The present invention relates to an electrosurgical instrument and related system for use in surgical ablation or electrocautery procedures. More particularly, it relates to a fluid-assisted electrocautery instrument designed to be indifferent to rotational orientation and including a bendable shaft capable of independently maintaining a desired shape.
A wide variety of surgical procedures involve ablation or cauterization of selected tissue. For example, hemorrhoid or varicose vein removal can be accomplished by ablating the tissue in question. Additionally, tissue ablation and/or cauterization is commonly employed for the surgical treatment of cardiac arrhythmia, and in particular atrial fibrillation. In general terms, cardiac arrhythmia relates to disturbances in the heart's electrical system that causes the heart to beat irregularly, too fast or too slow. Irregular heartbeats, or arrhythmia, are caused by physiological or pathological disturbances in the discharge of electrical impulses from the sinoatrial node, in the transmission of the signal through heart tissue, or spontaneous, unexpected electrical signals generated within the heart. One type of arrhythmia is tachycardia, which is an abnormal rapidity of heart action. There are several different forms of atrial tachycardia, including atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. With atrial fibrillation, instead of a single beat, numerous electrical impulses are generated by depolarizing tissue at one or more locations in the atria (or possible other locations). These unexpected electrical impulses produce irregular, often rapid heartbeats in the atrial muscles and ventricles. As to the location of the depolarizing tissue, it is generally agreed that the undesired electrical impulses often originate in the left atrial region of the heart, and in particular in one (or more) of the pulmonary veins extending from the left atrium. With this in mind, and as an alternative to drug therapy, ablation of the abnormal tissue or accessory pathway responsible for the atrial fibrillation has proven highly viable.
Regardless of exact application, ablation or cauterization of tissue is typically achieved by applying a destructive energy source to the target tissue, including radiofrequency electrical energy, direct current electrical energy, and the like. The ablative energy source is provided by an electrode that is otherwise placed in contact with the target tissue. For some treatments, the electrode can be formed as a part of a catheter that is otherwise sub-cutaneously delivered to the target site. While relatively non-invasive, catheter-based treatments present certain obstacles to achieving precisely located, complete ablation lesion patterns due to the highly flexible nature of the catheter itself, the confines of the surgical site; etc.
A highly viable alternative device is the hand-held electrosurgical instrument. As used herein, the term “electrosurgical instrument” includes a hand-held instrument capable of ablating tissue or cauterizing tissue, but does not include a catheter-based device. The instrument is relatively short (as compared to a catheter-based device), and rigidly couples the electrode tip to the instrument's handle that is otherwise held and manipulated by the surgeon. The rigid construction of the electrosurgical instrument requires direct, open access to the targeted tissue. Thus, for treatment of atrial fibrillation via an electrosurgical instrument, it is desirable to gain access to the patient's heart through one or more openings in the patient's chest (such as a sternotomy, a thoracotomy, a small incision and/or a port). In addition, the patient's heart may be opened through one or more incisions, thereby allowing access to the endocardial surface of the heart.
Once the target site (e.g., right atrium, left atrium, epicardial surface, endocardial surface, etc.) is accessible, the surgeon positions the electrode tip of the electrosurgical instrument at the target site. The tip is then energized, ablating (or for some applications, cauterizing) the contacted tissue. A desired lesion pattern is then created (e.g., portions of a known “Maze” procedure) by moving the tip in a desired fashion along the target site. In this regard, the surgeon can easily control positioning and movement of the tip, as the electrosurgical instrument is rigidly constructed and relatively short (in contrast to a catheter-based ablation technique).
