Endoscopic electrocautery instrument

• US 6,193,718 B1
• Filed: 06/10/1998
• Issued: 02/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Scimed Life Systems Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Sixto, Robert, McBrayer, Michael Sean, Kortenbach, Juergen Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): PEFFLEY, MICHAEL F
• Application Number:
  US09/095,307
• Time in Patent Office: 993 Days
• Field of Search: 606/41, 606/45, 606/48-52, 606/205-208
• US Class Current: 606/50
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1445 at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/126 bipolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1412 Blade

Abstract

This invention relates to endoscopic electrocautery instruments for performing surgery on the tissue of a patient and passing current through the tissue to cause cauterization thereof. The instrument has a proximal end and a distal end and includes an elongated tube, a push rod located within the elongated tube, and a first and second end effector located adjacent a distal end of the elongated tube and controlled for relative movement by the push rod. Various arrangements are disclosed for creating a first and second cautery current path from the instrument proximal end to the first and second end effectors. In accordance with the invention, the end effectors are formed as scissor blade members having various conductive and non-conductive layer arrangements. The layer arrangements of the scissor blade members allow for different cauterization affects. Coupling arrangements between the blade members and the elongated tube are also disclosed.

Claims

1. An endoscopic electrocautery instrument for performing surgery on tissue of a patient and passing current through the tissue to cause cauterization thereof, the instrument having a proximal end and a distal end and comprising:

a proximal actuator;

an elongated tube having a proximal end connected to the actuator and a distal end;

a push rod extending through the elongated tube and including a proximal end connected to the actuator;

first and second end effectors located adjacent the elongated tube distal end and connected to the push rod to provide relative movement of the first and second end effectors upon actuation of the proximal actuator;

a first current path passing cautery current from the instrument proximal end to an end effector first portion by a movable conductive rod having a proximal end coupled to a cautery current connector and a distal end slidably contacting a proximal end of the elongated tube; and

a second current path insulated from the first current path and passing cautery current from the instrument proximal end to an end effector second portion, the second current path including the push rod.

2. The endoscopic electrocautery instrument of claim 1, wherein:

the first end effector includes the end effector first portion and the end effector second portion.

3. The endoscopic electrocautery instrument of claim 2, wherein:

the second end effector includes the end effector first portion and the end effector second portion.

4. The endoscopic electrocautery instrument of claim 1, wherein:

the first end effector is a first blade member and the second end effector is a second blade member and one of the first and second blade member includes;

an inner conductive layer having a cutting edge and an inner shearing surface forming the end effector second portion,

an outer conductive layer forming the end effector first portion, and

an intermediate non-conductive layer insulating the inner conductive layer from the outer conductive layer.

5. The endoscopic electrocautery instrument of claim 4, wherein:

the other of the first and second blade member includes;

an inner conductive layer having a cutting edge and an inner shearing surface forming the end effector second portion,

an outer conductive layer forming the end effector first portion, and

an intermediate non-conductive layer insulating the inner conductive layer from the outer conductive layer.

6. The endoscopic electrocautery instrument of claim 4, including:

an outer non-conductive layer covering substantially all exposed surfaces of the outer conductive layer of the at least one blade member.

7. The endoscopic electrocautery instrument of claim 6, wherein:

the outer conductive layer of the at least one blade member includes an exposed end strip for allowing cautery current to pass between the inner conductive layer and the outer conductive layer via the tissue to be cauterized.

8. The endoscopic electrocautery instrument of claim 4, wherein:

at least one of the inner conductive layer and the outer conductive layer is deposited metal.

9. The endoscopic electrocautery instrument of claim 4, wherein:

the intermediate non-conducting layer is anodized aluminum.

10. The endoscopic electrocautery instrument of claim 4, wherein:

the inner conducting layer and the outer conducting layer are interlocked by a protrusion extending from one of the inner conducting layer and the outer conducting layer into a complementary recess in the other of the inner conducting layer and the outer conducting layer.

11. The endoscopic electrocautery instrument of claim 4, wherein:

the other of the first and second blade member includes;

an inner conductive layer having a cutting edge and an inner shearing surface further forming the end effector second portion, and

an outer non-conductive layer.

