Suction coagulator with dissecting probe

• US 20040260280A1
• Filed: 04/27/2004
• Published: 12/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Retail Services Ag (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Sartor, Joe Don
• Granted Patent: US 7,537,594 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/37
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1402 Probes for open surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1477 Needle-like probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1482 having a long rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously in minimal invasive surgery, e.g. laparoscopy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00589 Coagulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00601 Cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1425 Needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/144 Wire
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/007 Aspiration

Abstract

An electrosurgical suction coagulator includes a handle having an elongated tube electrode or conductive suction tube extending from a distal end of the handle. The elongated suction tube includes a substantially blunt or closed distal end and an elongated slot disposed therethrough for slideably receiving a needle electrode. The needle electrode is selectively extendible relative to the closed distal end to facilitate precise dissection. When retracted, the user can use the closed distal end for spot or blunt coagulation. At least one aspiration port is disposed along a side of the elongated suction tube for removing surgical fluids from the operating area.

Claims

1. An electrosurgical suction coagulator, comprising:

a handle having an elongated tube-like electrode extending from a distal end thereof, said elongated tube-like electrode including;

a substantially closed distal end;

an elongated slot disposed therethrough for slideably receiving a needle-like electrode, said needle-like electrode being selectively extendible relative to said closed distal end; and

at least one aspiration port disposed along a side of the elongated tube-like electrode.

2. An electrosurgical suction coagulator according to claim 1, wherein the needle-like electrode is substantially flexible.

3. An electrosurgical suction coagulator according to claim 1, wherein the elongated tube-like electrode is substantially malleable.

4. An electrosurgical suction coagulator according to claim 1, wherein the elongated tube-like electrode includes one aspiration port which extends generally from a proximal end of the elongated tube-like electrode to the distal end of the elongated tube-like electrode.

5. An electrosurgical suction coagulator according to claim 1, wherein the elongated tube-like electrode includes one aspiration port which extends transversally through said elongated tube-like electrode.

6. An electrosurgical suction coagulator according to claim 1, further comprising a control switch which activates at least one of said elongated tube-like electrode and said needle-like electrode.

7. An electrosurgical suction coagulator according to claim 6 wherein said control switch includes first and second switches, said first switch controlling the electrosurgical mode associated with the elongated tube-like electrode and said second switch controlling the electrosurgical mode associated with the needle-like electrode.

8. An electrosurgical suction coagulator according to claim 7 wherein said elongated tube-like electrode and said needle-like electrode are energized by the same said first switch and controlled by said second switch which sets the mode based upon the position of the extendable needle electrode.

9. An electrosurgical suction coagulator according to claim 6 wherein said control switch activates said elongated tube-like electrode when said needle-like electrode is in a retracted position and said control switch activates said needle-like electrode when said needle electrode is in an extended position.

10. An electrosurgical suction coagulator according to claim 1 wherein the needle-like electrode is formed by plant cutting a small gauge wire.

11. An electrosurgical suction coagulator according to claim 10 wherein said small gauge wire is made at least partially from a refractory alloy.

12. An electrosurgical suction coagulator according to claim 6 wherein a sliding or rotating control sets the intensity of the electrosurgical effect.

13. An electrosurgical suction coagulator, comprising:

a handle having an elongated tube-like electrode extending from a distal end thereof, said elongated tube-like electrode being selectively energizable and selectively rotatable relative to the handle, said elongated tube-like electrode including;

a substantially closed distal end for coagulating tissue; and

at least one aspiration port disposed along a side of the elongated tube-like electrode.

14. An electrosurgical suction coagulator according to claim 13 wherein said elongated tube-like electrode is selectively extendible from a distal end of said handle.

15. An electrosurgical suction coagulator according to claim 13 wherein said elongated tube-like electrode of said surgical coagulator also includes an elongated slot for slideably housing a needle-like electrode, said needle-like electrode being selectively extendible from the substantially closed distal end of the elongated tube-like electrode and selectively activateable to coagulate tissue.

16. An electrosurgical suction coagulator, comprising:

a handle having an elongated tube-like electrode extending from a distal end thereof, said elongated tube-like electrode including;

a substantially closed distal end;

an elongated slot disposed therethrough for slideably receiving a needle-like electrode, said needle-like electrode being selectively extendible relative to said closed distal end;

at least one aspiration port disposed along a side of the elongated tube-like electrode; and

a selectively activateable valve for regulating the flow through said aspiration port.

17. An electrosurgical suction coagulator according to claim 16 wherein said valve includes a generally arcuate sleeve which is rotated within the elongated tube-like electrode to regulate the flow through said aspiration port.