Self contained, gas-enhanced surgical instrument
First Claim
1. An electrosurgical instrument for providing ionized inert gas to a surgical site, comprising:
- a frame having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end having a port for emitting ionized gas;
a receptacle for seating a cylinder of pressurized inert gas within the frame, the frame housing a tube which channels the pressurized inert gas to the proximity of the electrode;
an active electrode located adjacent the distal end of the frame, the electrode adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy;
at least one actuator which actuates the flow of pressurized inert gas from the cylinder to the proximity of the active electrode and which actuates the delivery of electrosurgical energy from the source of electrosurgical energy to the active electrode for ionizing the pressurized inert gas for use at the surgical site;
a selectively releasable locking mechanism configured to releasably engage the cylinder upon insertion of the cylinder into the receptacle; and
a first flow regulator which selectively regulates the flow of pressurized inert gas from the cylinder upon actuation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrosurgical apparatus for coagulating tissue includes an elongated housing and an electrode located adjacent the distal end of the housing. The electrode can be connected to a source of electrosurgical energy. At least one actuator is included which electrosurgically energizes the electrode. The apparatus also includes a relatively small gas cylinder which contains a pressurized gas consisting of inert gas and which is selectively seated in the housing. Upon actuation of the actuator, gas is dispersed under pressure from the gas cylinder to the electrode and is ionized prior to the distribution of the gas into the operating field.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. An electrosurgical instrument for providing ionized inert gas to a surgical site, comprising:
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a frame having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end having a port for emitting ionized gas; a receptacle for seating a cylinder of pressurized inert gas within the frame, the frame housing a tube which channels the pressurized inert gas to the proximity of the electrode; an active electrode located adjacent the distal end of the frame, the electrode adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy; at least one actuator which actuates the flow of pressurized inert gas from the cylinder to the proximity of the active electrode and which actuates the delivery of electrosurgical energy from the source of electrosurgical energy to the active electrode for ionizing the pressurized inert gas for use at the surgical site; a selectively releasable locking mechanism configured to releasably engage the cylinder upon insertion of the cylinder into the receptacle; and a first flow regulator which selectively regulates the flow of pressurized inert gas from the cylinder upon actuation. - 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)
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31. An electrosurgical instrument for providing ionized inert gas to a surgical site, comprising:
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a frame having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end having a port for emitting ionized gas; a receptacle for seating a cylinder of pressurized inert gas within the frame, the frame housing a tube which channels the pressurized inert gas to the proximity of the electrode; an active electrode located adjacent the distal end of the frame, the electrode adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy; at least one actuator which actuates the flow of pressurized inert gas from the cylinder to the proximity of the active electrode and which actuates the delivery of electrosurgical energy from the source of electrosurgical energy to the active electrode for ionizing the pressurized inert gas for use at the surgical site; and a selectively releasable locking mechanism configured to releasably engage the cylinder upon insertion of the cylinder into the receptacle, wherein the at least one actuator which actuates the flow of pressurized inert gas from the cylinder to the active electrode and which actuates the delivery of electrosurgical energy from the electrosurgical energy source to the active electrode is selectively adjustable to control the flow of pressurized inert gas and the delivery of electrosurgical energy.
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32. An electrosurgical instrument for providing ionized inert gas to a surgical site comprising:
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a frame having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end having a port for emitting ionized gas; a receptacle for seating a cylinder of pressurized inert gas within the frame, the frame housing a tube which channels the pressurized inert gas to the proximity of the electrode; an active electrode located adjacent the distal end of the frame, the electrode adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy; at least one actuator which actuates the flow of pressurized inert gas from the cylinder to the proximity of the active electrode and which actuates the delivery of electrosurgical energy from the source of electrosurgical energy to the active electrode for ionizing the pressurized inert gas for use at the surgical site; a selectively releasable locking mechanism configured to releasably engage the cylinder upon insertion of the cylinder into the receptacle; a flow regulator; and a sensor in electrical communication with the flow regulator, the sensor being configured to sense a selected condition and automatically control the regulation of flow of pressurized inert gas to the active electrode.
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33. An electrosurgical instrument for providing ionized inert gas to a surgical site, comprising:
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a flame having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end having a port for emitting ionized gas; a receptacle for seating a cylinder of pressurized inert gas within the frame, the frame housing a tube which channels the pressurized inert gas to the proximity of the electrode; an active electrode located adjacent the distal end of the frame, the electrode adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy; at least one actuator which actuates the flow of pressurized inert gas from the cylinder to the proximity of the active electrode and which actuates the delivery of electrosurgical energy from the source of electrosurgical energy to the active electrode for ionizing the pressurized inert gas for use at the surgical site; a selectively releasable locking mechanism configured to releasably engage the cylinder upon insertion of the cylinder into the receptacle; and a sensor for sensing a condition, the sensor being electrically connected to a safety pressure relief valve which vents pressure from the cylinder before the cylinder is removed from the receptacle.
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Specification