12. The endoscopic electrocautery instrument of claim 4, wherein:

a proximal end of each of the first and second blade members includes a mounting hole and a proximal portion for coupling with the push rod; and

the elongated tube includes an integral clevis portion having distal holes for alignment with the mounting holes and insertion therethrough of a non-conductive screw.

13. The endoscopic electrocautery instrument of claim 4, wherein:

a proximal end of each of the first and second blade members includes a mounting hole and a proximal portion for coupling with the push rod; and

the elongated tube includes a separable clevis member having distal holes for alignment with the mounting holes and insertion therethrough of a non-conductive screw.

14. The endoscopic electrocautery instrument of claim 13, wherein:

an interior surface of the clevis member is insulated.

15. The endoscopic electrocautery instrument of claim 4, wherein:

the first blade member is fixed to the elongated tube and the second blade member is pivoted to affect a scissor action.

16. The endoscopic electrocautery instrument of claim 1, wherein:

a proximal end of each of the first and second end effectors includes a mounting hole and a proximal portion for coupling with the push rod;

the elongated tube includes an integral clevis portion having distal holes for alignment with the mounting holes and insertion therethrough of a non-conductive screw;

the first current path further includes the clevis portion and an outer surface of at least one of the first and second end effectors; and

the second current path further includes the end effector proximal portion and an inner surface of at least one of the first and second end effectors.

17. The endoscopic electrocautery instrument of claim 1, wherein:

a proximal end of each of the first and second end effectors includes a mounting hole and a proximal portion for coupling with the push rod;

the elongated tube includes a separable clevis member having distal holes for alignment with the mounting holes and insertion therethrough of a non-conductive screw;

the first current path further includes the clevis member and an outer surface of at least one of the first and second end effectors; and

the second current path further includes the end effector proximal portion and an inner surface of at least one of the first and second end effectors.

18. The endoscopic electrocautery instrument of claim 17, wherein:

an interior surface of the clevis member is insulated.

19. The endoscopic electrocautery instrument of claim 1, wherein:

the first end effector is fixed to the elongated tube and the second end effector is pivoted to rotate in relation to the first end effector; and

the end effector first portion includes an outer surface of at least one of the first and second end effectors.

20. The endoscopic electrocautery instrument of claim 1, wherein:

a push rod proximal end and the conductive rod proximal end are fixedly secured in a proximal collar by ultra violet curing material.

21. An endoscopic electrocautery instrument for performing surgery on tissue of a patient and passing current through the tissue to cause cauterization thereof, the instrument having a proximal end and a distal end and comprising:

a proximal actuator;

an elongated tube having a proximal end connected to the actuator and a distal end;

a push rod extending through the elongated tube and including a proximal end connected to the actuator;

first and second blade members located adjacent the elongated tube distal end and connected to the push rod to provide relative movement of the first and second blade members upon actuation of the proximal actuator, one of the first and second blade members including;

an inner conductive layer having a cutting edge and an inner shearing surface,

an outer conductive layer,

an intermediate non-conductive layer insulating the inner conductive layer from the outer conductive layer, and

an outer non-conductive layer.

22. The endoscopic electrocautery instrument of claim 21, wherein:

a first electric connection includes the elongated tube for supplying cautery current to an end effector first portion by a conductive rod having a proximal end coupled to a cautery connector and a distal end slidably contacting a proximal end of the elongated tube, and

a second electric connection includes the push rod for supplying cautery current to an end effector second portion.

23. The endoscopic electrocautery instrument of claim 21, wherein:

the outer non-conductive layer covers substantially all exposed surfaces of the outer conductive layer.

24. The endoscopic electrocautery instrument of claim 23, wherein:

the outer conductive layer is aluminum and the outer non-conductive layer is anodized aluminum of the outer conductive layer.

25. The endoscopic electrocautery instrument of claim 24, wherein:

the outer conductive layer includes an exposed end strip for allowing cautery current to pass between the inner conductive layer and the outer conductive layer.

