CA1323664C - Electrosurigical conductive gas stream equipment - Google Patents
Electrosurigical conductive gas stream equipmentInfo
- Publication number
- CA1323664C CA1323664C CA000596013A CA596013A CA1323664C CA 1323664 C CA1323664 C CA 1323664C CA 000596013 A CA000596013 A CA 000596013A CA 596013 A CA596013 A CA 596013A CA 1323664 C CA1323664 C CA 1323664C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- gas
- hose
- passageway
- nozzle
- mating portion
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B18/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body
- A61B18/04—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating
- A61B18/042—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating using additional gas becoming plasma
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
- A61B17/32—Surgical cutting instruments
- A61B17/3203—Fluid jet cutting instruments
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B18/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body
- A61B18/04—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating
- A61B18/12—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
- A61B18/14—Probes or electrodes therefor
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B18/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body
- A61B18/04—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating
- A61B18/12—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
- A61B18/1206—Generators therefor
- A61B18/1233—Generators therefor with circuits for assuring patient safety
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B18/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body
- A61B2018/00636—Sensing and controlling the application of energy
- A61B2018/00696—Controlled or regulated parameters
- A61B2018/00761—Duration
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B18/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body
- A61B2018/00636—Sensing and controlling the application of energy
- A61B2018/00773—Sensed parameters
- A61B2018/00886—Duration
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B18/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body
- A61B18/04—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating
- A61B18/12—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
- A61B18/1206—Generators therefor
- A61B2018/1213—Generators therefor creating an arc
Abstract
ELECTROSURGICAL CONDUCTIVE GAS STREAM EQUIPMENT
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An electrosurgical unit for conducting a predetermined ionizable gas in a jet stream to the tissue at a predetermined flow rate sufficient to clear natural fluids from the tissue and to substantially expose the tissue stroma and for exposing the gas to an electrical radio frequency energy to ionize the gas in conductive pathways in the gas jet stream. The unit includes a nozzle which is releasably connected to a handle for easy manipulation by a surgeon with the nozzle including means for supporting an electrode in an optimal position for initiation of the ionization of the gas. Also, a connecting system is disclosed for connecting the hose on which the handle is mounted to a gas delivery apparatus and supply of electrical energy which permits the hose to rotate while maintaining a positive hermetic seal to prevent the hose from kinking during use by a surgeon.
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An electrosurgical unit for conducting a predetermined ionizable gas in a jet stream to the tissue at a predetermined flow rate sufficient to clear natural fluids from the tissue and to substantially expose the tissue stroma and for exposing the gas to an electrical radio frequency energy to ionize the gas in conductive pathways in the gas jet stream. The unit includes a nozzle which is releasably connected to a handle for easy manipulation by a surgeon with the nozzle including means for supporting an electrode in an optimal position for initiation of the ionization of the gas. Also, a connecting system is disclosed for connecting the hose on which the handle is mounted to a gas delivery apparatus and supply of electrical energy which permits the hose to rotate while maintaining a positive hermetic seal to prevent the hose from kinking during use by a surgeon.
Description
--` 1 323664 This application is related to Canadian application Serial No. 596,009, filed concurrently herewith, and entitled BEAM-TYPE ELECTROSURGICAL UNIT FOR ACHIEVING
IMPROV~D ESCHAR FOR COAGULATION, which is of common ownership with the present application.
BACRGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to electrosurgery, and more particularly to a new and improved electrosurgical technique for achieving coagulation or a hemostatic effect, i.e. fulguration and desiccation, by conducting radio frequency (RF) electrical energy through a conductive inert gas stream to the tissue. In addition, the present invention relates to an electrosurgical fulguration arcing technique of creating an eschar and tissue effects offering a substantially improved capability for coagulation.
Further still, the present invention relates to an electrosurgical non-arcing desiccation technique and equipment for applying electrical energy to tissue to achieve superior thermal desiccative effects.
Electrosurgery involves the application of radio frequency electrical energy to tissue. The electrical energy originates from an electrosurgical generator (ESG) and is applied by an active electrode to the tissue. The active electrode typically has a small cross-sectional or limited surface area to concentrate the electrical energy at the surgical site. An inactive return electrode or patient plate contacts the patient at a remote location from the surgical site to complete the circuit through the tissue to the ESG. The patient plate is relatively large in size to avoid destructive energy concentrations.
Alternatively, a pair of active electrodes may be used in a "bipolar" mode in which the electrosurgical energy flows directly through the tissue between the two active electrodes, and the electrosurgical effects are confined to .
., . 9 -1 32366~
the tissue directly located between the two closely-spaced electrodes.
A variety of different electrosurgical effects can be achieved, depending primarily on the characteristics of the 5 electrical energy delivered from the ESG. Among the effects are a pure cutting effect, a combined cutting and hemostasis effect, a fulguration effect and a desiccation effect. Desiccation and fulguration are usually described collectively as coagulation. Many conventional ESG's offer the capability to selectively change the energy delivery characteristics and thus change the electrosurgical effects created.
Satisfactory fulguration effects have been particularly difficult to obtain. Some surgeons have preferred to use older spark gap generators known as "Bovie" devices for fulguration, but use other more modern ESG's for cutting or cutting with hemostasis. Indeed, spark gap ESG's have been the standard against which modern solid state ESG's have been measured for achievement of satisfactory fulguration effects. One modern ESG which achieves substantially improved fulguration effects, compared to both spark gap and previous solid state ESG's is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,429,694, assigned to the assignee hereof. Despite the improvements available in fulguration, certain disadvantages remain for which there have been no satisfactory alternatives.
Conventional fulguration is characterized by electrical arcing through the air from various locations on the metal surface of the active electrode, with the arcs contacting the tissue in somewhat of a random non-predictable manner. In many cases, arcs leave the active electrode in an initial trajectory travelling away from the tissue before actually curving around and striking the tissue surface. The result is an uneven, randomly concentrated or distributed delivery of arcing energy. An uneven eschar of variable characteristics is created on the surface of the tissue.
The random delivery of the arc energy creates holes which are significantly disparate in diameter (or cross-sectional size) and in depth. Larger, deeper holes are formed by repeated arcs contacting the tissue at approximately the same location. Smaller arc holes are also present in the tissue but they are unevenly distributed about the larger arc holes. The smaller arc holes are created by single individual arcs, or the less repetitious arcing to the tissue at the same location. The smaller arc holes are relatively small in diameter or cross-section and relatively shallow in depth, compared to the larger arc holes. Significant variations in cross-sectional size and depth between the large and small arc holes occur.
Significant variations exist in the spacing and in the amounts of tissue between the large and small arc holes, causing the substantial variations in the surface distribution of the holes.
Thermal necrosis occurs in the tissue between the arc holes. The degree of thermal necrosis varies between total carbonization between the more closely spaced larger holes, to necrosis without charring or carbonization between the more widely separated smaller arc holes.
The eschar created has two distinct layers above the unaffected viable tissue. An arc hole reticulum of the tissue subjected to necrosis is created by the pattern of arc holes. The arc hole reticulum extends to greater depths in the areas of the deeper arc holes, and to substantially shallower depths in the areas of the shallower arc holes.
Due to the random distribution and depth of the arc holes, the arc hole reticulum is relatively uneven in depth.
Significant variations in the depth of the arc hole reticulum layer are typical. A layer of thermally desiccated tissue is located below the arc hole reticulum layer. Tissue necrosis in the thermally desiccated layer occurs as a result of the current heating effects of the electrical energy dissipating from the arcs. The desiccation layer is also uneven in depth and location due ,,-; to the nonuniform application of the arcing energy over the arc hole reticulum layer. Significant variations in the depths of the desiccation layer are also typical.
Over a given area of tissue, certain locations are only moderately affected by the arcing energy. A thin arc hole reticulum and a thin desiccation layer result. Other areas have a relatively thick eschar formed therein. Very thick carbonized eschars tend to be fragile and are prone to crack when flexed, usually resulting in renewed bleeding from the unaffected tissue below the desiccation layer.
Thin eschars are more flexible and therefore more desirable, but it has been difficult to obtain sufficient coagulation effects from thin eschars.
Causes of the uneven eschar created by prior fulguration techniques are not known with certainty, but numerous factors are theorized to play a role. One of the more significant contributory factors is probably changes in impedance in the arc pathway between the active electrode and the tissue. Impedance changes may result from variations in the distance which the arcs travel through the air, due to the changes in ionization potential between the active electrode and the tissue. It is virtually impossible for the surgeon to maintain the active electrode at a consistent distance from the tissue, particularly if the tissue is moving due to pulsation, or due to puckering and swelling as a result of applying the electrical energy.
The arcing from random locations on the active electrode also creates different arc length pathways and hence impedances. The combined impedance of the tissue and the eschar changes with the application of electrical energy.
The volatilization of the cells and vaporization of the moisture in the cells changes the relative impedance in a localized spot-to-spot manner on the surface of the tissue.
The formation of the charred material also influences the arc pathways, presenting an opportunity for subsequent arcs to return to the tissue at the same location and U
.
thereby enlarge the preexisting arc hole and create even further charring.
Another problem with conventional electrosurgery is that it is very difficult if not impossible to achieve effective fulguration on spongy or vascular tissue such as the liver or the spleen, or on other tissues from which there is a tendency for blood to continually ooze oYer the surface from the highly developed vascular network within the tissue. Often, only the surface of the oozing blood is coagulated, with no penetration to the surface of the tissue below the layer of blood. A superficial coagulum results on the surface of the blood, but this coagulum quickly sloughs away resulting in only temporary hemostasis. Of course, once the temporary coagulum sloughs away, bleeding continues. Even if a coagulation effect on the tissue surface can be established, it is easily destroyed or perforated by the arcs returning to the same locations causing the longer, deeper arc holes. The deeper arc holes perforate the eschar and extend into the viable tissue below the eschar to provide a pathway for continued bleeding. The heat created by the arcs causes boiling of moisture below the eschar, and the pressure of resulting vapor can also rupture the eschar to reinitiate bleeding.
Apart from the tissue disadvantages of conventional electrosurgical fulguration, certain other practical problems exist. Arcing from the active electrode rapidly increases the temperature of the active electrode.
Electrode heating is responsible for a number of problems.
If the heated active electrode contacts the tissue, as it inevitably will, or if the active electrode is immersed in fluid such as blood, proteins from the tissue or the blood are denatured and stick to the active surface of the electrode. The buildup of charred material on the electrode eventually creates a sufficiently high impedance so that adequate power can no longer be delivered. The surgeon must continually clean the electrode by wiping or scraping the charred material, which disrupts, distracts, and prolongs the surgical operation. Freshly created eschars can be detached in an effort to free a sticking electrode from the tissue surface. The random accumulation of charred material on the active electrode creates more random delivery of the arcing energy, even further increasing the random delivery pattern. Because of the variable nature of the impedance of the charred material, consistent power application is difficult or impossibls. The accumulation of the charred material can obscure the surgeons view of the surgical site. The temperature of the active electrode may reach sufficiently elevated levels to transfer molten metal from the electrode to the patient, creating questionable effects. Because the electrode contacts the tissue, there i6 a potential for cross-contamination between viable tissues and diseased tissues. Although the clinical problems associated with cross contamination are not fully understood at the present time, the advantages of eliminating the possibility are evident. A significant smoke plume also results from the burning tissue because of the air environment in which the electrosurgery occurs. Not only does the plume produce a noxious odor, but there may be some evidence that particulates in the smoke plume from burning tissue may contain hazardous chemicals, virus, bacteria, neoplastic cells and other hazards. Of course, the oxygen environment in which the electrosurgy is conventionally conducted exhibits a potential for igniting paper drapes, surgical sponges and the like.
