Auxiliary reference electrode and potential referencing technique for endoscopic electrosurgical instruments
First Claim
1. A system for connecting a plurality of non-insulated, minimally invasive surgical instruments to an auxiliary electrode attached to a patient at a first location during minimally invasive electrosurgery during which high frequency energy is normally transferred from an electrosurgical generator to an active electrode extending into a patient cavity and applied at a surgical site within the patient cavity, said high frequency energy returning to the electrosurgical generator through a primary return electrode attached to the patient at a second location separated from the first location of the auxiliary electrode, said system comprising:
- a plurality of instrument connectors, each instrument connector having a conductive surface adapted to be releasably connected to one of the plurality of non-insulated surgical instruments at a location outside the patient cavity;
a plurality of instrument leads, each instrument lead attached at a first end to the conductive surface of one of the instrument connectors; and
a junction block by which to electrically connect opposite ends of the plurality of the instrument leads to the auxiliary electrode to electrically reference each said non-insulated surgical instrument to the electrical potential of the patient through the auxiliary electrode; and
wherein each instrument connector further comprises;
a rounded end portion defining a channel for insertion of one of the non-insulated surgical instruments; and
a tapered end portion attached to the rounded end portion, said tapered end portion attached to the first end of one of the instrument leads.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Non-insulated surgical instruments are referenced to the electrical potential of a patient during minimally invasive electrosurgery to prevent unintentional patient burns, should the surgical instruments become accidentally energized during the electrosurgical procedure. An auxiliary safety electrode separate from the primary return electrode is attached to the patient at a location separate from the attachment point of the primary return electrode. Each non-insulated surgical instrument is preferably attached to the auxiliary electrode by a separate electrical conductor. The electrical conductor transfers to the auxiliary electrode any electrical energy which is accidentally applied to the instrument during the course of the electrosurgical procedure. The size of the auxiliary electrode is sufficient to safely disperse the electrical charge without burning the patient. When used with conductive cannulas, the electrical conductor is attached between the metal cannula and the auxiliary electrode to dissipate any electrical energy unintentionally transferred to the metal cannula. The auxiliary electrode does not interfere with the operation of a split return electrode or any contact quality monitoring system which monitors the integrity of the contact between the primary return electrode and the patient.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A system for connecting a plurality of non-insulated, minimally invasive surgical instruments to an auxiliary electrode attached to a patient at a first location during minimally invasive electrosurgery during which high frequency energy is normally transferred from an electrosurgical generator to an active electrode extending into a patient cavity and applied at a surgical site within the patient cavity, said high frequency energy returning to the electrosurgical generator through a primary return electrode attached to the patient at a second location separated from the first location of the auxiliary electrode, said system comprising:
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a plurality of instrument connectors, each instrument connector having a conductive surface adapted to be releasably connected to one of the plurality of non-insulated surgical instruments at a location outside the patient cavity; a plurality of instrument leads, each instrument lead attached at a first end to the conductive surface of one of the instrument connectors; and a junction block by which to electrically connect opposite ends of the plurality of the instrument leads to the auxiliary electrode to electrically reference each said non-insulated surgical instrument to the electrical potential of the patient through the auxiliary electrode; and
wherein each instrument connector further comprises;a rounded end portion defining a channel for insertion of one of the non-insulated surgical instruments; and a tapered end portion attached to the rounded end portion, said tapered end portion attached to the first end of one of the instrument leads. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for use in preventing patient burns from a non-insulated and unintentionally charged minimally invasive surgical instrument used during minimally invasive electrosurgery during which high frequency energy is normally transferred from an electrosurgical generator to an active electrode extending into a patient cavity and applied at a surgical site within the patient cavity, said high frequency energy returning to the electrosurgical generator through a primary return electrode attached to the patient at a first location, and said electrosurgical generator including a contact quality monitor to monitor the contact between the patient and the primary return electrode, said system comprising:
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an auxiliary electrode separate from the primary return electrode, said auxiliary electrode adapted to be attached to the patient at a second location separated from the first location of the primary return electrode to create an electrical reference to the patient separate from and independent of the primary return electrode; an instrument connector having a conductive surface adapted to be releasably attached to the non-insulated surgical instrument at a location outside the patient cavity during the minimally invasive electrosurgery; an instrument lead attached between the auxiliary electrode and the instrument connector to reference the non-insulated surgical instrument to the electrical potential of the patient through the auxiliary electrode; and said auxiliary electrode having a sufficient size to conduct any burn-producing current from the non-insulated surgical instrument into the patient to prevent burns from the non-insulated surgical instrument while simultaneously preventing the burn-producing current from interfering with operation of the contact quality monitor. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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14. A system for use in preventing patient burns from a non-insulated and unintentionally charged minimally invasive surgical instrument used during minimally invasive electrosurgery during which high frequency energy is normally transferred from an electrosurgical generator to an active electrode extending into a patient cavity and applied at a surgical site within the patient cavity, said high frequency energy returning to the electrosurgical generator through a primary return electrode attached to the patient at a first location, said system comprising:
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an auxiliary electrode separate from the primary return electrode, said auxiliary electrode adapted to be attached to the patient at a second location separated from the first location of the primary return electrode to create an electrical reference to the patient separate from and independent of the primary return electrode; an instrument connector having a conductive surface adapted to be releasably attached to the non-insulated surgical instrument at a location outside the patient cavity during the minimally invasive electrosurgery; an instrument lead attached between the auxiliary electrode and the instrument connector to reference the non-insulated surgical instrument to the electrical potential of the patient through the auxiliary electrode; and said auxiliary electrode having a sufficient size to conduct any burn-producing current from the non-insulated surgical instrument into the patient to prevent burns from the non-insulated surgical instrument while simultaneously preventing the burn-producing current from interfering with any electrical monitoring occurring at the primary return electrode. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification