Multifunctional handpiece for use in open and laparoscopic laser surgery and electrosurgery

• US 6,635,034 B1
• Filed: 06/30/2000
• Issued: 10/21/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: IC Medical Incorporated (I.C. Medical)
• Original Assignee: IC Medical Incorporated (I.C. Medical)
• Inventors: Cosmescu, Ioan
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis, Kim M.
• Application Number:
  US09/607,685
• Time in Patent Office: 1,208 Days
• Field of Search: 604/289, 604/21, 604/33, 604/35, 604/119, 604/27, 601/35, 600/108, 600/158, 600/131, 606/15, 606/2, 606/288
• US Class Current: 604/289
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3203 Fluid jet cutting instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1402 Probes for open surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1482 having a long rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously in minimal invasive surgery, e.g. laparoscopy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00178 Electrical connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0091 Handpieces of the surgical instrument or device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00916 with means for switching or controlling the main function of the instrument or device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/008 for smoke evacuation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/743 by changing the cross-section of the line, e.g. flow regulating valves A61M1/7413 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/774 Handpieces specially adapted for providing suction as well as irrigation, either simultaneously or independently
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/18 with alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0202 with electronic control means or interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0208 before use
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0212 after use
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0216 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/022 Volume; Flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0258 by means of electric pumps

Abstract

A manual and automatic fluid control system and method for use in open and laparoscopic laser surgery and electrosurgery is disclosed. The system includes a manual mode along with several automatic modes which can effectuate both suction and irrigation, either individually or simultaneously. In the various automatic modes, the suction and/or irrigation is automatically activated during activation of a medical apparatus for laser surgery or electrosurgery without requiring separate activation from the surgeon or operating room staff. Several safety features for monitoring the fluid control system are also incorporated within the system such as fluid sensors for detecting the absence of irrigation fluid, pressure sensors and vacuum systems for monitoring fluid pressure, fluid sensors for monitoring fluid volume, and warning signals for detecting empty containers. All of the safety features are designed to automatically deactivate suction and/or irrigation means contained within the fluid control system upon detection of unsafe levels. Finally, specially designed suction/irrigation hand pieces are disclosed for use in connection with the fluid control system.

Claims

1. A multifunctional handpiece for performing suction and irrigation comprising:

an elongated hollow member comprising an outer annular channel and an inner central channel disposed axially within said outer annular channel; and

a suction/irrigation adaptor connected to said elongated hollow member, said suction/irrigation adaptor having a suction port and an irrigation port wherein said outer annular channel of said elongated hollow member is in fluid communication with said suction port and said inner central channel of said elongated hollow member is in fluid communication with said irrigation port.

2. The multifunctional handpiece of claim 1, further comprising:

a handpiece member connected to said suction/irrigation adaptor, said handpiece member having electrical contacts for activating a suction device and an irrigation device.

3. The multifunctional handpiece of claim 1, further comprising an electrosurgical connector connected to said suction/irrigation adaptor, said electrosurgical connector comprising an electrode which extends from said electrosurgical connector through said suction/irrigation adaptor and said elongated hollow member and extends beyond said elongated hollow member, said electrode being in electrical communication with an electrosurgical generator.

4. The multifunctional handpiece of claim 3, said electrosurgical connector further comprising a first member fixedly attached to said electrode and a second member disposed annularly around said first member, said first member being slidably received within said second member such that said first member may be moved from a first position relative to said second member to a second position relative to said second member, wherein said electrode can be retracted into said elongated hollow member by moving said first member from said first position to said second position.

5. A multifunctional handpiece for performing suction and irrigation in conjunction with electrosurgery and laparoscopy comprising:

a suction/irrigation adaptor having a suction port and an irrigation port;

an elongated hollow member comprising an outer annular channel and an inner central channel disposed within said outer annular channel, said outer annular channel being in fluid communication with said suction port and said inner central channel being in fluid communication with said irrigation port; and

a handpiece member connected to said suction/irrigation adaptor, said handpiece member having electrical contacts for activating a suction device and an irrigation device.

6. The multifunctional handpiece of claim 5, further comprising an electrosurgical connector connected to said suction/irrigation adaptor, said electrosurgical connector comprising an electrode which extends from said electrosurgical connector through said suction/irrigation adaptor and said inner central channel of said elongated hollow member, and extending beyond said elongated hollow member.