Abstract:
An electrosurgical device having an electrode with a first portion whose exterior is electrically uninsulated, a second portion whose exterior is electrically insulated, and a third portion. An elongated hollow body has an internal cavity, a front end, a rear end, an external surface. An electrical circuit is arranged within the body. The second portion of the electrode is not surrounded by the hollow body. A first button is arranged on the external surface of the body for controlling a current flow at a first level. A vacuum tube is slidably engaged by the body. The vacuum tube is configured with a blade holder to reversibly receive the third portion of the electrode such that electrical contact is made between the electrode and a conductor which is connected to the electrical circuit by electrical connector. A vacuum outlet port is arranged near the rear end, and the outlet port, internal cavity, and vacuum inlet are in fluid communication with each other.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/021,494 filed on Feb. 4, 2011, and entitled “Electrosurgical Device with Vacuum Port” which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/301,328 filed on Feb. 4, 2010 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/318,023, filed on Mar. 26, 2010, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. The present application also claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/840,693 filed on Mar. 15, 2013, and entitled “Electrosurgical Device with Vacuum Port” which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/645,051, filed on May 9, 2012, which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to smoke evacuation, and, more specifically, to an electrosurgical device with smoke evacuation during medical procedures. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Surgical smoke and aerosol, or plume, is created in connection with surgery. For example, when laser or electrosurgical energy is delivered to a cell, heat is created. This heat vaporizes the intracellular fluid, which increases the pressure inside the cell and eventually causes the cell membrane to burst. In this example, a plume of smoke containing water vapor is released into the atmosphere of the operating room or doctor&#39;s office. At the same time, the heat created may char the protein and other organic matter within the cell, and may cause thermal necrosis in adjacent cells. The charring of cells may also release other harmful contaminants, such as carbonized cell fragments and gaseous hydrocarbons. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    With parenthetical reference to the corresponding parts, portions or surfaces of the disclosed embodiment, merely for the purposes of illustration and not by way of limitation, the present invention provides an electrosurgical device comprising: an electrode ( 26 ) having a first portion ( 27 ) whose exterior is electrically uninsulated, a second portion ( 28 ) whose exterior is electrically insulated, and a third portion ( 30 ); an elongated hollow body ( 23 ) having an internal cavity, a front end, a rear end, an external surface ( 44 ), and an electrical circuit arranged within the body, and where the second portion of the electrode is not surrounded by the hollow body. A first button ( 41 ) is arranged on the body&#39;s external surface ( 44 ) for controlling a current flow at a first level. A vacuum tube ( 29 ) is slidably engaged by the body and has an inlet ( 38 ) generally facing the front end of the body ( 23 ). The vacuum tube ( 29 ) is arranged to surround the electrode ( 26 ). The vacuum tube ( 29 ) is also configured to reversibly receive the third portion ( 30 ) of the electrode ( 26 ) in a separate channel ( 33 ) formed at the bottom of the tube ( 29 ) such that electrical contact is made between the electrode ( 26 ) and a conductor ( 56 ). The conductor ( 56 ) is connected to the electrical circuit by an electrical connector ( 59 ). A vacuum outlet port ( 24 ) is arranged near the rear end, and the outlet port, internal cavity, and vacuum inlet are in fluid communication with each other. 
         [0005]    The body may be ergonometrically shaped to be received by a user&#39;s hand. The inlet to the vacuum tube ( 29 ) may be shaped to have a cross section parallel to a user&#39;s line of sight towards said electrode ( 26 ) when using said device ( 20 ). The body ( 23 ) may be pencil shaped and may contain friction striations ( 21 ). The friction striations may be curved. The electrode ( 26 ) may be monopolar, bipolar, or sesquipolar. 
         [0006]    The device may have a second button ( 47 ) for controlling a current flow at a second level to the electrode ( 26 ), and may have a third button to control the vacuum source. 
         [0007]    The device may also have: a light source arranged to illuminate an area near the electrode, a battery for providing power to the light source, a button for controlling the illumination light, a swivel joint between the body and the outlet port, and an electrical line may pass through the swivel joint to the electrical circuit. 
         [0008]    A filter may be arranged within the internal cavity and the filter may have an RFID tag containing filter information. The vacuum tube inlet may have a substantially rectangular cross section. 
