Surgical Tool That Combines Energy Treatment and Stapling
CILAG's patent details a surgical instrument that applies therapeutic energy to tissue, monitors its properties, then deploys staples, adapting the stapling based on the initial energy treatment and monitoring.
Original patent title: “Method for tissue treatment by surgical instrument”
What this patent covers
The actual claim
This patent describes a method for treating tissue using a surgical instrument that combines two main actions: delivering therapeutic energy and deploying staples. In a first phase, the instrument uses at least one electrode to deliver energy to the tissue, while simultaneously monitoring a 'first tissue property'. The instrument then switches to a 'second phase' to deploy staples from a staple cartridge. This switch happens if specific conditions are met. Crucially, the parameters for the stapling phase are adjusted based on the measurements of the 'first tissue property' taken during the energy phase. A 'second tissue property', different from the first, is also monitored during the stapling phase. For example, a surgeon might use this instrument to seal blood vessels with energy while monitoring tissue impedance, then staple the tissue, with the stapling force adjusted based on the initial impedance readings, and monitor tissue thickness during stapling.
What this patent does NOT cover
The boundaries
- Does not cover surgical instruments that only deliver therapeutic energy without also deploying staples.
- Does not cover surgical instruments that only deploy staples without an initial energy treatment phase.
- Does not cover instruments that fail to monitor at least two different tissue properties across the two surgical phases.
- Does not cover instruments where the parameters of the stapling phase are not adjusted based on measurements from the energy treatment phase.
- Does not cover instruments that do not switch from the energy phase to the stapling phase based on specific, predefined conditions.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
The novelty lies in the integrated, adaptive approach: combining two distinct surgical actions (energy delivery and stapling) within one instrument, monitoring different tissue properties in each phase, and using data from the first phase to intelligently inform and adjust the parameters of the second phase.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Advanced electrosurgical staplers
Integrated surgical cutting and sealing devices
Robotic surgical systems with adaptive tissue interaction
Endoscopic surgical instruments combining multiple functions
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Combining energy delivery and stapling into a single, adaptive instrument can streamline surgical procedures. By monitoring tissue properties and adjusting subsequent actions, this method aims to improve precision and safety. Such integration can potentially reduce complications and enhance patient outcomes in various surgical specialties.
Filed
December 2, 2020
Granted
November 18, 2025
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
CILAG GMBH INT, an affiliate of Johnson & Johnson's Ethicon surgical division, is a major player in this space, developing advanced surgical instruments. Other large medical device companies like Medtronic and Stryker also continuously innovate in integrated surgical tools, seeking to combine functions and enhance procedural intelligence.
Market impact
The development of integrated surgical instruments, like the one described, has driven a trend towards more efficient and precise surgical workflows. This patent contributes to a market where devices can adapt to real-time tissue conditions, potentially leading to fewer surgical steps, reduced operating times, and improved patient safety. It encourages competition in developing smarter, multi-functional tools for minimally invasive surgery.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes a method for treating tissue using a surgical instrument that combines two main actions: delivering therapeutic energy and deploying staples. In a first phase, the instrument uses at least one electrode to deliver energy to the tissue, while simultaneously monitoring a 'first tissue property'. The instrument then switches to a 'second phase' to deploy staples from a staple cartridge. This switch happens if specific conditions are met. Crucially, the parameters for the stapling phase are adjusted based on the measurements of the 'first tissue property' taken during the energy phase. A 'second tissue property', different from the first, is also monitored during the stapling phase. For example, a surgeon might use this instrument to seal blood vessels with energy while monitoring tissue impedance, then staple the tissue, with the stapling force adjusted based on the initial impedance readings, and monitor tissue thickness during stapling.
The clever bit
The novelty lies in the integrated, adaptive approach: combining two distinct surgical actions (energy delivery and stapling) within one instrument, monitoring different tissue properties in each phase, and using data from the first phase to intelligently inform and adjust the parameters of the second phase.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover surgical instruments that only deliver therapeutic energy without also deploying staples.
- Does not cover surgical instruments that only deploy staples without an initial energy treatment phase.
- Does not cover instruments that fail to monitor at least two different tissue properties across the two surgical phases.
- Does not cover instruments where the parameters of the stapling phase are not adjusted based on measurements from the energy treatment phase.
- Does not cover instruments that do not switch from the energy phase to the stapling phase based on specific, predefined conditions.
Patent Journey
From filing to today
Patent Filed
2020
Patent Granted
2025 · 5yr after filing
Highly Cited
10,346 patents cite this
Active Today
2026
Expires
2040
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Strong
Citation count
40/40
Highly cited
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claims
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assignee
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Citations
Patent lineage
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