Electrosurgical (RF) medical instruments for cutting and coagulating tissue

• US 9,814,514 B2
• Filed: 09/13/2013
• Issued: 11/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon, LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Shelton, IV, Frederick E., Yates, David C., Baxter, III, Chester O., Hunt, John V., Mallow, Jennifer M., Worrell, Barry C., Aronhalt, Taylor W., Houser, Kevin L.
• Primary Examiner(s): FOWLER, DANIEL WAYNE
• Application Number:
  US14/026,662
• Publication Number:
  US 20150080891A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,523 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/12 by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1447 wherein sliding surfaces cause opening/closing of the end effectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1482 having a long rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously in minimal invasive surgery, e.g. laparoscopy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1485 having a short rigid shaft for accessing the inner body through natural openings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00077 high, i.e. electrically conducting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00083 low, i.e. electrically insulating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00101 low, i.e. thermally insulating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0013 non-sticking
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00136 with polymer
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00148 with metal
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0016 Energy applicators arranged in a two- or three dimensional array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00196 reciprocating lengthwise
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00214 Expandable means emitting energy, e.g. by elements carried thereon
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00339 Spine, e.g. intervertebral disc
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00559 Female reproductive organs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00589 Coagulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00595 Cauterization
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00601 Cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00607 Coagulation and cutting with the same instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00619 : Welding
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0063 : Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00648 : using more than one sensed parameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00714 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0072 : Current
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00732 : Frequency
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00767 : Voltage
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00827 : Current
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00892 : Voltage
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00904 : Automatic detection of target tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00952 : rotatable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00958 : for switching between different working modes of the main function
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1226 : powered by a battery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/124 : switching the output to different electrodes, e.g. sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1253 : monopolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/126 : bipolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/128 : generating two or more frequencies
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1407 : Loop
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1412 : Blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1455 : having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1465 : Deformable electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1467 : using more than two electrodes on a single probe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/147 : Electrodes transferring energy by capacitive coupling, i.e. with a dielectricum between electrode and target tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1475 : Electrodes retractable in or deployable from a housing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1495 : Electrodes being detachable from a support structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/065 : for measuring contact or contact pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0807 : Indication means

Abstract

An electrosurgical device is disclosed. The electrosurgical device includes a handle, a shaft extending distally from the handle, and an end effector coupled to a distal end of the shaft. The end effector comprises a first electrode and a second electrode. The second electrode includes a first position and a second position. The second electrode is configured to move from the first position to the second position when a force is applied to the end effector by a tissue section. The first electrode and the second electrode define a treatment area when the second electrode is in the second position.

Claims

1. An electrosurgical device, comprising:

an end effector comprising;

a first electrode;

a second electrode movable from a first position to a second position when a force is applied to the end effector; and

a channel within which a moveable member is configured to slide to open and close an upper jaw and a lower jaw,

wherein the first electrode and the second electrode define a treatment area when the second electrode is in the second position; and

a base cap configured to interface with the end effector, the base cap comprising;

an electrode layer configured to provide electrosurgical signals to a tissue section in contact with the base cap, the electrode layer comprising a direct contact metal electrode configured for direct application of electrosurgical energy to the tissue section;

a heat sink layer configured to prevent heat transfer between the base cap and the end effector;

a sealing layer configured to seal the base cap;

at least one molded hook configured to interface with at least one overhang formed on the lower jaw of the end effector; and

a flex circuit deposited on the sealing layer,

wherein the electrode layer is connected to a source and return path through the flex circuit,

wherein the heat sink layer is arranged between the electrode layer and the end effector when the base cap interfaces with the end effector,

wherein the base cap is configured to cover an entire portion of the channel to protect the channel from debris and fouling during the direct application of electrosurgical energy to the tissue section.

2. The electrosurgical device of claim 1, wherein the end effector comprises

a third electrode movable from the first position to the second position,

wherein the second electrode and the third electrode are disposed on opposite sides of the first electrode,

wherein the second electrode and the third electrode have an opposite polarity of the first electrode, and

wherein, when a force is applied to the end effector, the second electrode and the third electrode transition from the first position to the second position to define the treatment area therebetween.

3. The electrosurgical device of claim 1, wherein the first electrode comprises a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) material configured to limit a current flow through the first electrode based on a temperature of the first electrode.

4. The electrosurgical device of claim 3, wherein the first electrode is disposed on a distal end of the end effector, and wherein the second electrode comprises a ring located concentric with the first electrode.

5. The electrosurgical device of claim 1, further comprising:

an electrosurgical generator coupled to the end effector, wherein the electrosurgical generator is configured to produce a high frequency, multi-phase electrosurgical signal, and wherein the electrosurgical generator is coupled to the first electrode and the second electrode.