Electrosurgical instrument for ear surgery
First Claim
1. An electrosurgical bipolar electrode for punching a hole in the tympanic membrane of a patient, comprising;
- (a) an electrically-conductive member having a first end and a second end, (b) said second end having an active, electrically-conductive, end portion comprising a hollow tube terminating in a circular sharpened edge having a diameter of about 2-3 mm, (c) said active end portion being exposed electrically for applying electrosurgical currents to said tympanic membrane when the electrically-conductive member is connected to a source of electrosurgical currents, (d) portions of the electrically-conductive member adjacent said exposed end portion being electrically-insulating to prevent contact and passage of electrosurgical currents to tissue areas adjacent to or surrounding the hole to be punched, (e) the electrically-conductive member with its circular sharpened edge being split into two electrically-insulated semi-circular sharp edges, the electrosurgical currents being generated when an electrosurgical voltage is impressed across the two electrically-insulated semi-circular sharp edges, (f) whereby a 2-3 mm hole is punched in the tympanic membrane when the electrosurgical source is activated and the sharp edges of the electrode is placed against the tympanic membrane.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electrode for use in an electrosurgical aural procedure known as a myringotomy for removing tissue of the tympanic membrane. In a preferred embodiment, the electrode is characterized by a bare active end portion that is hollow and has an outside diameter of 2-3 mm. In a unipolar embodiment, the bare end has a sharp circular edge; in a bipolar embodiment, the bare end is split into two semi-circular sharp edges that may be axially offset from one another. When the electrode end is placed against the tympanic membrane and the electrosurgical apparatus activated, a 2-3 mm hole is punched in the tympanic membrane which allows any middle ear fluid to drain.
-
Citations
6 Claims
-
1. An electrosurgical bipolar electrode for punching a hole in the tympanic membrane of a patient, comprising;
-
(a) an electrically-conductive member having a first end and a second end, (b) said second end having an active, electrically-conductive, end portion comprising a hollow tube terminating in a circular sharpened edge having a diameter of about 2-3 mm, (c) said active end portion being exposed electrically for applying electrosurgical currents to said tympanic membrane when the electrically-conductive member is connected to a source of electrosurgical currents, (d) portions of the electrically-conductive member adjacent said exposed end portion being electrically-insulating to prevent contact and passage of electrosurgical currents to tissue areas adjacent to or surrounding the hole to be punched, (e) the electrically-conductive member with its circular sharpened edge being split into two electrically-insulated semi-circular sharp edges, the electrosurgical currents being generated when an electrosurgical voltage is impressed across the two electrically-insulated semi-circular sharp edges, (f) whereby a 2-3 mm hole is punched in the tympanic membrane when the electrosurgical source is activated and the sharp edges of the electrode is placed against the tympanic membrane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
Specification