Patent ID: 6558376
Filing Date: 2003-05-06
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A surgical method for increasing the size of a tissue weld in clamped tissue, comprising the steps of:a) providing an end effector for an ultrasonic surgical instrument, said end effector including: i) an ultrasonic blade having a proximal and a distal end; ii) a clamping mechanism having a clamping surface positioned opposite said ultrasonic blade, wherein said clamping mechanism is adapted to clamp tissue against a side of said ultrasonic blade; iii) a first support surface positioned laterally on a first side of said ultrasonic blade, said first support surface being ultrasonically isolated from said blade and positioned opposite at least a portion of said clamping surface; and iv) a second support surface positioned laterally on a second side of said ultrasonic blade, said second support surface being ultrasonically isolated from said blade and positioned opposite at least a portion of said clamping surface; b) actuating said clamping mechanism to clamp tissue between said clamping surface and said ultrasonic blade, and between said clamping surface and said first and second tissue support surfaces, the clamped tissue defining a substantially continuous pressure region; and c) applying ultrasonic energy to said ultrasonic blade for the creation of a tissue weld in the substantially continuous pressure region, the tissue weld spreading from tissue clamped between said clamping surface and said ultrasonic blade and into tissue clamped between said clamping surface and said first and second tissue support surfaces.