Patent ID: 6086586
Filing Date: 2000-07-11
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
Tissue grasping apparatus comprising:first and second elongated grasping jaws, each jaw including a tissue contacting surface in face-to-face relation with the tissue contacting surface of the other jaw;said grasping jaws being relatively movable for grasping tissue between said tissue contacting surfaces;the tissue contacting surfaces of said jaws comprising an insulating material;at least two electrode surfaces carried adjacent said tissue contacting surfaces of each said jaw and disposed to engage said tissue when grasped, the two electrode surfaces on said first law being in face-to-face relation with the two electrode surfaces on said second jaw, and the facing electrode surfaces being of like polarity, said electrode surfaces being connectable to a power source for providing an electrical current between said electrode surfaces;whereby, when tissue is grasped between said tissue contacting surfaces electrical current may be caused to flow between said electrode surfaces and through the tissue grasped between said tissue contacting surfaces.