Electrosurgical instruments, especially those used for the treatment of atrial fibrillation, have evolved to include additional features that provide improved results for particular procedures. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,897,553, the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference, describes a fluid-assisted electrosurgical instrument that delivers a conductive solution to the target site in conjunction with electrical energy, thereby creating a “virtual” electrode. The virtual electrode technique has proven highly effective in achieving desired ablation while minimizing collateral tissue damage. Other electrosurgical instrument advancements have likewise optimized system performance. However, a common characteristic associated with available electrosurgical instruments is a “designed-in” directional orientation. That is to say, electrosurgical devices, and especially those used for atrial fibrillation treatment procedures, are curved along a length thereof, as exemplified by the electrosurgical instrument of U.S. Pat. No. 5,897,553. In theory, this permanent curved feature facilitates the particular procedure (or lesion pattern) for which the electrosurgical instrument is intended. Unfortunately, however, the actual lesion pattern formation technique and/or bodily structure may vary from what is expected, so that the curve is less than optimal. Additionally, the pre-made curve may be well suited for one portion of a particular procedure (e.g., right atrium ablation pattern during the Maze procedure), but entirely inapplicable to another portion (e.g., left atrium ablation during the Maze procedure). As a result, the electrosurgical instrument design may actually impede convenient use by a surgeon.
Electrosurgical instruments continue to be highly useful for performing a variety of surgical procedures, including surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation. While certain advancements have improved overall performance, the accepted practice of imparting a permanent curve or other shape variation into the instrument itself may impede optimal usage during a particular procedure. Therefore, a need exists for an electrosurgical instrument that, as initially presented to a surgeon, is indifferent to rotational orientation, and further is capable of independently maintaining a number of different shapes as desired by the surgeon.
One aspect of the present invention relates to an electrosurgical instrument including an elongated shaft and a non-conductive handle. The shaft defines a proximal section, a distal section, and an internal lumen extending from the proximal section. The distal section forms an electrically conductive rounded tip and defines at least one passage fluidly connected to the lumen. This passage distributes fluid from the internal lumen outwardly from the shaft. Further, the shaft is adapted to be transitionable from a straight state to a bent state, preferably a number of different bent states. In this regard, the shaft is capable of independently maintaining the distinct shapes associated with the straight state and the bent state(s). The non-conductive handle is rigidly coupled to the proximal section of the shaft. With this in mind, an exterior surface of the shaft distal the handle and proximal the distal section is electrically non-conductive. In one preferred embodiment, the shaft is comprised of an elongated electrode body and an electrical insulator. The electrode body defines the distal section and is rigidly coupled to the handle. The electrical insulator surrounds at least a portion of the electrode body proximal the distal section such that the tip is exposed.
During use, and when first presented to a surgeon, the shaft is in the straight state such that the electrosurgical instrument is effectively indifferent to a rotational orientation when the handle is grasped by the surgeon. Subsequently, the surgeon can bend the shaft to a desired shape (i.e., the bent state) being most useful for the particular electrosurgical procedure. During the procedure, a conductive fluid is directed onto the target site from the internal lumen via the passage. The tip then energizes the dispensed fluid, causing tissue ablation or cauterization.
Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to an electrosurgical system including an electrosurgical instrument, a source of conductive fluid, and an energy source. The electrosurgical instrument includes an elongated shaft and a non-conductive handle. The shaft defines a proximal section, a distal section, and an internal lumen extending from the proximal section. The distal section forms an electrically conductive rounded tip and defines at least one passage fluidly connected to the lumen. Further, the shaft is adapted to be transitionable from, and independently maintain a shape in, a straight state and a bent state. The handle is rigidly coupled to the proximal section of the shaft. An exterior surface of the shaft distal the handle and proximal the distal section is electrically non-conductive. The source of conductive fluid is fluidly connected to the internal lumen. Finally, the energy source is electrically connected to the tip. During use, the electrosurgical instrument can be presented to the target site in either the straight state or the bent state. Regardless, the shaft independently maintains the shape associated with the selected state. Conductive fluid is delivered from the conductive fluid source to the internal lumen, and is then distributed to the target site via the passage. The energy source is activated, thereby energizing the electrode tip. This action, in turn, energizes the distributed conductive fluid, causing desired tissue ablation or cauterization. In one preferred embodiment, the electrosurgical instrument further includes an indifferent, or non-ablating, electrode (such as a grounding patch). The indifferent electrode is electrically connected to the energy source and it is placed separately from the target site. For example, the indifferent electrode may be placed on the back of the patient.
Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of performing an electrosurgical procedure. The method includes providing an electrosurgical instrument including an elongated shaft and, a handle. In this regard, the shaft defines a proximal section, a distal section, and an internal lumen. The proximal section is rigidly coupled to the handle, whereas the distal section forms a round tip. Finally, the internal lumen extends from the proximal section and is in fluid communication with at least one passage formed in the distal section. An exterior surface of the shaft distal the handle and proximal the distal section is electrically non-conductive. The shaft is provided in an initial straight state that otherwise defines a linear axis. The shaft is then bent to a first bent state in which a portion of the shaft is deflected relative to the linear axis. In this regard, the shaft independently maintains a shape of the first bent state. The tip is then positioned at a tissue target site. In one preferred embodiment, an indifferent electrode is placed in contact with the patient. Conductive fluid is dispensed from the passage to the tissue target site via the internal lumen. Finally, energy is applied to the dispensed fluid by energizing the tip. Subsequently, the energized tip and conductive fluid ablates or cauterizes tissue at the tissue target site. In one embodiment, the tissue target site comprises tissue of a patient's heart, and the method further includes accessing the tissue target site through one or more openings in the patient's chest. In another embodiment, after a first lesion pattern is formed at a first tissue target site, the shaft is bent to a second shape and the procedure repeated to effectuate a second lesion pattern at a second tissue target site.
One preferred embodiment of an electrosurgical system 10 in accordance with the present invention is shown in
The electrosurgical instrument 12 includes a handle 20 and a shaft 22. As described in greater detail below, the shaft 22 is rigidly coupled to the handle 20, and is transitionable from a straight state (as illustrated in
The handle 20 is preferably made of a sterilizable, rigid, and non-conductive material, such as a polymer or ceramic. Suitable polymers include rigid plastics, rubbers, acrylics, nylons, polystyrenes, polyvinylchlorides, polycarbonates, polyurethanes, polyethylenes, polypropylenes, polyamides, polyethers, polyesters, polyolefins, polyacrylates, polyisoprenes, fluoropolymers, combinations thereof or the like. Further, the handle 20 is ergonomically designed to comfortably rest within a surgeon's hand (not shown). To this end, the handle 20 may include a grip portion 24 that is circular in cross section. This configuration facilitates grasping of the handle 20, and thus of the electrosurgical instrument 12, at any position along the grip portion 24 regardless of an overall rotational orientation of the electrosurgical instrument 12. That is to say, due to the circular, cross-sectional shape of the grip portion 24, the electrosurgical instrument 12 can be rotated to any position relative to a central axis A, and still be conveniently grasped by the surgeon. In an even more preferred embodiment, the grip portion 24 defines a gradual, distally increasing diameter that provides an orientation feature to help a surgeon identify where along the length of the electrosurgical instrument 12 he or she is grasping. For example, if the surgeon grasps the electrosurgical instrument 12 out of his visual sight during a medical procedure, the surgeon may identify based on the grip portion's 24 diameter where along the instrument he has grasped. Finally, the grip portion 24 is preferably formed of a low durometer polymer. Suitable polymers include low durometer plastics, rubbers, silicones, acrylics, nylons, polystyrenes, polyvinylchlorides, polycarbonates, polyurethanes, polyethylenes, polypropylenes, polyamides, polyethers, polyesters, polyolefins, polyacrylates, polyisoprenes, fluoropolymers, combinations thereof or the like. The grip portion 24 alternatively may be a sponge-like or foam-like material, such as an open-cell material or a closed-cell material.
