Apparatus for coagulating tissue

• US 20070149970A1
• Filed: 10/28/2004
• Published: 06/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Erbe Elektromedizin GmbH (C. Erbe GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Erbe Elektromedizin GmbH (C. Erbe GmbH)
• Inventors: Schnitzler, Uwe, Schaller, Daniel
• Granted Patent: US 9,603,653 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/49
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/042 using additional gas becoming plasma
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/16 Indifferent or passive electrodes for grounding
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00589 Coagulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00601 Cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00607 Coagulation and cutting with the same instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 Temperature

Abstract

For the coagulation of tissue there are known instruments, in particular probes, that are designed to deliver argon gas into a space between an electrode within the probe and the tissue. In some cases the intention is to coagulate tissues situated at the side of the outlet of the probe. The invention provides an apparatus for coagulating tissue in which the distal end of the electrode projects out of the gas-delivering device or probe, and at said distal end a guiding device for directing and guiding the gas or plasma is disposed in such a way that at least part of the flowing gas or plasma is deflected into a predetermined direction.

Claims

1. Apparatus for coagulating tissue, comprising

an HF generator,

an electrode connected to said HF generator and adapted to produce a high-frequency current,

a gas-delivering device defining an outlet and adapted to deliver, in use, an inert gas from said outlet of said gas-delivering device into a space defined between said electrode and said tissue such that between said electrode and said tissue a plasma is produced, a distal end of said electrode projecting out of said gas-delivering device, and

a guiding device for directing and guiding at least one of said gas and said plasma disposed at said distal end of said electrode and adapted such that at least a part of said at least one flowing gas and plasma is diverted into a predetermined direction.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said guiding device is comprised of an electrically insulating material.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said guiding device is comprised of a thermally stable material.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in said guiding device is comprised of a ceramic material.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said electrode defines is rod shape around which said guiding device is disposed around with axial symmetry such that said gas flows into said space substantially radially with respect to said outlet of said gas-delivering device.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said guiding device defines a concave configuration on a side thereof that faces said outlet.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said guiding device defines a rounded contour in order to prevent mechanical damage if it touches said tissue.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said electrode is movable relative to said outlet such that when said electrode is moved into a retracted position said guiding device closes said outlet in a substantially leakproof manner.