Some of the typical problem~ associated with creating and applying the arcs in conventional electrosurgery can be improved by optimizing the operating and other characteristics of the electrosurgical generator. U.S. Pat.
No. 4,429,694 discloses an improved ESG which reduces some of the described disadvantages during fulguration. However, many of the disadvantages cannot be avoided and many of the characteristics cannot be improved by conventional electrosurgical techniques and equipment, due to the limitations previously inherent in electrosurgery.
1-;`
The conventional technique of obtaining thermal desiccation by use of a conventional ES& is to apply electrical energy from a flat surface of the active electrode placed in contact with the tissue. An electrical resistance heating effect is created by the current flowing into the tissue from the active electrode. secause the active electrode contacts the tissue surface over a relatively large area, no arcing is intended to occur. To spread the thermal desiccation effect over a substantially large area, the active electrode is moved from location to location. It is very difficult to apply a level of energy which will obtain thermal desiccation but which will not cause the tissue to stick on the flat surface of the active electrode or arcing from the active electrode to non-contacted surface areas. The thermal desiccation effects are unevenly distributed because the active electrode is moved from spot to spot. Overlapping the spots of energy application can enhance the probability for tissue sticking and exaggerate the variable depth effects.
Of course, moving the active electrode from spot to spot is very time consuming in an operation where time is very important or critical.
The prior art desiccation technique can only be applied to create surface desiccation effects. Furthermore, the inability to accurately control the amount of power, tissue sticking effects, and the like have prevented the prior use of electrosurgery on very thin fragile tissue such as the mesentery, and in other surgical techniques.
It is against this abbreviated background of previously existing disadvantages and problems in electrosurgery that the advantages and improvements of the present invention can be better appreciated.
~UMNARY OF THE INVENTION
In general, the electrosurgical technique and equipment for achieving coagulation in accordance with the present invention involves conducting a predetermined ionizable gas in a directed or generally laminar jet stream to the tissue at a predetermined flow rate sufficient to clear natural fluids from the tissue and to substantially expose the underlying tissue, while simultaneously conducting electrical energy at a predetermined primary radio frequency range in the gas jet stream through ionized conductive pathways. To achieve fulguration, the electrical energy is conducted as arcs in the ionized pathways. To achieve desiccation, the electrical energy is conducted in the ionized pathways as a non-arcing diffuse current.
The electrosurgical equipment of the present invention includes a nozzle which is removably mounted on a handle in a unique manner so as to be reliably sealed thereto to prevent the leakage of gas. The nozzle also supports an electrode along a small portion of its length so that a substantial portion of the electrode is exposed to the gas in a mixing chamber portion of the nozzle to improve initiation of the ionization of the gas.
The hose which supports the nozzle and the handle at a leading or free end thereof has its opposite end connected to a gas delivery apparatus by a connector element which also establishes a positive seal through a removable connection technique. The connector element is rotatably connected to the gas delivery apparatus in a manner so as to prevent the leakage of gas while permitting rotation of the hose to prevent kinks from forming in the hose as the surgeon is manipulating the handle and nozzle.
Many other significant features are inherent in the present invention, as well as many improvements over prior art coagulation techniques and equipment. These various features and improvements are discussed more completely in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DE8CRIPTION OF THE DRA~IN68 FIG. 1 is a perspective representation of a nozzle, handle, cord and connector of the present invention.
t~
g FI~. 2 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the nozzle and the mating end of the handle illustrated in FIG.
1.
FI~. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged perspective view of the connector end of the cord illustrated in FIG. 1.
FI~. ~ is an enlarged section view of the cord taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1.
FI~. 5 is an enlarged section view of the nozzle and front end of the handle taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1 with parts removed to condense the size.
F~G. 6 is an enlarged section view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged section view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 5.
FIa. 8 i~ an enlarged section view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 5.
FIa- 9 i8 an enlarged section view of the connector taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 1.
FIa. 10 is a section view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9.
FIG. ~1 is a section view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 9.
~ is a section view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 9.
FIG. 13 is a generalized schematic view of an electrosurgical unit (ESU) embodying the present invention, illustrating an electro6urgical generator (ESG), a gas delivery apparatu~, a segment of tissue shown illustratively in cros~-section, and the elements of the invention ~hown in FIG. 1.
~ Ia. 1~ is an enlarged section view similar to FIG. 9 illustrating the configuration of the sealing elements of the connector upon engagement.
DESCRIP~ION OF T~J PREFERRED EM~ODI~ENT
An electrosurgical unit (ESU) which embodies the present invention i~ shown generally in FIG. 13 and is referenced ~o. The ESU ~0 includes three major components, a pencil 42 which is held and manipulated by the surgeon, gas delivery apparatus ~ and an electrosurgical generator (ESG) 46. A flexible cord 4~ connects the gas delivery apparatus 44 and the ESG ~C to the pencil ~2. The gas delivery apparatus ~ delivers a preselected gas through a plurality of individual hose passageways or lumens 50 in the cord 48 to the pencil ~2. The gas issues from a nozzle 52 of the pencil ~2 in a directed or substantially laminar flow stream or jet 5~.
The ESG 46 supplies electrical energy over a supply conductor 56 of the cord ~8 to the pencil 42. The conductor 5C is electrically co~nected in the pencil to a needle-like electrode 58 which forms a part of the nozzle 52. The electrical energy supplied by the ESG ~C is of predetermined characteristic sufficient to ionize the gas flowing through the nozzle 52 and to create ionized pathways in the jet 5~. The electrical energy travels in the ionized pathways in the jet 5~ to a body tissue 62 where it creates a predetermined electrosurgical effect on the tissue 62.
In the fulguration mode of operation of the ESU, electrical energy is transferred in the ionized pathways in the form of arcs C0. The arcs 60 travel within the jet 54 until they reach the tissue C2 at the electrical surgical site. The jet 5~ expands slightly above the surface of the tissue 62 and the arcs C0 disburse over a slightly enlarged area of the tissue surface compared to the cross section of the jet 5~. Electrical energy of the arcs is transferred into the tissue C2 and creates the upper arc hole reticulum or layer 30 and a desiccated layer 32 therebelow. The arc hole reticulum 30 and the desiccated layer are schematically illustrated in FIG. 13.
In the desiccation mode of operation of the ESU, the ionized pathways in the jet 5~ transfer electrical energy from the electrode 58 as a non-arcing, conductive current.
A gentle coupling effect is created at the tissue which , does not cause holes in the tissue, because arcs are not present. As is described more completely in the concurrently filed Canadian application, Serial No.
596,009, a desiccative electrosurgical effect is created, and only a desiccation layer similar to that schematically shown at 32 in FIG. 13 is formed on the surface of the tissue. The normal unaffected tissue structure such as that at 3~ exists below the surface desiccated layer 32. The jet expands slightly at the surface of the tissue to couple the non-arcing electrical current over a slightly enlarged area of the tissue surface compared to the cross-sectional size of the jet. The desiccative effects on the tissue offer the possibility of accomplishing substantially new and different types of electrosurgical procedures by use of an ESU.
The electrical energy delivered through the jet 54 travels through the tissue 62 to a return electrode or patient plate 70 which contacts the tissue 62. The patient plate 70 i8 connected by a return electrical conductor 72 to the ESG ~6. A complete electrical circuit is thus established for conducting the energy from the ESG 4C, to the pencil 42, through the jet 54, to and through the tissue 62, to patient plate 70, through the return conductor 72 to the ESG 46.
The pencil 42 includes a handle portion 76 and the nozzle 52 with the nozzle being threadedly connected to the handle for easy removal therefrom. As is best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5-8, the handle portion 7C of the pencil includes a generally cylindrical dielectric body 78 which may be ceramic. The cylindrical body 78 has a central axial passageway 80 therethrough which is relatively narrower at a leading end than at a trailing end as created by a relatively thick wall 82 at its leading end. The open leading end of the handle has internal threads 84 which form exemplary means for releasably receiving and connecting the nozzle 52 as will be described in more detail hereinafter.
, A socket insert 86 is disposed internally of the handle portion 76 at the forwardmost extent of the large diameter portion 80L of the passageway through the handle.
The socket insert 86, as is best illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 8, is also of cylindrical configuration having an outer diameter substantially the same as the inner diameter of the handle 76 at the location where the insert is positioned within the handle. At the trailing end of the socket insert 86, a disc-like wall 88 is formed having a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings 90 therethrough adapted to align with the passageways or lumens 50 through the hose ~8. The wall 88 also has a central opening 92 therethrough adapted to accommodate the conductor 56 which passes through the hose and takes the form of a braided metal wire. A forwardly projecting internal cylindrical sleeve 9~ projects forwardly from the disc-like wall 88 and confines and supports an electrical connector means such as a metallic socket 96 adapted to receive the electrode 58 of the nozzle as will be discussed later. The metallic socket 96 also includes a receptacle for receiving and retaining the leading end of the braided metal wire 56 which projects thereinto from the leading end of the hose 48.
The leading end of the hose 48 is also received in the enlarged diameter trailing portion 80L of the passageway 80 through the handle portion 76 and abuts the trailing end of the socket insert 86. The hose is aligned with the socket insert so that the passageways 50 through the hose are in alignment with the openings 90 through the disc-like wall 88 of the insert whereby gas can pass freely from the hose through the insert 86, through the passageway 80 defined by the handle portion 76, and subsequently through the nozzle.
The hose is retained in its fixed relationship with the handle portion by an outer covering 98 which encompasses the handle portion 7C and overlaps a portion of the hose where the hose enters the trailing end of the handle portion. The covering 98 i8 of a soft pliable material such .~
, .
1 32366~
, ., as silicone and also overlaps the leading end of the handle portion leaving the opening through the leading end of the handle portion unobstructed. It is important to note, however, that a portion of the covering does overlap the leading end of the handle forming a boot 100 which facilitates the establishment of a hermetic seal between the nozzle and the handle.
