Devices for electrosurgery

• US 7,445,619 B2
• Filed: 02/17/2005
• Issued: 11/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nuortho Surgical Inc.
• Original Assignee: Map Technologies LLC (MIN AIK Technology Company Limited)
• Inventors: Morgan, Roy E., Auge, Wayne K. II
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen; Lee S
• Application Number:
  US11/061,397
• Publication Number:
  US 20050187542A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,356 Days
• Field of Search: 606/41, 606/45, 606/49
• US Class Current: 606/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/88 Osteosynthesis instruments; Methods or means for implanting or extracting internal or external fixation devices A61B17/7074 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/042 using additional gas becoming plasma
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/06 caused by chemical reaction , e.g. moxaburners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1815 using microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00035 pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00434 Neural system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00452 Skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00565 Bone
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00619 Welding
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1213 creating an arc
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1472 for use with liquid electrolyte, e.g. virtual electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/28 Bones joints A61F2/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4644 Preparation of bone graft, bone plugs or bone dowels, e.g. grinding or milling bone material bone material A61F2/28; disintegrating or milling devices B02C
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/2821 Bone stimulation by electromagnetic fields or electric current for enhancing ossification
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30451 soldered or brazed or welded
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30622 Implant for fusing a joint or bone material
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30668 : Means for transferring electromagnetic energy to implants
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4635 : using minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4649 : Bone graft or bone dowel harvest sites
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0058 : soldered or brazed or welded
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0001 : Means for transferring electromagnetic energy to implants
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 24/0005 : Ingredients of undetermined constitution or reaction products thereof

Abstract

Devices for electrosurgery by means of oxy-hydro combustion and methods for use of such devices in electrosurgical procedures. Provided are devices for combustion of oxygen and hydrogen, or other hydrocarbon fuels, wherein oxygen and hydrogen may be generated by electrolysis or oxygen and hydrogen, or other hydrocarbon fuels, may be supplied, such devices including an ignition source and an adjustable and translatable sheath for controlling such reactions. Also provided is a detachable and positionable sheath for controlling reactions and minimizing tissue damage with conventional electrosurgery devices.

Claims

1. An apparatus for electrosurgery, comprising:

a probe with a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end forming a handle for holding the probe;

first and second gas delivery channels disposed within the probe;

a gas mixing plenum chamber with an inlet and an outlet at the distal end of the probe, the first and second gas delivery channels being in fluid connection with the inlet;

an ignition source proximal to the gas mixing plenum chamber outlet;

a cylindrical sleeve positioned around the distal end of the probe; and

an adjustably positionable actuator disposed on the handle and translatably connected to the cylindrical sleeve, such that the cylindrical sleeve can be longitudinally translated relative to the distal end of the probe, thereby forming a cavity of variable volume about the distal end of the probe.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the ignition source comprises at least one active electrode.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the cylindrical sleeve is an electrically insulating sleeve.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the cylindrical sleeve extends distally beyond the active electrode.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the cylindrical sleeve extends distally between about 1 mm and about 40 mm beyond the active electrode.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising at least one return electrode in electrical communication with the active electrode.

7. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a control circuit providing an output control signal controlling an amount of power output to the at least one active electrode in response to an output from a detection circuit for receiving a parameter detected by at least one detector disposed proximal to the distal end of the probe and within the cavity of variable volume for detecting a parameter relating to oxy-hydro combustion.

8. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a flame arrester positioned between the gas mixing plenum chamber outlet and the active electrode.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one detector proximal to the distal end of the probe and within the cavity of variable volume for detecting a parameter relating to oxy-hydro combustion.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the detector detects one or more of pH concentration, temperature, conductivity, ionic concentration, consumption of oxygen or hydrogen, sound, or changes in local pressure.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a detection circuit for receiving a parameter detected by the at least one detector.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a self-regulating thermal quenching portal system comprising at least one opening for introducing an aqueous fluid to the gas mixing plenum chamber.

13. A apparatus for electrosurgery, comprising:

a probe with a distal end and a proximal end;

a concave plenum chamber on the distal end of the probe with an active electrode disposed therein, the active electrode providing for electrolysis of an aqueous medium into hydrogen and oxygen and ignition of such hydrogen and oxygen; and

a circumferential insulated leading edge on the concave plenum chamber on the distal end of the probe for sealing contact with tissue to be treated, the leading edge and the active electrode in a variable, moveable relation to each other.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the leading edge comprises a sharpened edge for sealing contact with tissue.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the leading edge comprises a roughened edge for sealing contact with tissue.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a return electrode on a proximal side of the circumferential insulated leading edge.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the active electrode and the return electrode are in fixed relation to each other.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein a current between the active electrode and the return electrode is of equal current density.

19. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein a current between the active electrode and the return electrode is of unequal current densities.

20. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the active electrode and the return electrode are in a variable, movable relation to each other.

21. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the leading edge is a translating, moveable leading edge.

22. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the leading edge comprises a flexible material.

23. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising an alternating electrical current or a direct electrical current source in communication with the active electrode.