Patent ID: 6821273
Filing Date: 2004-11-23
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A device for cutting and sealing body tissue comprising:an insertion rod; a first jaw and a second jaw extending from the insertion rod, said first and second jaws being operable to allow closure of the first and second jaws relative to each other, said first jaw having a first grasping face and said second jaw having a second grasping face, said first grasping face and said second grasping face aligned to meet each other upon closure of the first and second jaws; a cartridge disposed inside the second jaw, comprising: a support disposed in the cartridge; a cutting element comprising an electrically resistive wire disposed on the support and further disposed along the longitudinal axis of the insertion rod; a first pair of electrodes comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, said first electrode disposed on the first jaw and laterally spaced from and parallel to the longitudinal axis o: the insertion rod, and said second electrode disposed on the second jaw and laterally spaced from and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the insertion rod; wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are aligned to face each other upon closure of the jaws; and wherein the first pair of electrodes is operable as a pair of bipolar electrodes.