Regardless of exact configuration, the handle 20 forms or encompasses one or more central lumens (not shown). The lumen(s) provides a pathway for a line or tubing 26 from the fluid source 14 to the shaft 22, as well as a pathway for a line or wiring 28 from the power source 16 to the shaft 22. In this regard,
Returning to
With additional reference to
With additional reference to
In another alternative embodiment, and as best shown in
Regardless of passage location, a further preferred feature of the shaft 22 is a malleable or shapeable characteristic. In particular, and with additional reference to
In one preferred embodiment, the above-described characteristics of the shaft 22 are achieved by forming the shaft 22 to include an elongated electrode body 60 and an electrical insulator covering 62 as shown in
In one preferred embodiment, the electrode body 60 is a tube formed of an electrically conductive, malleable material, preferably stainless steel, however other materials such as, for example, nitinol can be used. The passages 52 are preferably drilled, machined, laser cut, or otherwise formed through at least a portion of the electrode body 60. The passages or openings 52 may comprise circular holes, semi-circular holes, oval holes, rectangular slots, and/or other configurations for allowing fluid to pass.
The insulator 62 is formed of one or more electrically non-conductive materials, and serves to electrically insulate the encompassed portion of the electrode body 60. Multiple layers of electrically non-conductive materials can help prevent the likelihood of forming an electrical short along the length of the electrode body 60 due to a mechanical failure of one of the non-conductive materials. In this regard, the insulator 62 is preferably comprised of two materials having considerably different mechanical properties, e.g., a silicone and a fluoropolymer. In one preferred embodiment, a silicone tubing material is overlaid with a heat shrink fluoropolymer tubing material. Alternatively, the insulator 62 may be one or more non-conductive coatings applied over a portion of the electrode body 60. In addition to being non-conductive, the insulator 62 is preferably flexible and conforms to the electrode body 60 such that the insulator 62 does not impede desired shaping and re-shaping of the electrode body 60 as previously described.
It will be understood that the preferred construction of the shaft 22 to include the elongated electrode body 60 and the insulator 62 is but one available configuration. Alternatively, the shaft 22 can be constructed of an electrode material forming the tip 44, and a rigid or malleable, non-conductive tube rigidly connecting the tip 44 to the handle 20. The non-conductive tube can include one or more metal conductors, such as straight wire and/or windings for electrically connecting the tip 44 to the power source 16. Along these same lines, another alternative embodiment includes forming the tip 44 from an inherently porous material. For example, the tip 44 may comprise one or more porous polymers, metals, or ceramics. Further, the tip 44 may be coated with non-stick coatings such as PTFE or other types of coatings such as biological coatings. Another alternative embodiment includes construction of the shaft 22 to include one or more metal conductors, such as straight wire and/or windings inside a rigid or malleable non-conductive polymer tube. The non-conductive polymer tube includes one or more openings, such as holes, slots or pores (preferably corresponding with the passages 52 previously described), which allow conductive fluid to exit the polymer tube. The conductive fluid creates a virtual electrode via electrically connecting the one or more metal conductors to the target tissue. Conversely, the shaft 22 may comprise a polymer tube having one or more openings, such as holes, slots or pores (preferably corresponding with the passages 52 previously described), placed inside an electrical conductor, such as a metal tube having one or more openings, such as holes, slots or pores, or a metal winding having a spacing that allows conductive fluid to pass through, to control conductive fluid delivery through the electrical conductor. Finally, the insulator 62 may cover a portion of the metal tube or windings.
With respect to the above-described alternative embodiments, connection between the elongated tube and the separate tip 44 can be accomplished in a variety of manners. Once again, the elongated tube can comprise a conductive or non-conductive material(s), such as metal(s) or plastic(s). The elongated tube can be connected to the tip 44 via a variety of coupling techniques, including, for example, welding, laser welding, spin welding, crimping, gluing, soldering and press fitting. Alternatively, the distal end of the elongated tube and the tip 44 can be configured to threadably engage one another and/or mechanical engagement member(s) (e.g., pins, screws, rivets, etc.) can be employed. In another embodiment, the elongated tube is rigidly coupled to the tip 44. In yet another embodiment, the tip 44 can be moveably coupled to the elongated tube, whereby the tip 44 can be moved and/or locked relative to the elongated tube. For example, the tip 44 can be coupled to the elongated tube via one or more joints or hinges. The joints or hinges can be ball joints and/or joints that include a pin. To this end, a pin-type joint can be configured to allow the tip 44 to swivel relative to the elongated tube. Further, the joint(s) can be configured to move and lock into position. In addition, one or more actuators (e.g., knobs, buttons, levers, slides, etc.) can be located on, for example, the handle 20 (
Returning to
Regardless of exact construction of the electrosurgical instrument 12, the fluid source 14 maintains a supply of conductive fluid (not shown), such as an energy-conducting fluid, an ionic fluid, a saline solution, a saturated saline solution, a Ringer's solution, etc. It is preferred that the conductive fluid be sterile. The conductive fluid can further comprise one or more contrast agents, and/or biological agents such as diagnostic agents, therapeutic agents or drugs. The biological agents may be found in nature (naturally occurring) or may be chemically synthesized.
