Electrosurgical device having a tissue reduction sensor

• US 6,689,131 B2
• Filed: 03/08/2001
• Issued: 02/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Advanced Energy LLC (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tissuelink Medical, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: McClurken, Michael E.
• Primary Examiner(s): ROLLINS, ROSILAND STACIE
• Application Number:
  US09/802,288
• Publication Number:
  US 20020128650A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,069 Days
• Field of Search: 606/32, 606/39, 606/40, 606/41, 606/45, 606/48, 606/49, 606/50, 606/51, 606/52, 604/20, 604/114, 607/96, 607/101, 607/104, 607/105, 607/113
• US Class Current: 606/48
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1442 Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00022 Sensing or detecting at the treatment site
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/035 preventing further rotation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/061 for measuring dimensions, e.g. length
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/065 for measuring contact or contact pressure

Abstract

An electrosurgical device for use in surgical procedures is disclosed. The electrosurgical device comprises a main body having a proximal end and a distal end. A heat delivery modality is situated and arranged at the distal end of the main body. A sensor arrangement is also situated and arranged at the distal end of the main body. The heat delivery modality provides thermal energy to a tissue being treated while the sensor arrangement is configured to engage and detect a change in dimension of the tissue being treated. Accordingly, the electrosurgical device of the present disclosure allows a surgeon to precisely achieve the desired amount of dimensional change of the tissue being treated.

Claims

1. An electrosurgical device comprising:

(a) a main body having a proximal end and a distal end;

(b) a heat delivery modality situated and arranged at the distal end of the main body;

the heat delivery modality for providing thermal energy to a tissue being treated; and

(c) a sensor arrangement situated and arranged at the distal end of the main body;

the sensor arrangement being configured to engage and detect shrinkage of the tissue being treated;

the sensor arrangement comprising first and second clamping members being situated astride the main body;

(i) the first clamping member including a first end pivotably connected at the main body and a second end opposite the first end; and

(ii) the second clamping member including a first end pivotably connected at the main body and a second end opposite the first end;

(A) each of the second ends of the first and second clamping members being constructed and arranged to engage and detect shrinkage of the tissue being treated such that the first and second clamping members rotate inwardly with respect to one another.

2. The electrosurgical device according to claim 1, wherein the heat delivery modality is configured to provide a continuous flow of electrically conductive fluid to the tissue being treated while thermal energy is introduced.

3. The electrosurgical device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor arrangement comprises:

(a) at least one contact sensor situated and arranged at the distal end of the main body;

the at least one contact sensor being constructed and arranged to engage and detect the shrinkage of the tissue being treated.

4. The electrosurgical device according to claim 1, wherein:

(a) the first clamping member includes a first mechanical stop for limiting the rotation of the first clamping member; and

(b) the second clamping member includes a second mechanical stop for limiting the rotation of the second clamping member;

(i) the first and second mechanical stops being configured to limit the rotation of the first and second clamping members when the tissue being treated achieves a pre-determined shrinkage level.

5. The electrosurgical device according to claim 1, wherein:

(a) the first clamping member includes a first jaw and a second jaw at the second end of the first clamping member;

the first and second jaws of the first clamping member being selectively adjustable to grasp the tissue being treated; and

(b) the second clamping member includes a first jaw and a second jaw at the second end of the second clamping member;

the first and second jaws of the second clamping member being selectively adjustable to grasp the tissue being treated.

6. The electrosurgical device according to claim 5, wherein:

(a) each of the first and second jaws of the first clamping member includes a textured inner surface for resistively contacting the tissue being treated; and

(b) each of the first and second jaws of the second clamping member includes a textured inner surface for resistively contacting the tissue being treated.

7. The electrosurgical device according to claim 6, wherein:

(a) each of the first and second jaws of the first clamping member includes a solution delivery channel for delivery of a conductive solution to the tissue being treated; and

(b) each of the first and second jaws of the second clamping member includes a solution delivery channel for delivery of a conductive solution to the tissue being treated.

8. The electrosurgical device according to claim 1, wherein the heat delivery modality includes:

(a) a first electrode arrangement operable with the first clamping member;

the first electrode arrangement being coupled to a source of radio frequency energy; and

(b) a second electrode arrangement operable with the second clamping member;

the second electrode arrangement being coupled to the source of radio frequency energy.

9. The electrosurgical device according to claim 8, wherein:

(a) the first electrode arrangement includes at least one wet electrode being coupled to the source of radio frequency energy; and

(b) the second electrode arrangement includes at least one wet electrode being coupled to the source of radio frequency energy.

