ELECTRICAL ABLATION SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS

• US 20090062792A1
• Filed: 04/25/2008
• Published: 03/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Vakharia, Omar J., Zwolinski, Andrew M., Long, Gary L., Holcomb, Matthew D., Bakos, Gregory J., Bally, Kurt R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,568,410 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/45
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1445 at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1477 Needle-like probes
• 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 2018/1266 with DC current output
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1412 Blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1425 Needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1455 having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws

Abstract

An electrical ablation device includes an elongated flexible member having a proximal end and a distal end. A clamp jaw portion is located at the distal end of the elongated flexible member. The clamp jaw portion is operatively movable from an open position to a closed position. A cutting blade is located in the clamp jaw portion. The clamp jaw portion is adapted to couple to an electrical waveform generator and to receive an electrical waveform.

Claims

1. An electrical ablation device, comprising:

an elongated flexible member having a proximal end and a distal end;

a clamp jaw portion located at the distal end of the elongated flexible member, the clamp jaw portion operatively movable from an open position to a closed position; and

a cutting blade located in the clamp jaw portion;

wherein the clamp jaw portion is adapted to couple to an electrical waveform generator and to receive an electrical waveform.

2. The electrical ablation device of claim 1, wherein the cutting blade is slidably movable within the clamp jaw portion.

3. The electrical ablation device of claim 2, wherein the cutting blade comprises a cutting edge on a proximal end thereof and the cutting blade is slidably movable from a distal end to a proximal end of the clamp jaw portion to transect tissue located within the clamp jaw portion.

4. The electrical ablation device of claim 2, wherein the cutting blade comprises a cutting edge on a distal end thereof and the cutting blade is slidably movable from a proximal end to a distal end of the clamp jaw portion to transect tissue located within the clamp jaw portion.

5. The electrical ablation device of claim 1, wherein the cutting blade comprises a plurality of serrations.

6. The electrical ablation device of claim 5, wherein the plurality of serrations extend along a longitudinal axis positioned away from outside edges of the clamp jaw portion.

7. The electrical ablation device of claim 1, wherein the clamp jaw portion comprises at least one electrode portion comprising a long narrow ridge extending longitudinally along the least one electrode portion.

8. The electrical ablation device of claim 7, wherein the ridge rises above substantially flat portions at an angle to define an edge at a high point thereof, wherein the edge extends longitudinally along a length of the ridge.

9. The electrical ablation device of claim 1, wherein the clamp jaw portion comprises pivotally coupled first and second jaw members, the first and second jaw members comprising respective first and second electrode portions formed on an inner surface thereof to couple to the electrical waveform generator.

10. The electrical ablation device of claim 1, wherein the clamp jaw portion comprises pivotally coupled first and second jaw members, the first and second jaw members comprising respective first and second electrode portions formed on an inner surface thereof to couple to the electrical waveform generator.

11. The electrical ablation device of claim 1, comprising:

a clevis coupled to the elongated flexible member;

at least one lumen formed within the flexible member;

an elongated actuator member slidably received within the at least one lumen, the elongated actuator member coupled to the clevis, wherein slidably moving the elongated actuator member in a first direction opens the clamp jaw portion and slidably moving the elongated actuator member in a second direction closes the clamp jaw portion;

a handle portion to receive the proximal end of the elongated actuator member; and

a trigger operatively coupled to the elongated actuator member;

wherein the trigger is pivotally moveable in a first rotational direction to move the elongated actuator member in the first direction to open the clamp jaw portion; and

wherein the trigger is pivotally moved in a second rotational direction to move the elongated actuator member in the second direction to close the clamp jaw portion.

20. A method of preparing an instrument for surgery, comprising:

obtaining the device of claim 1;

sterilizing the electrical ablation device; and

storing the electrical ablation device in a sterile container.

