Adjustable clamp systems and methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10398495-B2
Application number	US-201615271078-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 20, 2016
Priority date	Dec 4, 2001
Publication date	Sep 3, 2019
Grant date	Sep 3, 2019

Abstract

Tissue treatment systems include an actuator handle assembly coupled with a clamp assembly having a first jaw mechanism and a second jaw mechanism. A first jaw mechanism includes a first flexible boot, a first flexible ablation member coupled with the first flexible boot, and a first rotatable jawbone disposed within the first flexible boot. A second jaw mechanism comprises a second flexible boot, a second flexible ablation member coupled with the second flexible boot, and a second rotatable jawbone disposed within the second flexible boot.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An adjustable clamping treatment system for forming a lesion on a tissue of a patient, comprising:
an actuator handle assembly; and
a clamp assembly coupled with the actuator handle assembly, the clamp assembly having a first jaw mechanism and a second jaw mechanism,
wherein the first jaw mechanism comprises a first flexible ablation member positioned on a first flexible boot that is coupled to a first rigid base, where the first base provides stiffness to the first jaw mechanism;
wherein the second jaw mechanism comprises a second flexible ablation member positioned on a second flexible boot that is coupled to a second base, where the second base provides stiffness to the second jaw mechanism;
where a distance between the first jaw mechanism and second jaw mechanism is adjustable such that the first jaw mechanism and second jaw mechanism can compress the tissue therebetween to allow the first flexible boot and the second flexible boot to flex and conform with a shape of the tissue and also to allow the first flexible ablation member and the second flexible ablation member to conform to the shape of the tissue.

2. The adjustable clamping assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first jaw mechanism comprises a first rotatable guide and wherein the second jaw mechanism comprises a second rotatable guide, where the first rotatable guide and second rotatable guide permit rotation within respective first flexible boot and second flexible boot while permitting the first flexible ablation member and second flexible ablation member to remain facing each other.

3. The adjustable clamping treatment system of claim 1 , further comprising a first push and release rotational assembly coupling the actuator handle with the first jaw mechanism; and a second push and release rotational assembly coupling the actuator handle assembly with the second jaw mechanism.

4. The adjustable clamping treatment system of claim 3 , wherein the first push and release rotational assembly further comprises a jawbone base having a jawbone base tooth that engages at least one of the upper tooth, the lower tooth, or the vertical tooth of the first frame button.

5. The adjustable clamping treatment system of claim 3 , wherein the first push and release rotational assembly comprises a first frame button and a first leaf spring.

6. The adjustable clamping treatment system of claim 5 , wherein the first frame button comprises an engagement button, an upper horizontal arm having an upper tooth, a lower horizontal arm having a lower tooth, and a vertical arm having a vertical tooth.

7. The adjustable clamping treatment system of claim 5 , wherein the first leaf spring comprises an engagement tab, and the first push and release rotational assembly further comprises a jawbone base having an engagement aperture that receives the engagement tab.

Assignees

• Atricure Inc

Inventors

• Morejohn Dwight P
• Ibrahim Tamer
• Banchieri Michael J
• Stephanian Ara

Classifications

• A61B2018/145

  wherein the effectors remain parallel during closing and opening · CPC title

• A61B2018/00273

  Anchoring means for temporary attachment of a device to tissue · CPC title

• A61B2018/00351

  Heart · CPC title

• A61B2018/0225

  using an instrument for clamping tissue, e.g. forceps · CPC title

• A61B2018/00577

  Ablation · CPC title