The nozzle 52 includes inner and outer dielectric component parts 51 and 53 with the electrode 58 being supported axially within the inner part. As mentioned previously, the nozzle is adapted to be releasably connected to the handle 76 to define the pencil ~2. The inner part 51 of the nozzle has a forwardly projecting cylindrical body 102, an integral intermediate enlarged cylindrical body 10~ at the trailing end of the forwardly projecting cylindrical body 102, and an integral trailing cylindrical body 106 protruding rearwardly from the intermediate body. The intermediate body ~0~ at its trailing end has a plurality of inwardly directed ribs lG8 which support the trailing body 106. The ribs 108 define passageways 110 therebetween through which gas is enabled to pass from the hose ~8 through the socket insert 86, into the handle portion and subsequently through the passageways 110 for exposure to the electrode 58 within a nozzle passageway or mixing chamber 112 defined by the cylindrical inner spaces of the forward and intermediate bodys 102 and 10~ respectively of the inner part 51. The trailing body 106 of the inner part has a cylindrical passage 11~
therethrough adapted to mate with and receive the electrode 58 which is made of a conductive metal material and secured in the trailing body 106 in any suitable manner. The electrode 58 protrudes rearwardly from the trailing body of the inner part 51 so as to be receivable in the metal socket provided in the socket insert 96 of the handle portion. It is important to note that the trailing body of the inner part supports the electrode 58 along a small or minority portion of its length, and as such and in :~, ,.,~
conjunction with the ribs are one example of support means for supporting the electrode. In a preferred embodiment, the support for the electrode extends only along a relatively short length of the electrode, for example, less than 20% of its length, exposing a significant portion of the electrode to the mixing chamber 112 and thus the gases flowing therethrough to improve initiation of the ionization of the gas. It has been determined that the initiation of the ionization process is facilitated by a greater exposure of the electrode to the gas jet stream 54 and for this reason, this feature of the invention is of significant value.
The outer part 53 of the nozzle 52 includes an enlarged frusto-conical head 116 and a trailing reduced diameter cylindrical portion 118 having external threads 120 adapted to mate with and be received in the internal threads 8~ at the leading end of the handle portion. The outer part of the nozzle is affixed to and is unitary with the inner part 51 of the nozzle so that as the outer part is threaded into the leading end of the handle portion, the trailing end of the electrode 58 is inserted into the metallic socket in the handle portion in a positive manner.
Also, it is important to note that the frusto-conical head 116 has a trailing circular radially disposed surface 122 which abuts with the boot 100 or overlapping portion of the handle cover to positively establish a hermetic seal between the nozzle and the handle portion. This seal is of critical importance in preventing the escape of gas and the possible transmittal of electrical energy to the surgeon's hand.
The opposite or trailing end of the hose 48 is connected to the gas delivery apparatus ~4 and the ESG 46 through a connector 12~. The connector is best illustrated in FIGS. 3, 9-12, and 14 as including a female mating portion of member 126 which is directly fastenable to the gas delivery apparatus and ESG to receive gas and electrical energy therefrom and a male mating portion of ~ .
t~ member 128 secured in a unitary fashion to the trailing end - of the hose. An intermediate sleeve member 130 is also provided which permits the hose to be positively secur~d to the female member 126 in a rotative relationship so that 5 the hose will not form kinks as the pencil ~2 is manipulated by a surgeon.
s The female member 126 of the connector is probably ' best seen in FIG. 9 and 14 and is formed from a block of dielectric material such as plastic which is secured to the 10 gas delivery apparatus ~ and ESG ~6 such that a hollow interior passageway 132 through the female member can be ~, aligned with a gas delivery opening 13~ in the gas delivery apparatus and an electrical connector or contact means such as a metallic socket 136 which is in electrical 15 communication with the ESG through a conductor 138. The female member is screwed or otherwise operatively secured to the gas delivery apparatus and ESG in a positive manner (not shown).
The female member 126 includes an outer cylindrical 20 opening 140 adapted to receive the trailing end of the hose 4e with the opening 1~0 having internal threads 1~2 formed therein. A rear wall 14~ of the female member supports a forwardly projecting central cylindrical hub l~C which extends into the cylindrical opening 140 in the female 25 member for approximately a third of its length. The cylindrical hub l~C has a cylindrical wall 1~8 and a plurality of radial inwardly directed ribs 150 defining therebetween a central axial passage 152 for receiving a connecting electrode 15~ on the trailing end of the hose.
30 The metallic socket 13C in the gas delivery apparatus and ESG protrudes forwardly into the central axial passage 152 in a position to receive the electrode 15~ in a manner to be described hereinafter. The forward edge of the cylindrical hub has a tapered surface 156 which is 35 frusto-conical and rearwardly convergent and is continuous with the forward edges of the ribs at the locations where the ribs 150 are contiguous with the tapered surface 156.
.
.
.
.
This frusto-conically tapered surface is adapted to cooperate with the trailing end of the hose in establishing a rotating hermetic seal as will become more clear later.
The male member 128 of the connector 12~ includes a body made of a moderately resilient material such as rubber and an internal supporting insert 158 that is received within the body. The body has an enlarged head 160 defined by two axially aligned tapered frusto-conical surfaces 162 and 164 and a cylindrical extension portion 166 protruding forwardly away therefrom and adapted to receive the trailing end of the hose. The extension portion 166 has an internal cylindrical passageway lC8 into which the hose 48 is inserted and retained in any suitable manner. The insert 158 is of generally cylindrical configuration having a protruding radial rib 170 around its trailing end which is adapted to be received within an annular recess 172 formed internally of the head 160. The seating of the radial rib 170 in the recess 172 retains the insert in a positive relationship with the male member. The insert has a plurality of openings 174 therethrough which are aligned with the passageways or lumens 50 through the hose so that gas can pass readily from the gas delivery apparatus 4~ to the hose. The insert further includes an internal cylindrical sleeve 17C defining a cylindrical recess 178 in which the electrode 15~ can be inserted and retained in any suitable manner. The electrode has a recess 180 defined in its leading end which is adapted to receive the end of the braided metal wire 56 that passes through the hose to establish an electrical connecting means and relationship between the braided metal wire and the electrode.
The enlarged head 160 includes a solid interior wall 181 having circular opening~ 183 therethrough in alignment with the openings 17~ through the insert 158. The wall 181 is integral with and supports a rearwardly projecting 35 cylindrical sleeve 182 through a plurality of ribs 18~
shown best in FIGS. 9 and 11. The sleeve 18~ has an internal passageway 185 therethrough which receives the electrode 15~ in a manner such that the electrode protrudes a 6hort distance from the rearward end of the sleeve. The male and female members 128 and 12C respectively of the connector are dimensioned such that the rearwardmost frusto-conical surface 16~ on the head lC~, which defines a generally circular trailing edge 186 of the head and a rearwardly opening frusto-conical recess 187, engages the cylindrical hub 1~ of the female member when the electrode 15~ i8 positively seated in the metal socket 136. The 10circular opening 183 and the recess 187 form a center opening for passing gas into the ho~e ~8. The cylindrical hub of the female member engages the frusto-conical surface lC~ at a circular edge or annular manner as is shown in FIG. 9, and the circular edge 18C and the cylindrical hub 14C are compressed together at the fructo-conical surface 156 from the engagement shown in FIG. 14, so as to establish a hermetic seal therewith at these sealing edges and surfaces and to allow the male member to rotate relative to the female member while maintaining that seal.
20The male member 128 is positively retained in the female member 12C by the intermediate sleeve 130 which is of generally cylindrical configuration having a larger diameter trailing end 188 and a smaller diameter leading end 190. The smaller diameter leading end 190 is notably disposed about the cylindrical extension portion 166 of the male element and defines a radial abutment shoulder 192 against which is disposed a washer member 19~ preferably made of a fluoroplastic or other low friction material. The washer 19~ fill~ a space between the radial abutment shoulder 192 on the intermediate sleeve and a radial ~houlder 196 at the leading end of the enlarged head 160 of the male element so as to provide a low friction bearing surface between the intermediate sleeve and the male member. The large cylindrical end 188 of the intermediate sleeve has external threads 198 formed therein adapted to be received in the internal threads 142 of the female member and the portion of the ~leeve rearwardly of the 'J
. . .
~ .
threads projects forwardly into a cylindrical socket 200 defined within the female member. The trailing end of the sleeve is adapted to abut the rear wall 1~4 of the female member when the sleeve 130 is fully threaded thereinto and at this same relative positioning of the intermediate sleeve with the female member, it will be appreciated that the male member is positively positioned relative to the female member as illustrated in FIG. 9 and in FIG. 14 to establish the rotating seal between the male member and the female member along the frusto-conical surfaces 16~ and 156. Also, the electrode 15~ i8 positively positioned in the socket 136 of the gas delivery and ESG apparatus such that electricity is dependably transferred along the rear electrode 15~ and the braided metal wire to the electrode 58 in the nozzle 52 as desired. Further, a clear passageway is established for the gas which emanates from the gas delivery apparatus and passes first through the female connector member and subsequently the male connector member and the hose for delivery to the nozzle.
It is important to note that the male member is easily connected to the female member through the threaded relationship of the female member with the intermediate sleeve 130 and that this Gonnection permits full rotation of the hose relative to the female member while maintaining a hermetic seal to prevent the leakage of gas.
The electrosurgical unit ~0 herein described is used in accordance with the technique fully described in the aforenoted parent application and accordingly a description of that technique is not repeated.
Although the present invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example, and changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.
B
IMPROV~D ESCHAR FOR COAGULATION, which is of common ownership with the present application.
BACRGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to electrosurgery, and more particularly to a new and improved electrosurgical technique for achieving coagulation or a hemostatic effect, i.e. fulguration and desiccation, by conducting radio frequency (RF) electrical energy through a conductive inert gas stream to the tissue. In addition, the present invention relates to an electrosurgical fulguration arcing technique of creating an eschar and tissue effects offering a substantially improved capability for coagulation.
Further still, the present invention relates to an electrosurgical non-arcing desiccation technique and equipment for applying electrical energy to tissue to achieve superior thermal desiccative effects.
Electrosurgery involves the application of radio frequency electrical energy to tissue. The electrical energy originates from an electrosurgical generator (ESG) and is applied by an active electrode to the tissue. The active electrode typically has a small cross-sectional or limited surface area to concentrate the electrical energy at the surgical site. An inactive return electrode or patient plate contacts the patient at a remote location from the surgical site to complete the circuit through the tissue to the ESG. The patient plate is relatively large in size to avoid destructive energy concentrations.
Alternatively, a pair of active electrodes may be used in a "bipolar" mode in which the electrosurgical energy flows directly through the tissue between the two active electrodes, and the electrosurgical effects are confined to .
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the tissue directly located between the two closely-spaced electrodes.
A variety of different electrosurgical effects can be achieved, depending primarily on the characteristics of the 5 electrical energy delivered from the ESG. Among the effects are a pure cutting effect, a combined cutting and hemostasis effect, a fulguration effect and a desiccation effect. Desiccation and fulguration are usually described collectively as coagulation. Many conventional ESG's offer the capability to selectively change the energy delivery characteristics and thus change the electrosurgical effects created.
