Abstract:
A connection of first and second members (11 and 12) wherein each has a body and a connecting end with an inner surface (17) so the second connecting end (19) has an outer surface (20) shaped for telescoping into the inner surface (17) of the first connecting end (16). A shoulder (21) is located on the second member (12) and a groove (22) is in the outer surface (20) of the second connecting end (19). A raised nub (23) on the inner surface (17) of the first connecting end (16) is radially inward to engage the groove (22). An elastomeric gasket (13) is positioned to bear against the shoulder (21) and be compressed between the first and second bodies. An engaging trough (24) in the groove (22) holds the first connecting end (16) against the shoulder (21) with the nub against the groove (22) by the compression force of the gasket (13). An indexing trough (25) in the groove (22) positioned along the groove (22) beyond the engaging trough (24) allows the nub to follow therethrough and slightly compress the gasket (13) thus giving the user a tactile indication that it has been rotated beyond the engaging trough (24). A method for fluid tight attachment of members (11 and 12) of a medical device has steps including the connection of the first and second members (11 and 12) with ends by telescoping the ends. Locating a groove (22) for operating the groove (22) as a cam (14) and locating a raised nub (23) of material on the inner surface (17) of the first connecting end (16) for positioning the raised nub (23) to engage the groove (22) for operating the raised nub (23) as a follower of the cam (14) are steps. Compressing a gasket (13) seal between the first connecting end (16) and the shoulder (21) while making the gasket (13) seal from an elastomeric material is a step. Positioning an engaging trough (24) in the groove (22) to hold the first and second connecting ends (19) against each other is a step. Positioning an indexing trough (25) in the groove (22) so when the nub is rotatably forced past the engaging trough (24) it will further compress the first end against the gasket (13) is a step.
Abstract:
An ultrasonic oscillator drives a tool at a set frequency. An amplitude control (47) runs the oscillator to set the vibration level. A frequency regulator (48) joins the amplitude and the oscillator. A handpiece supports a tranducer and a vibrating tool. A flue (17) surrounds the tool. Electrodes (42) associated with the flue (17) and/or the tool extend to be at or near the distal tip (18) of the tool and/or the flue (17) and provide bipolar electrosurgery with or without ultrasonic vibration of the tool. A method of performing ultrasonic surgery and bipolar electrosurgery has an ultrasonic handpiece with bipolar electrodes (42) associated with the tool or the flue (17).
Abstract:
In an ESV a control system responds to impedance and temperature as sensed between and at the electrodes (13) during desiccation each of such electrodes being provided separately and independently through a suitable multiplexer with a specifically controlled RF power. An instantaneous impedance monitor senses impedance variations and controls by means of specific derivative sensitive algorithm part of a feedback loop, the output power delivered through each electrode. A further temperature dependent feedback loop power control system is operative in a multiplexed mode in pair with the above impedance feedback system. Such second system uses an array of temperature sensors placed in the immediate proximity of the each tissue contacting electrode, and an appropriate derivative sensitive algorithm. Both systems are operated in a multiplex mode through a first multiplexer. A second multiplexer shifts the output power to the various electrodes independently and separately.
Abstract:
A laser and electrosurgical system (10) has a handpiece (12) with a proximal and distal end (13) and (14) from which laser radiation (17) and/or electrosurgical energy (18) is selectively or concurrently directed. The ends are along an axis; an electrode extends distally along the axis. Sources of laser and electrosurgical energy (18) are available and controlled. An initiation circuit (25) for the laser selectively delivers it before electrosurgery. Prior delivery to target tissue, the laser creates an ionized conductive pathway for electrosurgery. The combined concurrent application of laser and electrosurgery has a mechanism (27) to selectively distribute energy about the axis. A laser deflecting surface (28) or a beam deflector vibrate relative to the axis. A power switch (30) has levels for laser cut and ionization and/or a delay therebetween for electrosurgical coagulation. A wave guide (34) or an array thereof deliver radiation along the axis. A method has steps of directing selectively and concurrently laser and electrosurgery by aiming the axis, controlling laser and electrosurgical energy (18), delivering laser before electrosurgery, forming an ionized conductive pathway for the electrosurgery, distributing the laser about the axis in a predetermined pattern by deflecting the laser in a predetermined pattern generally along but slightly displaced from the axis to direct electrosurgical energy (18) in a predefined pattern on the patient's (11) target tissue. In another possible approach, there are additional steps of delivering the laser radition (17) as a beam and varying an ionized conductive pathway by refracting or diffracting the laser radiation (17) beam with the mechanism (27) having a beam pattern deflector.