26. The endoscopic electrocautery instrument of claim 21, wherein:

the inner conductive layer is metallic;

the intermediate non-conductive layer is one of an epoxy and ceramic;

the outer conductive layer is aluminum; and

an outer non-conductive layer is anodized aluminum of the outer conductive layer and covers all exposed surfaces of the outer conductive layer except for an end strip adjacent a cutting edge of the inner conductive layer and an area adjacent a blade member mounting hole.

27. The endoscopic electrocautery instrument of claim 21, wherein:

at least one of the inner conductive layer and the outer conductive layer is deposited metal.

28. The endoscopic electrocautery instrument of claim 27, wherein:

the deposited metal is aluminum.

29. The endoscopic electrocautery instrument of claim 21, wherein:

the intermediate non-conductive layer is ceramic; and

the inner conductive layer and the outer conductive layer are aluminum deposited on the intermediate non-conductive layer.

30. The endoscopic electrocautery instrument of claim 21, wherein:

the intermediate non-conducting layer is anodized aluminum.

31. The endoscopic electrocautery instrument of claim 21, wherein:

the inner conducting layer and the outer conducting layer are interlocked by a dovetail protruding from one of the inner conducting layer and the outer conducting layer into a complementary recess in the other of the inner conducting layer and the outer conducting layer.

32. The endoscopic electrocautery instrument of claim 21, wherein:

the inner conducting layer is aluminum;

the intermediate non-conducting layer is anodized aluminum of the inner conducting layer; and

the outer conducting layer is metallic and includes a dovetail for interlocking with a complementary recess in the inner conducing layer.

33. The endoscopic electrocautery instrument of claim 21, wherein:

the other of the first and second blade members includes;

an inner conductive layer having a cutting edge and an inner shearing surface, and

an outer non-conductive layer.

34. The endoscopic electrocautery instrument of claim 33, wherein:

the outer conductive layer is aluminum; and

the first blade member further includes an outer non-conductive layer of anodized aluminum of the outer conductive layer and covering substantially all exposed surfaces of the outer conductive layer.

35. The endoscopic electrocautery instrument of claim 33, wherein:

the outer conductive layer includes an exposed end strip for allowing cautery current to pass between the first blade member inner conductive layer and the outer conductive layer.

36. The endoscopic electrocautery instrument of claim 33, wherein:

the inner conductive layers are metallic;

the intermediate non-conductive layer is one of an epoxy and ceramic;

the second blade member outer non-conductive layer is ceramic;

the outer conductive layer is aluminum; and

the first blade member further includes an outer non-conductive layer of anodized aluminum of the outer conductive layer and covering all exposed surfaces of the outer conductive layer except for an end strip adjacent a cutting edge of the first blade member inner conductive layer and an area adjacent a blade member mounting hole.

37. The endoscopic electrocautery instrument of claim 21, wherein:

a first electric connection includes the elongated tube for supplying cautery current to an end effector first portion;

a second electric connection includes the push rod for supplying cautery current to an end effector second portion;

a proximal end of each of the first and second end effectors includes a mounting hole and a proximal portion for coupling with the push rod;

the elongated tube includes an integral clevis portion having distal holes for alignment with the mounting holes and insertion therethrough of a non-conductive screw;

the first electric connection further includes the clevis portion and an outer surface of at least one of the first and second end effectors; and

the second electric connection further includes the end effector proximal portion and an inner surface of at least one of the first and second end effectors.

38. The endoscopic electrocautery instrument of claim 21, wherein:

a first electric connection includes the elongated tube for supplying cautery current to an end effector first portion;

a second electric connection includes the push rod for supplying cautery current to an end effector second portion;

a proximal end of each of the first and second end effectors includes a mounting hole and a proximal portion for coupling with the push rod;

the elongated tube includes a separable clevis member having distal holes for alignment with the mounting holes and insertion therethrough of a non-conductive screw;

the first electric connection further includes the clevis member and an outer surface of at least one of the first and second end effectors; and

the second electric connection further includes the end effector proximal portion and an inner surface of at least one of the first and second end effectors.

39. The endoscopic electrocautery instrument of claim 21, wherein:

the first end effector is fixed to the elongated tube and the second end effector is pivoted to rotate in relation to the first end effector; and

the end effector first portion includes an outer surface of at least one of the first and second end effectors.