Articulating ionizable gas coagulator

• US 7,578,818 B2
• Filed: 04/05/2005
• Issued: 08/25/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Platt, Robert C.
• Primary Examiner(s): GIBSON, ROY DEAN
• Application Number:
  US11/099,039
• Publication Number:
  US 20050197658A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,603 Days
• Field of Search: 606/41, 606/49
• US Class Current: 606/49
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/042 using additional gas becoming plasma
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00292 mounted on or guided by flexible, e.g. catheter-like, means

Abstract

An electrosurgical apparatus for coagulating tissue includes an elongated flexible tube having a proximal end, a distal end and a source for supplying pressurized ionizable gas to the proximal end of the tube. The apparatus also includes a hollow sleeve made from a shape memory alloy having a generally curved austenite state and displaying stress-induced martensite behavior. The hollow sleeve is restrained in a deformed stress-induced martensite configuration within the tube and partial extension of a portion of the hollow sleeve from the tube transforms the portion of the sleeve from the deformed configuration to the generally curved austenite configuration such that the gas is directed transversely at the tissue. An electrode ionizes the gas in the region between the sleeve and the tissue. Other embodiments of the present disclosure also include a wire connected to the distal end of the tube which movable from a first postion wherein the tube is disposed in a generally rectilinear, parallel fashion relative to the tissue to a second retracted position wherein the distal end of the tube flexes at an angle to direct the gas towards the tissue. Still other embodiments of the present disclosure include a corona electrode for inducing ignition of the gas.

Claims

1. An electrosurgical apparatus for coagulating tissue, comprising:

an elongated flexible tube having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis;

the distal end of the tube being movable from a first position wherein the distal end is disposed in a generally rectilinear fashion relative to the tissue to a second position wherein the distal end directs pressurized ionizable gas flowing through the tube at an angle α

with respect to the longitudinal axis, the angle relative to the longitudinal axis being progressively adjustable to regulate the flow of gas exiting the distal end of the tube;

a wire coupled to the distal end of the tube, the wire being movable to control the angle α

, wherein the wire also acts as a return electrode; and

at least one electrode mounted proximal to the distal end for ionizing pressurized ionizable gas.

2. An electrosurgical apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a regulator for regulating gas flow through the tube.

3. An electrosurgical apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a supply of pressurized argon.

4. An electrosurgical apparatus for coagulating tissue comprising:

an elongated flexible tube having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis;

a wire connected to the distal end of the tube, the wire being movable to direct pressurized ionizable gas flowing through the tube at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis wherein the angle relative to the longitudinal axis progressively changes proportionally to the amount of tension placed on the wire, wherein the wire also acts as a return electrode; and

at least one electrode mounted proximal to the tube for ionizing pressurized ionizable gas.

5. An electrosurgical apparatus according to claim 4 further comprising a supply of pressurized argon.

6. An electrosurgical apparatus for coagulating tissue comprising:

an elongated flexible tube having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis;

a wire connected to the distal end of the tube, the wire being movable to direct pressurized ionizable gas flowing through the tube at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis, the wire being configured to act as a return electrode; and

at least one electrode mounted within the tube for ionizing pressurized ionizable gas.