the scraping edge is straight.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein:

the first electrode and the second electrode are provided along a center portion of the width of the blade.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein:

the first electrode and the second electrode are provided along a substantial portion of the width of the blade.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein:

the bevel angle in the range between and including about 20 degrees to 70 degrees.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein:

the bevel angle in the range between and including about 30 degrees to 60 degrees.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein:

the bevel angle at 30 degrees.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein:

the bevel angle is uniform from the front side to the rear side of the blade.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein:

the beveled distal end further comprises an electrical insulator, the electrical insulator located between the first electrode and the second electrode.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein:

the electrical insulator comprises a polymer.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein:

the blade further comprises a layered structure with respect to the thickness of the blade, the layered structure comprising an intermediate insulating member disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein:

one of the first electrode and second electrode provides the scraping edge.

13. The device of claim 11 wherein:

the layered blade structure is restricted from separation by a dovetail joint.

14. A bipolar electrosurgical scraper device comprising:

a handle;

a blade distal to the handle, the blade having a front side, a rear side, a thickness and a beveled distal end, the beveled distal end terminating distally in a scraping edge at the rear side of the blade;

the beveled distal end including a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode comprising two strips along a width of the blade and spaced apart with respect to the thickness of the blade, wherein the beveled distal end is at a bevel angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the device, and wherein the bevel angle is uniform along the thickness of the blade;

a fluid passage extending distally with the handle; and

at least one fluid outlet in fluid communication with the fluid passage.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein:

the scraping edge is straight.

16. The device of claim 14 wherein:

the first electrode and the second electrode are provided along a center portion of the width of the blade.

17. The device of claim 14 wherein:

the bevel angle in the range between and including about 20 degrees to 70 degrees.

18. The device of claim 14 wherein:

the beveled distal end further comprises an electrical insulator, the electrical insulator located between the first electrode and the second electrode.

19. The device of claim 14 wherein:

the blade further comprises a layered structure with respect to the thickness of the blade, the layered structure comprising an intermediate insulating member disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode.

20. The device of claim 14 wherein:

one of the first electrode and second electrode provides the scraping edge.

Assignments (7)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 7, 2011
From: GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION
To: SALIENT SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; SALIENT, INC.
Reel/Frame 026866/0790 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 29, 2009
From: TISSUELINK MEDICAL, INC.
To: SALIENT SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 022888/0473 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 12, 2009
From: SALIENT SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; SALIENT, INC.
To: GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 022668/0220 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 5, 2007
From: TISSUELINK MEDICAL, INC.
To: HORIZON TECHNOLOGY FUNDING COMPANY LLC
Reel/Frame 020072/0770 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 6, 2006
From: TISSUELINK MEDICAL, INC.
To: RIVERVEST VENTURE PARTNERS I, LLC
Reel/Frame 018207/0252 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 13, 2005
From: TISSUELINK MEDICAL, INC.
To: HORIZON TECHNOLOGY FUNDING COMPANY LLC
Reel/Frame 016674/0674 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 4, 2005
From: MAURER, CHRISTOPHER W.; CONLEY, ERIC W.; OYOLA, ARNOLD E.
To: TISSUELINK MEDICAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 016261/0565 →