Patent ID: 9456870
Filing Date: 2016-10-04
CPC Classification: A61B

Claim Text:
1. An energy-based instrument for cutting and sealing vascular tissue, comprising: first and second deforming members configured to move in opposite directions and configured to deform vascular tissue placed between the first and second deforming members to cause different layers of the vascular tissue to contact each other; and a cutting blade moveable with respect to the first and second deforming members in a direction different from directions of movement of the first and second deforming members, and configured to cut the vascular tissue, the cutting blade including a first layer, a second layer, a third layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer, and a light distribution element disposed between the first layer and the second layer, the third layer defining a cutting edge at a distal end of the cutting blade, the light distribution element being configured to receive light propagating through the third layer and to distribute light through at least one of the first and second layers of the cutting blade to illuminate at least one cut surface of the vascular tissue with light to seal the at least one cut surface of the vascular tissue.