Electrosurgical device

A forceps-type electrosurgical device is disclosed comprising, a fixed elongate body and a pair of moveable tips, arranged for engaging tissue in use, and extending from a forward end of the body. The tips are relatively moveable between a first position in which the tips are spaced apart and a second position in which the tips are brought together. The body further comprising an actuation member moveable relative to the body and connected to the tips such that a user may move the actuation member to result in movement of the tips between the first and second positions. The device may further comprise a suction port proximal to the tips.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a forceps-type electrosurgical device in particular, but not exclusively, to an electrosurgical device for use with a high frequency (RF) current.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As referred to herein a “forceps-type electrosurgical device” means an electrosurgical device which is suitable for providing the function of electrosurgical forceps.

Electrosurgical forceps comprise a pair of opposed tips which are typically relatively moveable such that they may be may be used to grasp or engage objects such as biological tissue. During electrosurgery a high frequency (RF) electric current is applied using the forceps such that the tips acts as electrodes for passing the ac current into the tissue. Depending upon the properties of the current and the manner in which the forceps engage the tissue electrosurgical forceps may, for example, be used to cut, coagulate, desiccate and/or fulgurate the tissue. In particular, electrosurgical devices are commonly used during surgery in order to stop bleeding by using an alternating current directly heat tissue and thereby reduce blood loss and/or improved surgical vision.

Two primary types of electrosurgical device are known, namely bipolar and monopolar devices.

In monopolar arrangements the electrosurgical device is provided with an active electrode and a return electrode is attached to the patient. The electric current flows from the active electrode into the body and returns through the return electrode (which is connected to an earthing circuit). The current density decreases rapidly with distance away from the electrode such that the heating of tissue is localised to the tip of the electrosurgical device.

In bipolar devices, a pair of electrodes, for example the tips of forceps, are each connected to the supply circuit and no return electrode is required. When tissue is engaged by or proximal to the pair of electrodes, the high frequency electric current flows through the device and tissue providing a localised heating of the tissue.

Conventionally, electrosurgical forceps have a design which is substantially based upon traditional surgical forceps. As such, electrosurgical forceps generally comprise a pair of elongate fingers connected at a rearward hinge such that the forward end of the forceps may be used to grasp or hold objects such as biological tissue. Being based upon traditional non-electrosurgical devices conventional electrosurgical forceps are not typically optimised for use in electrosurgery. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a new forceps design which is specifically designed for use in electrosurgery so as to improve ease of use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a forceps type electrosurgical device comprising:

a fixed elongate body;

a pair of moveable tips, arranged for engaging tissue in use and extending from a forward end of the body, the tips being relatively moveable between a first position in which the tips are spaced apart and a second position in which the tips are brought together;

the body further comprising an actuation member moveable relative to the body and connected to the tips such that a user may move the actuation member to result in movement of the tips between the first and second positions

It will be appreciated that the relative movement between the tips may be provided by one or both tips being moveably connected to the fixed elongate body.

The moveable tips are typically resiliently biased towards the first position. For example, the moveable tips may be resiliently biased towards the first position by the elongate body. The actuation member may be arranged to urge the tips together against the resilient bias. The body may comprise a spring member arranged to bias the tips towards the first position.

The actuation member may be provided on an outer surface of the elongate body. The actuation member may be inwardly compressible. The actuation member may comprise a pair of finger receding portions provided on opposing sides of the body. For example, one or both of the finger receiving portions may be inwardly moveable relative to the body. Thus, the actuation member may conveniently be actuated by being squeezed between the fingers of an end user.

The forceps may further comprise a suction port proximal to the tips. This is considered novel and inventive in its own right and, accordingly a further aspect of the invention provides an electrosurgical device comprising a pair of moveable tips at a forward end arranged for engaging tissue in use and a suction port proximal to such tips.

The suction port may for example be provided at a forward most portion of the fixed elongate body. A conduit may be provided extending through the fixed elongate body. For example the conduit may extend from a connector at or proximal to the rear of the body for receiving a suction line to the suction port. The suction port may, therefore, be used to draw gas away from the tips through the elongate body of the device. Advantageously, the inclusion of an integral suction port may help to reduce the number of instruments required during a surgical procedure. Further, the provision of suction local to the tips may reduce or limit the release of potentially harmful vapours and/or improve surgical vision.