         [0009]    In another form, an electrosurgical device ( 120 ) comprises: an electrode ( 126 ); an elongated hollow body ( 123 ) having an internal cavity, a front end, a rear end, an external surface ( 144 ), and an electrical circuit arranged within the body ( 123 ). The hollow body ( 123 ) is shaped to have an ergonometric orientation complementary to a user&#39;s hand. A first button ( 141 ) controls a current flow at a first level to the electrode ( 126 ) and is arranged on the external surface ( 144 ). A vacuum tube ( 129 ) is slidably engaged by the body ( 123 ) and has an inlet shaped to have a cross section parallel to a user&#39;s line of sight towards said electrode ( 126 ) when using said device ( 120 ). The vacuum tube ( 129 ) surrounds the electrode ( 126 ). The vacuum tube ( 129 ) has a blade holder/channel ( 133 ) configured to reversibly receive the third portion ( 130 ) of the electrode ( 126 ) in the center of the vacuum tube ( 129 ). A vacuum outlet port is arranged near the rear end of the body ( 123 ) and the outlet port, internal cavity, and vacuum inlet are in fluid communication with each other. 
         [0010]    The device ( 120 ) may be configured to have an electrically insulated portion not surrounded by the body ( 123 ) when the electrode ( 126 ) is received by the body ( 123 ). The body ( 123 ) may be pencil shaped and may contain friction striations and the striations may be curved. The electrode ( 126 ) may be monopolar, bipolar, or sesquipolar. 
         [0011]    The device ( 120 ) may have a second button ( 147 ) for controlling a current flow at a second level to said electrode ( 126 ) or a third button for controlling a vacuum source. The inlet may have a substantially rectangular cross section. The device may also have a light source arranged to illuminate an area near the electrode; a battery for providing power to the light source; a button for controlling the illumination light; and a swivel joint between the body and the outlet port. An electrical line may pass through said swivel joint to the electrical circuit. 
         [0012]    The device may contain a filter arranged within the internal cavity and may contain an RFID tag containing filter information. 
         [0013]    In another form, an electrosurgical device ( 220 ) is provided comprising: an electrode ( 226 ); an elongated hollow body ( 223 ) having an internal cavity, a front end, a rear end, an external surface, and an electrical circuit arranged within the body ( 223 ). The hollow body ( 223 ) is shaped to have an ergonometric orientation complementary to a user&#39;s hand. A first button ( 241 ) controls a current flow at a first level to the electrode ( 226 ) and is arranged on the external surface. A vacuum tube ( 229 ) is engaged by the body ( 223 ) and has an inlet shaped to have a cross section parallel to a user&#39;s line of sight towards said electrode ( 226 ) when using said device ( 220 ). The vacuum tube ( 229 ) is configured to reversibly receive the third portion ( 230 ) of the electrode ( 226 ) in a blade holder/channel ( 233 ) mounted in the bottom of the vacuum tube ( 229 ). The vacuum tube ( 229 ) surrounds the electrode ( 226 ). A vacuum outlet port may be arranged near the rear end, and the outlet port, internal cavity, and vacuum inlet are in fluid communication with each other. 
         [0014]    The device has means for preventing the vacuum tube from obstructing a user&#39;s view of said electrode and means for removing the electrode without electrically contacting the electrode. The means for preventing the vacuum tube from obstructing a user&#39;s view may comprise a slidable engagement between the vacuum tube and the body. The means for preventing the vacuum tube from obstructing a user&#39;s view may comprise an inlet shaped to have a cross section perpendicular to a user&#39;s line of sight towards the electrode when using the device. The means for removing the electrode without electrically contracting the electrode may comprise an insulation coating on the electrode which remains accessible to a user&#39;s hand when the electrode is received by the body. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the electrosurgical device of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a partial cutaway perspective view of the device of  FIG. 1 ;. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a front elevational view of the tube and electrode of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the electrosurgical device of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a partial cutaway perspective view of the electrosurgical device of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a side elevational view of the device of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a front elevational view of the tube and electrode of the device of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of another alternate embodiment of the electrosurgical device of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a partial cutaway perspective view of the electrosurgical device of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a side elevational view of the device of  FIG. 9 ; and, 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  is a front elevational view of the tube and electrode of the device of  FIG. 9 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0027]    At the outset, it should be clearly understood that like reference numerals are intended to identify the same structural elements, portions or surfaces consistently throughout the several drawing figures, as such elements, portions or surfaces may be further described or explained by the entire written specification, of which this detailed description is an integral part. Unless otherwise indicated, the drawings are intended to be read (e.g., cross-hatching, arrangement of parts, proportion, debris, etc.) together with the specification, and are to be considered a portion of the entire written description of this invention. As used in the following description, the terms “horizontal”, “vertical”, “left”, “right”, “up” and “down”, as well as adjectival and adverbial derivatives thereof, (e.g., “horizontally”, “rightwardly”, “upwardly”, etc.), simply refer to the orientation of the illustrated structure as the particular drawing figure faces the reader. Similarly, the terms “inwardly” and “outwardly” generally refer to the orientation of a surface relative to its axis of elongation, or of rotation, as appropriate. 
