Electrosurgical Instrument
First Claim
1. An electrosurgical instrument, comprising:
- an electrically insulated handle having distal and proximal ends, wherein the proximal end branches to form two arm-like portions and the distal end widens to form an approximately tubular body portion having features sized for receiving at least an index finger and a thumb;
gas and electrical conduits disposed within the handle for connection to external gas and electrical sources;
a hollow elongated electrode extending from the distal end of the handle and defining a gas conduit along its length, the elongated electrode operably coupled to the gas and electrical conduits;
an elongated insulating sheath enclosing the elongated electrode; and
an actuator mechanism operably coupled to the handle, the elongated electrode, and to the gas and electrical conduits, the actuator mechanism configured to alternate between at least two states;
wherein a first state prevents electric current and gas from reaching the elongated electrode, and wherein a second state allows electric current and gas to reach and flow through the elongated electrode to generate and ionized plasma gas stream for electrosurgery.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Surgical instruments include a handle, gas and electrical conduits, a hollow elongated electrode, elongated insulating sheath, and actuator mechanism. The handle has distal and proximal ends, the proximal end branching to form two arm-like portions and the distal end widening to form a tubular body portion having features sized for receiving at least an index finger and a thumb. Gas and electrical conduits are disposed within the handle for connection to external gas and electrical sources. A hollow elongated electrode extends from the handle, defines a gas conduit along its length, and is operably coupled to the gas and electrical conduits. An elongated insulating sheath encloses the electrode. An actuator mechanism alternates between two states to turn the instrument on and off. A sheath actuator slidably retracts and extends the elongated insulating sheath to increase or decrease exposure of the electrode. Methods for operating electrosurgical instrument are also disclosed.
-
Citations
19 Claims
-
1. An electrosurgical instrument, comprising:
-
an electrically insulated handle having distal and proximal ends, wherein the proximal end branches to form two arm-like portions and the distal end widens to form an approximately tubular body portion having features sized for receiving at least an index finger and a thumb; gas and electrical conduits disposed within the handle for connection to external gas and electrical sources; a hollow elongated electrode extending from the distal end of the handle and defining a gas conduit along its length, the elongated electrode operably coupled to the gas and electrical conduits; an elongated insulating sheath enclosing the elongated electrode; and an actuator mechanism operably coupled to the handle, the elongated electrode, and to the gas and electrical conduits, the actuator mechanism configured to alternate between at least two states;
wherein a first state prevents electric current and gas from reaching the elongated electrode, and wherein a second state allows electric current and gas to reach and flow through the elongated electrode to generate and ionized plasma gas stream for electrosurgery. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A method of operating an electrosurgical instrument, comprising:
-
grasping a handle having distal and proximal ends, wherein the proximal end branches to form two arm-like portions and the distal end widens to form an approximately tubular body portion, the tubular body portion having surfaces sized for receiving a middle finger and a thumb, wherein the branch between the two arm-like portions is sized for receiving an index finger; and activating an actuator mechanism positioned on the handle using at least one of the middle finger, thumb, or index finger to operate the electrosurgical instrument. - View Dependent Claims (18)
-
-
19. An electrosurgical instrument, comprising:
-
an electrically insulated handle having distal and proximal ends, wherein the proximal end branches to form two arm-like portions and the distal end widens to form an approximately tubular body portion having features sized for receiving at least an index finger and a thumb; an electrical conduit disposed within the handle for connection to an external electrical source; and an electrode surrounded by an insulating sheath, the electrode and insulating sheath extending from the distal end of the handle and defining an electrical conduit, the electrode operably coupled to the electrical conduit and configured for electrosurgery.
-
Specification