Abstract:
A monitoring circuit (10) for an electrosurgical generator (11) has active and return output conductors. Voltage, current (24) and the inverse of current (24) picked up inductively are provided to adder circuits for summing the picked up voltage (20) and current (24) and computing the difference of the picked up voltage (20) and the current (24). Root mean square to direct current converters (26 and 28) signal RMS average values of the sum and difference. A microprocessor squares the values and applies them to a formula wherein the sum signals (22) have subtracted therefrom the difference signals (25); the results are divided by four to provide the root mean square of the power applied to the load (12). During desiccation the output is regulated in response to impedance to shut off output. A diagnostic circuit relates impedance load and output response during operation to a look up table or a microprocessor algorithm to calibrate. Feedback modifies the output when the adders determine the power applied to the load (12) in real time. A method has generator output to active and return conductors (14 and 15) and to inductive pick ups (16 and 17) for voltage and current (24), computes sum and differential values (25), changes root mean square to direct currents (24), squares the values and subtracts the differential from the summation, then divides the result finding the root mean square value of the power.
Abstract:
An ultrasonic oscillator (46) drives a tool at a set frequency. An amplitude control runs the oscillator (46) to set the vibration level. A frequency regulator joins the amplitude and the oscillator (46). A control feedback loop (49), in the frequency regulator, keeps handpiece linear dynamics. An operational transconductance amplifier (52), in the oscillator (46), governs gain of the loop (49). A circuit (55) connects to the control to retard the rate of current application over time to the amplifier (52). The circuit (55) has switching to either retard the rate or reset for start up. The amplifier (54) is a current output device with current directly proportional to the bias current and input voltage with bias as gain change for the loop (49). The circuit (55) limits the bias to the amplifier (54) to modify frequency response and output current. A capacitor delays application of the bias to the amplifier (54). Replaceable tools of various lengths or shapes positioned along an axis vibrate for surgery at the frequency and a wave length. Tools longer than one wavelength and of configurations tuned to oscillate around the frequency resonate as a function of their material, length and configuration. A flue (17) surrounds the tool and has a hollow elongate semi rigid central body (28) about an axis with a funnel (29), at one end thereof and a nozzle (30), at the other to direct annular irrigant/coolant flow therethrough. The funnel (29) and nozzle (30) are resilient. Reinforcing ridges (32), inside the nozzle (30), act to maintain concentricity between the flue (17) and nozzle tip and channel irrigant thereabout.
Abstract:
An electrosurgical tubular trocar system (10) has a hollow tube (13) substantially longer than its diameter. The tube (13) is shaped for insertion in a direction generally along its axis through tissue of a human or animal body. Distal and proximal ends (17 and 18) on the tube (13) enter and remain outside the tissue, respectively. A tip (19) on the distal end (17) punctures tissue of a human or animal. An insulating portion (20) of high dielectric material extends along the tube (13) between the distal and proximal ends (17 and 18). An electrode (14) on the insulating portion (20) extends from the proximal end (18) to the tip (19) to transmit radio frequency energy. A tip point (19) at an acute angle to the axis lessens the initial force necessary for entry of the tube (13). The return path (16) is a conductor (23) on the insulating portion (20) for bipolar cutting across a gap (25). An alternate system may have the return path (16) as a conductive pad (15) in contact with the tissue as a monopolar circuit. The tube (13) may be in fluid communication for flow.
