Electrosurgical device

Abstract: An electrosurgical device for laparoscopic use in tissue dissection and coagulation. The device includes a barrel member having a dissection tip at the distal end thereof that is connected to a source of electrical energy. An insulating sheath member surrounds the barrel member. The sheath member is movable between a first position wherein the distal end thereof extends distally beyond the dissection tip and a second position wherein the dissection tip extends distally beyond the distal end portion of the sheath member. The device includes means to flush and vacuum the surgical site. The device also includes pressure relief means (106-108) to limit the internal pressure within the device.

Description: Field of the Invention The invention generally relates to an electrosurgical or electrocautery device for use in tissue dissection and coagulation. More particularly, the invention relates to a disposable electrosurgical device that is adapted for use laparoscopically through a trocar tube. Such a device is known from document WO-A-9003152 Summary of the Invention In accordance with the principles of the present invention, an electrosurgical device is provided that includes a handle member having an elongated barrel member that may be directed through an appropriately sized trocar tube. The barrel member has a proximal end portion rigidly secured to the handle member and distal end portion. A suitable electrode member or dissection tip is secured to and extends outwardly from the distal end portion of the barrel member. The electrode member is connected to a source of electrical energy through an electrical cord and plug assembly. The device is provided with means to selectively irrigate or flush the surgical site with liquids and vacuum means to selectively remove excess body fluids and irrigation fluids from the surgical site. A manifold member is located in the handle member in communication with the proximal end portion of the barrel member. An irrigation tube is positioned in the handle member having a first end portion in communication with the manifold member and a second end portion to be connected to an irrigation unit. A vacuum tube is positioned in the handle member having a first end portion in communication with the manifold member and a second end portion adapted to be connected to a vacuum source. The device is also provided with pressure vent means in communication with the irrigation tube for venting excess pressure therefrom. A pressure relief means is preferably provided to limit the internal pressure within the device to from about 170 kPa (10 psig) to about 308 kPa (30 psig). A connector assembly is located in the handle member. The connector assembly includes an irrigation inlet port adapted to be connected to an irrigation unit and an irrigation outlet port connected to the second end portion of the irrigation tube. The irrigation tube is in fluid communication with the irrigation inlet port through an irrigation flow channel extending therebetween. The connector assembly also includes a vacuum inlet port adapted to be connected to a vacuum source and a vacuum outlet port connected to the second end portion of the vacuum tube in fluid communication with the vacuum inlet port through a vacuum flow channel extending therebetween. A shunt channel extends between the irrigation and vacuum flow channels. A pressure vent valve member is located in the shunt channel to vent excess pressure in the irrigation flow channel through the shunt channel into the vacuum flow channel. Brief Description Of The Drawings : A more complete appreciation of this invention, and many of the attendant advantages thereof, will be readily apparent as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals indicate the same or similar components, wherein: FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an electrosurgical device showing a sheath member in a first position; FIG. 2 is an elevational view, partially broken away, of the electrosurgical device shown in FIG.1 showing the sheath member in its second position; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1 showing a pressure vent connector assembly constructed in accordance with the invention; Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an electrosurgical or electrocautery device 10 for use in tissue dissection, coagulation, irrigation, and fluid evacuation. Device 10 is a hand-held, disposable surgical instrument intended to be used to perform various surgical procedures, such as cholecystectomies (gall bladder removal) and appendectomies (appendix removal). The device is used laparoscopically through a 5 mm (or similarly sized) trocar tube or cannula to perform minimally invasive surgical techniques that replace prior open surgery methods. Electrosurgical device 10 includes a handle member 12, an elongated barrel member 14, an electrode member 16, a means 18 for connecting the electrode member 16 to a source of electrical energy, an insulating sheath member 20, and a control means 22 for controlling the movement of the sheath member. Handle member 12 is a pistol-style grip that may be held in one hand in two alternative attitudes. Barrel member 14 is a hollow cylindrical member made from a conductive metallic material, such