Multimodality probe with extendable bipolar electrodes

• US 5,401,272 A
• Filed: 02/16/1994
• Issued: 03/28/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cytyc Surgical Products II Incorporated (Hologic Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Envision Surgical Systems
• Inventors: Perkins, Rodney C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Application Number:
  US08/197,357
• Time in Patent Office: 405 Days
• Field of Search: 606/14-16, 606/42, 606/45-52, 604/35
• US Class Current: 606/15
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320016 Endoscopic cutting instruments, e.g. arthroscopes, resectoscopes A61B10/0233, A61B17/29, A61B17/3207 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3203 Fluid jet cutting instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1402 Probes for open surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1442 Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1482 having a long rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously in minimal invasive surgery, e.g. laparoscopy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/24 with a catheter A61B18/26, A61B18/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/28 for heating a thermal probe or absorber
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 shape memory effect for prostheses A61F2210/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22077 with a part piercing the tissue A61B2017/22044 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2918 flexible handles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/32004 having a laterally movable cutting member at its most distal end which remains within the contours of said end
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00196 reciprocating lengthwise
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00595 Cauterization
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/126 bipolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/005 with suction drainage system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/007 with irrigation system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/002 Irrigation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/007 Aspiration
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 2201/12 Shape memory

Abstract

A surgical probe, and procedure using the same, enabling a surgeon to cut body tissue by delivering energy, such as a laser beam, to the body tissue and without removing the instrument to cauterize the body tissue by direct application of electric current. The surgical probe includes an elongated member having a fiber optic positioned on a longitudinal axis of the elongated member and pair of elongated electrodes that span an entire length of the elongated member. The elongated electrodes slide lengthwise in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. During cutting procedures, the distal ends of the electrodes are in a retracted position not beyond the distal end of the elongated member, and during cauterization procedures, the distal ends of the electrodes are in an extended position beyond the distal end of the elongated member. In a preferred embodiment, the distal ends of the electrodes are pre-bent so as to converge toward each other as they are extended beyond the distal end of the elongated member.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument comprising:

an elongated member having a proximal end and a distal end;

a pair of elongated electrodes having proximal ends and distal ends;

means for slidably securing the elongated electrodes to the elongated member, wherein the elongated electrodes slide lengthwise in a direction substantially parallel to the elongated member and the distal ends of the elongated electrodes are capable of sliding beyond the distal end of the elongated member;

first energy delivery means, coupled with the elongated member, for communicating electromagnetic energy at a first wavelength to the distal end of the elongated member; and

second energy delivery means, coupled with the elongated member, for communicating electromagnetic energy at a second wavelength to the distal end of the elongated member.

2. A surgical instrument comprising:

an elongated member having a proximal end and a distal end;

a pair of elongated electrodes having proximal ends and distal ends;

means for slidably securing the elongated electrodes to the elongated member, wherein the elongated electrodes slide lengthwise in a direction substantially parallel to the elongated member and the distal ends of the elongated electrodes are capable of sliding beyond the distal end of the elongated member;

an optical fiber, coupled with the elongated member, for communicating electromagnetic energy to the distal end of the elongated member; and

a transparent, sharp edged tip secured to the distal end of the elongated member and at a region near a distal end of the optical fiber, wherein electromagnetic radiation is capable of passing out the distal end of the optical fiber and passing through the tip.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 2, wherein the sharp edged tip is configured to form a blade.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 2, wherein the tip is constructed of quartz.

5. A laser probe, comprising an elongated member having a proximal end and a distal end;

an optical fiber located longitudinally within the elongated member for communicating electromagnetic energy to and out of the distal end of elongated member;

a pair of elongated electrodes having proximal ends and distal ends, the distal ends being present so as to converge on each other when extended beyond the distal end of the elongated member;

means for slidably securing the elongated electrodes to the elongated member, wherein the elongated electrodes slide lengthwise in a direction parallel to the elongated member and the distal ends of the electrodes are capable of sliding beyond the distal end of the elongated member; and

a handle on the proximal end of the elongated member, the handle including an actuator and means for sliding the elongated electrodes in response to movement of the actuator.