MICROCAUTERY DEVICE

• US 3,886,944 A
• Filed: 11/19/1973
• Issued: 06/03/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Khosrow Jamshidi
• Original Assignee: Khosrow Jamshidi
• Inventors: Jamshidi, Khosrow
• Primary Examiner(s): Gaudet, Richard A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Application Number:
  US05/416,760
• Time in Patent Office: 561 Days
• Field of Search: 128/2B,303.17,303.14,347,310,303.13,303.1,303.12 219/233
• US Class Current: 606/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/082 Probes or electrodes therefor

Abstract

A microcautery device particularly adapted for use in connection with the cauterization of elongated unnatural openings of small diameter formed in a body, for example, for biopsy purposes, the device including a gripping handle having an elongated tubular metallic shaft of small diameter extending from one end of the handle. The metallic shaft consists of a shank portion having a generally cylindrical tip portion with an electrically resistive closed tip end coupled thereto at the end thereof, with the body of the tip portion extending in continuation with the shank portion. An electrically insulated highly conductive electrical conductor is disposed within the confines of the tubular shaft and extends from the handle to the tip of the shaft, and is electrically coupled to the tip portion along the inner surface of the closed tip end. A source of electrical energy is coupled across the electrical conductor and the proximate end of the tubular metallic shaft, so as to complete an electrical circuit. The cauterizing device is arranged to be inserted in the opening formed in the body being treated, energized to cauterizing temperatures, and removed slowly while heated so as to perform the cauterizing operation.

Claims

1. Means for cauterizing elongated and unnatural openings of small diameter formed in a body with a small diameter biopsy needle stylet and comprising:

a. gripping handle means having an elongated hollow tubular metallic shaft of small diameter stainless steel extending from one end thereof;

b. said tubular metallic shaft consisting of a tubular shaft portion having a generally cylindrical tip portion with a closed hemispherical tip at the end thereof, said closed tip portion being disposed at the distal end of said tubular shaft portion opposite said handle means, said tubular shaft portion having a certain first electrical conductivity, and said tip portion having an electrical conductivity which is significantly less than that of said tubular shaft portion;

c. an electrical conductor disposed within the confines of said tubular metallic shaft and being arranged generally coaxially therewithin, means for coupling said electrical conductor and said tubular shaft portion to opposite poles of a source of electrical energy, said electrical conductor extending from said handle means to the inner surface of said closed tip end of said tubular metallic shaft and having a layer of electrical insulation disposed generally coaxially therearound, and being secured electrically to the inner wall of said closed tip portion adjacent the distal end thereof.

2. The cauterizing means as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said tubular shaft portion and closed tip portion have constant and common outer radii.

3. The cauterizing means as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that the cross-sectional wall thickness of said tubular shaft portion is substantially equal to that of said closed tip portion.