×

Irrigation and shroud arrangement for electrically powered endoscopic probes

  • US 5,496,314 A
  • Filed: 10/09/1992
  • Issued: 03/05/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/01/1992
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
Patent Images

1. An instrument for use in endoscopic surgery, the instrument connected to a suction source, an irrigation source, and a power source, the instrument comprising:

  • an elongated shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a central bore;

    an electrically powered probe tip connected to the distal end of the elongated shaft;

    means for connecting the electrically powered probe tip to the power source;

    a handle connected to the proximal end of the elongated shaft, the handle having a first passageway for transmitting suction from the suction source to the central bore, and a second passageway for transmitting irrigation from the irrigation source to the central bore; and

    valve means disposed in the first and second passageways for biasing the first and second passageways closed, the valve means enabling either of the first and second passageways to be selectively opened,wherein the electrically powered probe tip comprises a working end disposed from the distal end of the elongated shaft, the working end having a cross-section extending perpendicularly to the working surface, the working surface maintained at an auto-regulated temperature by conducting a current throughout the cross-section of the working end, the heating element comprising a material having a skin depth extending substantially throughout the cross-section of the working end responsive to the temperature of the heating element and that decreases as the temperature of the element falls below the auto-regulated temperature.

View all claims
  • 3 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×