Methods and devices for electrosurgery

• US 7,771,422 B2
• Filed: 12/06/2004
• Issued: 08/10/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nuortho Surgical Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nuortho Surgical Inc.
• Inventors: Morgan, Roy E., Auge, Wayne K. II
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen; Lee S
• Application Number:
  US11/006,079
• Publication Number:
  US 20050085806A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,073 Days
• Field of Search: 606/32, 606/41
• US Class Current: 606/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00035 pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00452 Skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00565 Bone
• 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

Abstract

Devices and methods for electrolytic electrosurgery wherein a detector is located proximal to an active electrode on an electrosurgical probe, optionally disposed between the active electrode and a return electrode, the detector detecting at least on parameter relating to electrolysis. The detected parameter can include pH concentration, temperature, conductivity, impedance, ion, concentration, electrolytic gas consumption, electrolytic gas production, pressure or sound. The detected parameter can be employed in control systems to control systems to control activation or operation of the electrosurgical probe.

Claims

1. An apparatus for electrosurgery, comprising:

at least one active electrode for inducing electrolysis in an electrolyzable environment at a distal end of the apparatus; and

at least one detector proximal to the at least one active electrode for detecting a-temperature at the surgical site,

wherein the at least one detector comprises a thermo-luminescent crystal or a piezo-electric pyrometer adjacent to the at least one active electrode at the distal end of the apparatus that provides to a user a visible indication of the temperature at the surgical site at the at least one detector and wherein the at least one detector is positioned within the surgical site when the apparatus is in use.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the piezo-electric pyrometer comprises a thin-film piezo-electric pyrometer.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a return electrode.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a detection circuit for receiving a parameter detected by the detector.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein there is one active electrode.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a probe body with a distal end and a proximal end, with at least one active electrode disposed on the distal end.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an electrosurgical controller that incorporates a temperature signal generated by the thermo-luminescent crystal in control algorithms to meter power output to the active electrode.