as stainless steel. Barrel member 14 has a proximal end portion 24 that extends into handle member 12 and is rigidly attached thereto. Distal end portion 26 of barrel member 14 has a suitable electrode member or dissection tip 16 rigidly secured thereto. Electrode member 16 may take one of many known forms, such as a hook, spatula, ballpoint, or the like. Electrical energy is supplied to the electrode member 16 through a means 18 which may include an electrical cord 28 extending through the butt end of handle member 12. Cord 28 at one end is attached to the proximal end 24 of barrel member 14 through a connecting ring 29 and at the other end is connected to a "banana" jack 30 which plugs into a mating jack (not shown) in one of several possible monopolar electrosurgical generators (ESU's) that are well known in the art. These ESU's typically generate two types of radio frequency electrosurgical waveforms; namely, "Cut" and "Coag." The selection of the particular mode of operation may be regulated by a foot control pedal associated with the ESU. The proximal end portion 24 of barrel member 14 extends into and is in fluid communication with a tubular manifold member 60 positioned in handle member 12. Manifold member 60 is in axial alignment with barrel member 14 and is formed with an irrigation port or fitting 62 and a vacuum port or fitting 64. An irrigation tube 66 is positioned in handle member 12 having a first end portion 68 connected to port 62 and a second end portion adopted to be connected to an irrigation unit in a manner as further described hereinbelow. A vacuum tube 70 is positioned in handle member 12 having a first end portion 72 connected to port 64 and a second end portion adapted to be connected to a vacuum source as described hereinbelow. In accordance with a unique feature of the invention, a pressure vent means is provided in communication with irrigation tube 66 for venting excess pressure therein. Referring to FIG. 3, a connector assembly 90 is positioned in the handle member 12. Assembly 90 includes an irrigation inlet port or female Luer lock fitting 92 adapted to be connected to an irrigation unit and an irrigation outlet port 94 connected to the second end portion of irrigation tube 66. Tube 66 is in fluid communication with inlet port 92 through an irrigation flow channel 96 extending therebetween. The irrigation unit may induce a peristaltic pump, IV bag, or rubber squeeze bulb. Assembly 90 further includes a vacuum inlet port or male fitting 98 adapted to be connected to an electric vacuum pump and a vacuum outlet port 100 connected to the second end portion of the vacuum tube 70. Tube 70 is in fluid communication with inlet port 98 through a vacuum flow channel 102 extending therebetween. A shunt channel 104 extends between channels 96 and 102. A pressure vent means 106 is positioned in shunt channel 104 to vent excess pressure in irrigation flow channel 96 and irrigation tube 66 through the shunt channel 104, vacuum flow channel 102 and vacuum tube 70. Pressure vent means 106 preferably includes a check ball valve member 108 that is biased into a position precluding flow through shunt channel 104 by a spring member 110. Spring member 110 is preferably selected to preclude the internal pressure in the irrigation tube 66 from exceeding from about 10 psig to about 30 psig. Pressure vent means 106 protects the device 10 and the irrigation pumps. An access port 112 may be provided in axial alignment with manifold member 60 and barrel member 14 for insertion of a YAG laser implement or other implements through access port 112, manifold member 60 and barrel member 14. Access port 112 is preferably made of silicone rubber. The unique features of the electrosurgical device 10 in accordance with the invention will become apparent from the following description of the basic operation thereof. A patient grounding pad (return electrode) is firmly affixed to the patient in an area that is electrically near the operation site in a well known manner. The grounding pad is the return path for monopolar electrical current to return to the ESU unit. The single patient use disposable device 10 is removed from its sterile package. A vacuum line (not shown) is pushed onto the inlet port 98 and an irrigation supply line (not shown) is connected to the Luer lock fitting 92. The universal electrosurgical banana jack 30 plugs into a universal adapter or directly into the ESU unit. The vacuum, irrigation, and the ESU units are turned on and the device is ready for use. In many laparoscopic operations, the abdomen of the patient is first inflated using a hollow air needle. Two or more trocar tubes are typically then pierced through the abdominal wall to provide paths for introducing an endoscope and other laparoscopic instruments, such as electrosurgical device 10. An endoscope is necessary for viewing the procedure on a CRT monitor. At such time as the use of electrosurgical device 10 is required, the barrel member 14 with the sheath member 20 in its first position (as shown in FIG. 1) is directed through a 5 mm trocar tube into the operation site. The surgeon may conveniently expose the dissection tip 16 by moving control means 22 into its second position causing sheath 20 to move into its second position (as shown in