10. The electrosurgical device according to claim 1, wherein the heat delivery modality includes a laser configured to provide thermal energy to the tissue being treated.

11. The electrosurgical device according to claim 1 further comprising:

(a) a forceps extending from the distal end of the main body between the first and second clamping members;

the forceps including a first arm and a second arm;

the first and second arms being selectively adjustable to slidably receive the tissue being treated.

12. The electrosurgical device according to claim 11, wherein the heat delivery modality includes:

(a) a first electrode disposed at the first and of the forceps;

the first electrode being coupled to a source of radio frequency energy; and

(b) a second electrode disposed at the second arm of the forceps;

the second electrode being coupled to a source of radio frequency energy.

13. The electrosurgical device according to claim 12,

(a) the first electrode includes a wet electrode;

and

(b) the second electrode includes a wet electrode.

14. The electrosurgical device according to claim 11, wherein:

(a) the first clamping member includes a first jaw and a second jaw at the second end of the first clamping member;

the first and second jaws of the first clamping member being selectively adjustable to grasp the tissue being treated; and

(b) the second clamping member includes a first jaw and a second jaw at the second end of the second clamping member;

the first and second jaws of the second clamping member being selectively adjustable to grasp the tissue being treated.

15. The electrosurgical device according to claim 14, wherein:

(a) each of the first and second jaws of the first clamping member includes a textured inner surface for resistively contacting the tissue being treated; and

(b) each of the first and second jaws of the second clamping member includes a textured inner surface for resistively contacting the tissue being treated.

16. The electrosurgical device according to claim 11, wherein:

(a) the first arm of the forceps includes a first solution delivery channel for delivery of a conductive solution to the tissue being treated; and

(b) the second arm of the forceps includes a second solution delivery channel for delivery of a conductive solution to the tissue being treated.

17. The electrosurgical device according to claim 1, the sensor arrangement further being configured to provide input to the heat delivery modality such that the thermal energy being provided by the heat delivery modality is varied according to the shrinkage of the tissue being treated.

18. The electrosurgical device according to claim 1, wherein the thermal energy provided by the heat delivery modality is minimized when the tissue being treated achieves a pre-determined shrinkage level.

19. The electrosurgical device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor arrangement is operably connected to a displacement measurement device for measuring the change in shrinkage of the tissue being treated.

20. The electrosurgical device according to claim 19, wherein the displacement measurement device is a linear potentiometer.

21. The electrosurgical device according to claim 19, wherein the displacement measurement device is an optical sensor.

22. The electrosurgical device according to claim 19, wherein the displacement measurement device is a spring/force sensor.

23. An electrosurgical device comprising:

(a) a main body having a proximal end and a distal end;

(b) a heat delivery modality situated and arranged at the distal end of the main body;

the heat delivery modality for providing thermal energy to a tissue being treated;

the heat delivery modality being configured to provide a continuous flow of electrically conductive fluid to the tissue being treated while thermal energy is introduced; and

(c) a sensor arrangement situated and arranged at the distal end of the main body;

the sensor arrangement being configured to engage and detect shrinkage of the tissue being treated;

the sensor arrangement comprising first and second clamping members being situated astride the main body;

(i) the first clamping member including a first end pivotably connected at the main body and a second end opposite the first end; and

(ii) the second clamping member including a first end pivotably connected at the main body and a second end opposite the first end;

(A) each of the second ends of the first and second clamping members being constructed and arranged to engage and detect shrinkage of the tissue being treated such that the first and second clamping members rotate inwardly with respect to one another.

24. The electrosurgical device according to claim 23, wherein:

(a) the first clamping member includes a first jaw and a second jaw at the second end of the first clamping member;

the first and second jaws of the first clamping member being selectively adjustable to grasp the tissue being treated; and

(b) the second clamping member includes a first jaw and a second jaw at the second end of the second clamping member;

the first and second jaws of the second clamping member being selectively adjustable to grasp the tissue being treated.

25. The electrosurgical device according to claim 24, wherein:

(a) each of the first and second jaws of the first clamping member includes a textured inner surface for resistively contacting the tissue being treated; and

(b) each of the first and second jaws of the second clamping member includes a textured inner surface for resistively contacting the tissue being treated.

26. The electrosurgical device according to claim 24, wherein:

(a) each of the first and second jaws of the first clamping member includes a solution delivery channel for delivery of the conductive solution to the tissue being treated; and

(b) each of the first and second jaws of the second clamping member includes a solution delivery channel for delivery of the conductive solution to the tissue being treated.