Satisfactory fulguration effects have been particularly difficult to obtain. Some surgeons have preferred to use older spark gap generators known as "Bovie" devices for fulguration, but use other more modern ESG's for cutting or cutting with hemostasis. Indeed, spark gap ESG's have been the standard against which modern solid state ESG's have been measured for achievement of satisfactory fulguration effects. One modern ESG which achieves substantially improved fulguration effects, compared to both spark gap and previous solid state ESG's is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,429,694, assigned to the assignee hereof. Despite the improvements available in fulguration, certain disadvantages remain for which there have been no satisfactory alternatives.
Conventional fulguration is characterized by electrical arcing through the air from various locations on the metal surface of the active electrode, with the arcs contacting the tissue in somewhat of a random non-predictable manner. In many cases, arcs leave the active electrode in an initial trajectory travelling away from the tissue before actually curving around and striking the tissue surface. The result is an uneven, randomly concentrated or distributed delivery of arcing energy. An uneven eschar of variable characteristics is created on the surface of the tissue.
The random delivery of the arc energy creates holes which are significantly disparate in diameter (or cross-sectional size) and in depth. Larger, deeper holes are formed by repeated arcs contacting the tissue at approximately the same location. Smaller arc holes are also present in the tissue but they are unevenly distributed about the larger arc holes. The smaller arc holes are created by single individual arcs, or the less repetitious arcing to the tissue at the same location. The smaller arc holes are relatively small in diameter or cross-section and relatively shallow in depth, compared to the larger arc holes. Significant variations in cross-sectional size and depth between the large and small arc holes occur.
Significant variations exist in the spacing and in the amounts of tissue between the large and small arc holes, causing the substantial variations in the surface distribution of the holes.
Thermal necrosis occurs in the tissue between the arc holes. The degree of thermal necrosis varies between total carbonization between the more closely spaced larger holes, to necrosis without charring or carbonization between the more widely separated smaller arc holes.
The eschar created has two distinct layers above the unaffected viable tissue. An arc hole reticulum of the tissue subjected to necrosis is created by the pattern of arc holes. The arc hole reticulum extends to greater depths in the areas of the deeper arc holes, and to substantially shallower depths in the areas of the shallower arc holes.
Due to the random distribution and depth of the arc holes, the arc hole reticulum is relatively uneven in depth.
Significant variations in the depth of the arc hole reticulum layer are typical. A layer of thermally desiccated tissue is located below the arc hole reticulum layer. Tissue necrosis in the thermally desiccated layer occurs as a result of the current heating effects of the electrical energy dissipating from the arcs. The desiccation layer is also uneven in depth and location due ,,-; to the nonuniform application of the arcing energy over the arc hole reticulum layer. Significant variations in the depths of the desiccation layer are also typical.
Over a given area of tissue, certain locations are only moderately affected by the arcing energy. A thin arc hole reticulum and a thin desiccation layer result. Other areas have a relatively thick eschar formed therein. Very thick carbonized eschars tend to be fragile and are prone to crack when flexed, usually resulting in renewed bleeding from the unaffected tissue below the desiccation layer.
Thin eschars are more flexible and therefore more desirable, but it has been difficult to obtain sufficient coagulation effects from thin eschars.
Causes of the uneven eschar created by prior fulguration techniques are not known with certainty, but numerous factors are theorized to play a role. One of the more significant contributory factors is probably changes in impedance in the arc pathway between the active electrode and the tissue. Impedance changes may result from variations in the distance which the arcs travel through the air, due to the changes in ionization potential between the active electrode and the tissue. It is virtually impossible for the surgeon to maintain the active electrode at a consistent distance from the tissue, particularly if the tissue is moving due to pulsation, or due to puckering and swelling as a result of applying the electrical energy.
The arcing from random locations on the active electrode also creates different arc length pathways and hence impedances. The combined impedance of the tissue and the eschar changes with the application of electrical energy.
The volatilization of the cells and vaporization of the moisture in the cells changes the relative impedance in a localized spot-to-spot manner on the surface of the tissue.
The formation of the charred material also influences the arc pathways, presenting an opportunity for subsequent arcs to return to the tissue at the same location and U
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thereby enlarge the preexisting arc hole and create even further charring.
Another problem with conventional electrosurgery is that it is very difficult if not impossible to achieve effective fulguration on spongy or vascular tissue such as the liver or the spleen, or on other tissues from which there is a tendency for blood to continually ooze oYer the surface from the highly developed vascular network within the tissue. Often, only the surface of the oozing blood is coagulated, with no penetration to the surface of the tissue below the layer of blood. A superficial coagulum results on the surface of the blood, but this coagulum quickly sloughs away resulting in only temporary hemostasis. Of course, once the temporary coagulum sloughs away, bleeding continues. Even if a coagulation effect on the tissue surface can be established, it is easily destroyed or perforated by the arcs returning to the same locations causing the longer, deeper arc holes. The deeper arc holes perforate the eschar and extend into the viable tissue below the eschar to provide a pathway for continued bleeding. The heat created by the arcs causes boiling of moisture below the eschar, and the pressure of resulting vapor can also rupture the eschar to reinitiate bleeding.
Apart from the tissue disadvantages of conventional electrosurgical fulguration, certain other practical problems exist. Arcing from the active electrode rapidly increases the temperature of the active electrode.
Electrode heating is responsible for a number of problems.
If the heated active electrode contacts the tissue, as it inevitably will, or if the active electrode is immersed in fluid such as blood, proteins from the tissue or the blood are denatured and stick to the active surface of the electrode. The buildup of charred material on the electrode eventually creates a sufficiently high impedance so that adequate power can no longer be delivered. The surgeon must continually clean the electrode by wiping or scraping the charred material, which disrupts, distracts, and prolongs the surgical operation. Freshly created eschars can be detached in an effort to free a sticking electrode from the tissue surface. The random accumulation of charred material on the active electrode creates more random delivery of the arcing energy, even further increasing the random delivery pattern. Because of the variable nature of the impedance of the charred material, consistent power application is difficult or impossibls. The accumulation of the charred material can obscure the surgeons view of the surgical site. The temperature of the active electrode may reach sufficiently elevated levels to transfer molten metal from the electrode to the patient, creating questionable effects. Because the electrode contacts the tissue, there i6 a potential for cross-contamination between viable tissues and diseased tissues. Although the clinical problems associated with cross contamination are not fully understood at the present time, the advantages of eliminating the possibility are evident. A significant smoke plume also results from the burning tissue because of the air environment in which the electrosurgery occurs. Not only does the plume produce a noxious odor, but there may be some evidence that particulates in the smoke plume from burning tissue may contain hazardous chemicals, virus, bacteria, neoplastic cells and other hazards. Of course, the oxygen environment in which the electrosurgy is conventionally conducted exhibits a potential for igniting paper drapes, surgical sponges and the like.
Some of the typical problem~ associated with creating and applying the arcs in conventional electrosurgery can be improved by optimizing the operating and other characteristics of the electrosurgical generator. U.S. Pat.
No. 4,429,694 discloses an improved ESG which reduces some of the described disadvantages during fulguration. However, many of the disadvantages cannot be avoided and many of the characteristics cannot be improved by conventional electrosurgical techniques and equipment, due to the limitations previously inherent in electrosurgery.
1-;`
The conventional technique of obtaining thermal desiccation by use of a conventional ES& is to apply electrical energy from a flat surface of the active electrode placed in contact with the tissue. An electrical resistance heating effect is created by the current flowing into the tissue from the active electrode. secause the active electrode contacts the tissue surface over a relatively large area, no arcing is intended to occur. To spread the thermal desiccation effect over a substantially large area, the active electrode is moved from location to location. It is very difficult to apply a level of energy which will obtain thermal desiccation but which will not cause the tissue to stick on the flat surface of the active electrode or arcing from the active electrode to non-contacted surface areas. The thermal desiccation effects are unevenly distributed because the active electrode is moved from spot to spot. Overlapping the spots of energy application can enhance the probability for tissue sticking and exaggerate the variable depth effects.
Of course, moving the active electrode from spot to spot is very time consuming in an operation where time is very important or critical.
The prior art desiccation technique can only be applied to create surface desiccation effects. Furthermore, the inability to accurately control the amount of power, tissue sticking effects, and the like have prevented the prior use of electrosurgery on very thin fragile tissue such as the mesentery, and in other surgical techniques.
It is against this abbreviated background of previously existing disadvantages and problems in electrosurgery that the advantages and improvements of the present invention can be better appreciated.
~UMNARY OF THE INVENTION
In general, the electrosurgical technique and equipment for achieving coagulation in accordance with the present invention involves conducting a predetermined ionizable gas in a directed or generally laminar jet stream to the tissue at a predetermined flow rate sufficient to clear natural fluids from the tissue and to substantially expose the underlying tissue, while simultaneously conducting electrical energy at a predetermined primary radio frequency range in the gas jet stream through ionized conductive pathways. To achieve fulguration, the electrical energy is conducted as arcs in the ionized pathways. To achieve desiccation, the electrical energy is conducted in the ionized pathways as a non-arcing diffuse current.
The electrosurgical equipment of the present invention includes a nozzle which is removably mounted on a handle in a unique manner so as to be reliably sealed thereto to prevent the leakage of gas. The nozzle also supports an electrode along a small portion of its length so that a substantial portion of the electrode is exposed to the gas in a mixing chamber portion of the nozzle to improve initiation of the ionization of the gas.
The hose which supports the nozzle and the handle at a leading or free end thereof has its opposite end connected to a gas delivery apparatus by a connector element which also establishes a positive seal through a removable connection technique. The connector element is rotatably connected to the gas delivery apparatus in a manner so as to prevent the leakage of gas while permitting rotation of the hose to prevent kinks from forming in the hose as the surgeon is manipulating the handle and nozzle.
Many other significant features are inherent in the present invention, as well as many improvements over prior art coagulation techniques and equipment. These various features and improvements are discussed more completely in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DE8CRIPTION OF THE DRA~IN68 FIG. 1 is a perspective representation of a nozzle, handle, cord and connector of the present invention.
t~
g FI~. 2 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the nozzle and the mating end of the handle illustrated in FIG.
1.
FI~. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged perspective view of the connector end of the cord illustrated in FIG. 1.
FI~. ~ is an enlarged section view of the cord taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1.
FI~. 5 is an enlarged section view of the nozzle and front end of the handle taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1 with parts removed to condense the size.
F~G. 6 is an enlarged section view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged section view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 5.
FIa. 8 i~ an enlarged section view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 5.
FIa- 9 i8 an enlarged section view of the connector taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 1.
FIa. 10 is a section view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9.
FIG. ~1 is a section view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 9.
~ is a section view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 9.
FIG. 13 is a generalized schematic view of an electrosurgical unit (ESU) embodying the present invention, illustrating an electro6urgical generator (ESG), a gas delivery apparatu~, a segment of tissue shown illustratively in cros~-section, and the elements of the invention ~hown in FIG. 1.
~ Ia. 1~ is an enlarged section view similar to FIG. 9 illustrating the configuration of the sealing elements of the connector upon engagement.
