Self contained, gas-enhanced surgical instrument
First Claim
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1. An electrosurgical instrument for providing ionized gas to a surgical site, comprising:
- an elongated housing having a proximal end and a distal end, the elongated housing being configured for operable connection with a source of pressurized gas;
an active electrode mounted at least partially within the elongated housing adjacent the distal end of the elongated housing, 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 source of pressurized gas over a portion of the active electrode within the elongated housing and which actuates the delivery of electrosurgical energy from the source of electrosurgical energy to the active electrode for ionizing the pressurized inert gas flowing over the active electrode for use at the surgical site;
a flow regulator at least partially disposed within the elongated housing for selectively regulating the flow of pressurized gas from the source of pressurized gas upon actuation of the at least one actuator; and
a sensor at least partially disposed on the elongated housing and in electrical communication with the flow regulator, the sensor being configured to sense a selected condition at the surgical site and automatically control the regulation of flow of pressurized gas to the active electrode.
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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.
129 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An electrosurgical instrument for providing ionized gas to a surgical site, comprising:
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an elongated housing having a proximal end and a distal end, the elongated housing being configured for operable connection with a source of pressurized gas; an active electrode mounted at least partially within the elongated housing adjacent the distal end of the elongated housing, 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 source of pressurized gas over a portion of the active electrode within the elongated housing and which actuates the delivery of electrosurgical energy from the source of electrosurgical energy to the active electrode for ionizing the pressurized inert gas flowing over the active electrode for use at the surgical site; a flow regulator at least partially disposed within the elongated housing for selectively regulating the flow of pressurized gas from the source of pressurized gas upon actuation of the at least one actuator; and a sensor at least partially disposed on the elongated housing and in electrical communication with the flow regulator, the sensor being configured to sense a selected condition at the surgical site and automatically control the regulation of flow of pressurized gas to the active electrode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An electrosurgical instrument for providing ionized gas to a surgical site, comprising:
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an elongated housing having a proximal end and a distal end, the elongated housing being configured for operable connection with a source of pressurized gas; an active electrode mounted within the distal end of the elongated housing, the electrode adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy; at least one actuator operably supported on the elongated housing which is selectively adjustable to control the flow of pressurized gas from the source of pressurized gas over at least a portion of the active electrode within the elongated housing and 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 sensor at least partially disposed on the elongated housing, the sensor being configured to sense a selected condition at the surgical site and automatically control the regulation of flow of pressurized gas to the active electrode.
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18. An electrosurgical instrument for providing ionized gas to a surgical site, comprising:
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an elongated housing having a proximal end and a distal end, the elongated housing being configured for operable connection with a source of pressurized gas; an active electrode mounted entirely within the elongated housing adjacent the distal end of the elongated housing, the electrode adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy; a flow regulator at least partially disposed within the elongated housing for regulating the flow of pressurized gas from the source of pressurized gas over the active electrode; and a sensor at least partially disposed on the elongated housing and in electrical communication with the flow regulator, the sensor being configured to sense a selected condition at the surgical site and automatically control the regulation of flow of pressurized gas to the active electrode.
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19. An electrosurgical instrument for providing ionized gas to a surgical site, comprising:
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an elongated housing having a proximal end and a distal end, the elongated housing being configured to selectively receive a cylinder of pressurized gas; an active electrode mounted within the distal end of the elongated housing, the electrode adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy; at least one actuator which actuates the flow of pressurized gas from the cylinder over a portion of the active electrode within the elongated housing 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 sensor at least partially disposed on the elongated housing for sensing a condition at the surgical site, the sensor being electrically connected to a safety pressure relief valve which vents pressure from the source of pressurized gas before the source of pressurized gas is removed from the elongated housing.
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20. An electrosurgical system for performing an electrosurgical procedure on a patient, the system comprising:
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a source of electrosurgical energy; a source of pressurized gas; and an electrosurgical instrument including; an elongated housing having a proximal end and a distal end, the elongated housing being configured for operable connection with a source of pressurized gas; an active electrode mounted completely within the distal end of the elongated housing, the electrode adapted to connect to the source of electrosurgical energy; at least one actuator operably supported on the elongated housing which is selectively adjustable to control the flow of pressurized gas from the source of pressurized gas over at least a portion of the active electrode and 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 sensor at least partially disposed on the elongated housing, the sensor being configured to sense a selected condition at a surgical site and automatically control the regulation of flow of pressurized gas to the active electrode.
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Specification