27. The electrosurgical device according to claim 23, wherein the heat delivery modality includes:

(a) a first electrode arrangement operable with the first clamping member;

the first electrode arrangement being coupled to a source of radio frequency energy; and

(b) a second electrode arrangement operable with the second clamping member;

the second electrode arrangement being coupled to the source of radio frequency energy.

28. The electrosurgical device according to claim 27, wherein:

(a) the first electrode arrangement includes at least one wet electrode being coupled to the source of radio frequency energy; and

(b) the second electrode arrangement includes at least one wet electrode being coupled to the source of radio frequency energy.

29. The electrosurgical device according to claim 23 further comprising:

(a) a forceps extending from the distal end of the main body between the first and second clamping members;

the forceps including a first arm and a second arm;

the first and second arms being selectively adjustable to slidably receive the tissue being treated.

30. The electrosurgical device according to claim 29, wherein the heat delivery modality includes:

(a) a first wet electrode disposed at the first arm of the forceps;

the first wet electrode being coupled to a source of radio frequency energy; and

(b) a second wet electrode disposed at the second arm of the forceps;

the second wet electrode being coupled to a source of radio frequency energy.

31. The electrosurgical device according to claim 29, wherein:

(a) the first clamping member includes a first jaw and a second jaw at the second end of the first clamping member;

the first and second jaws of the first clamping member being selectively adjustable to grasp the tissue being treated; and

(b) the second clamping member includes a first jaw and a second jaw at the second end of the second clamping member;

the first and second jaws of the second clamping member being selectively adjustable to grasp the tissue being treated.

32. The electrosurgical device according to claim 31, wherein:

(a) each of the first and second jaws of the first clamping member includes a textured inner surface for resistively contacting the tissue being treated; and

(b) each of the first and second jaws of the second clamping member includes a textured inner surface for resistively contacting the tissue being treated.

33. The electrosurgical device according to claim 29, wherein:

(a) the first arm of the forceps includes a first solution delivery channel for delivery of a conductive solution to the tissue being treated; and

(b) the second arm of the forceps includes a second solution delivery channel for delivery of a conductive solution to the tissue being treated.

34. The electrosurgical device according to claim 23, the sensor arrangement further being configured to provide input to the heat delivery modality such that the thermal energy being provided by the heat delivery modality is varied according to the shrinkage of the tissue being treated.

35. The electrosurgical device according to claim 23, wherein the thermal energy provided by the heat delivery modality is minimized when the tissue being treated achieves a pre-determined shrinkage level.

36. An electrosurgical device having a proximal end and a distal end, the device comprising an end effector situated at the distal end of the device, the end effector configured to simultaneously provide a fluid and electrical energy to tissue, the electrical energy sufficient to cause a dimension change of the tissue, the end effector comprising:

(a) at least one electrode configured to provide the electrical energy,

(b) at least one fluid outlet in fluid communication with a fluid path to provide the fluid, and

(c) a sensor arrangement having a configuration which moves relative to the dimension change of the tissue to detect the dimension change of the tissue.

37. The electrosurgical device according to claim 36 wherein the dimension change of the tissue is a shrinkage of the tissue.

38. The electrosurgical device according to claim 36 wherein the dimension change of the tissue is an expansion of the tissue.

39. The electrosurgical device according to claim 36, wherein the electrical energy sufficient to change a dimension of the tissue comprises radio frequency electrical energy.

40. The electrosurgical device according to claim 36, wherein the end effector further comprises a first arm and a second arm.

41. The electrosurgical device according to claim 40, wherein:

(a) the first arm includes a first arm fluid outlet in fluid communication with a first arm fluid path; and

(b) the second arm includes a second arm fluid outlet in fluid communication with a second arm fluid path.

42. The electrosurgical device according to claim 36, wherein the sensor arrangement comprises at least one contact sensor configured to, at least one of, grasp and embed within the tissue.

45. The electrosurgical device according to claim 36, the sensor arrangement further being configured with the electrode to vary the energy provided by the electrode according to the dimension change of the tissue being treated.

46. The electrosurgical device according to claim 36, wherein the energy provided by the electrode is minimized when the tissue achieves a pre-determined dimension change.

43. An electrosurgical device having a proximal end and a distal end, the device comprising an end effector situated at the distal end of the device, the end effector configured to simultaneously provide a fluid and electrical energy to tissue, the electrical energy sufficient to cause a dimension change of the tissue, the end effector comprising:

(a) at least one electrode configured to provide the electrical energy,

(b) at least one fluid outlet in fluid communication with a fluid path to provide the fluid, and

(c) a sensor arrangement configured to detect the dimension change of the tissue and comprising a first clamp and a second clamp separated by a separation distance.

