IP Library Granted Patent US 9,370,395
Granted Patent B2
US 9,370,395 · App. 14/083,274 · Granted Jun 21, 2016

Ablation clamp with malleable jaws

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,370,395
App. No.
14/083,274
Granted
Jun 21, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

An apparatus for use with a clamp including a base member configured to be secured to the clamp and at least one energy transmission device carried by the base member. An apparatus for use with a clamp and a probe that carries at least one energy transmission device including a base member configured to be secured to the clamp and an engagement device associated with the base member and configured to engage the probe. A clamp including first and second clamp members, at least one of which is malleable, and a movement apparatus that moves at least one of the first and second clamp members relative to the other. A surgical system including a clamp with first and second clamp members and a device that removably mounts at least one electrode on at least one of the first and second clamp members.

Claims (34)

1. A bi-polar tissue coagulation device for treating a patient tissue, the device comprising:

a first clamp member comprising annealed stainless steel;

a second clamp member in pivotal association with the first clamp member; and

an energy transmission assembly comprising an energy transmission device that emits coagulation energy and a base member formed from a soft, resilient, low durometer material, the base member comprising a longitudinally extending aperture that receives the first clamp member;

wherein the first clamp member is a malleable structure that can be readily bent by a physician to a desired shape, without springing back when released, so that it remains in the desired shape during a surgical procedure,

wherein the pivotal association between the first clamp member and the second clamp member permits the device to move between an opened position and a closed position, and

wherein the closed position provides a spacing distance between the first clamp member and the second clamp member that remains consistent along a length of the first clamp member and a corresponding length of the second clamp member.

2. The bi-polar tissue coagulation device according to claim 1 , wherein the first clamp member is curved.

3. The bi-polar tissue coagulation device according to claim 1 , wherein both the first clamp member and the second clamp member are curved.

4. The bi-polar tissue coagulation device according to claim 1 , further comprising a temperature sensor.

5. The bi-polar tissue coagulation device according to claim 4 , further comprising an electrosurgical unit, wherein the energy transmission assembly is configured to supply a level of power to the energy transmission device, and wherein the level of power is based on a temperature measured by the temperature sensor.

6. The bi-polar tissue coagulation device according to claim 5 , wherein the electrosurgical unit comprises a control means, the control means including:

means for registering the temperature sensed by the sensor element; and

means for producing a command signal when the temperature sensed by the sensor element differs from a predetermined temperature condition.

7. The bi-polar tissue coagulation device according to claim 1 , wherein the second clamp member comprises annealed stainless steel, and is a malleable structure that can be readily bent by a physician to a desired shape, without springing back when released, so that it remains in the desired shape during a surgical procedure.

8. The bi-polar tissue coagulation device according to claim 1 , further comprising a return energy transmission device coupled with the second clamp member.

9. A bi-polar tissue coagulation device for treating a patient tissue, the device comprising:

a first rigid arm;

a second rigid arm pivotally coupled with the first rigid arm, such that the device can move between an opened position and a closed position;

a first clamp member coupled with the first rigid arm, the first clamp member comprising annealed stainless steel;

a second clamp member coupled with the second rigid arm; and

an energy transmission assembly comprising an energy transmission device that emits coagulation energy and a base member formed from a soft, resilient, low durometer material, the base member comprising a longitudinally extending aperture that is coupled with the first clamp member;

wherein the first clamp member is a malleable structure that can be readily bent by a physician to a desired shape, without springing back when released, so that it remains in the desired shape during a surgical procedure, and

wherein the closed position provides a spacing distance between the first clamp member and the second clamp member that remains consistent along a length of the first clamp member and a corresponding length of the second clamp member.

10. The bi-polar tissue coagulation device according to claim 5 , wherein the electrosurgical unit comprises a control means, the control means including:

means for registering the temperature of the tissue contacting the sensor; and

means for producing a command signal when the tissue temperature sensed by the sensor deviates from a predetermined temperature condition.

11. The bi-polar tissue coagulation device according to claim 9 , further comprising a temperature sensor and an electrosurgical unit, wherein the electrosurgical unit is configured to supply a level of power to the energy transmission device, and wherein the level of power is based on a temperature measured by the temperature sensor.

12. The bi-polar tissue coagulation device according to claim 11 , wherein the energy transmission assembly comprises a control means, the control means including:

means for registering the temperature of the tissue contacting the sensor; and

means for producing a command signal when the tissue temperature sensed by the sensor deviates from a predetermined temperature condition.

13. The bi-polar tissue coagulation device according to claim 11 , wherein the energy transmission assembly comprises a control means, the control means including:

means for registering the temperature sensed by the sensor element; and

means for producing a command signal when the temperature sensed by the sensor element differs from a predetermined temperature condition.

Assignments (4)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 10, 2024
From: SILICON VALLEY BANK, A DIVISION OF FIRST-CITIZENS BANK & TRUST COMPANY
To: ATRICURE, INC.; ATRICURE, LLC; ENDOSCOPIC TECHNOLOGIES, LLC; NCONTACT SURGICAL, LLC; SENTREHEART LLC
Reel/Frame 066256/0797 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 18, 2018
From: ATRICURE, INC.; ATRICURE, LLC; ENDOSCOPIC TECHNOLOGIES, LLC; NCONTACT SURGICAL, LLC
To: SILICON VALLEY BANK
Reel/Frame 047951/0496 →
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED JOINT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 25, 2016
From: ATRICURE, INC.; ATRICURE, LLC; ENDOSCOPIC TECHNOLOGIES, LLC; NCONTACT SURGICAL, LLC
To: SILICON VALLEY BANK
Reel/Frame 038520/0062 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 11, 2016
From: ENDOSCOPIC TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
To: ATRICURE, INC.
Reel/Frame 038315/0335 →