Plasma incising device including disposable incising tips for performing surgical procedures

• US 7,959,632 B2
• Filed: 10/20/2006
• Issued: 06/14/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Richard J. Fugo
• Original Assignee: Richard J. Fugo
• Inventors: Fugo, Richard J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dvorak; Linda C
• Assistant Examiner(s): DELLA, JAYMI E
• Application Number:
  US11/584,657
• Publication Number:
  US 20070093868A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,698 Days
• Field of Search: 606 45- 47
• US Class Current: 606/45
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32 Surgical cutting instruments A61B18/042 takes precedence; suture cutters A61B17/0467; instruments for ligaturing or cutting A61B17/128; instruments for rupturing the amniotic membrane A61B17/4208; specially adapted knives for eye surgery A61F9/0133
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/042 using additional gas becoming plasma
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0023 disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00473 Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated

Abstract

An apparatus for performing surgery using plasma is described. The apparatus includes a plasma generating unit, a plasma wand and a foot pedal. The plasma wand further includes a disposable tip which may be removed and replaced for each surgical procedure, so as to maintain operating sterility.

Claims

1. A disposable tip for use with a plasma surgical device comprising:

a main body having a longitudinal axis therethrough and a proximal and distal end;

a wire crimp device;

a filament comprised of an electrically conductive wire and an insulating sheath;

wherein the proximal end of the main body includes a first recess for receiving an electrical connector disposed within a plasma wand;

wherein the insulating sheath partially encloses the electrically conductive wire;

wherein the filament extends from said distal end of said main body;

wherein the main body is comprised of a male member and a female member, each having a second recess to receive the wire crimp device and the filament, and each having a contact portion along an outer edge parallel to the longitudinal axis;

wherein the male member and the female member interlock in a snap fit with one another along respective contact portions; and

wherein when the wire crimp device is received in the cavity and the male and female members interlock with one another, an electrical connection is made between a plasma wand electrical connector, the wire crimp device, and the electrically conductive filament.

2. The disposable tip of claim 1, wherein a first portion of the electrically conductive wire is disposed within the insulating sheath, and a second portion of the electrically conductive wire extends outside the insulating sheath.

3. The disposable tip of claim 2, wherein the second portion of the electrically conductive wire is approximately 0.1 to 1.5 millimeters long.

4. The disposable tip of claim 1, wherein the main body distal end comprises a frustroconical end and the main body proximal end comprises a second cylindrical end, wherein the filament extends from the frustoconcial end of the main body.

5. The disposable tip of claim 1, wherein a first portion of the filament is disposed at a predetermined angle with respect to the main body longitudinal axis.

6. The disposable tip of claim 5, wherein the first portion of the filament is disposed at a 90 degree angle with respect to the main body longitudinal axis.