Pen-type electrosurgical instrument
First Claim
1. A pen-type electrosurgical instrument to simultaneously provide radio-frequency energy and a fluid to treat tissue during surgery, the instrument comprising:
- a handle;
a tube distal to the handle, the tube having a distal end;
an electrode tip retained by the tube, at least a portion of the electrode tip distal to the distal end of the tube, the portion of the electrode tip distal to the distal end of the tube comprising a spherical surface;
a lumen connectable to a source of fluid;
at least one fluid exit in fluid communication with the lumen, the fluid exit adjacent the electrode tip; and
a terminal in electrical communication with the electrode tip, the terminal connectable to a source of radio-frequency energy.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrocautery device is disclosed. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the electrocautery electrode/tip is provided with a hollow, conductive tube terminating at its distal end in a ball point type tip. Fluid, preferably conductive fluid, is applied to the proximal end of the hollow electrode/tip, and expelled from the distal end thereof during electrocautery. The ball point distal tip allows the distal tip to be directly applied to the tissue and “rolled” or slid along the tissue. This allows the distal tip to be moved across the tissue without dragging or snagging on the tissue. In addition, the conductive fluid expelled from the distal tip further lubricates the distal tip as it moves across the tissue. If conductive fluid is used, the conductive fluid emanating from the electrode/tip conducts the RF electrocautery energy away from the distal tip so that it is primarily the fluid, rather than the distal tip that actually accomplishes the cauterizing of tissue. That is, the fluid serves as a “virtual” electrocautery electrode. Since it is the fluid, rather than the distal tip that cauterizes, coagulates and ablates, no burns or perforations are made to the tissue, reducing the amount of debris at the site. Also, the flow of fluid through the electrode/tip tends to keep the distal tip clean and cool.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A pen-type electrosurgical instrument to simultaneously provide radio-frequency energy and a fluid to treat tissue during surgery, the instrument comprising:
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a handle; a tube distal to the handle, the tube having a distal end; an electrode tip retained by the tube, at least a portion of the electrode tip distal to the distal end of the tube, the portion of the electrode tip distal to the distal end of the tube comprising a spherical surface; a lumen connectable to a source of fluid; at least one fluid exit in fluid communication with the lumen, the fluid exit adjacent the electrode tip; and a terminal in electrical communication with the electrode tip, the terminal connectable to a source of radio-frequency energy. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification