Self Contained, Gas-Enhanced Surgical Instrument
First Claim
1. An electrosurgical instrument for providing ionized gas to a surgical site, comprising:
- a housing having a proximal end and a distal end, the housing being configured for operable connection with a source of pressurized gas;
an active electrode located adjacent the distal end of the housing, the electrode adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy;
at least one actuator which actuates the flow of pressurized inert gas from the source of pressurized gas to the proximity of the active electrode and which actuates the delivery of electrosurgical energy from the source of electrosurgical energy to the active electrode for ionizing the pressurized inert gas for use at the surgical site; and
a flow regulator for selectively regulating the flow of pressurized gas from the source of pressurized gas upon actuation of the at least one actuator.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrosurgical apparatus for coagulating tissue includes an elongated housing and an electrode located adjacent the distal end of the housing. The electrode can be connected to a source of electrosurgical energy. At least one actuator is included which electrosurgically energizes the electrode. The apparatus also includes a relatively small gas cylinder which contains a pressurized gas consisting of inert gas and which is selectively seated in the housing. Upon actuation of the actuator, gas is dispersed under pressure from the gas cylinder to the electrode and is ionized prior to the distribution of the gas into the operating field.
113 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An electrosurgical instrument for providing ionized gas to a surgical site, comprising:
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a housing having a proximal end and a distal end, the housing being configured for operable connection with a source of pressurized gas; an active electrode located adjacent the distal end of the housing, the electrode adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy; at least one actuator which actuates the flow of pressurized inert gas from the source of pressurized gas to the proximity of the active electrode and which actuates the delivery of electrosurgical energy from the source of electrosurgical energy to the active electrode for ionizing the pressurized inert gas for use at the surgical site; and a flow regulator for selectively regulating the flow of pressurized gas from the source of pressurized gas upon actuation of the at least one actuator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16)
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15. An electrosurgical instrument for providing ionized gas to a surgical site, comprising:
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a housing having a proximal end and a distal end, the housing being configured for operable connection with a source of pressurized gas; an active electrode located adjacent the distal end of the housing, the electrode adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy; and at least one actuator operably supported on the housing which is selectively adjustable to control the flow of pressurized gas from the source of pressurized gas to the proximity of the active electrode and the delivery of electrosurgical energy from the source of electrosurgical energy to the active electrode for ionizing the pressurized inert gas for use at the surgical site.
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17. An electrosurgical instrument for providing ionized gas to a surgical site, comprising:
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a housing having a proximal end and a distal end, the housing being configured for operable connection with a source of pressurized gas; an active electrode located adjacent the distal end of the housing, the electrode adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy; a flow regulator for regulating the flow of pressurized gas from the source of pressurized gas; and a sensor in electrical communication with the flow regulator, the sensor being configured to sense a selected condition and automatically control the regulation of flow of pressurized gas to the active electrode.
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18. An electrosurgical instrument for providing ionized gas to a surgical site, comprising;
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a housing having a proximal end and a distal end, the housing being configured to selectively receive a source of pressurized gas; an active electrode located adjacent the distal end of the housing, the electrode adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy; at least one actuator which actuates the flow of pressurized gas from the cylinder to the proximity of the active electrode and which actuates the delivery of electrosurgical energy from the source of electrosurgical energy to the active electrode for ionizing the pressurized inert gas for use at the surgical site; and a sensor for sensing a condition, the sensor being electrically connected to a safety pressure relief valve which vents pressure from the source of pressurized gas before the source of pressurized gas is removed from the housing.
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19. An electrosurgical system for performing an electrosurgical procedure on a patient, the system comprising:
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a source of electrosurgical energy; a source of pressurized gas; and an electrosurgical instrument including; a housing having a proximal end and a distal end, the housing being configured for operable connection with a source of pressurized gas; an active electrode located adjacent the distal end of the housing, the electrode adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy; and at least one actuator operably supported on the housing which is selectively adjustable to control the flow of pressurized gas from the source of pressurized gas to the proximity of the active electrode and the delivery of electrosurgical energy from the source of electrosurgical energy to the active electrode for ionizing the pressurized inert gas for use at the surgical site.
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Specification