RF electrosurgically-activated cutter

• US 7,070,604 B1
• Filed: 10/07/2002
• Issued: 07/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cynosure, LLC (Hologic Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: ALAN G. ELLMAN, Jon C. Garito
• Inventors: Garito, Jon C., Ellman, Alan G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jackson, Gary
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, VI X
• Application Number:
  US10/265,339
• Time in Patent Office: 1,366 Days
• Field of Search: 606/49, 606/45, 606/166, 606/171, 606/32, 606/33, 606/37, 606/39, 606/42, 606/50, 606/170, 604/22, 600/10, 600/11, 600/564
• US Class Current: 606/177
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32002 with continuously rotating, oscillating or reciprocating cutting instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1402 Probes for open surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/005 with suction drainage system

Abstract

A novel cutter instrument uses radiofrequency (RF) electrosurgery and RF energy to achieve the desired cutting action with minimum of mechanical force, thereby reducing the risk of tissue damage due to excessive mechanical cutting action. Preferably, a cutter head of the instrument comprises an outer tube of electrically-insulating material with an aperture into which is telescoped an inner electrically-conductive tube. When the working or leading end of the latter is reciprocated across the aperture in the outer tube while RF electrosurgical currents are applied to the inner tube, the cutting action of tissue entering the aperture takes place primarily via the RF electrosurgical currents.

Claims

1. A cutter head for cutting patient tissue during reciprocation by electrosurgery, comprising:

a) an outer housing of electrically-insulating material including an axially-projecting electrically-insulating outer tube having a distal end surface formed by a closed end, an aperture located in a side wall of the outer tube adjacent to the distal end of the outer tube for receiving tissue to be cut,

b) an inner electrically-conductive tube telescoped within the outer tube and having at its distal end an open-ended working end of sufficient length such that when reciprocated between an extended and a retracted position the working end alternately covers and uncovers the outer tube aperture,

c) means for providing an electrical connection capable of supplying RF electrosurgical currents to the inner tube,

d) means for reciprocating the inner tube within the outer tube such that, when the inner tube'"'"'s working end is reciprocated across the aperture in the outer tube while RF electrosurgical currents are applied to the inner tube via the electrical connection, any tissue entering the outer tube aperture is excised primarily via the RF electrosurgical currents.

2. A cutter head as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

e) means for providing suction to the interior of the inner tube to remove the excised tissue,

f) the inner tube comprising a side aperture normally open to the suction means when the inner tube is in its retracted position but is closed to the suction means when the inner tube moves forward to its extended postion.

3. A cutter head as claimed in claim 2, further comprising:

g) a suction chamber surrounding a portion of the inner tube including the inner tube aperture,

wherein the means for providing suction comprises means coupled to the suction chamber and accessible externally of the cutter head for connection to a suction source.

4. A cutter head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for reciprocating the inner tube comprises a spring-biased cam follower, and an electrically-conductive retaining ring fixed against axial movement and coupled to the spring, the electrical connection being made to the retaining ring.

5. A cutter head as claimed in claim 4, wherein the retaining ring, the spring, and the cam follower are constituted of electrically-conductive material, and the inner tube is mounted to the cam follower.