Patent Application
20150335376
1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates generally to electrosurgical instruments and, more particularly, to an improved electrosurgical dissector having a telescoping aspiration cannula.
2. Background of Related Art
Electrosurgical instruments which dissect tissue and have provisions for evacuating fluid and/or smoke have been available for some time. Typically, a combination electrosurgery and suction device is employed wherever excessive fluid or smoke must be removed from the operative site in order to successfully perform the desired procedure. Generally, these devices include a housing or handle having an electrode extending from a distal end thereof, and a suction port disposed in proximity to the electrode to evacuate fluid and/or smoke. A suction source is attached to the instrument for evacuating excess fluid, debris, smoke, vapors, etc. from the surgical site through the suction port. The electrode is operably coupled to a source of electrosurgical energy, such as an electrosurgical generator.
Existing electrosurgical dissectors may have drawbacks. For example, the configuration of an instrument's electrode and suction port may not be well-suited for all phases of a procedure, necessitating time-consuming instrument changes during surgery.
In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an electrosurgical dissection instrument. In an exemplary embodiment, the disclosed electrosurgical dissection instrument includes a housing defining a longitudinal axis, at least one vacuum cannula extending distally from the housing and selectively movable relative to the housing along the longitudinal axis, and an electrode extending distally from the housing through the at least one vacuum cannula and selectively movable relative to the housing along the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, disclosed electrosurgical dissection instrument includes an aspiration tube having a proximal end and a distal end that is configured to operatively couple to the at least one vacuum cannula.
In some embodiments, the aspiration tube defines at least one pre-aspiration port formed in proximity to a distal end of the aspiration tube. In some embodiments, aspiration tube is transparent. In some embodiments, a surface of the aspiration tube includes a hydrophobic coating, an oleophobic coating, and/or a lubricious coating.
In some embodiments, the electrosurgical dissection instrument includes an aspiration tip disposed at a distal end of the aspiration tube. The aspiration tip may be formed from elastomeric material and/or a rigid material.
In some embodiments, the at least one vacuum cannula is configured to operatively couple to a vacuum source, and the electrode is configured to operatively couple to a source of electrosurgical energy. In some embodiments, the electrosurgical dissection instrument includes a vacuum actuator configured to activate a vacuum source. In some embodiments, the electrosurgical dissection instrument includes an electrosurgical actuator configured to activate a source of electrosurgical energy. In some embodiments, the electrosurgical dissection instrument includes a cannula slide control operatively coupled to the at least one vacuum cannula, and which is configured to move the at least one vacuum cannula along a longitudinal axis of the instrument.
In some embodiments, the housing includes an electrode slide control operatively coupled to the electrode and configured to move the electrode along a longitudinal axis of the instrument. In some embodiments, the at least one vacuum cannula includes a first vacuum cannula and a second vacuum cannula coaxially disposed within the first vacuum cannula. The first and second cannulas extend distally from the housing and are selectively movable relative to each other and the housing along the longitudinal axis.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, embodiments of an electrosurgical dissection system are described. In an exemplary embodiment, the disclosed electrosurgical dissection system includes an electrosurgical generator, a vacuum source, and an electrosurgical dissection instrument configured for operable engagement with the electrosurgical generator and the vacuum source. The electrosurgical dissection instrument includes a housing defining a longitudinal axis and at least one vacuum cannula. The at least one vacuum cannula extends distally from the housing, and is configured for selective positioning along the longitudinal axis. The electrosurgical dissection instrument further includes an electrode that extends distally from the housing through the at least one vacuum cannula, and is configured for selective positioning along the longitudinal axis.
In some embodiments, the at least one vacuum cannula is configured to operatively couple to the vacuum source, and the electrode is configured to operatively couple to the electrosurgical generator.
In some embodiments, the electrosurgical dissection instrument of the electrosurgical dissection system includes a vacuum actuator disposed on an outer surface of the housing that is configured to activate the vacuum source. In some embodiments, the electrosurgical dissection instrument of the electrosurgical dissection system includes an electrosurgical actuator disposed on an outer surface of the housing that is configured to activate the electrosurgical generator.
In some embodiments, the electrosurgical dissection instrument of the electrosurgical dissection system includes a cannula slide control that is operatively coupled to the at least one vacuum cannula, and is configured to move the at least one vacuum cannula along the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the electrosurgical dissection instrument of the electrosurgical dissection system includes an electrode slide control operatively coupled to the electrode that is configured to move the electrode along the longitudinal axis.
In some embodiments, the at least one vacuum cannula includes a first vacuum cannula, and a second vacuum cannula coaxially disposed within the first vacuum cannula. The first and second cannulas extend distally from the housing and are selectively movable relative to each other and the housing along the longitudinal axis.
