Surgical tissue treating device with locking mechanism

摘要

A locking mechanism for ensuring proper sequential usage of a surgical instrument is provided for an instrument utilizing a tissue treating energy, particularly a tissue heating energy, such as, for example, electrosurgical, ultrasonic, thermal, laser, infrared light, or other heating energies. One embodiment includes a cutting element to be used after heat treatment of tissue is completed to a desired degree. The instrument of the preferred embodiment includes a feedback monitor arranged to provide a signal indicating completion of tissue treatment. One embodiment includes an electro-mechanical locking mechanism responsive to the tissue treatment complete feedback signal and arranged to unlock when tissue treatment is complete.