Electrosurgical instrument with extendable sheath for irrigation and aspiration
First Claim
1. An electrosurgical instrument comprising:
- (a) an elongated tubular member having proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending therebetween;
(b) electrode means affixed to said distal end of said tubular member and projecting distally therefrom for electrosurgical cutting of tissue;
(c) means for creating a suction force at the distal end of said elongated tubular member by applying a negative pressure at the proximal end of said lumen; and
(d) means for selectively extending said suction force beyond said distal end of said elongated tubular member comprising a tubular sheath having a distal end coaxially disposed relative to said elongated tubular member, and a means for retracting said elongated tubular member from a first position wherein said electrode means is exposed and projects distally relative to said distal end of the sheath, to a second position wherein said electrode means is retracted to lie in covered relation to said sheath, said tubular sheath including at least one pressure relief port.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrosurgical instrument having a protective, extendable and retractable sheath or sleeve is disclosed. The sheath is disposed around and coaligned with an elongated cylindrical rod, from which extends at least one electrode. A conductor extending from the electrode is joined to a conventional power supply cord for connection to a source of RF voltage. Power supply is regulated using either a convention hand or foot switch. The sheath protects the distal electrode(s) as the instrument is inserted through a laparoscopic trocar or endoscope. It also provides an effective extension of an irrigation/aspiration lumen which extends along the length of the cylindrical rod. The proximal end of the irrigation/aspiration lumen is joined to a supply tube which either may be connected to a fluid reservoir for irrigation or to a collection reservoir for aspiration of fluids. Alternative embodiments feature alternative mechanisms for extending the sheath. In one embodiment, the sheath is retractable and shields the electrode(s) only when placed in a distal, extended position. In another embodiment, the cylindrical rod-shaped housing on which the electrode resides is retractable. When the cylindrical rod is withdrawn to a proximal, retracted position with the sheath, it shields the electrode and extends the effective end of the irrigation lumen.
865 Citations
15 Claims
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1. An electrosurgical instrument comprising:
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(a) an elongated tubular member having proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending therebetween; (b) electrode means affixed to said distal end of said tubular member and projecting distally therefrom for electrosurgical cutting of tissue; (c) means for creating a suction force at the distal end of said elongated tubular member by applying a negative pressure at the proximal end of said lumen; and (d) means for selectively extending said suction force beyond said distal end of said elongated tubular member comprising a tubular sheath having a distal end coaxially disposed relative to said elongated tubular member, and a means for retracting said elongated tubular member from a first position wherein said electrode means is exposed and projects distally relative to said distal end of the sheath, to a second position wherein said electrode means is retracted to lie in covered relation to said sheath, said tubular sheath including at least one pressure relief port. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 15)
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6. An electrosurgical instrument, comprising:
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(a) a housing means for grasping by a surgeon, said housing having a distal end and a proximal end; (b) a rod means for supporting an electrode, said rod means having a distal end and a proximal end and a first lumen extending therebetween; (c) at least one electrode means for cutting tissue having a proximal end inserted into said first lumen at said distal end of said rod means and extending distally therefrom; (d) an irrigation and aspiration lumen having a distal end and a proximal end and disposed within said rod means between said distal end and said proximal end of the rod means; (e) a sheath means for protecting said electrode, said sheath means having a distal end and a proximal end and coaxially disposed about said rod means, wherein said proximal end of the sheath means is affixed to said distal end of the housing; and (f) wherein said rod means is moveable from a first position wherein said distal end of the sheath means is in covering relation to said electrode means, to a second position wherein said distal end of said rod means is extended to expose said electrode means beyond said distal end of the sheath means. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An electrosurgical instrument comprising:
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(a) housing means for grasping by a surgeon including a rod means for supporting an electrode, said rod means having a distal end and a proximal end and a first and second lumen extending therebetween, wherein said proximal end of said rod means is affixed to said distal end of said housing means; (b) at least one electrode means for cutting tissue having a proximal end inserted at said distal end of said rod means into said first lumen and extending distally therefrom; and (c) a sheath means for protecting said electrode, said sheath means having a distal end and a proximal end and coaxially disposed about said rod means, said sheath means being moveable from a first secured position wherein said sheath means extends beyond and is in covering relation to said electrode means to a second secured position wherein said electrode means extends beyond said distal end of the sheath means and is exposed, wherein said housing means has a first detent means and said sheath means has a second detent means releasably securable to said first detent means to selectively allow said sheath means to longitudinally slide along said rod between said first and second secured positions. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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Specification