Cooled electrosurgical forceps

(52) U.S. CI 606/48; 606/51; 606/52;

606/27; 606/25

(58) Field of Classification Search 606/46 52,

606/36-45; 600/372, 373, 374 See application file for complete search history.

(56) References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

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(Continued)

FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS

AU 120788 1/1946

EP 0 246 350 5/1986

EP 0480639 A2 4/1992

EP 0 761 174 3/1997

WO WO 98/53750 12/1998

WO WO 01/15615 Al 3/2001

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

Brochure on Seitzinger TripolarTM Cutting Forceps, Cabot Technology Corp., 1994, consisting of three pages. Holman, J.P, Heat Transfer, Fourth Edition, McGraw-Hill Book Company, pp. 464^167.

Hoffmann, E., et al., "Temperature-controlled radiofrequency catheter ablation of AV conduction: first clinical experience," European Heart Journal, 14:57-64, (1993). Bart, S.F., et al., "The Mechanism of Electrosurgical Coagulation: Steam Evolution Versus Dielectric Breakdown," IEEE, pp. 297-300, (1985).

Neiman, T.S., et al., "Thermal Characterization of Electrosurgery," Biomat, Med. Dev., Art. Org., 11(1):93-101, (1983).

Primary Examiner—Roy D. Gibson

Assistant Examiner—Peter J Vrettakos

(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Verne E. Kreger, Jr.

(57) ABSTRACT

Bipolar electrosurgical forceps includes a first electrode attached to a first heat pipe and a second electrode attached to a second heat pipe. The heat pipe can be removably attached to the forceps. The forceps can also include a securing mechanism that secures the removable heat pipes to the device.

20 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets

Page 2

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

5,342,357 A 8/1994 Nardella 606/40

5,348,554 A 9/1994 Imran et al 606/41

5,417,686 A 5/1995 Peterson et al 606/25

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5,885,280 A 3/1999 Nettekoven et al 606/41

5,925,039 A 7/1999 Landingham 606/41

6,056,747 A 5/2000 Saadat et al 606/50

6,074,389 A * 6/2000 Levine et al 606/45

6,090,107 A 7/2000 Borgmeier et al 606/41

6,206,876 Bl 3/2001 Levine et al 606/45

6,293,946 Bl * 9/2001 Thorne 606/48

cited by examiner