         [0028]    Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIG. 1  thereof, this invention provides an electrosurgical pen  20  having a body  23 . The body  23  may be ergonomically shaped to be received by a user&#39;s hand. The body  23  may be pencil shaped and may have a longitudinal axis  24 . On the left side of the figure, an electrode  26  is removably attached to a vacuum tube  29 . The electrode  26  may have a uninsulated end portion  27 , insulated portion  28 , and a mounting portion  30 . The vacuum tube  29  is mounted on the body  23  and may extend telescopically from the body  23  in an axial direction  32 . The distal end  35  of the vacuum tube  29  comprises an inlet  38  shaped to have a cross section parallel to a user&#39;s line of sight towards said electrode  26  when using the pen  20 . 
         [0029]    The pen  20  may be provided with a first button  41  arranged on the external surface  44  of the body  23 . The first button  41  may control the current flow to the device at a first level. The pen  20  may have a second button  47  for controlling a current flow at a second level to the electrode  26 . Additional buttons may be added for controlling the vacuum source, a light source or the like. 
         [0030]    Turning to  FIG. 2 , a portion of the vacuum tube  29  has been removed for clarity. The tube  29  has a set of opposed walls  50 ,  53  ( FIG. 4 ) forming a channel/blade holder  33  at the bottom of the tube  29  for receiving the electrode  26 . At the end of the channel/blade holder  33 , there is a conductor  56  that is electrically connected by an electrical connector  59  to a circuit (not shown) inside the body  23  that provides current to the electrode  26  for operation of the device  20 . The first and second buttons  41 ,  47  are electrically associated with the electric circuit inside the body  23  to provide different levels of current to flow to the electrode  26  depending on whether the device  20  is being used for cutting or coagulating. The end  27  of the electrode  26  is uninsulated for use as an electric blade for cutting and cauterizing during medical procedures. A midportion  28  of the electrode is insulated so that the user can remove the electrode  26  from the device. A base portion  30  of the electrode  26  is designed to make contact with the conductor  56  at the end of the channel  33  in the tube  29  and to removably attach the electrode  26  to the device  20  inside the tube  29 . 
         [0031]    In  FIG. 3 , the placement of the blade holder/channel  33  at the bottom of the tube  29  is shown. The electrode  26  slides into the blade holder  33  and is held in place by a frictional fit inside the channel. As shown the end of the tube  29  is shaped to have a cross section  60  disposed along an axis  61  at an acute angle  63  relative to the longitudinal axis  24  of the device  20  such that the angle of the chamfer at the end of the tube  29  is parallel to a user&#39;s line of sight toward the electrode  26  when using the pen  20 . The vacuum tube  29  may be telescopically or fixedly attached to the body  23  of the device  20  in the position shown. Electrodes  26  having different lengths, widths, etc. may be switched in and out of the blade holder  33  in the device  20  to accommodate different patients and different procedures. 
         [0032]    Turning to  FIG. 4 , a separate channel  33  may be formed in the tube  29  for receiving the electrode  26 . The surgical smoke is evacuated through the passageway  67  formed at the top of the tube  29 . An opening  68  provides entry into the channel  33  formed between curved walls  50  and  53  in the bottom portion of the tube  29 . The channel  33  is sized to receive the electrode  26 . The opening  68  leads to the channel  33  which extends axially along the length of the tube  29 . At the end of the channel  33 , the base  30  of the electrode  26  contacts the conductor  56  to establish electrical contact between the electrode  26  and the electrical circuit in the device  20 . The electrical circuit in the device  20  provides current to the electrode  26 . The current may be provided at different levels depending on the application. For cutting, a higher current level is required, whereas, coagulation requires less current. 