Abstract:
A partially coated electrosurgical electrode has a portion of a medical grade metallic material as a substrate for energy application. Conductive sites of metallic material or alloys thereof pass energy through peaks that define valleys nearby. A partial coating in the valleys has a low surface free energy. A treated surface across the peaks and generally over the filled valleys is relatively smooth for non stick characteristics during application of electrosurgery to tissue and bodily fluids. Openings in the treated surface through the partial coating are at the peaks of conductive sites to expose the metallic material or alloys thereof. The partial coating is a fluorinated polymer. The treated surface is a relatively even level that is not flat. The metallic material substrate is an alloy of stainless steel or nickel chrome. A mechanically deformed surface finish, plasma or vapor deposition on the substrate forms the conductive sites. A method of manufacturing the electrode has steps including preparing the metallic conductor, making it with the conductive material having peaks above the valleys as conductive sites, applying the partial coating to it and treating the surface across the peaks and generally over the filled valleys of the partially coated electrically conductive electrode. Locating the openings among the valleys is a step. Treating may be mass finishing, such as vibratory or tumbling the partially coated electrodes with or without abrasive material media or polishing, buffing, surface grinding, abrasive belt grinding or sanding with abrasive material. Making the peaks and valleys can be by stamping, coining, burnishing, embossing, threading, tumbling, vibrating, shot peening, wire brushing, grit blasting, thermal spraying, with powder, with wire supplied to melt and be distributed, or with high velocity oxygen fuel and a nickel, cobalt alloy, stainless steel or a nickel chrome alloy. A manufacturing method for the electrode has coating a strip of metal with the low surface energy polymer and forming it in a stamping operation with a raw metal edge.
Abstract:
An electrosurgical tip (10) for the application of electromagnetic energy in either a monopolar or a bipolar circuit through the tissue and the bodily fluids of an animal or human (13) has a metallic electrically and thermally conductive electrode for connection to an electrosurgical generator proximally and for transmission of the electromagnetic electrosurgical energy (12) to the tissue and the bodily fluids of the animal or human (13) distally. A sheath (18) of heat shrinkable fluorinated polymeric substance is an electrical and thermal insulator (14) held about the electrode for preventing the flow of electromagnetic and thermal energy from the metallic electrically and thermally conductive electrode to the tissue and the bodily fluids. A smooth surface of the sheath (18) contacts the tissue and the bodily fluids and has a low surface free energy. Openings (16) through the sheath (18) extend from the electrode to the surface (15) for permitting the passage of energy. A wall (17) of the sheath (18) is of a thickness adequate to space the electrode from substantially any contact with the tissue and isolate heat due to the arcs. A ceramic substance (19) is an electrical and thermal insulator (14) about the conductive electrode for preventing the energy flow. A method of making the tip includes covering the electrode with the insulator, isolating physically the heat generated due to the passage of energy. A method of using the tip places the surface (15) in close proximity to the tissue and the bodily fluids, transmits the electromagnetic energy through the openings (16), allows cleaning tissue and bodily fluids from the surface (15). The use includes first passing energy through openings (16) in a wall (17) of electrical and thermal insulation and application of electromagnetic energy by either a monopolar or a bipolar circuit relative to the tissue and the bodily fluids of an animal or human (13).
Abstract:
A device (10) for retrograde hole opening through tissue has a member (11) elongate on an axis with a cross section shaped to insert axially through external tissue. A distal and a proximal end (13) of the member (11) respectively enter the tissue during placement and remain outside the tissue for control (26). A tip (14) at the distal end (12) has a deployable tissue divider (16) with one or more tissue parting elements (17) and each has a splitter (18). The tissue parting elements (17) are located within the cross-sectional dimensions of the member (11) in a storage position and are movable relative to the tip (14) for placement in an exposed position relative to the tip (14) when shifted from storage so that the splitter (18) thereof splits tissue during retrograde extraction along the axis and contact with tissue. Linkage (19) between the proximal end (13) and the deployable tissue divider (16) retains each of the tissue parting elements (17) with its splitter (18) exposed. The deployable tissue divider (16) has an electrode (23) for transmitting radio frequency energy received from the proximal end (13) to at least each splitter (18). A return path (27) completes the circuit to provide an electrosurgical effect during the retrograde extraction. A method of placing the device (10) for retrograde hole opening aligns the axis of the elongate member (11) normal to the outside abdominal wall of the body, places the distal end (12) through the tissue and leaving the proximal end (13) outside of the tissue, deploys the tissue divider (16) having one or more tissue parting elements (17) that are first located in a storage position within the cross section to an exposed position with the splitter (18) of each element positioned to split tissue, moves each element axially while exposed and fixed and splits tissue during extraction from the body cavity.