IP Library Granted Patent US 8,348,946
Granted Patent B2
US 8,348,946 · App. 13/494,574 · Granted Jan 8, 2013

Surgical devices and methods of use thereof

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,348,946
App. No.
13/494,574
Granted
Jan 8, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention provides surgical devices and methods to treat tissue. In one device embodiment, the invention comprises a bipolar electrosurgical device to treat tissue in a presence of radio frequency power and a fluid provided simultaneously from a distal portion of the device, with the device comprising a disc shaped distal end. In one method embodiment, the invention comprises a method of treating tissue having a blood vessel during spine surgery, with the method comprising pressing a portion of the blood vessel against a supporting spine structure with a surgical device to provide a compressed portion of the blood vessel, and heating the compressed portion of the blood vessel with the surgical device sufficiently to inhibit a blood flow through the vessel after the surgical device is removed from the blood vessel.

Claims (34)

1. A method of treating tissue having a blood vessel during spine surgery, the method comprising:

providing an electrically powered surgical device having a planar distal end;

pressing a portion of the blood vessel against a supporting spine structure with the planar distal end of the device to provide a compressed portion of the blood vessel; and

heating the compressed portion of the blood vessel with the surgical device sufficiently to occlude the blood vessel after the electrically powered surgical device is removed from the blood vessel.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein:

the electrically powered surgical device comprises an electrosurgical device.

3. The method according to claim 2 wherein:

the electrosurgical device comprises a bipolar electrosurgical device.

4. The method according to claim 3 wherein:

the bipolar electrosurgical device is configured to treat tissue in a presence of radio frequency power and a fluid provided simultaneously from a distal portion of the device.

5. The method according to claim 1 further comprising:

heating the compressed portion of the blood vessel in a range of at least about 65° Celsius to about 85° Celsius.

6. The method according to claim 1 further comprising:

heating the compressed portion of the blood vessel in a range of at least about 7° Celsius to about 75° Celsius.

7. The method according to claim 1 further comprising:

heating the compressed portion of the blood vessel in a range of about 70° Celsius to about 100° Celsius.

8. The method according to claim 1 wherein:

the supporting spine structure comprises a vertebra.

9. The method according to claim 8 wherein:

the supporting spine structure further comprises a vertebral body of the vertebra.

10. The method according to claim 9 wherein:

the supporting spine structure further comprises an anterior side of the vertebral body of the vertebra.

11. The method according to claim 9 wherein:

the supporting spine structure further comprises a lateral-anterior side of the vertebral body of the vertebra.

12. The method according to claim 9 wherein:

the supporting spine structure further comprises a posterior side of the vertebral body of the vertebra.

13. The method according to claim 9 wherein:

the supporting spine structure further comprises a lateral-posterior side of the vertebral body of the vertebra.

14. The method according to claim 1 wherein:

the supporting spine structure comprises a spinal ligament and a vertebra.

15. The method according to claim 1 wherein:

the spine surgery further comprises a discectomy.

16. The method according to claim 1 wherein:

the spine surgery further comprises a spinal fusion.

Assignments (3)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE - PATENT NO. 1349457 WAS IDENTIFIED ON THE INITIAL EPAS FILING. - APPLN NO. 13/494,574 SHOULD HAVE BEEN LISTED. PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 029031 FRAME 0371. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE CHANGE OF NAME. Recorded Sep 28, 2012
From: SALIENT SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: MEDTRONIC ADVANCED ENERGY LLC
Reel/Frame 029058/0692 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Sep 26, 2012
From: SALIENT SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: MEDTRONIC ADVANCED ENERGY LLC
Reel/Frame 029031/0371 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 19, 2012
From: MCCLURKEN, MICHAEL E.; GREELEY, ROGER D.; CONLEY, BRIAN M.
To: SALIENT SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 028585/0449 →