Abstract:
An electrode adapted to connect to an electrosurgical instrument is provided. The electrode includes a proximal end that is adapted to connect to an electrosurgical instrument and an electrosurgical energy source. The electrode includes a distal end configured for treating tissue. The distal end of the electrode includes a first portion having one or more edges and a second portion having a substantially blunt profile. An insulative material is disposed over at least the distal end of the electrode. The insulative material includes a first thickness at the first portion and a second thickness at the second portion, wherein upon activation, the insulative material disposed over the first portion breaks away from the first portion allowing energy to travel to tissue from the first portion.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to an electrosurgical electrode and, more particularly, to an electrosurgical electrode including an insulative coating configured to provide a path for electrosurgical energy from the electrosurgical electrode to tissue during an electrosurgical procedure. 
     2. Background of Related Art 
     Electrosurgical instruments have become widely used by surgeons in recent years. By and large, most electrosurgical instruments are hand-held instruments, e.g., an electrosurgical pencil, which transfer radio-frequency (RF) electrical or electrosurgical energy to a tissue site via an electrosurgical electrode. Typically, the electrosurgical energy is returned to the electrosurgical source via a return electrode pad positioned under a patient (i.e., a monopolar system configuration) or a smaller return electrode positionable in bodily contact with or immediately adjacent to the surgical site (i.e., a bipolar system configuration). The waveforms produced by the RF source yield a predetermined electrosurgical effect known generally as electrosurgical cutting and fulguration. 
     Typically, electrosurgical electrodes configured for electrosurgical use are subject to high temperatures at least where an electrosurgical arc emanates during the electrosurgical procedure, e.g., fulguration or coagulation. In some instances, the heat generated by the electrosurgical electrode during an electrosurgical procedure may cause proteins in bodily fluids and/or tissue to coagulate and adhere to the electrodes. To combat this adhering of bodily fluids and/or tissue to the electrosurgical electrodes, an insulative coating, e.g., a Teflon polymer, may be applied to the electrosurgical electrode. 
     However, as can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, areas of the electrosurgical electrode covered with an insulative coating cannot transmit RF electrical or electrosurgical energy to a tissue site. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure provides an electrode adapted to connect to an electrosurgical instrument. The electrode includes a proximal end that is adapted to connect to an electrosurgical instrument and an electrosurgical energy source. The electrode includes a distal end configured for treating tissue. The distal end of the electrode includes a first portion having one or more edges and a second portion having a substantially blunt profile. An insulative material is disposed over at least the distal end of the electrode. The insulative material includes a first thickness at the first portion and a second thickness at the second portion, wherein upon activation, the insulative material disposed over the first portion breaks away from the first portion allowing energy to travel to tissue from the first portion. 
     The present disclosure provides a method for performing an electrosurgical procedure. The method includes providing an electrosurgical system that includes an electrode that includes an insulative coating. A step of the method includes positioning the electrosurgical electrode adjacent a tissue site. The method includes transmitting an initial command signal to an electrosurgical generator in operative communication with the electrosurgical system. The method includes transmitting an RF pulse to the electrode in response to the initial command signal, such that at least a portion of the insulative coating is removed. And, another step of the method includes transmitting RF electrosurgical energy to the electrosurgical electrode such that an electrosurgical effect is achieved at the tissue site. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various embodiments of the present disclosure are described hereinbelow with references to the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1 . is a side, perspective view of an electrosurgical system including an electrosurgical electrode in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of the area of detail of the electrosurgical electrode illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a cut-away, cross-sectional view taken along line segment  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an electrosurgical electrode configured for use with the electrosurgical system of  FIG. 1  in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a cut-away, cross-sectional taken along line segment  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a flow chart illustrating steps for performing an electrosurgical procedure in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  are cross-sectional views illustrating various electrode configurations. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Particular embodiments of the presently disclosed electrosurgical electrode are described in detail with reference to the drawing figures wherein like reference numerals identify similar or identical elements. As used herein, the term “distal” refers to that portion which is further from the user while the term “proximal” refers to that portion which is closer to the user or surgeon. 
       FIG. 1  sets forth a side, perspective view of an electrosurgical system including an electrosurgical pencil  100  including an electrosurgical electrode  10  constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. While the following description will be directed towards electrosurgical pencils it is envisioned that the features and concepts (or portions thereof) of the present disclosure can be applied to any electrosurgical type instrument, e.g., forceps, suction coagulators, vessel sealers, wands, etc. 