12. An electrical ablation device, comprising:

an elongated flexible member having a proximal end and a distal end;

pivotally coupled first and second jaw members located at the distal end of the elongated flexible member, the first and second jaw members comprising respective first and second electrode portions formed on an inner surface thereof to couple to an electrical waveform generator, the first and second jaw members operatively movable from an open position to a closed position; and

a cutting blade formed on at least one of the first and second jaw members;

wherein the first and second jaw members are adapted to couple to the electrical waveform generator and the first and second electrode portions are adapted to receive an electrical waveform.

13. The electrical ablation device of claim 12, wherein the cutting blade is slidably movable within slots formed in the first and second jaw members.

14. The electrical ablation device of claim 13, wherein the cutting blade comprises a cutting edge on a proximal end thereof and the cutting blade is slidably movable from a distal end of the second jaw member to a proximal end of the second jaw member to transect tissue located between the first and second jaw members.

15. The electrical ablation device of claim 14, wherein the cutting blade comprises a cutting edge on a distal end thereof and the cutting blade is slidably movable from a proximal end to a distal end of the second jaw member to transect tissue located between the first and second jaw members.

16. The electrical ablation device of claim 12, wherein the cutting blade comprises a plurality of serrations.

17. The electrical ablation device of claim 16, wherein the plurality of serrations extend along a longitudinal axis positioned away from outside edges of the second jaw member.

18. The electrical ablation device of claim 12, comprising at least one electrode portion comprising a long narrow ridge extending longitudinally along the least one electrode portion.

19. The electrical ablation device of claim 18, wherein the ridge rises above substantially flat portions at an angle to define an edge at a high point thereof, wherein the edge extends longitudinally along a length of the ridge.

21. A surgical device, comprising:

an elongated flexible member having a proximal end and a distal end;

pivotally coupled first and second jaw members attached to the distal end of the elongated flexible member; and

a plurality of serrations fixably disposed on an inner surface of at least one of the first and second jaw members, the plurality of serrations positioned substantially along a centerline axis extending longitudinally along a length of the second jaw member.

22. The surgical device of claim 21, wherein the plurality of serrations are disposed on the respective inner surfaces of the first and second jaw members.

23. The surgical device of claim 21, wherein the plurality of serrations comprises a cutting edge.

24. The surgical device of claim 22, comprising:

a first electrode disposed on the inner surface of the first jaw member between the plurality of serrations of the first jaw member and an outer edge of the first jaw member, the first electrode to receive an electrical waveform from a waveform generator.

25. The surgical device of claim 24, comprising:

a second electrode disposed on the inner surface of the second jaw member between the plurality of serrations of the second jaw member and an outer edge of the second jaw member, the second electrode to receive the electrical waveform from the waveform generator.

26. The surgical device of claim 25, comprising:

a handle portion attached to the proximal end of the elongated flexible member, the handle portion in communication with the first and second jaw members and comprising a trigger pivotally manipulatable to vary a relative position of the first and second jaw members.

27. The surgical device of claim 26, wherein the handle portion comprises a first control position to place the first and second jaws members in a first treatment position relative to targeted tissue, wherein the first and second jaw members compressibly retain the tissue when in the first treatment position such that the tissue is contacted by the first and second electrodes, and such that the tissue is not severed by the plurality of serrations.

28. The surgical device of claim 27, wherein the handle portion comprises a second control position to place the first and second jaws members in a second treatment position relative to the tissue, wherein the first and second jaw members apply a compressive force to the tissue when in the second treatment position such that the targeted tissue is severed by the plurality of serrations.

29. The surgical device of claim 21, comprising:

a clevis coupled to a distal end of the elongated flexible member;

at least one lumen formed within the flexible member;

an elongated actuator member slidably disposed within the at least one lumen, wherein the elongated actuator member comprises a distal end coupled to the clevis, wherein slidably moving the elongated actuator member in a first direction pivotably moves the first and second jaw members apart, and wherein slidably moving the elongated actuator member in a second direction pivotably closes the first and second jaw members to define a first treatment position for applying a first compressive force and a second treatment position for applying a second compressive force, wherein the second compressive force is greater than the first compressive force; and

a handle portion comprising a trigger, the handle portion coupled to a proximal end of the elongated actuator member;

wherein the trigger is pivotally moveable to move the elongated actuator member in the first and second directions.

30. A surgical method, comprising:

inserting an elongated flexible member of a surgical device through a body lumen to position an end effector of the surgical instrument adjacent tissue to be treated, the end effector attached to the distal end of the elongated flexible member and comprising;

pivotally coupled first and second jaw members;

a plurality of serrations fixably disposed on respective inner surfaces of the first and second jaw members, the plurality of serrations positioned substantially along a centerline axis extending longitudinally along a length of the second jaw member;

a first electrode disposed on the inner surface of the first jaw member between the plurality of serrations of the first jaw member and an outer edge of the first jaw member, the first electrode to receive an electrical waveform from a waveform generator; and

a second electrode disposed on the inner surface of the second jaw member between the plurality of serrations of the second jaw member and an outer edge of the second jaw member, the second electrode to receive the electrical waveform from the waveform generator.

31. The surgical method of claim 30, comprising placing the first and second jaw members in a first treatment position relative to the tissue, wherein placing the first and second jaw members in the first treatment position comprises compressibly retaining the tissue between the first and second jaw members such that the tissue is contacted by the first and second electrodes, and such that the tissue is not severed by the plurality of serrations.

32. The surgical method of claim 31, comprising applying the electrical waveform to the tissue via the first and second electrodes when the jaw members are in the first treatment position.

33. The surgical method of claim 32, comprising placing the first and second jaw members in a second treatment position relative to the tissue subsequent to applying the electrical waveform, wherein placing the first and second jaw members in the second treatment position comprises compressibly retaining the tissue between the first and second jaw members such that the tissue is severed by the plurality of serrations.

34. A system, comprising:

a surgical instrument, comprising;

an elongated flexible member having a proximal end and a distal end;

pivotally coupled first and second jaw members attached to the distal end of the elongated flexible member;

a plurality of serrations fixably disposed on respective inner surfaces of the first and second jaw members, the plurality of serrations positioned substantially along a centerline axis extending longitudinally along a length of the second jaw member;

a first electrode disposed on the inner surface of the first jaw member between the plurality of serrations of the first jaw member and an outer edge of the first jaw member; and

a second electrode disposed on the inner surface of the second jaw member between the plurality of serrations of the second jaw member and an outer edge of the second jaw member; and

a waveform generator electrically coupled to the surgical instrument for selectively applying an electrical waveform to the first and second electrodes.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein the surgical instrument comprises a handle portion attached to the proximal end of the elongated flexible member, the handle portion in communication with the first and second jaw members and comprising a trigger pivotally manipulatable to vary a relative position of the first and second jaw members.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein the handle portion comprises a first control position to place the first and second jaws members in a first treatment position relative to targeted tissue, wherein the first and second jaw members compressibly retain the tissue when in the first treatment position such that the tissue is contacted by the first and second electrodes, and such that the tissue is not severed by the plurality of serrations.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein the handle portion comprises a second control position to place the first and second jaws members in a second treatment position relative to the tissue, wherein the first and second jaw members apply a compressive force to the tissue when in the second treatment position such that the tissue is severed by the plurality of serrations.

38. The system of claim 34, wherein the surgical instrument comprises:

a clevis coupled to a distal end of the elongated flexible member;

at least one lumen formed within the flexible member;

an elongated actuator member slidably disposed within the at least one lumen, wherein the elongated actuator member comprises a distal end coupled to the clevis, wherein slidably moving the elongated actuator member in a first direction pivotably moves the first and second jaw members apart, and wherein slidably moving the elongated actuator member in a second direction pivotably closes the first and second jaw members to define a first treatment position for applying a first compressive force and a second treatment position for applying a second compressive force, wherein the second compressive force is greater than the first compressive force;

a handle portion comprising a trigger, the handle portion coupled to a proximal end of the elongated actuator member;

wherein the trigger is pivotally moveable to move the elongated actuator member in the first and second directions.