DESCRIP~ION OF T~J PREFERRED EM~ODI~ENT
An electrosurgical unit (ESU) which embodies the present invention i~ shown generally in FIG. 13 and is referenced ~o. The ESU ~0 includes three major components, a pencil 42 which is held and manipulated by the surgeon, gas delivery apparatus ~ and an electrosurgical generator (ESG) 46. A flexible cord 4~ connects the gas delivery apparatus 44 and the ESG ~C to the pencil ~2. The gas delivery apparatus ~ delivers a preselected gas through a plurality of individual hose passageways or lumens 50 in the cord 48 to the pencil ~2. The gas issues from a nozzle 52 of the pencil ~2 in a directed or substantially laminar flow stream or jet 5~.
The ESG 46 supplies electrical energy over a supply conductor 56 of the cord ~8 to the pencil 42. The conductor 5C is electrically co~nected in the pencil to a needle-like electrode 58 which forms a part of the nozzle 52. The electrical energy supplied by the ESG ~C is of predetermined characteristic sufficient to ionize the gas flowing through the nozzle 52 and to create ionized pathways in the jet 5~. The electrical energy travels in the ionized pathways in the jet 5~ to a body tissue 62 where it creates a predetermined electrosurgical effect on the tissue 62.
In the fulguration mode of operation of the ESU, electrical energy is transferred in the ionized pathways in the form of arcs C0. The arcs 60 travel within the jet 54 until they reach the tissue C2 at the electrical surgical site. The jet 5~ expands slightly above the surface of the tissue 62 and the arcs C0 disburse over a slightly enlarged area of the tissue surface compared to the cross section of the jet 5~. Electrical energy of the arcs is transferred into the tissue C2 and creates the upper arc hole reticulum or layer 30 and a desiccated layer 32 therebelow. The arc hole reticulum 30 and the desiccated layer are schematically illustrated in FIG. 13.
In the desiccation mode of operation of the ESU, the ionized pathways in the jet 5~ transfer electrical energy from the electrode 58 as a non-arcing, conductive current.
A gentle coupling effect is created at the tissue which , does not cause holes in the tissue, because arcs are not present. As is described more completely in the concurrently filed Canadian application, Serial No.
596,009, a desiccative electrosurgical effect is created, and only a desiccation layer similar to that schematically shown at 32 in FIG. 13 is formed on the surface of the tissue. The normal unaffected tissue structure such as that at 3~ exists below the surface desiccated layer 32. The jet expands slightly at the surface of the tissue to couple the non-arcing electrical current over a slightly enlarged area of the tissue surface compared to the cross-sectional size of the jet. The desiccative effects on the tissue offer the possibility of accomplishing substantially new and different types of electrosurgical procedures by use of an ESU.
The electrical energy delivered through the jet 54 travels through the tissue 62 to a return electrode or patient plate 70 which contacts the tissue 62. The patient plate 70 i8 connected by a return electrical conductor 72 to the ESG ~6. A complete electrical circuit is thus established for conducting the energy from the ESG 4C, to the pencil 42, through the jet 54, to and through the tissue 62, to patient plate 70, through the return conductor 72 to the ESG 46.
The pencil 42 includes a handle portion 76 and the nozzle 52 with the nozzle being threadedly connected to the handle for easy removal therefrom. As is best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5-8, the handle portion 7C of the pencil includes a generally cylindrical dielectric body 78 which may be ceramic. The cylindrical body 78 has a central axial passageway 80 therethrough which is relatively narrower at a leading end than at a trailing end as created by a relatively thick wall 82 at its leading end. The open leading end of the handle has internal threads 84 which form exemplary means for releasably receiving and connecting the nozzle 52 as will be described in more detail hereinafter.
, A socket insert 86 is disposed internally of the handle portion 76 at the forwardmost extent of the large diameter portion 80L of the passageway through the handle.
The socket insert 86, as is best illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 8, is also of cylindrical configuration having an outer diameter substantially the same as the inner diameter of the handle 76 at the location where the insert is positioned within the handle. At the trailing end of the socket insert 86, a disc-like wall 88 is formed having a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings 90 therethrough adapted to align with the passageways or lumens 50 through the hose ~8. The wall 88 also has a central opening 92 therethrough adapted to accommodate the conductor 56 which passes through the hose and takes the form of a braided metal wire. A forwardly projecting internal cylindrical sleeve 9~ projects forwardly from the disc-like wall 88 and confines and supports an electrical connector means such as a metallic socket 96 adapted to receive the electrode 58 of the nozzle as will be discussed later. The metallic socket 96 also includes a receptacle for receiving and retaining the leading end of the braided metal wire 56 which projects thereinto from the leading end of the hose 48.
The leading end of the hose 48 is also received in the enlarged diameter trailing portion 80L of the passageway 80 through the handle portion 76 and abuts the trailing end of the socket insert 86. The hose is aligned with the socket insert so that the passageways 50 through the hose are in alignment with the openings 90 through the disc-like wall 88 of the insert whereby gas can pass freely from the hose through the insert 86, through the passageway 80 defined by the handle portion 76, and subsequently through the nozzle.
The hose is retained in its fixed relationship with the handle portion by an outer covering 98 which encompasses the handle portion 7C and overlaps a portion of the hose where the hose enters the trailing end of the handle portion. The covering 98 i8 of a soft pliable material such .~
, .
1 32366~
, ., as silicone and also overlaps the leading end of the handle portion leaving the opening through the leading end of the handle portion unobstructed. It is important to note, however, that a portion of the covering does overlap the leading end of the handle forming a boot 100 which facilitates the establishment of a hermetic seal between the nozzle and the handle.
The nozzle 52 includes inner and outer dielectric component parts 51 and 53 with the electrode 58 being supported axially within the inner part. As mentioned previously, the nozzle is adapted to be releasably connected to the handle 76 to define the pencil ~2. The inner part 51 of the nozzle has a forwardly projecting cylindrical body 102, an integral intermediate enlarged cylindrical body 10~ at the trailing end of the forwardly projecting cylindrical body 102, and an integral trailing cylindrical body 106 protruding rearwardly from the intermediate body. The intermediate body ~0~ at its trailing end has a plurality of inwardly directed ribs lG8 which support the trailing body 106. The ribs 108 define passageways 110 therebetween through which gas is enabled to pass from the hose ~8 through the socket insert 86, into the handle portion and subsequently through the passageways 110 for exposure to the electrode 58 within a nozzle passageway or mixing chamber 112 defined by the cylindrical inner spaces of the forward and intermediate bodys 102 and 10~ respectively of the inner part 51. The trailing body 106 of the inner part has a cylindrical passage 11~
therethrough adapted to mate with and receive the electrode 58 which is made of a conductive metal material and secured in the trailing body 106 in any suitable manner. The electrode 58 protrudes rearwardly from the trailing body of the inner part 51 so as to be receivable in the metal socket provided in the socket insert 96 of the handle portion. It is important to note that the trailing body of the inner part supports the electrode 58 along a small or minority portion of its length, and as such and in :~, ,.,~
conjunction with the ribs are one example of support means for supporting the electrode. In a preferred embodiment, the support for the electrode extends only along a relatively short length of the electrode, for example, less than 20% of its length, exposing a significant portion of the electrode to the mixing chamber 112 and thus the gases flowing therethrough to improve initiation of the ionization of the gas. It has been determined that the initiation of the ionization process is facilitated by a greater exposure of the electrode to the gas jet stream 54 and for this reason, this feature of the invention is of significant value.
The outer part 53 of the nozzle 52 includes an enlarged frusto-conical head 116 and a trailing reduced diameter cylindrical portion 118 having external threads 120 adapted to mate with and be received in the internal threads 8~ at the leading end of the handle portion. The outer part of the nozzle is affixed to and is unitary with the inner part 51 of the nozzle so that as the outer part is threaded into the leading end of the handle portion, the trailing end of the electrode 58 is inserted into the metallic socket in the handle portion in a positive manner.
Also, it is important to note that the frusto-conical head 116 has a trailing circular radially disposed surface 122 which abuts with the boot 100 or overlapping portion of the handle cover to positively establish a hermetic seal between the nozzle and the handle portion. This seal is of critical importance in preventing the escape of gas and the possible transmittal of electrical energy to the surgeon's hand.
The opposite or trailing end of the hose 48 is connected to the gas delivery apparatus ~4 and the ESG 46 through a connector 12~. The connector is best illustrated in FIGS. 3, 9-12, and 14 as including a female mating portion of member 126 which is directly fastenable to the gas delivery apparatus and ESG to receive gas and electrical energy therefrom and a male mating portion of ~ .
t~ member 128 secured in a unitary fashion to the trailing end - of the hose. An intermediate sleeve member 130 is also provided which permits the hose to be positively secur~d to the female member 126 in a rotative relationship so that 5 the hose will not form kinks as the pencil ~2 is manipulated by a surgeon.
s The female member 126 of the connector is probably ' best seen in FIG. 9 and 14 and is formed from a block of dielectric material such as plastic which is secured to the 10 gas delivery apparatus ~ and ESG ~6 such that a hollow interior passageway 132 through the female member can be ~, aligned with a gas delivery opening 13~ in the gas delivery apparatus and an electrical connector or contact means such as a metallic socket 136 which is in electrical 15 communication with the ESG through a conductor 138. The female member is screwed or otherwise operatively secured to the gas delivery apparatus and ESG in a positive manner (not shown).
The female member 126 includes an outer cylindrical 20 opening 140 adapted to receive the trailing end of the hose 4e with the opening 1~0 having internal threads 1~2 formed therein. A rear wall 14~ of the female member supports a forwardly projecting central cylindrical hub l~C which extends into the cylindrical opening 140 in the female 25 member for approximately a third of its length. The cylindrical hub l~C has a cylindrical wall 1~8 and a plurality of radial inwardly directed ribs 150 defining therebetween a central axial passage 152 for receiving a connecting electrode 15~ on the trailing end of the hose.
30 The metallic socket 13C in the gas delivery apparatus and ESG protrudes forwardly into the central axial passage 152 in a position to receive the electrode 15~ in a manner to be described hereinafter. The forward edge of the cylindrical hub has a tapered surface 156 which is 35 frusto-conical and rearwardly convergent and is continuous with the forward edges of the ribs at the locations where the ribs 150 are contiguous with the tapered surface 156.
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.
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This frusto-conically tapered surface is adapted to cooperate with the trailing end of the hose in establishing a rotating hermetic seal as will become more clear later.
The male member 128 of the connector 12~ includes a body made of a moderately resilient material such as rubber and an internal supporting insert 158 that is received within the body. The body has an enlarged head 160 defined by two axially aligned tapered frusto-conical surfaces 162 and 164 and a cylindrical extension portion 166 protruding forwardly away therefrom and adapted to receive the trailing end of the hose. The extension portion 166 has an internal cylindrical passageway lC8 into which the hose 48 is inserted and retained in any suitable manner. The insert 158 is of generally cylindrical configuration having a protruding radial rib 170 around its trailing end which is adapted to be received within an annular recess 172 formed internally of the head 160. The seating of the radial rib 170 in the recess 172 retains the insert in a positive relationship with the male member. The insert has a plurality of openings 174 therethrough which are aligned with the passageways or lumens 50 through the hose so that gas can pass readily from the gas delivery apparatus 4~ to the hose. The insert further includes an internal cylindrical sleeve 17C defining a cylindrical recess 178 in which the electrode 15~ can be inserted and retained in any suitable manner. The electrode has a recess 180 defined in its leading end which is adapted to receive the end of the braided metal wire 56 that passes through the hose to establish an electrical connecting means and relationship between the braided metal wire and the electrode.