     As seen in  FIG. 1 , electrosurgical pencil  100  includes an elongated housing  102  having a top-half shell portion  102   a  and a bottom-half shell portion  102   b . Electrosurgical pencil  100  includes a blade receptacle  104  disposed at a distal end of housing  102  configured to operatively and removably connect to a replaceable electrosurgical electrode  10 . Electrosurgical pencil  100  may be coupled to a conventional electrosurgical generator “G” via a plug assembly  200 . Electrosurgical pencil  100  includes one or more activation switches (three activation switches  120   a - 120   c  are shown). Each activation switch  120   a - 120   c  controls the transmission of RF electrical energy supplied from generator “G” to electrosurgical electrode  10 . 
     For a more detailed description of the electrosurgical pencil  100  including operative components associated therewith, reference is made to commonly-owned United States Patent Publication No. 2006/0178667. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , and initially with reference to  FIG. 2 , electrosurgical electrode  10  (electrode  10 ) is shown. Electrode  10  may be fabricated from a conductive type material, such as, for example, stainless steel, or may be coated with an electrically conductive material. Electrode  10  may include any suitable configuration including but not limited to a hook, needle, loop, blade, wand, etc. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-5 , electrode  10  includes a generally hook or “L” shape with a generally circular cross-section that extends from a proximal end  14  of electrode  10  to a distal end  12  of the electrode  10 . 
     Electrode  10  includes a layer of insulative coating  18  that coats distal end  12  and/or proximal end  14 . In embodiments, the layer of insulative coating  18  may be applied evenly over the entire surface of electrode  10 . Conversely, insulative coating may be applied in a non-even fashion. More particularly, electrode  10  may include portions (e.g., areas that are intended to emanate electrosurgical energy to a tissue site) that have less insulative coating  18  than other areas of the electrode  10  (e.g., areas that are not intended to emanate electrosurgical energy to a tissue site). More particularly, electrode  10  may include an arcuate cutout  32  that includes a thicker layer of insulative coating  18  and edges  34  that include a thinner layer of insulative coating  18 . This configuration of electrode  10  includes an uneven layer of insulative coating  18  that facilitates and/or speeds up the breakdown of insulative coating  18  at or near edges  34 . Insulative coating  18  may be made from any suitable material including but not limited to Teflon®, Teflon® polymers, silicone and the like. 
     As noted above, electrode  10  operatively and removably connects to blade receptacle  104 . To this end, proximal end  14  is selectively retained by receptacle  104  within the distal end of housing  102 . Reference is again made to commonly-owned United States Patent Publication No. 2006/0178667 for a more detailed description of the operative electrical and/or mechanical interfaces associated with proximal end  14  of electrode  10  and receptacle  104 . In embodiments, an articulating portion  16  extends from proximal end  14  and operably connects distal end  12  and proximal end  14  to each other, see  FIGS. 2 and 4 . The articulating portion  16  allows a user to substantially fix the distal end  12  of electrode  10  in a desired position prior to electrosurgically effecting tissue. 
     Distal end  12  of electrode  10  extends distally beyond receptacle  104 . Distal end  12  includes inner and outer faces  12   a  and  12   b , respectively. Distal end  12  includes an elongated shaft portion  20  having a proximal end  22  that extends from a distal end  24  of the articulating portion  16 . In embodiments, shaft portion  20  is disposed parallel with respect to a longitudinal axis “A” of the electrosurgical pencil  100 , as best seen in  FIG. 2 . 
     Distal end  12  includes a curved portion  26  that extends from a distal end  28  of the shaft  20 . Curved portion  26  includes a generally concave configuration. In certain instances, this concave configuration may facilitate manipulating tissue. Curved portion  26  includes a generally circular cross-section. A distal end  40  of curved portion  26  includes a tip  30 . In the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , tip  30  includes a generally rounded, blunt tip configuration. Conversely, tip  30  may include a generally pointed, sharp tip configuration. Specific tip configurations of tip  30  will depend on the contemplated uses of a manufacturer. 
     An arcuate cutout  32  extends along the inner face  12   a  from the tip  30  of the curved portion  26  to the distal end  28  of the shaft  20 , as best seen in  FIG. 2 . Alternatively, the arcuate cutout  32  may extend from the tip  30  to the distal end  24  of articulating portion  16  (see  FIG. 4 , for example). The specific configuration of arcuate cutout  32  with respect to the distal end  12  and/or shaft  20  will depend on the contemplated surgical purposes of the electrode  10 . For example, in embodiments, the arcuate cutout  32  can be extended or reduced along a length of the inner face  12   a  such that a specific electrosurgical effect can be achieved at a desired location along the inner face  12   a.    