The electrosurgical device may comprise an electrical switch. The switch may be activated upon movement of the tips, for example the switch may be activated when the tips are moved to the second position. The activation may be automatic. An automatic switch arrangement may be particularly suitable for a bipolar device. The electrical switch may be engaged by a portion of the actuating member. Alternatively, the electrical switch may be engaged by a portion of the tips.

The electrical switch may be disposed between the moveable portions of the actuation member such that it is physically engaged upon movement of the actuation member. For example, the electrical switch may be provided on a fixed portion of the elongate body adjacent to the actuation member such that it is engaged upon movement of the actuation member. Alternatively, the switch may be provided on the actuation member and may be engaged by opposing movement portions of the actuation member. The switch may require a minimal engagement pressure in order to activate (for example to avoid premature or unintentional actuation of the surgical current).

In some embodiments the body may further comprise an electrical activation button on an outer surface thereof. The button may take any conventional form (for example a compression button, a key, a slidable switch or the like). For example, an activation button may be provided on an outer surface of the elongate body or on the outer surface of the actuation member. Such an externally provided activation button may typically be arranged to be physically activated by an end user. The activation button may be arranged such that it is deactivated when the tips are in the first position. For example, the activation button may be spaced apart from an electrical switch (which is operated by the button) until the actuation member is moved relative to the body. Alternatively, the activation button may be electrically isolated until the actuation member is moved relative to the body.

The electrical activation button may be arranged to enable selection between different modes of operation. For example, the switch may enable selection of differing magnitude and/or waveforms of the applied current corresponding to different electrosurgical procedures (for example, cutting or coagulation). Such an arrangement may be particularly suitable for a monopolar surgical device.

At least one of the tips of the electrosurgical device may comprise an outwardly facing surface having a sharp tapered profile. One of the tips may comprise an outwardly facing surface having a blunt profile (such that one tip has a sharp profile and the other has a blunt profile). This arrangement is particularly advantageous since it enables the sharp profile tip to be used during cutting procedures and the blunt tip profile to be used during coagulation procedures.

This arrangement is considered novel and inventive in its own right and therefore according to a further aspect of the invention there is provided an electrosurgical device comprising a pair of tips arranged for engaging tissue in use, the tips being relatively moveable between the first spaced apart position and a second position in which the tips are brought together, wherein one tip comprises an outwardly facing surface with a sharp tip profile and the other tip comprises an outwardly facing surface with a blunt profile.

The tips may comprise inwardly facing opposing planar surfaces. The planar surfaces are generally parallel and spaced apart when the tips are in the first position. The inwardly facing surface may be arranged to abut when the tips are in the second position or may conveniently be used to grip tissue therebetween.

To the rear of the planar surfaces the tips may curve outwardly. The outward curvature may for example be arranged such that the rear portion of the tips are adjacent to an outer portion of the body. This may for example provide a space between the rear portion of the tips to accommodate a suction port.

Alternatively, the tips may taper from a rearward portion towards a point at the forward end.

The fixed elongate body is typically formed from an insulting material. For example, the fixed body may be plastic. The moveable tips may comprise thermally conductive tips. The tips may typically be metallic and may be coated for example the tips may be anodised and/or may be provided with a non stick coating such as Teflon or DLC (diamond like coating). In particular, the tips may be aluminium.

Whilst the invention has been described above extends to any inventive combination of the features set out above or in the following description or drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

Front as used herein will be understood to refer to the end of the forceps (or components thereof) which, in use, are closest to the tissue on which a procedure is being carried out (i.e. the end which is facing the patient). Rear as used herein will be understood to refer to the end of the forceps (or components thereof) which, in use, are furthest from the tissue (i.e. the end which is facing the surgeon). Forward and rearward will, likewise, be understood to refer to the directions orientated towards the front and rear of the forceps.

FIGS. 1 to 4show a monopolar electrosurgical forceps-type device in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention. The device1generally comprises a fixed elongate body10having a pair of tips20provided at the forward end, a suction port30and an actuation member40including a button50. In use, the device1is connected to a suction line and RF power supply at a rearward portion.

