INTERFACE MODULE ALLOWING DELIVERY OF TISSUE STIMULATION AND ELECTROSURGERY THROUGH A COMMON SURGICAL INSTRUMENT

• US 20130090641A1
• Filed: 10/05/2011
• Published: 04/11/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Xomed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Xomed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Li, Wenjeng, McFarlin, Kevin Lee, McKinney, Jeremy Michael
• Granted Patent: US 9,579,503 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/33
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1206 Generators therefor
• 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 2018/00589 Coagulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00601 Cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0063 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/124 switching the output to different electrodes, e.g. sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4893 Nerves

Abstract

Concepts presented herein relate to an interface module that can be electrically coupled to an electrical stimulation generator, a radio frequency generator and an instrument. A selection module is coupled to the interface module and operates in a first mode to deliver electrical stimulation signals from the electrical stimulation generator to the instrument and in a second mode to deliver radio frequency signals from the radio frequency generator to the instrument.

Claims

1. An interface module for use with an electrical stimulation generator and an electrosurgical unit, the interface module comprising:

a first input configured to receive electrical stimulation signals from the electrical stimulation generator;

a first set of relays coupled to the first input;

a second input configured to receive radio frequency signals from the electrosurgical unit;

a second set of relays coupled to the second input;

an output configured to deliver output signals to an instrument and coupled to the first set of relays and the second set of relays;

a signal detector configured to receive an indication to deliver one of the electrical stimulation signals and the radio frequency signals as the output signals; and

a controller coupled to the first input, the second input, the signal detector, the first set of relays and the second set of relays, the controller configured to selectively energize the first set of relays and the second set of relays based on the indication from the signal detector so as to deliver the output signals to the output.

2. The interface module of claim 1 wherein the signal detector receives the indication from a selection module.

3. The interface module of claim 1 wherein the selection module is one of a mechanical switch and an electrical switch.

4. The interface module of claim 1, wherein the first set of relays and the second set of relays are vacuum sealed.

5. The interface module of claim 1, further comprising an insulating wall separating the first input and the second input.

6. The interface module of claim 5, wherein the insulating wall is formed of polyoxymethylene.

7. The interface module of claim 1, further comprising an indicator providing a visual reference of the indication.

8. The interface module of claim 1 wherein the radio frequency signals are configured for coagulation of tissue.

9. The interface module of claim 1 wherein the radio frequency signals are configured for cutting of tissue.

10. A surgical method for operating on tissue at a target site, comprising:

electrically coupling an instrument to an electrical stimulation generator and a radio frequency generator;

receiving a signal having an indication to selectively provide output signals of one of electrical stimulation signals from the electrical stimulation generator and radio frequency signals from the radio frequency generator to the instrument;

energizing a first set of relays if the indication is to selectively provide electrical stimulation signals;

energizing a second set of relays if the indication is to selectively provide radio frequency signals; and

delivering the output signals to the instrument.

11. The surgical method of claim 10, further comprising:

delivering electrical stimulation signals from the electrical stimulation generator to the instrument through the first set of relays.

12. The surgical method of claim 10, further comprising:

delivering radio frequency signals from the radio frequency generator to the instrument through the second set of relays.

13. The surgical method of claim 10, wherein the first set of relays and the second set of relays are vacuum sealed.

14. The surgical method of claim 10, further comprising:

recording a response from tissue using a recording electrode coupled to the tissue, the response generated from delivery of an electrical stimulation signal to the tissue.

15. The surgical method of claim 10, wherein the radio frequency signals include coagulation signals configured for coagulation of tissue.

16. The surgical method of claim 10, wherein the radio frequency signals include cutting signals configured for cutting of tissue.

17. The surgical method of claim 10, further comprising:

completing a first circuit including the electrical stimulation generator and the instrument during a first time period;

breaking the first circuit; and

completing a second circuit including the radio frequency generator and the instrument during a second time period after breaking the first circuit.

18. The surgical method of claim 10, further comprising:

completing a first circuit including the electrical stimulation generator and the instrument during a first time period;

breaking the first circuit;

recording a response from tissue using a recording electrode coupled to the tissue, the response generated from delivery of an electrical stimulation signal to the tissue; and

disabling application of further radio frequency signals based on the response.

19. A surgical system for use on tissue at a target site, comprising:

an instrument;

an electrical stimulation generator configured to generate electrical stimulation signals;

an electrosurgical unit configured to generate radio frequency signals;

an interface module electrically coupled to the instrument, the electrical stimulation generator and the electrosurgical unit, the interface module including a signal detector, a controller, a first set of relays and a second set of relays;

a first circuit including the instrument, the electrical stimulation generator and the interface module;

a second circuit including the instrument, the electrosurgical unit and the interface module;

a selection module electrically coupled to the signal detector and configured to provide a selection of one of the first circuit and the second circuit, wherein the controller energizes one of the first set of relays and the second set of relays based on the selection.

20. The surgical system of claim 19 wherein the instrument is one of a bipolar forceps, a laproscopic bipolar instrument, a monopolar cautery pencil and a wristed instrument.

21. The surgical system of claim 19 wherein the selection module is coupled to the instrument.

22. The surgical system of claim 19 wherein the selection module is electrically coupled to the interface module and configured to disconnect the second circuit.

23. The surgical system of claim 19 wherein the selection module is electrically coupled to the interface module to provide a signal indicative of electrical activity at the target site.

24. The surgical system of claim 19, further comprising one or more recording electrodes coupled to the tissue and configured to record a response from the tissue, the response generated from electrical stimulation signals delivered to the tissue and wherein the one or more recording electrodes form part of the first circuit.

25. The surgical system of claim 19, further comprising an insulating wall positioned within the interface module to separate the first circuit from the second circuit.

26. The surgical system of claim 19, wherein the first set of relays and the second set of relays are vacuum sealed.

27. The system of claim 19, wherein the electrosurgical unit is configured to deliver both cutting signals and coagulation of signals to the instrument.