The enlarged head 160 includes a solid interior wall 181 having circular opening~ 183 therethrough in alignment with the openings 17~ through the insert 158. The wall 181 is integral with and supports a rearwardly projecting 35 cylindrical sleeve 182 through a plurality of ribs 18~
shown best in FIGS. 9 and 11. The sleeve 18~ has an internal passageway 185 therethrough which receives the electrode 15~ in a manner such that the electrode protrudes a 6hort distance from the rearward end of the sleeve. The male and female members 128 and 12C respectively of the connector are dimensioned such that the rearwardmost frusto-conical surface 16~ on the head lC~, which defines a generally circular trailing edge 186 of the head and a rearwardly opening frusto-conical recess 187, engages the cylindrical hub 1~ of the female member when the electrode 15~ i8 positively seated in the metal socket 136. The 10circular opening 183 and the recess 187 form a center opening for passing gas into the ho~e ~8. The cylindrical hub of the female member engages the frusto-conical surface lC~ at a circular edge or annular manner as is shown in FIG. 9, and the circular edge 18C and the cylindrical hub 14C are compressed together at the fructo-conical surface 156 from the engagement shown in FIG. 14, so as to establish a hermetic seal therewith at these sealing edges and surfaces and to allow the male member to rotate relative to the female member while maintaining that seal.
20The male member 128 is positively retained in the female member 12C by the intermediate sleeve 130 which is of generally cylindrical configuration having a larger diameter trailing end 188 and a smaller diameter leading end 190. The smaller diameter leading end 190 is notably disposed about the cylindrical extension portion 166 of the male element and defines a radial abutment shoulder 192 against which is disposed a washer member 19~ preferably made of a fluoroplastic or other low friction material. The washer 19~ fill~ a space between the radial abutment shoulder 192 on the intermediate sleeve and a radial ~houlder 196 at the leading end of the enlarged head 160 of the male element so as to provide a low friction bearing surface between the intermediate sleeve and the male member. The large cylindrical end 188 of the intermediate sleeve has external threads 198 formed therein adapted to be received in the internal threads 142 of the female member and the portion of the ~leeve rearwardly of the 'J
. . .
~ .
threads projects forwardly into a cylindrical socket 200 defined within the female member. The trailing end of the sleeve is adapted to abut the rear wall 1~4 of the female member when the sleeve 130 is fully threaded thereinto and at this same relative positioning of the intermediate sleeve with the female member, it will be appreciated that the male member is positively positioned relative to the female member as illustrated in FIG. 9 and in FIG. 14 to establish the rotating seal between the male member and the female member along the frusto-conical surfaces 16~ and 156. Also, the electrode 15~ i8 positively positioned in the socket 136 of the gas delivery and ESG apparatus such that electricity is dependably transferred along the rear electrode 15~ and the braided metal wire to the electrode 58 in the nozzle 52 as desired. Further, a clear passageway is established for the gas which emanates from the gas delivery apparatus and passes first through the female connector member and subsequently the male connector member and the hose for delivery to the nozzle.
It is important to note that the male member is easily connected to the female member through the threaded relationship of the female member with the intermediate sleeve 130 and that this Gonnection permits full rotation of the hose relative to the female member while maintaining a hermetic seal to prevent the leakage of gas.
The electrosurgical unit ~0 herein described is used in accordance with the technique fully described in the aforenoted parent application and accordingly a description of that technique is not repeated.
Although the present invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example, and changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.
B
Claims (49)
1. An electrosurgical unit for creating an eschar in the stroma of a tissue comprising in combination:
means for conducting a preselected gas in a jet stream to the tissue at a predetermined flow rate, means for transferring electrical energy at a preselected radio frequency range in ionized conductive pathways at a predetermined power level within the gas jet stream in an electrical circuit which includes the tissue to create the eschar, said means for conducting gas and said means for transferring electrical energy including a flexible hose, connector means having first and second connectable mating portions for connecting the hose to a source of gas and to a source of electrical energy, and nozzle means for delivering the gas jet stream and electrical energy to the tissue, said hose having at least one hose passageway therethrough for conducting gas and an electrical conductor means for conducting electrical energy therealong, a rear end of said hose comprising the first mating portion of said connector means, the first mating portion exposing a rear end of the electrical conductor means, the first mating portion including resilient material defining a sealing surface, the second mating portion of said connector means including a generally cylindrical element for contacting the sealing surface to establish a hermetic seal between said sealing surface and the cylindrical element when the first and second mating portions are connected, the second mating portion including an electrical connector means for connecting to said source of electrical energy and operative for contacting the rear end of said electrical conductor means when the first and second mating portions are connected, a front end of said hose comprising a handle having a front end to which said nozzle means is releasably connected, a nozzle electrical connector means connected to said electrical conductor means at the front end of said handle, a resilient boot on the handle which has a portion that overlaps the front end of the handle where said nozzle means connects, the operative connection of said nozzle means and said handle compressing the overlapping portion of the resilient boot to establish a hermetic seal between the nozzle means and the handle, said nozzle means including a nozzle passageway therethrough for directing gas from the hose passageway into the jet stream and also including an elongated electrode disposed in the nozzle passageway and having one end contacting the nozzle electrical connector means of the handle when the nozzle means is connected to the handle, and support means for supporting the elongated electrode within the nozzle passageway along a minority of the length of the electrode.
means for conducting a preselected gas in a jet stream to the tissue at a predetermined flow rate, means for transferring electrical energy at a preselected radio frequency range in ionized conductive pathways at a predetermined power level within the gas jet stream in an electrical circuit which includes the tissue to create the eschar, said means for conducting gas and said means for transferring electrical energy including a flexible hose, connector means having first and second connectable mating portions for connecting the hose to a source of gas and to a source of electrical energy, and nozzle means for delivering the gas jet stream and electrical energy to the tissue, said hose having at least one hose passageway therethrough for conducting gas and an electrical conductor means for conducting electrical energy therealong, a rear end of said hose comprising the first mating portion of said connector means, the first mating portion exposing a rear end of the electrical conductor means, the first mating portion including resilient material defining a sealing surface, the second mating portion of said connector means including a generally cylindrical element for contacting the sealing surface to establish a hermetic seal between said sealing surface and the cylindrical element when the first and second mating portions are connected, the second mating portion including an electrical connector means for connecting to said source of electrical energy and operative for contacting the rear end of said electrical conductor means when the first and second mating portions are connected, a front end of said hose comprising a handle having a front end to which said nozzle means is releasably connected, a nozzle electrical connector means connected to said electrical conductor means at the front end of said handle, a resilient boot on the handle which has a portion that overlaps the front end of the handle where said nozzle means connects, the operative connection of said nozzle means and said handle compressing the overlapping portion of the resilient boot to establish a hermetic seal between the nozzle means and the handle, said nozzle means including a nozzle passageway therethrough for directing gas from the hose passageway into the jet stream and also including an elongated electrode disposed in the nozzle passageway and having one end contacting the nozzle electrical connector means of the handle when the nozzle means is connected to the handle, and support means for supporting the elongated electrode within the nozzle passageway along a minority of the length of the electrode.
2. The electrosurgical unit defined in claim 1 wherein said support means supports the elongated electrode along less than one fifth of its length.
3. The electrosurgical unit defined in claim 1 wherein said support means includes a plurality of radially spaced ribs which support the elongated electrode and allow gas to pass therebetween for movement through the nozzle passageway.
4. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein the contacting relationship of the cylindrical element and the sealing surface permits relative rotation of the hose when the mating portions of the connector means are connected together.
5. The invention defined in claim 4 wherein the first mating portion includes a hollow frusto-conical member defining said sealing surface and within which said gas passes.
6. For an electrosurgical unit for creating an eschar in the stroma of tissue, including means for conducting a predetermined gas in a jet stream to the tissue, means for transferring electrical energy at a predetermined radio frequency range in ionized conductive pathways within the gas jet stream in an electrical circuit which includes the tissue to create the eschar, said means for conducting gas and said means for transferring electrical energy including a flexible hose and connector means at one end of the hose for connecting the hose to a source of gas and a source of electrical energy, said hose having at least one hose passageway for conducting gas therethrough and an electrical conductor means for conducting the electrical energy therealong, and a handle connected at the other end of the hose; an improved nozzle means releasably connected to the handle and operative for delivering the gas from the hose passageway into the jet stream and for delivering electrical energy to the gas jet, said nozzle means comprising:
means defining a nozzle passageway for delivering the conducted gas as a jet stream to the tissue, an elongated electrode positioned in the nozzle passageway by which electrical energy is transferred in the jet stream, and support means for supporting the elongated electrode in the nozzle passageway along a minority of the length of the electrode.
means defining a nozzle passageway for delivering the conducted gas as a jet stream to the tissue, an elongated electrode positioned in the nozzle passageway by which electrical energy is transferred in the jet stream, and support means for supporting the elongated electrode in the nozzle passageway along a minority of the length of the electrode.
7. The invention defined in claim 6 wherein said support means supports the elongated electrode along less than one fifth of its length.
8. The invention defined in claim 7 wherein said support means includes a plurality of radially spaced ribs which support the elongated electrode and allow gas to pass therebetween for movement through the nozzle passageway.
9. The invention defined in claim 6 further comprising:
a resilient boot connected to the exterior of the handle, the handle having a forward end to which said nozzle means is releasably connected, the resilient boot having an overlapping portion at the end of the handle which is resiliently compressed between the nozzle means and handle to establish a hermetic seal therebetween when the nozzle means and the handle are operatively connected.
a resilient boot connected to the exterior of the handle, the handle having a forward end to which said nozzle means is releasably connected, the resilient boot having an overlapping portion at the end of the handle which is resiliently compressed between the nozzle means and handle to establish a hermetic seal therebetween when the nozzle means and the handle are operatively connected.
10. The invention defined in claim 6 wherein said nozzle means further comprises:
an inner part including a forward cylindrical body extending coaxially along the electrode, an intermediate cylindrical body connected to the forward cylindrical body and defining a plurality of passageways for directing the gas to the interior of the forward cylindrical body, and a trailing body connected to the intermediate body and including said support means, the electrode being substantially unsupported in the forward cylindrical body.
an inner part including a forward cylindrical body extending coaxially along the electrode, an intermediate cylindrical body connected to the forward cylindrical body and defining a plurality of passageways for directing the gas to the interior of the forward cylindrical body, and a trailing body connected to the intermediate body and including said support means, the electrode being substantially unsupported in the forward cylindrical body.