In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, an embodiment of an electrosurgical dissection instrument includes a housing defining a longitudinal axis, and first and second vacuum cannulas configured to operatively couple to a vacuum source and which extend distally from the housing. The second vacuum cannula is coaxially disposed within the first vacuum cannula. The first and second vacuum cannulas are selectively movable relative to each other, and to the housing, along the longitudinal axis. The electrosurgical dissection instrument includes an electrode configured to operatively couple to a source of electrosurgical energy which extends distally from the housing through the vacuum cannula, and is selectively movable relative to the housing along the longitudinal axis. The electrosurgical dissection instrument includes a vacuum actuator configured to activate the vacuum source and an electrosurgical actuator configured to activate a source of electrosurgical energy. The electrosurgical dissection instrument includes a cannula position control operatively coupled to the first and second vacuum cannulas that is configured to move at least one of the first vacuum cannula or the second vacuum cannula along the longitudinal axis. The electrosurgical dissection instrument includes an electrode slide operatively coupled to the electrode and configured to move the electrode along the longitudinal axis.
The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Particular illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure are described hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the disclosure, which may be embodied in various forms. Well-known functions or constructions and repetitive matter are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure in unnecessary or redundant detail. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.
As shown in the drawings and as described throughout the following description, and as is traditional when referring to relative positioning on an object, the term “proximal” refers to the end of the apparatus that is closer to the user and the term “distal” refers to the end of the apparatus that is further from the user. In addition, as used herein in the description and in the claims, terms referencing orientation, e.g., “top”, “bottom”, “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “right”, and the like, are used with reference to the figures and features shown and described herein. It is to be understood that embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure may be practiced in any orientation without limitation. In this description, as well as in the drawings, like-referenced numbers represent elements which may perform the same, similar, or equivalent functions. The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. The word “example” may be used interchangeably with the term “exemplary.”
With reference to
In embodiments, aspiration tube 120 may be formed from material having optically-transparent properties, for example, and without limitation, polycarbonate, to allow a surgeon to visually monitor the aspiration process. This, in turn, enables the surgeon to detect blockages, quantitatively and qualitatively assess aspirated material, and to improve the effectiveness of the procedure and of dissection instrument 110. Aspiration tube 120 includes an inner surface 124 that is polished and/or includes a transparent coating, such as a hydrophobic and/or oleophobic coating that is adapted to repel aspirated materials to promote visual clarity and/or improve the flow of aspirated materials. In embodiments, aspiration tube 120 may include a lubricious coating, such as, without limitation, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). One such PTFE coating is sold under the brand name Teflon® and is available from E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company or its affiliates.
In embodiments, the lubricious coating may be transparent and/or applied in a manner so as to render the lubricious coating effectively transparent, such as, without limitation, nano-coating.
Referring to
An electrosurgical control conductor 142 and a vacuum control conductor 143 provide electrical communication between electrosurgical actuator 130 and vacuum actuator 131, respectively, to the electrosurgical generator 140 and vacuum source 150, respectively. Electrosurgical actuator 130 and vacuum actuator 131 are sealed relative the housing 115 to prevent fluid intrusion from the surgical site into the housing 115 and/or to prevent vacuum leaks.
With continuing reference to
Aspiration tube 120 includes a beveled distal end 121. One or more pre-aspiration vents 122 (
Advantageously, the combination of beveled distal end 121 and the one or more pre-aspiration vents 122 have been found to reduce or eliminate undesirable tissue trauma which may result from tissue being inadvertently being caught and/or sucked into aspiration tube 120. In addition, the beveled distal end 121 of aspiration tube 120 provides more working space around electrode 135, and may improve visibility at the operative site, further enhancing utility and ease-of-use. Beveled distal end 121 may be configured to accept an aspiration tip, which may be formed from elastomeric and/or rigid material, as described hereinbelow.
Vacuum cannula 132 is configured for selective positioning along a longitudinal axis (A-A) of dissection instrument 110. As shown in the embodiment of
During use, aspiration tube 120 may be joined to vacuum cannula 132 by sliding aspiration tube 120 onto vacuum cannula 132 and engaging the one or more bayonet lugs 133 with the more mating bayonet slots 123, or using other alternative joining techniques as described above. Thus, the combination of aspiration tube 120 and vacuum cannula 132 may be adjusted independently or in combination, as required, to enable a surgeon to configure the aspiration aspects of dissection instrument 110. Cannula slide control 136 and electrode slide control 134 are sealed to prevent fluid intrusion from the surgical site into the housing 115 and/or to prevent vacuum leaks.
With continued reference to
In some embodiments, electrode 135 may be configured to extend distally from housing 115 by a fixed amount, e.g., in a “fixed length” configuration, which may be preferable in view of particular surgical requirements, and/or may offer cost savings in applications where a variable electrode length is not required.
