Patent ID: 7699856

Claim:
A suture removal instrument comprising: (a) an elongated body comprising a proximal handle portion and distal portion configured to receive an insulated distal tip assembly; (b) a demountable insulated distal tip assembly having a generally wedge-shaped distal end, comprising (i) a first conductive member terminating in a tapered distal tip and (ii) a resistive heating element extending alongside said first conductive member and affixed at its distal end to the distal end of said tapered distal tip; (c) conduction means for supplying power to said heating element; (d) activation means for initiating an automated current control means; and (e) an automated current control means programmed to monitor and control the delivery of a predetermined amount of energy to the heating element as a pulse of high current having a predetermined duration, said duration ranging from 0.1 to 1 second, wherein said high current pulse of predetermined duration and energy heats said heating element to a temperature sufficient to rupture a suture but insufficient to heat said conductive member to a temperature which could potentially burn a patient.