11. For an electrosurgical unit for creating an eschar in the stroma of tissue which includes means for conducting a predetermined gas in a jet stream to the tissue, means for transferring electrical energy at a preselected radio frequency range in ionized conductive pathways within the gas jet stream in an electrical circuit which includes the tissue to create the eschar, said means for conducting gas and said means for transferring electrical energy including a flexible hose, and nozzle means connected at one end of the hose for delivering the gas jet stream and electrical energy to the tissue, said hose having at least one passageway therethrough for conducting gas and an electrical conductor means for conducting the electrical energy therealong; an improved connector connected to the other end of the hose and having first and second mating portions including first and second electrical connector means respectively for connecting the other end of the hose to a source of the predetermined gas and a source of electrical energy, said improved connector comprising:
a first said second mating portion defining a forwardly projecting generally-circular hub, the hub also defining a forward facing frusto-conical surface, the hub having a hollow interior through which the gas is conducted, and said second electrical connector means positioned within the hollow interior of the hub by which to conduct the electrical energy from the source of electrical energy, the hollow interior and the second electrical connector means being located coaxially with respect to the frusto-conical surface;
said first mating portion adapted to be connected to the second mating portion, the first mating portion including a body defining a rearwardly-projecting head having at least one sealing surface formed thereon and shaped to contact and seal against the frusto-conical surface of the second mating portion upon connection of the mating portions, the head also having a center opening located coaxially with respect to the frusto-conical and sealing surfaces, the center opening passing the gas from the second mating portion to the passageway in the hose, and said first electrical connector means for contacting said second connector means and conducting electrical energy from said second connector means to the electrical conductor means of said hose; and the frusto-conical surface of the second mating portion and the sealing surface of the first mating portion engage and seal with one another at an annular location surrounding the path through which the gas flows from the hollow interior of the hub to the center opening of the head when the first and second mating portions are connected together.
a first said second mating portion defining a forwardly projecting generally-circular hub, the hub also defining a forward facing frusto-conical surface, the hub having a hollow interior through which the gas is conducted, and said second electrical connector means positioned within the hollow interior of the hub by which to conduct the electrical energy from the source of electrical energy, the hollow interior and the second electrical connector means being located coaxially with respect to the frusto-conical surface;
said first mating portion adapted to be connected to the second mating portion, the first mating portion including a body defining a rearwardly-projecting head having at least one sealing surface formed thereon and shaped to contact and seal against the frusto-conical surface of the second mating portion upon connection of the mating portions, the head also having a center opening located coaxially with respect to the frusto-conical and sealing surfaces, the center opening passing the gas from the second mating portion to the passageway in the hose, and said first electrical connector means for contacting said second connector means and conducting electrical energy from said second connector means to the electrical conductor means of said hose; and the frusto-conical surface of the second mating portion and the sealing surface of the first mating portion engage and seal with one another at an annular location surrounding the path through which the gas flows from the hollow interior of the hub to the center opening of the head when the first and second mating portions are connected together.
12. The invention defined in claim 11 wherein the head of the first mating portion is formed of resilient material, and the sealing of the frusto-conical and sealing surfaces is established by compression of the head at the annular location.
13. The invention defined in claim 11 wherein the engagement of the frusto-conical and sealing surfaces at the annular location permits relative rotation of the hub and the head while maintaining the seal.
14. The invention defined in claim 11 wherein the body includes a forwardly-projecting extension portion having a receiving passageway therein for receiving the hose and into which the hose is received.
15. The invention defined in claim 11 wherein:
the sealing surface of the first mating portion is formed on the exterior of the head; and wherein:
the sealing surface of the first mating portion engages and seals with the frusto-conical surface of the second mating portion at an interior edge of the frusto-conical surface of the second mating portion.
the sealing surface of the first mating portion is formed on the exterior of the head; and wherein:
the sealing surface of the first mating portion engages and seals with the frusto-conical surface of the second mating portion at an interior edge of the frusto-conical surface of the second mating portion.
16. For an electrosurgical unit for creating an eschar in the stroma of tissue, including means for conducting a preselected gas in a jet stream to the tissue at a predetermined flow rate, and means for transferring electrical energy at a predetermined radio frequency range in ionized conductive pathways within the gas jet stream in an electrical circuit which includes the tissue to create the eschar; said means for conducting gas and said means for transferring electrical energy including a flexible hose having at least one hose passageway for conducting gas along the hose and having an electrical conductor for conducting electrical energy along the hose, a connector connected to a rear end of the hose and having a first mating portion adapted for connecting to a second mating portion of a connector connected to a source of the predetermined gas to be conducted into the hose passageway, an electrical connector at a rear end of the electrical conductor adapted for connecting the electrical conductor to a source of the electrical energy, and a pencil connected at a front end of the hose for receiving the gas from the hose passageway and the electrical energy from the electrical conductor and for establishing the gas jet and for delivering the electrical energy in the gas jet;
improvements comprising:
the first mating portion including material defining an annular sealing surface adapted to connect with an annular element of the second mating portion to establish an annular hermetic seal between the sealing surface and the annular element upon connection of the first and second mating portions;
said pencil comprising a handle formed of dielectric material and an interior passageway formed in and extending along the handle, the hose connected to the rear end of the handle and the hose passageway communicating with the interior passageway to flow gas from the hose passageway into the interior passageway;
and said pencil further comprising a nozzle assembly connected at a front end of the handle, the nozzle assembly comprising an elongated solid metallic electrode and a generally cylindrical nozzle passageway formed of dielectric material, the nozzle passageway conducting the gas from the interior passageway within the handle into a generally laminar flow jet stream, a support for positioning the electrode coaxially within the nozzle passageway and extending rearwardly from the nozzle passageway into the interior passageway in the handle, a forward portion of the electrode within the nozzle passageway being fully exposed to the flow of gas passing through the nozzle passageway, the support located to the rear of the nozzle passageway, the rear end of the electrode connected to the electrical conductor within the interior passageway, the space between the electrode and the nozzle passageway being substantially unobstructed for delivering electrical energy to gas within substantially all of the nozzle passageway.
improvements comprising:
the first mating portion including material defining an annular sealing surface adapted to connect with an annular element of the second mating portion to establish an annular hermetic seal between the sealing surface and the annular element upon connection of the first and second mating portions;
said pencil comprising a handle formed of dielectric material and an interior passageway formed in and extending along the handle, the hose connected to the rear end of the handle and the hose passageway communicating with the interior passageway to flow gas from the hose passageway into the interior passageway;
and said pencil further comprising a nozzle assembly connected at a front end of the handle, the nozzle assembly comprising an elongated solid metallic electrode and a generally cylindrical nozzle passageway formed of dielectric material, the nozzle passageway conducting the gas from the interior passageway within the handle into a generally laminar flow jet stream, a support for positioning the electrode coaxially within the nozzle passageway and extending rearwardly from the nozzle passageway into the interior passageway in the handle, a forward portion of the electrode within the nozzle passageway being fully exposed to the flow of gas passing through the nozzle passageway, the support located to the rear of the nozzle passageway, the rear end of the electrode connected to the electrical conductor within the interior passageway, the space between the electrode and the nozzle passageway being substantially unobstructed for delivering electrical energy to gas within substantially all of the nozzle passageway.
17. The invention defined in claim 16 wherein the support contacts the elongated electrode along less than one fifth of the length of the electrode.
18. The invention defined in claim 16 wherein the support includes a plurality of radially spaced ribs which extend outward from the electrode to support the electrode and allow gas to pass therebetween for movement into the nozzle passageway.
19. The invention defined in claim 16 wherein the support includes a cylindrical body surrounding the electrode and extending axially along a portion of the length of the electrode.
20. The invention defined in claim 19 wherein:
the cylindrical body extends less than one fifth of the length of the electrode and terminates at a position rearward of the rearward end of the nozzle; and the interior passageway includes a plurality of passageways exterior of the cylindrical body for conducting the gas from the interior passageway around the cylindrical body and into the nozzle passageway.
the cylindrical body extends less than one fifth of the length of the electrode and terminates at a position rearward of the rearward end of the nozzle; and the interior passageway includes a plurality of passageways exterior of the cylindrical body for conducting the gas from the interior passageway around the cylindrical body and into the nozzle passageway.
21. The invention defined in claim 16 wherein the hermetic seal established between the annular sealing surface and the annular element permits relative rotation of the mating portions.
22. The invention defined in claim 16 wherein the first mating portion includes a frusto-conical member defining the sealing surface on the exterior of the frusto-conical member and an internal opening in the frusto-conical member within which gas passes when entering the hose passageway.
23. The invention defined in claim 16 wherein the material defining the annular sealing surface is resilient.
24. The invention defined in claim 23 wherein:
the pencil further comprises a resilient material between the front end of the handle and the connected nozzle assembly to establish a hermetic seal between the nozzle assembly and the front end of the handle.
the pencil further comprises a resilient material between the front end of the handle and the connected nozzle assembly to establish a hermetic seal between the nozzle assembly and the front end of the handle.
25. The invention defined in claim 16 wherein the material defining the annular sealing surface is compressible against the annular element upon connecting the first and second mating portions.
26. The invention defined in claim 16 wherein the nozzle assembly is releasably connected to the front end of the handle.
27. The invention defined in claim 16 wherein:
the nozzle assembly is releasably connected to the front end of the handle; and the pencil further comprises a resilient boot on the handle including a portion overlapping the front end of the handle and which is compressed by the connection of the nozzle assembly to establish a hermetic seal between the nozzle assembly and the handle.
the nozzle assembly is releasably connected to the front end of the handle; and the pencil further comprises a resilient boot on the handle including a portion overlapping the front end of the handle and which is compressed by the connection of the nozzle assembly to establish a hermetic seal between the nozzle assembly and the handle.
28. The invention defined in claim 16 wherein:
the first mating portion further includes an electrical connector electrically connected to the electrical conductor and adapted for connecting to another electrical connector of the second mating portion, the electrical connectors of the first and second mating portions located generally coaxially with respect to the annular hermetic seal established by connection of the first and second mating portions.
the first mating portion further includes an electrical connector electrically connected to the electrical conductor and adapted for connecting to another electrical connector of the second mating portion, the electrical connectors of the first and second mating portions located generally coaxially with respect to the annular hermetic seal established by connection of the first and second mating portions.
29. For an electrosurgical unit for creating an eschar in the stroma of tissue, including means for conducting a preselected gas in a jet stream to the tissue at a predetermined flow rate, means for transferring electrical energy at a predetermined radio frequency range in ionized conductive pathways within the gas jet stream in an electrical circuit which includes the tissue to create the eschar; said means for conducting gas and said means for transferring electrical energy including a flexible hose having at least one hose passageway for conducting gas along the hose and having an electrical conductor for conducting electrical energy along the hose, a connector connected to a rear end of the hose and having a first mating portion adapted for connecting to a second mating portion of a connector connected to a source of the predetermined gas to be conducted into the hose passageway, an electrical connector at a rear end of the electrical conductor adapted for connecting the electrical conductor to a source of the electrical energy, and a pencil connected at a front end of the hose for receiving the gas from the hose passageway and the electrical energy from the electrical conductor and for establishing the gas jet and for delivering the electrical energy in the gas jet;
improvements comprising:
the first mating portion including resilient material defining an annular sealing surface adapted to connect with an annular element of the second mating portion to establish an annular hermetic seal between the sealing surface and the annular element upon connection of the first and second mating portions, the hermetic seal confining the flow of gas from the source of gas to the hose passageways within the interior of the annular seal.
improvements comprising:
the first mating portion including resilient material defining an annular sealing surface adapted to connect with an annular element of the second mating portion to establish an annular hermetic seal between the sealing surface and the annular element upon connection of the first and second mating portions, the hermetic seal confining the flow of gas from the source of gas to the hose passageways within the interior of the annular seal.