         [0033]    In  FIG. 5 , an alternate embodiment of the electrosurgical device is shown. In contrast to the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-4 , an electrode  126  is held in the center of a tube  129  by a blade holder  133  ( FIG. 6 ) disposed inside the tube  129 . The body  123  may be ergonomically shaped to be received by a user&#39;s hand. The body  123  may be pencil shaped and may have a longitudinal axis  124 . On the left side of the figure, an electrode  126  is removably attached to a vacuum tube  129 . The electrode  126  may have a uninsulated end portion  127 , insulated portion  128 , and a mounting portion  130 . The vacuum tube  129  is telescopically mounted on the body  123  and extends from the body in an axial direction  132 . The distal end  135  of the vacuum tube  129  comprises an inlet  138  shaped to have a cross section parallel to a user&#39;s line of sight toward the electrode  126  when using the pen  120 . 
         [0034]    The pen  120  may be provided with a first button  141  arranged on an external surface  144  of the body  123 . The first button  141  may control the current flow to the device  120  at a first level. The pen  120  may have a second button  147  for controlling a current flow at a second level to the electrode  126 . Additional buttons may be added for controlling the vacuum source, a light source or the like. 
         [0035]    Turning to  FIG. 6 , a portion of the vacuum tube  129  has been removed for clarity. The tube  129  has a channel/blade holder  133  defined therein for receiving the electrode. At the end of the channel  133 , there is a conductor  156  that is electrically connected by an electrical connector  159  to a circuit inside the body  123  that provides current to the electrode  126  for operation of the device  120 . The first and second buttons  141  and  147  are electrically associated with the electric circuit inside the body  123  to provide different levels of current to flow to the electrode  126  depending on whether the device  120  is being used for cutting or coagulating. The end  127  of the electrode  126  is uninsulated for use as an electric blade for cutting and cauterizing during medical procedures. A midportion  128  of the electrode  126  is insulated so that the user can remove the electrode  126  from the device  120 . A base portion  130  of the electrode  126  is designed to make contact with the conductor  156  at the end of the channel  133  in the tube  129  and to removably attach to the device  120  inside the tube  129 . The blade holder  133  is mounted inside the vacuum tube  129 . The blade holder  133  has a longitudinal channel formed therein for receiving the electrode  126 . The body  139  of the blade holder  133  is round and fits inside the center of the vacuum tube  129 . The blade holder  133  has a pair of ribs  180 ,  183  ( FIG. 8 ) extending from one side that engage with the inside of the tube  129 . The blade holder  133  provides for the flow of surgical smoke around the blade holder  133  and the ribs  180 ,  183  through the tube  129 . 
         [0036]    In  FIG. 7 , the orientation of the blade holder  133  in the center of the tube  129  is best shown based on the position of the electrode  126 . The electrode  126  slides into the blade holder  133  and is held in place by a frictional fit inside the channel. As shown the end  160  of the tube  129  is shaped to have a cross section parallel to a user&#39;s line of sight toward the electrode  126  when using the pen  120 . The vacuum tube  129  may be telescopically attached to the body  123  as will be evident to those of ordinary skill in the art based on this disclosure. The vacuum tube  129  may also be fixedly attached to the body  123 . Electrodes  126  having different lengths, widths, etc. may be switched in and out of the blade holder  133  in the device to accommodate different patients and different procedures. 
         [0037]    Turning to  FIG. 8 , a separate channel  149  is formed in the blade holder  133  for receiving the electrode  126 . The surgical smoke is evacuated through the passageway formed around the blade holder  133  and its ribs  180 ,  183 . The opening formed in the blade holder  133  mounted in the tube  129  is sized to interchangeably receive one or more electrodes  126 . The opening leads to a channel  166  extending axially along the length of the tube  129 . At the end of the channel  166 , the base  130  of the electrode  126  contacts a conductor  156  to establish electrical contact between the electrode  126  and the electrical circuit (not shown) in the device  120 . The electrical circuit in the device provides current to the electrode  126 . The current may be provided at different levels depending on the application. For cutting, a higher current level is required, whereas, coagulation requires less current. 