     Arcuate cutout  32  extends along the inner face  12   a  and defines one or more edges  34 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , arcuate cutout  32  defines two relatively sharp edges  34 . The combination of arcuate cutout  32  and edges  34  provides at least a portion of the distal end  12  of the electrode  10  that includes a region of insulative coating  18  that is configured to provide a path for electrosurgical energy to flow from the distal end  12  of the electrode  10  to tissue during an electrosurgical procedure. More particularly, when electrosurgical energy is transmitted (e.g., in response to an initial command signal) to the distal end  12  of the electrode  10 , the edges  34  provide an area of high concentration of electrosurgical energy along the length of the edge  34 . This high concentration of electrosurgical energy breaks down or “blows off,” e.g., vaporizes, the layer of insulative coating  18  that electrically insulates the edges  34 , which, in turn, provides one or more paths “P 1 ” for RF energy to flow, see  FIG. 3 . The sharpness of edges  34  is directly proportional to the concentration of electrosurgical energy at the edges  34  when electrosurgical energy is transmitted to the electrode  10 . That is, the sharper the edges  34  for a given amount of transmitted electrosurgical energy the higher the concentration of electrosurgical energy at the edges  34  when electrosurgical energy is transmitted to the electrode  10 . The sharpness of the edges  34  relative to the arcuate cutout  32  will depend on the contemplated uses of a manufacturer. 
     Electrode  10  including distal end  12  and proximal end  14  may be formed by any suitable techniques, e.g., machining techniques. For example, in embodiments, distal end  12  including arcuate cutout  32  and/or sharp edges  34  may be formed by known milling techniques. Alternatively, or in combination therewith, arcuate cutout  32  and/or sharp edges  34  may be formed by known etching techniques. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , and initially with reference to  FIG. 4 , an alternate embodiment of electrode  10  is shown designated  200 . Electrode  200  is substantially similar to electrode  10 . Accordingly, only those features and/or operative components that are unique or distinctive to electrode  200  will be described herein. 
     Unlike electrode  10 , electrode  200  includes a pair of arcuate cutouts  232  that extend along both an inner face  212   a  and outer face  212   b  from a tip  230  of the curved portion  226  to the proximal end  222  of the shaft  220 . More particularly, arcuate cutouts  232  extend along both the inner face  212   a  and outer face  212   b  and define one or more edges  234 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 , arcuate cutouts  232  define four relatively sharp edges  234 . The combination of arcuate cutouts  232  and edges  234  provides at least a portion of the distal end  212  of the electrode  200  that includes a region of insulative coating  218  that is configured to provide a path for transmitting electrosurgical energy from the distal end  212  of the electrode  200  to tissue during an electrosurgical procedure. More particularly, when electrosurgical energy is transmitted to the distal end  212  of the electrode  200 , the edges  234  provide an area of high concentration of electrosurgical energy along the length of the edge  234 . This high concentration of electrosurgical energy breaks down or “blows off,” e.g., vaporizes, the layer of insulative coating  218  that electrically insulates the edges  234 , which, in turn, provides one or more paths “P 2 ” for RF energy to flow, see  FIG. 5 . As noted above with respect to edges  34 , the sharpness of edges  234  is directly proportional to the concentration of electrosurgical energy at the edges  234  when electrosurgical energy is transmitted to the electrode  200 . That is, the sharper the edges  234  the higher the concentration of electrosurgical energy at the edges  234  when electrosurgical energy is transmitted to the electrode  200 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 6 , a method  500  of use of electrode  10  will be described in terms of use with an electrosurgical system including an electrosurgical pencil  100  coupled to a conventional electrosurgical generator “G” via the plug assembly  200  (step  502 ). Electrosurgical pencil  100  and/or generator “G” may be set to an initial insulation “breakdown” mode setting. A user may position the curved portion  26  of electrode  10  adjacent a tissue site. One or more of the activation switches  120   a - 120   c  may be employed to transmit an initial command signal to the generator “G” (step  504 ). In response to receiving the initial command signal, generator “G” may be configured to transmit an initial RF pulse that is configured to breakdown or “blow-off,” e.g., vaporize, the insulative coating  18  located at or adjacent the one or more edges  34  (step  506 ). As noted above, only the insulative coating  18  located at or near the edges  34  is broken-down, and the insulative coating  18  located on the other areas (e.g., arcuate cutout  32 ) on the electrode  10  remain intact. In an embodiment, once the insulative coating  18  is broken-down or “blown off,” e.g., vaporized, one or more of the activation switches  120   a - 120   c  may be employed to transmit a subsequent command signal to the generator “G” (step  508 ). In response to the subsequent command signal, generator “G” may transmit RF electrosurgical energy to the electrode  10  which emanates from the one or more edges  34  such that an electrosurgical tissue effect may be achieved at the tissue site (step  510 ). It is contemplated that one skilled in the art will appreciate other methods of use for electrode  10 . 
     From the foregoing and with reference to the various figure drawings, those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain modifications can also be made to the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the same. For example, electrode  10  may include other geometrical configurations. More particularly,  FIGS. 7A and 7B  are cut-away views illustrating other various electrode  10  configurations including their associated paths “P 3 ” and “P 4 ” for RF energy to flow. 
     While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in the drawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.