30. The invention defined in claim 29 wherein:
the first mating portion further comprises a first electrical connector connected to the electrical conductor of the hose and located generally coaxially with respect to the annular sealing surface, the first electrical connector adapted to connect to a second electrical connector of the second mating portion.
the first mating portion further comprises a first electrical connector connected to the electrical conductor of the hose and located generally coaxially with respect to the annular sealing surface, the first electrical connector adapted to connect to a second electrical connector of the second mating portion.
31. The invention defined in claim 30 wherein:
the first mating portion further comprises at least one opening extending longitudinally through the first mating portion at a location spaced between annular sealing surface and the first electrical connector.
the first mating portion further comprises at least one opening extending longitudinally through the first mating portion at a location spaced between annular sealing surface and the first electrical connector.
32. The invention defined in claim 29 wherein:
the first mating portion further comprises a rearwardly-projecting head defining the annular sealing surface thereon, the head also having a opening located within the annular sealing surface, the opening conducting the gas from the second mating portion into the hose passageway.
the first mating portion further comprises a rearwardly-projecting head defining the annular sealing surface thereon, the head also having a opening located within the annular sealing surface, the opening conducting the gas from the second mating portion into the hose passageway.
33. The invention defined in claim 32 wherein the head has a generally frusto-conically shaped exterior and the sealing surface is formed on the exterior of the head.
34. The invention defined in claim 33 wherein the head includes resilient material and the annular hermetic seal is established by compression of the head at the location of the annular hermetic seal.
35. The invention defined in claim 33 in which the second mating portion includes a forwardly-projecting hub having a forward facing frusto-conical surface defining the annular element, the hub having a hollow interior through which the gas is conducted from the source of gas to the first mating portion, and a second electrical connector positioned within the hollow interior of the hub generally coaxially with the frusto-conical surface, the second electrical conductor adapted to connect to the source of electrical energy and to connect with the first electrical conductor of the first mating portion, and wherein:
the annular hermetic seal is located on the frustoconical surface of the second mating portion.
the annular hermetic seal is located on the frustoconical surface of the second mating portion.
36. The invention defined in claim 35 wherein the annular sealing surface is established at an edge of one of the frustoconical surfaces of one of the first or second mating portions and at the frusto-conical surface of the other one of the first or second mating portions.
37. The invention defined in claim 36 wherein the annular hermetic seal is established at an edge of the frusto-conical surface of the second mating portion and the frusto-conical surface of the head of the first mating portion.
38. For an electrosurgical unit for creating an eschar in the stroma of tissue, including means for conducting a preselected gas in a jet stream to the tissue at a predetermined flow- rate, and means for transferring electrical energy at a predetermined radio frequency range in ionized conductive pathways within the gas jet stream in an electrical circuit which includes the tissue to create the eschar; said means for conducting gas and said means for transferring electrical energy including a flexible hose having at least one hose passageway for conducting gas along the hose and having an electrical-conductor for conducting electrical energy along the hose, a connector connected to a rear end of the hose adapted for connecting to a connector connected to a source of the predetermined gas to be conducted into the hose passageway, an electrical connector at a rear end of the electrical conductor adapted for connecting to a source of the electrical energy, and a pencil connected at a front end of the hose for receiving the gas from the hose passageway and the electrical energy from the electrical conductor, the pencil including a nozzle assembly, the nozzle assembly comprising a nozzle for creating the gas let stream from the gas received in the pencil and an elongated electrode positioned in the nozzle for delivering the electrical energy received in the pencil in the gas jet; an improvement to said nozzle assembly comprising:
a unitary part having a forward cylindrical body, an intermediate body connected to the forward body and a trailing body connected to the intermediate body, the forward and intermediate and trailing bodies all formed integrally of a dielectric material, the forward body defining a cylindrical nozzle passageway for delivering the gas as a generally laminar jet stream, the intermediate body extending rearwardly from the forward body and defining a chamber at the rear of the nozzle passageway for communicating the gas into the nozzle passageway, the trailing body extending from intermediate body and defining support for the elongated electrode, the support positioning the elongated electrode substantially coaxially in the nozzle passageway. the support supporting the electrode along a minority of the length of the electrode and exposing the electrode fully within the nozzle passageway and within the chamber to the flow of gas therearound, the support further exposing the electrode at the rear of the trailing body for connection with the electrical conductor.
a unitary part having a forward cylindrical body, an intermediate body connected to the forward body and a trailing body connected to the intermediate body, the forward and intermediate and trailing bodies all formed integrally of a dielectric material, the forward body defining a cylindrical nozzle passageway for delivering the gas as a generally laminar jet stream, the intermediate body extending rearwardly from the forward body and defining a chamber at the rear of the nozzle passageway for communicating the gas into the nozzle passageway, the trailing body extending from intermediate body and defining support for the elongated electrode, the support positioning the elongated electrode substantially coaxially in the nozzle passageway. the support supporting the electrode along a minority of the length of the electrode and exposing the electrode fully within the nozzle passageway and within the chamber to the flow of gas therearound, the support further exposing the electrode at the rear of the trailing body for connection with the electrical conductor.
39. The invention defined in claim 38 wherein said trailing body supports the elongated electrode along less than one fifth of its length.
40. The invention defined in claim 38 wherein the trailing body is connected to the intermediate body by a plurality of radially spaced ribs which allow gas to pass therebetween for movement through the nozzle passageway.
41. The invention defined in claim 38 wherein the unitary part is an inner part of the nozzle assembly, further comprising:
an outer part adapted to support and retain the unitary part in a connected relationship with the pencil.
an outer part adapted to support and retain the unitary part in a connected relationship with the pencil.
42. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein the sealing surface of the first mating portion is compressed against the cylindrical element.
43. The invention as defined in claim 42 wherein the sealing surface of the first mating portion includes a circular edge, the cylindrical element includes a sealing surface which substantially faces the first mating portion, and the circular edge is compressed against the sealing surface of the cylindrical element.
44. The invention as defined in claim 43 wherein the sealing surface of the cylindrical element includes a frusto-conical surface tapering in a direction away from the first mating portion, and the circular edge is compressed against the frusto-conical sealing surface of the cylindrical element.
45. The invention defined in claim 11 wherein:
the sealing surface of the first mating portion is formed by a circular edge on the head; and wherein:
the circular edge engages and seals with the frusto-conical surface of the second mating portion.
the sealing surface of the first mating portion is formed by a circular edge on the head; and wherein:
the circular edge engages and seals with the frusto-conical surface of the second mating portion.
46. The invention as defiend in claim 25 wherein the annular sealing surface is a circular edge, and the annular element includes an annular sealing surface against which the circular edge is compressed.
47. The invention defined in claim 29 wherein:
the first mating portion further comprises a head defining the annular sealing surface thereon, the head also having a opening located coaxially relative to the annular sealing surface, the opening conducting the gas from the second mating portion into the hose passageway;
the second mating portion includes a forwardly-projecting hub having a forward facing sealing surface defining the annular element, the hub having a hollow interior through which the gas is conducted from the source of gas to the first mating portion, and a second electrical connector positioned within the hollow interior of the hub generally coaxially with the sealing surface, the second electrical conductor adapted to connect to the source of electrical energy and to connect with the first electrical conductor of the first mating portion, and:
the annular hermetic seal is established by compression of the annular sealing surface of the head against the sealing surface of the second mating portion.
the first mating portion further comprises a head defining the annular sealing surface thereon, the head also having a opening located coaxially relative to the annular sealing surface, the opening conducting the gas from the second mating portion into the hose passageway;
the second mating portion includes a forwardly-projecting hub having a forward facing sealing surface defining the annular element, the hub having a hollow interior through which the gas is conducted from the source of gas to the first mating portion, and a second electrical connector positioned within the hollow interior of the hub generally coaxially with the sealing surface, the second electrical conductor adapted to connect to the source of electrical energy and to connect with the first electrical conductor of the first mating portion, and:
the annular hermetic seal is established by compression of the annular sealing surface of the head against the sealing surface of the second mating portion.
48. The invention defined in claim 47 wherein the annular sealing surface of the head comprises a circular edge.
49. The invention defined in claim 47 wherein the annular hermetic seal is established at an edge of one of the sealing surfaces of the first and second mating portions.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US07/224,485 US4901719A (en) | 1986-04-08 | 1988-07-26 | Electrosurgical conductive gas stream equipment |
| US224,485 | 1988-07-26 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1323664C true CA1323664C (en) | 1993-10-26 |
Family
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Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000596013A Expired - Lifetime CA1323664C (en) | 1988-07-26 | 1989-04-07 | Electrosurigical conductive gas stream equipment |
Country Status (7)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (2) | US4901719A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0353177B1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU626565B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1323664C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE68912842T2 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2049347T3 (en) |
| NZ (1) | NZ230097A (en) |
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| US5217457A (en) * | 1990-03-15 | 1993-06-08 | Valleylab Inc. | Enhanced electrosurgical apparatus |
| US5088997A (en) * | 1990-03-15 | 1992-02-18 | Valleylab, Inc. | Gas coagulation device |
| US5306238A (en) * | 1990-03-16 | 1994-04-26 | Beacon Laboratories, Inc. | Laparoscopic electrosurgical pencil |
| US5098430A (en) * | 1990-03-16 | 1992-03-24 | Beacon Laboratories, Inc. | Dual mode electrosurgical pencil |
| US5256138A (en) * | 1990-10-04 | 1993-10-26 | The Birtcher Corporation | Electrosurgical handpiece incorporating blade and conductive gas functionality |
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-
1988
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-
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- 1989-07-25 DE DE89630122T patent/DE68912842T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1989-07-25 ES ES89630122T patent/ES2049347T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1989-07-25 EP EP89630122A patent/EP0353177B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1989-07-26 NZ NZ230097A patent/NZ230097A/en unknown
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Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US4901719A (en) | 1990-02-20 |
| EP0353177B1 (en) | 1994-02-02 |
| DE68912842D1 (en) | 1994-03-17 |
| AU626565B2 (en) | 1992-08-06 |
| AU3899489A (en) | 1990-02-01 |
| NZ230097A (en) | 1992-10-28 |
| EP0353177A1 (en) | 1990-01-31 |
| USRE34780E (en) | 1994-11-08 |
| DE68912842T2 (en) | 1994-05-11 |
| ES2049347T3 (en) | 1994-04-16 |
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