The body10is formed from an elongate and generally cylindrical body which has a pen like profile such that it can be easily gripped by a surgeon during use. A forward portion of the body12tapers forwardly towards the tips20. The body10has a substantially hollow profile such that a conduit34of a suction port30may be defined extending along the length of the body from an inlet32adjacent to the tips20to a suction line connection36at a rearward end14of the body10.

The tips20aand20bare movably attached to the body10via a pair of flexible arms44aand44bof the actuation member40(which will be described in further detail below). The tips are connected to the arms by rivets28but any convenient fixation means may be used. Each tip20comprises a linear forward section22and an outwardly curved rearward section24. The forward sections22a,22bextend to a rounded forward end129and are provided with opposed planar inwardly facing surfaces faces23a,23bwhich are spaced apart in the open position ofFIGS. 1band 1dand are brought together in the closed position ofFIGS. 1aand 1csuch that they are generally parallel and abutting (although it will be appreciated that in use the closed position may not always involve the surfaces abutting as shown since tissue may be engaged therebetween). The outwardly curved rearward sections24allow the tips20to be attached at a radially outwardly position with respect to the body10. This curved profile provides a spacing between the rearward portions such that the inlet32of the suction port30may be positioned between the tips (and generally on the axial centre line of the body10). As will be explained in further detail below (with reference toFIG. 4) the outwardly facing surfaces26aand26bof the tips20aand20bhave non-matching profiles.

The tips20are connected to the body10via an actuation member40which is moveably connected to the body10. The actuation member40comprises a pair of flexible, forwardly extending, arms44aand44b. The arms44aand44bare formed on opposing sides of the body10and are on a radially exterior portion of the body10. Each arm44aand44bis hingedly attached to the body10at its rearward end. One of the tips20aand20bis rigidly attached to a forward end of each arm44aand44b. In the closed position (shown inFIGS. 1band 1d) the arms44aand44bare seated within a pair of recesses13aand13bformed at opposing sides of the outer surface of the forward section12of the body10.

The actuation member40further comprises two opposing finger receiving portions42aand42bwhich are provided on an outer surface of each arm44aand44bin circumferentially opposing positions. The finger receiving portions42are shaped and dimensioned so as to be gripped between the fingers (typically the thumb and forefinger in a pinching action) of an end user.

The body further comprises a spring12(by seen inFIGS. 2 and 3) which is disposed between the arms44aand44bso as to bias the arms apart and into the open position shown inFIGS. 1band 1d. Alternatively, the hinged connection between the body10and arms44may be resiliently outwardly biased (such that inward deflection of the arms44is by elastic deformation of the hinged connection or arm).

As best seen inFIG. 3, a user activation button50is provided on the finger receiving portion42bof one of the arms44a. The button50comprises50comprises first button50aand a second button50b. Each button is arranged to activate different mode of operation of the forceps (in the illustrated embodiment50ais activates a “coagulate” mode and50bactivates a “cut” mode). Each button comprises an outer surface51which is pressed in use by a user and which is resiliently outwardly biased towards the buttons disengaged position by a spring52. A shaft53projects inwardly from the underside of the surface51and is arranged to pass through an aperture48in the actuation member40when the button50is depressed. Typically the shaft53may snap fit into the aperture48so as to be movably retained therein. The shaft53is arranged to engage an underlying electrical activation switch54(which may for example be a micro switch or a membrane switch) on the body10. The switch54may for example be formed as part of a PCB. A separate switch54aand54bis generally provided for each user activation button50aand50b. It may be noted from a comparison ofFIGS. 3aand 3bthat the relative position of each button50and switch54and/or the stroke of the shaft53is arranged such that the switch54can only be engaged by the shaft53of the button50when the actuation portion40is in the position shown inFIG. 3a. In other words, the button50is deactivated until the actuation member40is moved to bring the tips20towards their closed position.

The profile and function of the tips20will now be described in further detail with particular reference toFIG. 4(in whichFIGS. 4aand 4bshow views of the same embodiment form opposing directions). As mentioned above, each tip20comprises a linear forward section22and a curved rearward section24. The forward section22is the “active” section during electrosurgery and the curved section24is a connecting portion to the body10. The forward sections22a,22bare provided with opposed planar inwardly facing surfaces faces23a,23bwhich are spaced apart in the open position ofFIGS. 1band 1dand are brought together in the closed position ofFIGS. 1band 1d. One of the tips20ahas an extension27which extends axially away from the outward facing surface26aof the tip20aand tapers so as to form a relatively sharp edge28. In contrast, the other tip20bhas an outwardly facing surface26bwhich has a rounded and relatively blunt profile.