44. The electrosurgical device according to claim 43, wherein the separation distance is adjustable.

47. An electrosurgical device having a proximal end and a distal end, the device comprising an end effector situated at the distal end of the device, the end effector configured to simultaneously provide a fluid and electrical energy to tissue, the electrical energy sufficient to cause a dimension change of the tissue, the end effector comprising:

(a) at least one electrode configured to provide the electrical energy,

(b) at least one fluid outlet in fluid communication with a fluid path to provide the fluid, and

(c) a sensor arrangement configured to detect the dimension change of the tissue and operably connected to a displacement measurement device for measuring the dimension change of the tissue.

48. The electrosurgical device according to claim 47, wherein the displacement measurement device comprises a linear potentiometer.

49. The electrosurgical device according to claim 47, wherein the displacement measurement device comprises an optical sensor.

50. The electrosurgical device according to claim 47, wherein the displacement measurement device comprises a spring/force sensor.

51. An electrosurgical device comprising:

(a) a main body having a proximal end and a distal end;

(b) a heat delivery modality at the distal end of the main body, the heat delivery modality for providing thermal energy to tissue; and

(c) a sensor arrangement at the distal end of the main body;

the sensor arrangement having a clamp structure to grasp the tissue and detect shrinkage of the tissue.

52. The electrosurgical device according to claim 51 further comprising at least one fluid outlet.

53. An electrosurgical device comprising:

(a) an end effector region including an arrangement for delivering electrical energy to tissue, the electrical energy sufficient to change a dimension of the tissue; and

(b) the effector region further including a sensor arrangement having a clamp structure to grasp the tissue and detect the dimension change of the tissue.

54. The electrosurgical device according to claim 53 further comprising at least one fluid outlet.

63. The electrosurgical device according to claim 54 wherein:

the at least one fluid outlet comprises at least one fluid outlet hole provided with the end effector region.

64. The electrosurgical device according to claim 53 wherein:

the clamp structure comprises a first clamp and a second clamp;

the first clamp comprises a first clamp first jaw member and a first clamp second jaw member; and

the second clamp comprises a second clamp first jaw member and a second clamp second jaw member.

65. The electrosurgical device according to claim 64 wherein:

at least one of the first clamp and the second clamp is moveable towards the other clamp.

66. The electrosurgical device according to claim 53 wherein:

the arrangement for delivering electrical energy to tissue comprises at least a first electrode and a second electrode.

67. The electrosurgical device according to claim 66 wherein:

the end effector region is configured to provide a fluid simultaneously with the electrical energy;

the end effector region comprises at least a first fluid outlet hole and a second fluid outlet hole;

the first fluid outlet hole is positioned to wet the first electrode with the fluid; and

the second fluid outlet hole is positioned to wet the second electrode with the fluid.

68. The electrosurgical device according to claim 67 wherein:

the electrical energy comprises radio frequency electrical energy.

55. An electrosurgical device comprising:

(a) an end effector region including an arrangement for delivering electrical energy to tissue, the electrical energy sufficient to change a dimension of the tissue; and

(b) the effector region further including a sensor arrangement having a clamp structure to grasp the tissue and provide feedback concerning the dimension change of the tissue.

56. The electrosurgical device according to claim 55 further comprising at least one fluid outlet.

57. The electrosurgical device according to claim 56 wherein:

the at least one fluid outlet comprises at least one fluid outlet hole provided with the end effector region.

58. The electrosurgical device according to claim 55 wherein:

the clamp structure comprises a first clamp and a second clamp;

the first clamp comprises a first clamp first jaw member and a first clamp second jaw member; and

the second clamp comprises a second clamp first jaw member and a second clamp second jaw member.

59. The electrosurgical device according to claim 58 wherein:

at least one or the first clamp and the second clamp is moveable towards the other clamp.

60. The electrosurgical device according to claim 55 wherein:

the arrangement for delivering electrical energy to tissue comprises at least a first electrode and a second electrode.

61. The electrosurgical device according to claim 60 wherein:

the end effector region is configured to provide a fluid simultaneously with the electrical energy;

the end effector region comprises at least a first fluid outlet hole and a second fluid outlet hole;

the first fluid outlet hole is positioned to wet the first electrode with the fluid; and

the second fluid outlet hole is positioned to wet the second electrode with the fluid.

62. The electrosurgical device according to claim 61 wherein:

the electrical energy comprises radio frequency electrical energy.