Turning now to
As seen in
Turning now to
With attention now to FIGS. 6 and 7A-C, another embodiment of an aspiration tube assembly 300 in accordance with the present disclosure includes an aspiration tip 310 that is joined to a distal end of a rigid or semi-rigid aspiration tube 320. In the present example embodiment, aspiration tip 310 is formed from an elastomeric material capable of withstanding the elevated temperatures associated with electrosurgical dissection, including without limitation high-temperature silicone. Advantageously, the use of elastomerics such as silicone may reduce the likelihood of biomaterials from adhering to tip 310, which facilitates the effective execution of dissection procedures and may reduce or prevent the occurrence of clogging. In addition, the use of elastomeric material may reduce trauma to surrounding anatomical structures, and may facilitate surgical techniques which are difficult or impossible to execute with rigid aspiration tip structures. In other embodiments, aspiration tip 310 is formed from a rigid material which may be suitable for use in procedures involving, for example, blunt dissection.
Aspiration tip 310 includes a distal end 321 having a rounded profile that may further ensure that the use of tube assembly 300 is atraumatic with respect to tissue adjacent to the operative site. In some embodiments, distal end 321 may include a beveled, tapered, or blunt profile. Aspiration tip 310 includes a primary aspiration port 323, and one or more pre-aspiration vents 322 defined in the wall of resilient tip 310. Pre-aspiration vents 322 provide an alternative suction inlet into aspiration tube assembly 300 in the event a portion of tissue or other biomaterial blocks aspiration port 323.
Aspiration tip 310 is joined to aspiration tube 320 at a junction 330. In some embodiments, it is envisioned that aspiration tip 310 is permanently joined to aspiration tube 320, while in other embodiments, aspiration tip 310 may be selectively joined (e.g., interchangeable or replaceable) with aspiration tube 320. In the example embodiment shown in
In the example embodiment shown in
Referring now to
Housing 415 includes an electrosurgical actuator 430 disposed on an outer surface thereof that is operatively coupleable to a source of electrosurgical energy by any suitable techniques to selectively activate the delivery of electrosurgical energy to electrode 435. Housing 415 also includes a vacuum actuator 431 disposed on an outer surface of housing 415 that is operatively coupleable to a vacuum source by any suitable technique to selectively activate the application of aspiration suction to dissection instrument 400, e.g., to aspiration tubes 420 and/or 425. Electrosurgical actuator 430 and/or vacuum actuator 431 may include a handswitch, such as a pushbutton (e.g., for on/off operation) as is shown in
In the example embodiment illustrated in
First cannula 420 includes an annular rib 421 disposed at a proximal end thereof that is configured to engage an inner surface of housing 415. In embodiments, annular rib 421 forms a vacuum seal to reduce or eliminate any vacuum leakage from first cannula 420. Additionally or alternatively, annular rib 421 is configured to engage one or more detents 427 provided on an inner surface of housing 415, which enables a user to securely retain first cannula 420 at a desired position. The one or more detents 427 may be arranged to provide one or more preset positions at which to secure first cannula 420. Additionally or alternatively, the one or more detents 427 may be arranged in a closely-spaced or ratchet-like configuration to enable substantially continuous adjustment of first cannula 420. In embodiments, annular rib 421 and/or the one or more detents 427 are configured to provide an audible click and/or tactile feedback to the user as first cannula 420 is moved into engagement at each detent position.
Second cannula 425 includes an annular rib 426 disposed at a proximal end thereof that is configured to engage an inner surface of first cannula 420. In embodiments, annular rib 426 forms a vacuum seal to reduce or eliminate any vacuum leakage from second cannula 425. Additionally or alternatively, annular rib 426 is configured to engage one or more detents 428 provided on an inner surface of first cannula 420, which enables a user to securely retain second cannula 425 at a desired position. The one or more detents 428 may be arranged to provide one or more preset positions at which to secure second cannula 425. Additionally or alternatively, the one or more detents 428 may be arranged in a closely-spaced or ratchet-like configuration to enable substantially continuous adjustment of second cannula 425. In embodiments, annular rib 426 and/or the one or more detents 428 are configured to provide an audible click and/or tactile feedback to the user as second cannula 425 is moved into engagement at each detent position.
In embodiments, as seen in
In
In
Other configurations of dissection instrument 400 are contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure, e.g., various alternative positions of first cannula 420, second cannula 425, and electrode 435. In addition, electrode 435 may be replaceable to enable electrodes of differing lengths and profiles to be utilized, and first cannula 420 and/or second cannula 425 may be replaceable to enable use of aspiration tubes of differing lengths and/or diameter, having one or more pre-aspiration ports, having an elastomeric or rigid aspiration tip, and so forth.
The described embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive, and are not intended to represent every embodiment of the present disclosure. Further variations of the above-disclosed configurations of the described dissection instruments, and variations of these and other embodiments, and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be made or desirably combined into many other different systems or applications without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure as set forth in the following claims both literally and in equivalents recognized in law.
The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/001,186, filed May 21, 2014, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62001186 | May 2014 | US |
