Electrosurgical electrode with a conductive, non-stick coating
First Claim
1. An electrosurgical instrument for use in surgical procedures where it is desired to cut or cauterize tissue utilizing radio frequency energy, and wherein the electrosurgical instrument is comprised of:
- a substrate having at least one cutting edge, and wherein the substrate is adapted to be electrically coupled to a source of radio frequency energy which can be directed to the at least one cutting edge; and
a continuous, conductive, ceramic coating disposed on the substrate to thereby cover the at least one cutting edge with an amorphous coating which can flex with the substrate without damaging the continuity of the continuous ceramic coating.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrosurgical blade is provided having a ceramic coating which is conductive, flexible and provides a surface which inhibits the build up of charred tissue. These properties enable the electrosurgical blade to deliver controlled amounts of radio-frequency energy to tissue. The manufacturing process produces a coating of titanium nitride on a stainless steel blade which is amorphous, enabling the electrosurgical blade to bend with the blade in order to perform a wide variety of surgical procedures without damaging the coating. The electrosurgical blade can therefore be used to efficiently cut, coagulate, fulgurate and desiccate tissue. While the blade is primarily used in the monopolar mode, the present invention also encompasses at least two electrosurgical electrodes having the same ceramic coating as the electrosurgical blade, and used in the bipolar mode for coagulation. The coating can be applied on a variety of shapes of electrocautery instruments.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. An electrosurgical instrument for use in surgical procedures where it is desired to cut or cauterize tissue utilizing radio frequency energy, and wherein the electrosurgical instrument is comprised of:
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a substrate having at least one cutting edge, and wherein the substrate is adapted to be electrically coupled to a source of radio frequency energy which can be directed to the at least one cutting edge; and a continuous, conductive, ceramic coating disposed on the substrate to thereby cover the at least one cutting edge with an amorphous coating which can flex with the substrate without damaging the continuity of the continuous ceramic coating. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An electrosurgical instrument for use in surgical procedures where it is desired to coagulate utilizing radio frequency energy, and wherein the electrosurgical instrument is comprised of:
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a substrate having a plurality of electrodes at a coagulating end thereof, and wherein the substrate is adapted to be electrically coupled to a source of radio frequency energy which can be directed to the electrodes so as to provide a first path for the radio frequency energy to travel to the electrodes, and a second path for the radio frequency energy to return from the electrodes; and a continuous, conductive, ceramic coating disposed on the substrate to thereby cover the electrodes with an amorphous coating which can flex with the electrodes without damaging the continuity of the continuous ceramic coating. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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15. A method for providing an electrosurgical instrument that enables electrosurgical procedures to be performed while minimizing thermal damage to tissue, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) disposing an amorphous, conductive, ceramic coating on an electrosurgical instrument, wherein the amorphous, conductive, ceramic coating resists build up of charred tissue thereon so that the at least one electrosurgical procedure can be performed using a minimum level of radio frequency energy applied to the electrosurgical instrument; and b) performing the functions of cutting, cauterizing, fulguration or desiccation during the electrosurgical procedures by using the electrosurgical instrument which minimizes thermal damage to tissue. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of manufacturing an electrosurgical instrument for use in surgical procedures where it is desired to cut or cauterize tissue utilizing radio frequency energy, the method comprising the steps of:
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(1) providing a substrate having at least one cutting edge, and wherein the substrate is adapted to be electrically coupled to a source of radio frequency energy which can be directed to the at least one cutting edge; and (2) depositing a thin, conductive, continuous, amorphous ceramic coating on the substrate, wherein the thin, conductive, continuous, amorphous ceramic coating is capable of being deformed integrally with the electrosurgical instrument without sustaining damage thereto. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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27. An electrosurgical instrument for use in surgical procedures where it is desired to cut or cauterize tissue utilizing radio frequency energy, and wherein the electrosurgical instrument is comprised of:
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a substrate having at least one means for cutting/coagulation, and wherein the substrate is adapted to be electrically coupled to a source of radio frequency energy which can be directed to the at least one cutting/coagulation means; and a continuous, conductive, ceramic coating disposed on the substrate to thereby cover the at least one cutting/coagulation means with an amorphous coating which can flex with the substrate without damaging the continuity of the continuous ceramic coating. - View Dependent Claims (28)
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29. An electrosurgical instrument for use in surgical procedures where it is desired to cut or cauterize tissue utilizing radio frequency energy, and wherein the electrosurgical instrument is comprised of:
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a substrate having a working end, wherein the working end is adapted to be electrically coupled to a source of radio frequency energy which can be directed to the working end; and a continuous, conductive, ceramic coating disposed on the substrate to thereby cover the working end with an amorphous coating which can flex with the substrate without damaging the continuity of the continuous ceramic coating.
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Specification