As a point of reference, during use the conductive fluid serves to electrically couples the electrode tip 44 of electrosurgical instrument 12 to the tissue to be treated, thereby lowering the impedance at the target site. The conductive fluid may create a larger effective electrode surface. The conductive fluid can help cool the tip 44 of the electrosurgical instrument 12. The conductive fluid may keep the surface temperature of the tip 44 below the threshold for blood coagulation, which may clog the electrosurgical instrument 12. The conductive fluid may also cool the surface of the tissue thereby preventing over heating of the tissue which can cause popping, desiccation, burning and/or charring of the tissue. The burning and/or charring of the tissue may also clog the electrosurgical instrument 12. Therefore, use of the conductive fluid may reduce the need to remove a clogged electrosurgical instrument for cleaning or replacement. Further, charred tissue has high impedance, thereby making the transfer of RF energy difficult, and may limit the ability of the electrosurgical instrument 12 to form a transmural lesion. The delivery of conductive fluid during the electrosurgical process may help create deeper lesions that are more likely to be transmural. Transmurality is achieved when the full thickness of the target tissue is ablated. Continuous conductive fluid flow may ensure that a conductive fluid layer between the tip 44 and the contours of the tissue to be treated is created.
In one preferred embodiment, the fluid source 14 includes a fluid reservoir, such as a bag, a bottle or a canister, for maintaining a supply of conductive fluid previously described. With this configuration, the fluid reservoir can be positioned at an elevated location, thereby gravity feeding the conductive fluid to the electrosurgical instrument 12, or the fluid reservoir may be pressurized, thereby pressure feeding the conductive fluid to the electrosurgical instrument 12. For example, a pressure cuff may be placed around a flexible bag, such as an IV bag, of conductive fluid, thereby pressure feeding the conductive fluid to the electrosurgical instrument 12. Alternatively, the fluid source 14 can include, and/or be connected to, a manual or electrical pump (not shown), such as an infusion pump, a syringe pump, or a roller pump. The fluid source 14 can further comprise one or more orifices or fluid regulators, (e.g., valves, fluid reservoirs, conduits, lines, tubes and/or hoses) to control flow rates. The conduits, lines, tubes, or hoses may be flexible or rigid. For example, a flexible hose may be used to communicate fluid from the fluid source 14 to the electrosurgical instrument 12, thereby allowing electrosurgical instrument 12 to be easily manipulated by a surgeon. Alternatively, the fluid source 14 can be directly connected to, or incorporated into, the handle 20. For example, a pressurized canister of conductive fluid may be directly connected to the handle 20. Further, the fluid source 14 can comprise a syringe, a squeeze bulb and/or some other fluid moving means, device or system.
In another embodiment, the fluid source 14 further includes a surgeon-controlled switch (not shown). For example, a switch may be incorporated in or on the fluid source 14 or any other location easily and quickly accessed by a surgeon for regulation of conductive fluid delivery. The switch may be, for example, a hand switch, a foot switch, or a voice-activated switch comprising voice-recognition technologies.
In yet another alternative embodiment, the fluid source 14 includes a visual and/or audible signaling device (not shown) used to alert a surgeon to any change in the delivery of conductive fluid. For example, a beeping tone or flashing light can be used to alert the surgeon that a change has occurred in the delivery of conductive fluid.
The power source 16 is of a type known in the art, and is preferably a radio-frequency (RF) generator. The generator can be powered by AC current, DC current or it can be battery powered either by a disposable or re-chargeable battery. The generator can incorporate a controller (not shown) or any suitable processor to control power levels delivered to the electrosurgical instrument 12 based on information supplied to the generator/controller.
The above-described electrosurgical system 10, including the electrosurgical instrument 12, is useful for a number of different tissue ablation and cauterization procedures. For example, the electrosurgical system 10 can be used to remove hemorrhoids or varicose veins or stop esophageal bleeding to name but a few possible uses. Additionally, the electrosurgical system 10 is highly useful for the surgical treatment of cardiac arrhythmia, and in particular treatment of atrial fibrillation via ablation of atrial tissue. To this end, the Maze procedure, such as described in Cardiovascular Device Update, Vol. 1, No. 4, July 1995, pp. 2-3, the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference, is a well known technique, whereby lesion patterns are created along specified areas of the atria. The Maze III procedure, a modified version of the original Maze procedure, has been described in Cardiac Surgery Operative Technique, Mosby Inc., 1997, pp. 410-419, the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference. In an effort to reduce the complexity of the surgical Maze procedure, a modified Maze procedure was developed as described in The Surgical Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation, Medtronic Inc., 2001, the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Once the desired shape of the shaft 22 has been achieved, the tip 44 is directed to the tissue target site 74. An indifferent electrode (18 in
Notably, the shaft 22 need not necessarily be bent to perform a tissue ablation procedure. Instead, the tip 44 can be drug across the target site tissue 74 with the shaft 22 in the initial straight state. In this regard, because the shaft 22 is straight and the handle 20 (
In addition to the one exemplary procedure described above, the electrosurgical instrument 12 may be positioned and used, for example, through a thoracotomy, through a sternotomy, percutaneously, transveneously, arthroscopically, endoscopically, for example, through a percutaneous port, through a stab wound or puncture, through a small incision, for example, in the chest, in the groin, in the abdomen, in the neck or in the knee, or in combinations thereof. It is also contemplated that the electrosurgical instrument 12 may be used in other ways, for example, in open-chest surgery on a heart in which the sternum is split and the rib cage opened with a retractor.
The electrosurgical system 10, and in particular the electrosurgical instrument 12, described above with respect to
For example, the electrosurgical instrument 12 can include a surgeon-controlled switch. For example, a switch may be incorporated in or on the electrosurgical instrument 12 or any other location easily and quickly accessed by the surgeon for regulation of the electrosurgical instrument 12 by the surgeon. The switch may be, for example, a hand switch, a foot switch, or a voice-activated switch comprising voice-recognition technologies. One or more switches may be incorporated into the grip portion 24 of the electrosurgical instrument 12. For example, a switch may be used to control conductive fluid delivery and/or power delivery. A switch incorporated into the grip portion 24 may be a switch, such as a membrane switch, encompassing the entire circumference of the electrosurgical instrument 12, thereby effectively being indifferent to a rotational orientation when the surgeon grasps the handle. That is to say, due to the cross-sectional shape of the switch, the electrosurgical instrument 12 may be rotated to any position relative to a central axis A, and still be conveniently controlled by the surgeon.
Alternatively, a hand switch connected to the electrosurgical instrument 12, but not incorporated into the electrosurgical instrument 12, may be used. For example, a switch designed to be worn by a surgeon, for example on a surgeon's thumb, may be used to activate and/or deactivate the electrosurgical instrument 12. A switch may be incorporated into a cuff or strap that is placed on or around the thumb or finger of a surgeon. Alternatively, a switch may be designed to fit comfortably in a surgeon's palm.