The provision of surfaces of different profiles improves the utility of the electrosurgical device since each surface may be suitable for different procedures. For example during some procedures tissue may be engaged between the inwardly facing surfaces faces23a,23b(for example to weld tissue). In other procedures the tips20aand20bmay be brought together such that the planar inwardly facing surfaces faces23a,23bare abutting and the tips may effectively provide a single electrode. The surgeon may then select to use either the sharp face26a(e.g. for cutting) or the blunt face26b(e.g. for coagulating) depending upon the task to be performed. Additionally, the provision of a multiple mode switch50allows the surgeon to easily switch between different pre-set profiles of RF current appropriate to the task in hand.

FIGS. 5 and 6show a bipolar electrosurgical forceps-type device in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention. The general arrangement of the device is similar to that of the first embodiment and corresponding features have been given reference numbers corresponding to those of the first embodiment but increased by 100. The device101generally comprises a fixed elongate body110having a pair of tips120provided at the forward end, a suction port130and an actuation member140. In use the device101is connected to a suction line and RF power supply at a rearward portion of the body110.

The body110is formed from an elongate body which has a pen like profile. A forward portion of the body112tapers forwardly towards the tips120. A rearward portion of the body114tapers rearwardly towards a connecting portion for connection to a suction line. The body110has a substantially hollow cross section such that a conduit134of the suction port130may extend along the length of the body from inlet132adjacent to tip120to a suction line connection136at the rearward end114of the body110.

Tips120aand120bare moveably attached to the body110by the actuation member140. In contrast to the first embodiment, it may be noted that the tips extend rearwardly beyond the front of the body110and into an interior space within the hollow body110. The rearmost portion of the tips124are directly attached to the inward surface of the actuation member140.

Each of the tips120aand120bhas a substantially identical profile having a linear (and generally axially extending) inwardly facing surface123. The forward section122of each tip120is forwardly tapered such that the end129of each tip forms a relatively sharp point. The rearward most portion of the forward section122includes an outwardly directed step increase in thickness which is shaped and dimensioned so as to be received into a cut out113in the body110. This cut out113enables the forward most portion of the body110to extend beyond the forward section112of the tips120and positions the inlet132of the suction port130as close to the ends of the tip120as possible.

It may also be noted that in contrast to the first embodiment, in the closed position (shown inFIG. 6a) the tips120aand120bare not provided with substantially parallel abutting surfaces but meet at a pinch point at the forward most end129of the tips120.

The actuation member140comprises a pair of opposing finger receiving portions142aand142bwhich are hingebly connected to the body110and which extend from the interior of the body110to the outer surface of the device101. Conveniently, the finger receiving portions142are raised from the surface of the body110such that they may be easily located and gripped. The outer surface of the finger receiving portions140may be provided with a surface profile to assist gripping, for example they may be provided with a plurality of depressions. As the tips120are directly connected to the inner surface of the finger receiving portions142any inward movement of the actuation member140(i.e. by being squeezed between the fingers of an end user) acts to bring the tips120together until their ends129meet. The body further comprises a spring12which is disposed between the finger receiving portions142aand142band is arranged to bias the actuation member140, and therefore the tips20towards the open position ofFIGS. 5 and 6b.

An electrical activation switch154(which may for example be a micro switch or a membrane switch) is provided within the body110and is positioned between the moveable portions of the actuation member140. Alternatively, the electrical activation switch154could, for example, be positioned between the moveable tips120. In the illustrated embodiment, the activation switch154is connected to one of the finger receiving portions142aand the other finger receiving portion142bis provided with an inwardly projecting switch engagement member153. Thus, as seen inFIG. 6, the activation switch154is automatically engaged when the user squeezes the actuation member140together so as to close the tips120. As this embodiment is a bipolar device actuation of the switch154enables the RF current to pass through one tip of the device to the other so as to return to the RF generator source (and in doing so passing through and locally heating tissue proximal to or between the tips).

While the invention has been described above with reference to the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that various changes or modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.