Electrode Sheath For Electrosurgical Device

• US 20110319889A1
• Filed: 06/28/2010
• Published: 12/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Advanced Energy LLC (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Salient Surgical Technologies Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: CONLEY, Brian M., GREELEY, Roger D., MAURER, Christopher W., DePASQUA, Anthony R.
• Granted Patent: US 9,138,289 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1402 Probes for open surgery
• 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 2018/00029 open
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00196 reciprocating lengthwise
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00744 Fluid flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00779 Power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/002 Irrigation

Abstract

This invention provides an electrosurgical device comprising a handle, a shaft member distal to the handle, a first electrode tip and a second electrode tip at a distal end of the shaft member with the first electrode tip laterally spaced from the second electrode tip, and an electrode sheath movable to cover and uncover a side of the electrode tips while a distal end of the electrode tips is uncovered to treat tissue.

Claims

1. An electrosurgical device comprising:

a handle;

a shaft member distal to the handle;

a first electrode tip and a second electrode tip distal a distal end of the shaft member, the first electrode tip laterally spaced from the second electrode tip;

an electrode sheath movable to cover and uncover a side of the electrode tips while a distal end of the electrode tips is uncovered to treat tissue.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein:

the sheath is movable distally to cover the side of the electrode tips; and

the sheath is movable proximally to uncover the side of the electrode tips.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein:

the sheath overlies the shaft member.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein:

the sheath includes a tubular passage.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein:

the shaft member is within the tubular passage of the sheath.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein:

the sheath is operable with the shaft member to limit distal and proximal movement of the sheath.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein:

the sheath and shaft member having cooperating elements which limit the distal and proximal movement of the sheath.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein:

the cooperating elements comprise a protrusion located on the shaft member and a slot located on the sheath which contains the protrusion.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein:

the sheath is operable with the shaft member to increase and decrease a lateral spacing of the electrode tips relative to each other.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein:

the sheath is movable distally to cover the side of the electrode tips and decrease the lateral spacing of the electrode tips relative to each other; and

the sheath is movable proximally to uncover the side of the electrode tips and increase the lateral spacing of the electrode tips relative to each other.

11. The device of claim 9 wherein:

the sheath is operable with the shaft member to increase and decrease a lateral spacing of the electrode tips relative to each other by moving at least one of the electrode tips.

12. The device of claim 9 wherein:

the sheath is operable with the shaft member to increase and decrease a lateral spacing of the electrode tips relative to each other by moving a portion of the shaft member.

13. The device of claim 9 wherein:

the sheath comprises a first tubular passage and a second tubular passage;

a distal portion of the second tubular passage is angled relative to the first tubular passage; and

the sheath is operable with the shaft member to increase and decrease a lateral spacing of the electrode tips relative to each other by contacting a surface of the sheath defining the angled portion of the second tubular passage with a portion of the shaft member located therein as the sheath is moved proximally and distally, respectfully.

14. The device of claim 1 wherein:

the sheath is operable with at least one of the electrode tips to increase and decrease a lateral spacing of the electrode tips relative to each other.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein:

the sheath is operable with at least one of the electrode tips to increase and decrease a lateral spacing of the electrode tips relative to each other by moving at least one of the electrode tips.

16. The device of claim 14 wherein:

the sheath comprises a first tubular passage and a second tubular passage;

a distal portion of the second tubular passage is angled relative to the first tubular passage; and

the sheath is operable with at least one of the electrode tips to increase and decrease a lateral spacing of the electrode tips relative to each other by contacting a surface of the sheath defining the angled portion of the second tubular passage with a portion of one of the electrode tips located therein as the sheath is moved proximally and distally, respectfully.

17. The device of claim 1 wherein:

the sheath comprises a first tubular passage and a second tubular passage;

18. The device of claim 17 wherein:

a distal portion of the second tubular passage is angled relative to a distal portion of the first tubular passage.

19. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a sheath actuation mechanism which extends from the handle and connects to the sheath to activate movement of the sheath from the handle.

20. The device of claim 19 wherein:

the sheath actuation mechanism comprises an elongated member which pushes the sheath distally and pulls the sheath proximally.