One or more visual and/or audible signals used to alert a surgeon to the completion or resumption of ablation, conductive fluid delivery and/or power delivery, for example, may be incorporated into the electrosurgical instrument 12. For example, a beeping tone or flashing light that increases in frequency as the ablation period ends or begins may be used. Alternatively or in addition, an indicator light otherwise located on the electrosurgical instrument can be inductively coupled to the power source 16 and adapted such that when power is being delivered to the electrosurgical instrument 12, the light is visible to the surgeon or other users.
An alternative embodiment electrosurgical instrument 112 is provided in
The handle 120 varies from the handle 20 (
In yet another alternative embodiment, the electrosurgical system 10 (
Heat, 1.0 kcal/g, is required to raise the temperature of water, present at the ablation site, by 1° C. However, due to the unique chemical structure of the water molecule, additional heat is required for water to change phase from the liquid phase to the gaseous phase. If the temperature at the ablation site exceeds 100° C., water will change phase, boil and may result in an audible “steam pop” within the tissue. This pop may damage and even rupture the tissue. Therefore, it is desirable to prevent the ablation site from getting to hot. In addition, to form a permanent ablation lesion the temperature of the tissue at the ablation site must be elevated to approximately 50° C. or greater. For these reasons, it is desirable to use one or more temperature-sensing elements such as, for example, thermocouples, thermisters, temperature-sensing liquid crystals, temperature-sensing chemicals, thermal cameras, and/or infrared (IR) fiber optics, to monitor the temperature of the ablation site during the ablation procedure.
With the above in mind,
An alternative embodiment for monitoring temperature includes an IR optical fiber system. As shown in
The above-described temperature-sensing elements 160, 192 can be used to adjust, for example, conductive fluid delivery, power levels, and/or ablation times. Temperature-sensing elements can be coupled to a visual and/or audible signal used to alert a surgeon to a variety of thermal conditions. For example, a beeping tone or flashing light that increases in frequency as temperature of the tissue, the conductive fluid and/or electrosurgical instrument is increased and/or as temperature exceeds a predetermined amount can be used.
Along these same lines, the above-mentioned controller can incorporate one or more switches to facilitate regulation of the various components of the electrosurgical system 10 (
Finally, a visual and/or audible signal used to alert a surgeon to the completion or resumption of ablation, sensing, monitoring, and/or delivery of conductive fluid can be incorporated into the controller. For example, a beeping tone or flashing light that increases in frequency as the ablation or electrocautery period ends or begins can be provided.
In yet another alternative embodiment, the fluid source 14 can be slaved to the electrosurgical instrument 12, the power source 16 and/or one or more sensors (as previously described). For example, the fluid source 14 can be designed to automatically stop or start the delivery of conductive fluid during the delivery of RF energy. Conversely, the delivery of RF energy may be slaved to the delivery of conductive fluid. That is the delivery of RF energy to the tip 44 would be coupled to the delivery of conductive fluid to the tip 44. If the flow of conductive fluid to the tip 44 were stopped, the RF energy delivered to the tip 44 would also automatically stop. For example, a switch responsive to the delivery of conductive fluid to the tip 44 for controlling RF energy delivery to the tip 44 can be incorporated into the electrosurgical instrument 12. The switch can be located, for example, within the shaft 22 or the handle 20 of electrosurgical instrument 12.
With the above in mind,
In yet another embodiment, and with general reference to
The electrosurgical system, and in particular the electrosurgical instrument, of the present invention provides a marked improvement over previous designs. The handle and shaft are configured to be indifferent to rotational orientation when initially presented to a surgeon. Subsequently, the surgeon can conveniently shape or bend the shaft so as to provide a shape most conducive to forming the lesion pattern required by the particular surgical procedure. In this regard, the shaft independently maintains the selected shape throughout the particular electrosurgical procedure. Subsequently, the shaft can be re-shaped back to a straight configuration, or to any other desired curvature.
Although the invention has been described above in connection with particular embodiments and examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not necessarily so limited, and that numerous other embodiments, examples, uses, modifications and departures from the embodiments, examples and uses are intended to be encompassed by the claims attached hereto. The entire disclosure of each patent and publication cited herein is incorporated by reference, as if each such patent or publication were individually incorporated by reference herein.
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