FIG. 2). The surgeon may energize the dissection tip to the appropriate power level ("Cut" or "Coag") using the ESU foot pedal. If the surgeon deems that laser dissection is preferred instead of electrosurgery, the surgeon pierces the access port 112 using a needle or laser media. The surgeon may then push the laser fiber of a YAG laser unit through access port 112, manifold member 60 and down the barrel member 14, leaving the active end of the fiber positioned alongside tip 16. The laser can then be energized using controls on the laser unit. After a period of dissection, the operation site can be rinsed by depressing the irrigation button 80 on the handle, causing the irrigation lever member 74 to move into its first position against the bias of spring member 84. Rinsing stops when the irrigation button 80 is released and the irrigation lever member 74 returns to its second position. After rinsing, vacuum button 80 may be depressed to move vacuum lever member 74 into its first position against the bias of spring member 84 to vacuum the fluids from the site. Although not shown, buttons 80 may be provided with a lock to selectively retain the buttons in their first positions. The sheath member 20 may be moved into its first position in covering relationship to dissecting tip 16 at any time during the procedure by moving control 22 into its first position which in turn causes sheath member 20 to move into its first position. This function is particularly useful in protecting delicate organs during the vacuum function, and during introduction and withdrawal of barrel member 14 through the trocar tube. When the surgical repair is completed, the barrel member 14 is withdrawn from the trocar tube and the device 10 is unhooked from the pumps and ESU unit, and is discarded. From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous modifications and corrections can be effected without departing from scope of the novel concepts of the present invention. It will be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodiment illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.

Claims: An electrosurgical device (10), comprising: a handle member (12); an elongated barrel member (14) having a proximal end portion (24) and a distal end portion (26); an electrode member (16) extending outwardly from the distal end portion (26) of said barrel member (14); means (18) for connecting said electrode member (16) to a source of electrical energy; a manifold member (60) positioned in said handle member (12) in communication with the proximal end portion (24) of said barrel member (14); an irrigation tube (66) having a first end portion and a second end portion, said second end portion of said irrigation tube being adapted to be connected to an irrigation unit; a vacuum tube (70) positioned in said handle member (12), said vacuum tube having a first end portion (72) in communication with said manifold member (60) and a second end portion adapted to be connected to a vacuum source; and pressure vent means; characterised in that the irrigation tube is positioned in said handle member (12), said irrigation tube having a first end portion (68) in communication with said manifold member (60) and said pressure vent means is in communication with said irrigation tube (66) for venting excess pressure therefrom. The electrosurgical device as defined in claim 1 wherein said pressure vent means precludes the internal pressure in said irrigation tube (66) from exceeding from about 170 kPa (10 psig) to about 308 kPa (30 psig). The electrosurgical device as claimed in claim 1, further including a connector assembly (90) positioned in said handle member (12), said connector assembly having an irrigation inlet port (92) adapted to be connected to an irrigation unit and an irrigation outlet port (94) connected to the second end portion of said irrigation tube (66) in fluid communication with said irrigation inlet port (92) through an irrigation flow channel (96) extending therebetween, said connector assembly (90) having a vacuum inlet port (98) adapted to be connected to a vacuum source and a vacuum outlet port (100) connected to the second end portion of said vacuum tube (70) in fluid communication with said vacuum inlet port (98) through a vacuum flow channel (102) extending therebetween, said connector assembly including a shunt channel extending between said irrigation flow channel and said vacuum flow channel, said shunt channel having a pressure vent valve member associated therewith to vent excess pressure in said irrigation flow channel through said shunt channel into said vacuum flow channel. The electrosurgical device as defined in claim 3 wherein said pressure vent valve member is a spring biased check ball valve located in said shunt channel. The electrosurgical device as defined in claim 4 wherein said pressure vent valve member limits the internal pressure in said irrigation flow channel to from about 170 kPa (10 psig) to about 308 kPa (30 psig).

Inventors: BIEHLE EDWARD JOSEPH, FOX WILLIAM DOUGLAS, PARKHURST HARRY C, SCHWEMBERGER RICHARD F, BIEHLE, EDWARD JOSEPH, FOX, WILLIAM DOUGLAS, PARKHURST, HARRY C., SCHWEMBERGER, RICHARD F.
Applicants: ETHICON INC, ETHICON, INC.
Application year: 1992
Main classification: A61B17
IPC codes: A61M1, A61B18