Multi-port side-fire coagulator

• US 6,852,112 B2
• Filed: 12/10/2002
• Issued: 02/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Sherwood Services AG
• Inventors: Platt, Robert C.
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, NIHIR B
• Application Number:
  US10/316,228
• Publication Number:
  US 20030105458A1
• Time in Patent Office: 791 Days
• Field of Search: 604 20- 26, 604/501, 604506-508, 604/93.01, 604/264, 604/523, 606/34, 606/40, 606/41, 606/49
• US Class Current: 606/49
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/042 using additional gas becoming plasma

Abstract

An electrosurgical apparatus for coagulating tissue used in combination with an endoscope which includes an elongated flexible tube having a plurality of side-ports located therethrough. The tube extends through a working channel of the endoscope and an ionizable gas is supplied to the tube at or near the proximal end of the tube. A diffusing member directs the ionizable gas from the proximal end of the tube through each of the side-ports towards the tissue. An electrode is used for ionizing the gas prior to the gas exiting the side-ports.

Claims

1. An electrosurgical apparatus for coagulating tissue, comprising:

an elongated flexible tube having a proximal end and a distal end, said tube comprising a plurality of side-ports which are disposed therethrough between said proximal and distal ends;

a diffusing member configured to direct ionizable gas from said proximal end of said tube through each of said side-ports and towards said tissue;

at least one electrode positioned to ionize said gas prior to said ionizable gas exiting said side-ports; and

a regulator allowing a user to selectively adjust the amount of electrical current flowing to each electrode after activation of each electrode.

2. An electrosurgical apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said regulator comprises at least one control switch which regulates the electrical current to each electrode.

3. An electrosurgical apparatus for coagulating tissue, comprising:

an elongated flexible tube having a proximal end and a distal end, said tube comprising a plurality of side-ports which are disposed therethrough between said proximal and distal ends;

a diffusing member configured to direct ionizable gas from said proximal end of said tube through each of said side-ports and towards said tissue, said diffusing member including first and second baffles each having a series of apertures defined therein, at least one of said baffles being selectively rotatable relative to the other of said baffles to limit the flow of ionizable gas through said elongated tube and towards said side-ports; and

at least one electrode positioned to ionize said gas prior to said ionizable gas exiting said side-ports.

4. An electrosurgical apparatus for coagulating tissue, comprising:

an elongated flexible tube having a proximal end and a distal end, said tube comprising a plurality of side-ports which are disposed therethrough between said proximal and distal ends;

a diffusing member configured to direct ionizable gas from said proximal end of said tube through each of said side-ports and towards said tissue, said diffusing member including first and second baffles each having a series of apertures defined therein, at least one of said baffles including apertures having diameters which are selectively variable to limit the flow of ionizable gas through said tube and towards said side ports; and

at least one electrode positioned to ionize said gas prior to said ionizable gas exiting said side-ports.

5. An electrosurgical apparatus for coagulating tissue, comprising:

an elongated flexible tube having a proximal end and a distal end, said tube comprising a plurality of side-ports which are disposed therethrough between said proximal and distal ends;

a diffusing member configured to direct ionizable gas from said proximal end of said tube through each of said side-ports and towards said tissue, said diffusing member including a wedge including a series of partitions equal to the number of side ports, each of said partitions directing the flow of ionizable gas to each of said side ports; and

each of said side-ports including a corresponding electrode positioned to ionize said gas prior to said ionizable gas exiting each of said side-ports.

6. An electrosurgical apparatus for coagulating tissue according to claim 5 wherein said wedge includes at least three partitions.

7. An electrosurgical apparatus for coagulating tissue according to claim 5 wherein said wedge includes at least four equally-spaced partitions.