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.

What it 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.

What it doesn't 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.

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.

Why it matters

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.

Real-world examples

• 1.Advanced electrosurgical staplers
• 2.Integrated surgical cutting and sealing devices
• 3.Robotic surgical systems with adaptive tissue interaction
• 4.Endoscopic surgical instruments combining multiple functions