         [0038]    In  FIG. 9 , an alternate embodiment of the electrosurgical device is shown. A blade holder  233  ( FIG. 10 ) is disposed inside the tube  229  but the electrode  226  is positioned at a bottom portion of the tube  229 . The body  223  may be ergonomically shaped to be received by a user&#39;s hand. The body  223  may be pencil shaped and may have a longitudinal axis  224 . On the left side of the figure, an electrode  226  is removably attached to a vacuum tube  229 . The electrode  226  may have a uninsulated end portion  227 , insulated portion  228 , and a mounting portion  230 . The vacuum tube  229  is mounted on the body  223  and extends from the body in an axial direction  232 . The distal end  235  of the vacuum tube  229  comprises an inlet  238  shaped to have a cross section parallel to a user&#39;s line of sight toward the electrode  226  when using the pen  220 . 
         [0039]    The pen  220  may be provided with a first button  241  arranged on the external surface  244  of the body  223 . The first button  241  may control the current flow to the device at a first level. The pen  220  may have a second button  247  for controlling a current flow at a second level to the electrode  226 . Additional buttons may be added for controlling the vacuum source, a light source or the like. 
         [0040]    Turning to  FIG. 10 , a portion of the vacuum tube  229  has been removed for clarity. The tube  229  has a channel/blade holder  233  defined therein for receiving the electrode  226 . At the end of the channel, there is a conductor  256  that is electrically connected by an electrical connector  259  to a circuit inside the body  223  that provides current to the electrode  226  for operation of the device  220 . The first and second buttons  241 ,  247  are electrically associated with the electric circuit inside the body  223  to provide different levels of current to flow to the electrode  226  depending on whether the device  220  is being used for cutting or coagulating. The end  227  of the electrode  226  is uninsulated for use as an electric blade for cutting and cauterizing during medical procedures. A midportion  228  of the electrode  226  is insulated so that the user can remove the electrode  226  from the device  220 . A base portion  230  of the electrode  226  is designed to make contact with the conductor  256  at the end of the channel  233  in the tube  229  and to removably attach to the device  220  inside the tube  229 . The blade holder  233  is mounted inside and toward the bottom of the vacuum tube  229 . The blade holder  233  has a longitudinal opening for receiving the electrode  226 . The body  239  of the blade holder  233  is round and fits inside the vacuum tube  229  toward the bottom of the tube  229 . The blade holder  233  is attached to the inside of the tube  229 . The blade holder  233  provides for the flow of surgical smoke around the blade holder  233  through the tube  229 . 
         [0041]    In  FIG. 11 , the placement of the blade holder  233  toward the bottom of the tube  229  is best shown based on the position of the electrode  226  relative to the tube  229 . The electrode  226  slides into the blade holder  233  and is held in place by a frictional fit inside the channel. As shown the end of the tube  229  is shaped to have a cross section parallel to a user&#39;s line of sight toward the electrode  226  when using the pen  220 . The end  268  of tube  229  is cut at an acute angle  275  relative to the longitudinal axis  224  of device  220 . The vacuum tube  229  may be telescopically attached to the body  223  of the device  220  in the position shown or may be fixedly attached as will be evident to those of ordinary skill in the art based on this disclosure. Electrodes  226  having different lengths, widths, etc. may be switched in and out of the blade holder in the device to accommodate different patients and different procedures. 
         [0042]    Turning to  FIG. 12 , a channel is formed in the blade holder  233  for receiving the electrode  226 . The surgical smoke is evacuated through the passageway formed around the blade holder  233 . An opening  290  formed in the blade holder  233  mounted in the tube  229  is sized to receive one or more electrodes  226 . The opening  290  leads to a channel extending axially along the length of the tube  229 . At the end of the channel  233  the base  230  of the electrode  226  contacts the conductor  256  to establish electrical contact between the electrode  226  and the electrical circuit in the device  220 . The electrical circuit in the device  220  provides current to the electrode  226 . The current may be provided at different levels depending on the application. For cutting, a higher current level is required, whereas, coagulation requires less current. 
         [0043]    The present invention contemplates that many changes and modifications may be made. Therefore, while the presently-preferred form of the emissions measuring system has been shown and described, and several modifications and alternatives discussed, persons skilled in this art will readily appreciate that various additional changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, as defined and differentiated by the following claims.