Abstract:
Medical devices that useful during electrocauterization procedures. The present invention encompasses a needle-tipped electrocautery device in which the needle tip is housed within the body of the device when the device is not in use. When an extension mechanism on the electrocautery stylus is activated, the tip is exposed and may be used for surgical procedures. The mechanism may be either mechanically driven or electronically driven. The present invention thereby dramatically reduces the risk of injury or infection by inadvertent pricks from an electrocautery tool.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of the earlier filing date of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/950,378 filed on Jul. 18, 2007. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to surgical tools and more specifically to hand-held electrocautery devices. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Background 
         [0005]    Electrocautery is the process of damaging tissue using electrical current that is widely used in modern surgery. Electrocautery may be performed to cut through soft tissue or to stop bleeding from small blood vessels. Electrocautery surgical devices are typically hand-held units that include a metal tip through which the electrical current is applied to the tissue. 
         [0006]    An electrocautery stylus is a variety of electrocautery device that is commonly employed in surgery procedures. The metal tip of the stylus may be either sharp or dull. The advantage of a sharp, needle-like tip is precision in cutting and cauterization. Unfortunately, the sharp tip represents a hazard on the surgical field carrying with it the risk of needle-stick transmission of blood-borne pathogens. 
         [0007]    Other surgical tools with sharp ends have covers that are employed to shield the sharp end of the tool from the surgical room personnel. Some of those covers take the form of separate pieces that may be detached from the surgical tool before use. In other cases, the cover is integrated with the device and must be retracted manually prior to each use of the device. For electrocautery styluses, such solutions are unsuitable because the stylus is used repeatedly during surgery and the repetitive step of removal or retraction of the cover would impede the tool&#39;s regular use. 
         [0008]    Thus, there has been a long-standing need in the surgical art area for a needle-tipped electrocautery device that protects medical practitioners from accidental needle pricks while at the same time maintaining the utility of the device for the surgeon. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    For the present invention to be clearly understood and readily practiced, the present invention will be described in conjunction with the following figures, wherein like reference characters designate the same or similar elements, which figures are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification, wherein: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of the present invention that is mechanically driven; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  displays an embodiment of the present invention that is electronically driven. 
       
    
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The present invention encompasses medical devices that are useful during electrocauterization procedures. In presently preferred embodiments, the device is a needle-tipped electrocautery device in which the needle tip is housed within the body of the device when the device is not in use. When an extension mechanism on the electrocautery stylus is activated, the tip is exposed and may be used for surgical procedures. The mechanism may be either mechanically driven or electronically driven. The present invention thereby dramatically reduces the risk of injury or infection by inadvertent pricks from an electrocautery tool. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the present invention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, other elements that may be well known. The detailed description will be provided hereinbelow with reference to the attached drawings. 
         [0014]    The present invention preferably encompasses apparatuses for use in surgery. Presently preferred embodiments of the present invention include a hand-held electrocautery stylus with a retractable needle tip. When not in use, the devices of the present invention have the electrocautery needle tip covered to prevent accidental injury. When employed by the medical practitioner, the present invention allows for a mechanism to be engaged which exposes the needle tip, thus allowing for its surgical use. 
         [0015]    In certain presently preferred embodiments, the present invention is a modification on the design of hand-held electrocautery devices. As such, all of the circuitry used in implementing electrocautery devices may be employed within the context of the present invention. Such circuitry would be well known to those of skill in the art. Typically, electrocautery devices of the prior art possess two actuating buttons—one for administering an amount of current sufficient for coagulation and one for administering an amount of current sufficient for cutting tissue. When the buttons are depressed, the appropriate current is delivered through a stylus tip to the tissue. After the device is removed from its packaging, the stylus tip is constantly exposed to the surgical field. 
         [0016]    The present invention preferably includes an electrocautery device with a needle tip that is shielded within a sheath in the unused state. To retain the standard functionality, the present invention also employs two actuating buttons similar to those used in the prior art electrocautery devices. In certain presently preferred embodiments, pressing either of the actuating buttons results in exposure of the needle tip. That may be accomplished either through advancement of the needle out of a sheath, or by retraction of the sheath to expose the needle. Following use of the device, needle tip is once again covered until the device is re-used by the surgeon. 
         [0017]    The movement of either the sheath or the needle may be accomplished in a variety of ways. For example, movement of the needle may be achieved mechanically as depicted schematically in  FIG. 1 . The embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  omits the well-known components that make up the electrocauterization circuitry, which may be supplied power through the power line shown  102 . In certain presently preferred embodiments, either one of the actuating buttons  104   108  may interact with a spring-loaded extension  112  of the sheath or needle  116 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , an extension  112  of the needle  116  is shown. When either actuating button  104   108  is depressed, it physically may engage a ramped element  120  located on the extension. When the buttons  104   108  engage the ramped element  120 , the extension  112  is forced forward thereby extending the needle tip  116  from the device  100  beyond the sheath  114 . When not in use, an internal spring  124  may force the needle  116  to retract into the device  100 . 
         [0018]    In other embodiments, the button may engage ramped elements oriented in the opposite direction thereby retracting a sheath assembly and exposing the needle tip of the device. When not in use, the internal springs force the sheath forward thereby covering the needle tip of the device. 
         [0019]    In addition to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , one of skill in the art may envision numerous other mechanical means of extending the cauterization needle from the housing of the device. For example, a ratcheted mechanism may be employed in which a button, which is distinct from the cauterization actuating buttons, drives the electrocauterization needle from the housing of the device. Once exposed, the needle is locked in the extended position by a ratcheting-type mechanism. When the surgeon is finished using the electrocautery device, the button may be depressed again, thereby activating the ratchet and allowing the needle to be retracted into the body of the device. Other mechanisms well known to those of skill in the art may be employed within the context of the present invention to effect a mechanical exposure of the stylus tip. 
         [0020]    In other implementations, the retraction of the sheath or extension of the needle tip could be accomplished electronically by a motor  220  housed within the electrocautery device  200  as shown schematically in  FIG. 2 . The embodiment shown in  FIG. 2  omits the well-known components that make up the electrocauterization circuitry, which may be supplied power through the power line shown  202 . In such implementations, when either button  204   208  is depressed, a motor  220  is engaged. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the motor  220  drives the electrocautery needle  216  from the device  200  beyond the sheath  214 . In alternative embodiments, the sheath may be similarly retracted, thereby exposing the needle. One of skill in the art will recognize many motors or motorized components that could be used within the context of the present invention. Examples include linear actuators, solenoids, piezo-driven motors, worm gears, or other common DC motors. Any implementation employing motorized components would preferably engage those motorized components only when the actuator buttons are depressed. Therefore, the overall functionality of the prior art electrocautery device would be retained allowing surgical practitioners to maintain their high level of skill and practice. 
         [0021]    Although the invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments in an application, one of ordinary skill in the art, in light of the teachings herein, can generate additional embodiments and modifications without departing from the spirit of, or exceeding the scope of, the claimed invention. Accordingly, it is understood that the drawings and the descriptions herein are proffered only to facilitate comprehension of the invention and should not be construed to limit the scope thereof.