| System and device for heating or cooling shape memory surgical devices -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
 
System and device for heating or cooling shape memory surgical devicesRelated Patent Categories: Surgery: Light, Thermal, And Electrical Application, Light, Thermal, And Electrical Application, Thermal ApplicatorsSystem and device for heating or cooling shape memory surgical devices description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070088412, System and device for heating or cooling shape memory surgical devices. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/726,703, filed Oct. 13, 2005, which is incorporated by reference as if disclosed herein in its entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] (1) Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention generally relates to a system and device for heating or cooling shape memory transformable surgical clamps used in implanted surgical applications. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and device for heating or cooling nickel/titanium alloy implant clamps. [0004] (2) Description of the Related Art [0005] Heating or cooling shape memory transformable surgical clamps are initially supplied in an open configuration at ambient temperature. After surgical placement, a quantity of heat is then provided to close the clamp and thus provide tissue support. In other configurations, the clamp can be transformed back to its original shape by cooling. Hence, the surgical implant can be made to release its fixation to the tissue. Various configurations of implants are available. In practice, surgical constraints require these surgical devices (or implants) to be manufactured to extremely restrictive specifications. [0006] In the surgical context, it is desired that a heating or cooling device to be able to transform many different types of clamps, whether they be mono-cortical or bicortical, bipode or quadripode clamps, and irrespective of their cross sectional shape or size, or the amount of shape memory metal used in their design. Many prior art designs are limited in the variety of clamps they can transform. It is also desired that a heating or cooling device include a reliable and effective safety system to prevent accidental bone necroses due to excessive heating or cooling applied by the device. Many prior art devices fail to include reliable safety systems. A common problem with the heating devices used to transform shape memory alloy implants is the inability to see the implant transform. The legs of these implants are imbedded in bone or tissue and in some cases do not move when transformed, but rather begin to exert forces on the tissue. Many prior art devices are not capable of determining when enough energy has been transferred to the implant so it transforms completely but does not get so hot as to damage the surrounding tissue. It is also desired that the device may be sterilized in an autoclave or disinfected in a bath. Many prior art device must be manually cleaned and sterilized. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] One aspect of the present invention is a system for heating a heat-transformable shape memory surgical device. The system includes a sealed, sterilizable housing, a thermal probe for heating the shape memory surgical device, the thermal probe being connected with the housing, and a printed circuit board positioned within the housing. The printed circuit board includes a system controller having a power circuit for controlling the receipt and distribution of heating power to the thermal probe, a feedback circuit for measuring a condition of the shape memory surgical device via the thermal probe, and a control circuit for receiving data from the feedback circuit and adjustably controlling an amount of heating power that the power circuit distributes to the thermal probe. [0008] Another aspect of the invention is a system for heating or cooling a thermally transformable shape memory surgical device. The system includes a sealed, sterilizable housing, a thermal probe for heating or cooling the shape memory surgical device, the thermal probe being connected with the housing, and a printed circuit board positioned within the housing. The printed circuit board includes a system controller having a power circuit for controlling the receipt and distribution of a heating power or a cooling agent to the thermal probe, a feedback circuit for measuring a condition of the shape memory surgical device via the thermal probe, and a control circuit for receiving data from the feedback circuit and adjustably controlling an amount of the heating power or the cooling agent that the power circuit distributes to the thermal probe. [0009] Still another aspect of the invention is a device for heating a heat-transformable shape memory surgical device. The device includes a sealed, sterilizable housing, a thermal probe for heating the shape memory surgical device, the thermal probe being connected with the housing, a mechanism for controlling the receipt and distribution of heating power to the thermal probe, a mechanism for measuring a condition of the shape memory surgical device via the thermal probe, and a mechanism for receiving data from the feedback circuit and adjustably controlling an amount of heating power that the power circuit distributes to the thermal probe. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings show a form of the invention that is presently preferred. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings, wherein: [0011] FIG. 1 is side sectional view of a handheld battery-powered device according to one embodiment of the present invention; [0012] FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial view of an electrode tip according to one embodiment of the present invention; [0013] FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial view of an electrode tip according to one embodiment of the present invention; [0014] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of an AC-powered device according to one embodiment of the present invention; and [0015] FIG. 5 is an enlarged side sectional view of a hand piece of the device in FIG. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0016] Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numerals indicate like parts, and in particular, to FIG. 1, one aspect of the present invention is a system 20 for heating a heat-transformable shape memory surgical device (not shown). As illustrated in FIG. 1, in one embodiment, system 20 is contained in a sealed, sterilizable handheld housing 22. System 20 includes a printed circuit board 24 including a system controller 26, both of which are contained in housing 22. System controller 26 is connected with a thermal probe 28, which extends from housing 22, for heating the shape memory surgical device. [0017] Housing 22 is generally sealed such that it is sterilizable and can withstand the conditions of an autoclave without damaging any of its internal components such as system controller 26. The components of system 20 generally form a handheld device in the form of housing 22. [0018] Thermal probe 28, which is used to heat the shape memory surgical device, is connected with housing 22 via printed circuit board 24 and extends from an end 30 of the housing. Referring now to FIG. 2, in one embodiment, thermal probe 28 is formed from a pair of electrodes 32, which are used to apply an electric current to the shape memory surgical device. Electrodes 32 cause the shape memory surgical device to be heated by its resistance to electric current, rather than by heat conduction or radiation. As described in greater detail below, thermal probe 28 may also be defined by thermal contacts other than conventional electrodes such as electrodes 32. [0019] A current sensing wire 34 may be joined with each of electrodes 32 to measure the current flow between a tip 36 of each electrode and the shape memory surgical device. Electrodes 32 may be formed from conductive materials such as gold, aluminum, silver, or a combination thereof. Alternatively, electrodes 32 may be formed from resistive materials such as carbon, graphite, or a combination thereof. Continue reading about System and device for heating or cooling shape memory surgical devices... Full patent description for System and device for heating or cooling shape memory surgical devices Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this System and device for heating or cooling shape memory surgical devices patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like System and device for heating or cooling shape memory surgical devices or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Methods and devices for the treatment of skin lesions Next Patent Application: Treatment apparatus and methods for delivering energy at multiple selectable depths in tissue Industry Class: Surgery: light, thermal, and electrical application ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the System and device for heating or cooling shape memory surgical devices patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.12563 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Software: Finance , AI , Databases , Development , Document , Navigation , Error 174 |
 * Protect your Inventions * US Patent Office filing 
PATENT INFO |
|
