TEMPERATURE INDICATING ELECTROSURGICAL APPARATUS AND METHODS

• US 20080077128A1
• Filed: 11/19/2007
• Published: 03/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: ArthroCare Corporation (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Original Assignee: ArthroCare Corporation (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Inventors: Baker, Michael, Dahla, Robert, Pacek, James, Woloszko, Jean
• Application Number:
  US11/942,438
• Publication Number:
  US 20080077128A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/04 by heating by applying electromagnetic radiation A61B18/18; hyperthermia using electric or magnetic fields, radiation or ultrasound A61N
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/042 using additional gas becoming plasma
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/148 having a short, rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously, e.g. for neurosurgery or arthroscopy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1492 having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation A61B18/1477 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/18 by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves radiation therapy A61N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00809 measured thermochromatically
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0276 comprising a thermosensitive compound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/015 By temperature mapping of body part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4528 Joints A61B5/4533, A61B5/4538 take precedence

Abstract

Systems, apparatus, and methods for monitoring temperature at a region near a surgical site during a procedure. A temperature-indicating element of an electrosurgical device comprises an indicator composition adapted to undergo a change in appearance in response to a pre-defined temperature range. The change in appearance of the temperature-indicating element indicates to the operator of the device a temperature condition at the working end of the device.

Claims

1. A method of monitoring a temperature at a surgical site during a procedure comprising:

providing an electrosurgical device at a surgical site during a procedure, comprising;

a shaft having a shaft distal end portion and a shaft proximal end portion;

an electrode assembly comprising at least one active electrode disposed near the shaft distal end portion and adapted to be electrically coupled to a first pole of the power supply;

a connector fixedly engaged to the shaft proximal end portion adapted to couple the device to the power supply;

at least one temperature-indicating element disposed on an exterior of the shaft to be responsive to temperature changes adjacent to the device, wherein the temperature-indicating element undergoes a change in chromatic appearance over a pre-determined temperature range; and

visually observing the chromatic appearance of the temperature-indicating element, wherein the appearance of the temperature-indicating element is indicative of a temperature condition at region adjacent a portion of the shaft.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the portion of the shaft is a distal end portion.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the portion of the shaft is proximal to the distal end portion.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one temperature-indicating element comprises a thermochromic composition selected from the group consisting of a leuco dye and a liquid crystal.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

prior to said positioning the shaft distal end portion of the device at the surgical site;

applying energy to a target tissue at the surgical site via the device; and

adjusting or discontinuing the application of energy to the target tissue according to a chromatic appearance exhibited by the temperature-indicating element.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein said step a) comprises estimating a temperature of a target tissue at the surgical site prior to applying energy to the target tissue via the electrosurgical device.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein the temperature-indicating element undergoes a readily discernible color change in response to exposure of the shaft distal end portion to at least one pre-defined temperature.

8. An electrosurgical instrument for applying electrical energy to tissue at a target site, the instrument comprising:

a shaft, a proximal end and a distal end;

a non-electrically conducting support disposed at the distal end, said support having an annular configuration and a tissue-contacting surface having an annular recess therein;

a temperature indicator positioned on said support;

an active electrode positioned within the annular recess; and

a return electrode positioned about an outer surface of said support

9. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 8 wherein said indicator is band-shaped.