Endoscopic instruments and methods for improved bubble aspiration at a surgical site
First Claim
1. A surgical instrument used in endoscopic surgery, comprising:
- a hollow member having a central passageway and a main opening through a distal end thereof;
a rotatable cutting tool disposed at the distal end of the hollow member;
an electrode adapted for ablating tissue disposed at the distal end of the hollow member; and
aspiration means, separate from the main opening and disposed in a side of the hollow member adjacent to the electrode, for aspirating gaseous bubbles generated when tissue is ablated by the electrode.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Surgical apparatus and methods provide enhanced aspiration of gaseous bubbles and reduced drag during placement of the surgical apparatus. The surgical apparatus includes a rotatable cutting or shaving tool disposed within a hollow probe, an electrosurgical device on a side of the probe, and one or more aspiration holes or passages through a side of the probe in addition to a main opening at a distal end through which the cutting or abrading tool emerges. The aspiration holes are advantageously located adjacent to the lead electrode(s) of the electrosurgical device. Gaseous bubbles are preferentially aspirated through the aspiration holes. The aspiration holes also serve to reduce drag between the distal end of the surgical probe and soft tissue at, or adjacent to, the surgical site.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A surgical instrument used in endoscopic surgery, comprising:
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a hollow member having a central passageway and a main opening through a distal end thereof;
a rotatable cutting tool disposed at the distal end of the hollow member;
an electrode adapted for ablating tissue disposed at the distal end of the hollow member; and
aspiration means, separate from the main opening and disposed in a side of the hollow member adjacent to the electrode, for aspirating gaseous bubbles generated when tissue is ablated by the electrode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A surgical instrument used in endoscopic surgery, comprising:
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a hollow tubular member having a main opening through a distal end thereof;
a rotatable cutting blade disposed at the distal end of the hollow tubular member, the cutting blade having an opening at an end thereof through which at least one of fluid, tissue or gaseous bubbles are aspirated when the surgical instrument is in use;
at least one electrode disposed at the distal end of the hollow tubular member; and
at least one aspiration hole, adjacent to the electrode, through a side of the hollow tubular member. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for aspirating gaseous bubbles at a surgical site, comprising:
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(a) providing a surgical instrument at the surgical site that provides both cutting and electrosurgical functions, the surgical instrument including a hollow member having a main opening through a distal end thereof;
(b) ablating tissue at the surgical site using an ablation electrode at or near the distal end of the hollow member; and
(c) aspirating gaseous bubbles generated in act (b) at the surgical site through at least one aspiration hole or slot disposed on a side of the hollow member adjacent to the ablation electrode and separate from the main opening of the hollow member.
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Specification