Abstract:
Presented are a method and apparatus for surgical procedures. An exemplary apparatus includes a body having a longitudinal axis, the body comprising a hollow passageway extending through the longitudinal axis from an inlet at a distal end to a port at a proximal end. The apparatus further includes an electrode extending from the distal end of the body adjacent to the inlet. The apparatus also includes a swivel portion moveably coupled to the port, the swivel portion having a second hollow passageway fluidly coupled to the hollow conduit extending from the port to an outlet, wherein the swivel portion comprises a first swivel element operable to rotate around the longitudinal axis relative to the body, and wherein the swivel portion comprises a second swivel element operable to rotate relative to the first swivel element and the body.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to smoke evacuation and more specifically to an electrosurgical device with smoke evacuation during medical procedures. 
       Description of Related Art 
       [0002]    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 
       [0003]    In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus, electrosurgical device and method for surgical procedures. 
         [0004]    A first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides an apparatus for surgical procedures. The apparatus includes a body having a longitudinal axis, the body including a hollow passageway extending through the longitudinal axis from an inlet to a port. The apparatus further includes a swivel portion moveably coupled to the port, the swivel portion having a second hollow passageway fluidly coupled to the hollow passageway extending from the port to an outlet, wherein the swivel portion is operable to rotate around the longitudinal axis relative to the body, and wherein the swivel portion comprises a hollow socket and a hollow ball, the hollow ball operable to rotate within the socket relative to the socket. 
         [0005]    A second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides electrosurgical device. The electrosurgical device includes a body having a longitudinal axis, the body comprising a hollow passageway extending through the longitudinal axis from an inlet at a distal end to a port at a proximal end, and an electrode extending from the distal end of the body adjacent to the inlet. The electrosurgical device further includes a swivel portion moveably coupled to the port, the swivel portion having a second hollow passageway fluidly coupled to the hollow passageway extending from the port to an outlet, wherein the swivel portion comprises a first swivel element operable to rotate around the longitudinal axis relative to the body, and wherein the swivel portion comprises a second swivel element operable to rotate relative to the first swivel element and the body. 
         [0006]    A third exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method. The method includes providing a body having a longitudinal axis, the body comprising a hollow passageway extending through the longitudinal axis from an inlet at a distal end to a port at a proximal end, and providing an electrode extending from the distal end of the body adjacent to the inlet. The method further includes providing a swivel portion moveably coupled to the port, the swivel portion having a second hollow passageway fluidly coupled to the hollow passageway extending from the port to an outlet, wherein the swivel portion comprises a first swivel element operable to rotate around the longitudinal axis relative to the body, and wherein the swivel portion comprises a second swivel element operable to rotate relative to the first swivel element and the body. 
         [0007]    The following will describe embodiments of the present invention, but it should be appreciated that the present disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments and various modifications of the invention are possible without departing from the basic principles. The scope of the present disclosure is therefore to be determined solely by the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of a device suitable for use in practicing exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a device suitable for use in practicing exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a partial perspective cross-sectional view of a device suitable for use in practicing exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4A  is a partial side cross-sectional view of a device suitable for use in practicing exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4B  is a partial side cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a device suitable for use in practicing exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a device suitable for use in practicing exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a perspective cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a device suitable for use in practicing exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7A  is a side elevation view of a third embodiment of a device suitable for use in practicing exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7B  is a side elevation view of the third embodiment of a device suitable for use in practicing exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the third embodiment of a device suitable for use in practicing exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the third embodiment of a device suitable for use in practicing exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a device suitable for use practicing exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an electrosurgical device suitable for use in practicing exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    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. 
         [0022]    Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIG. 1  thereof, this invention provides an electrosurgical device having a vacuum port, generally indicated at  20 , which is particularly adapted for (but not limited to) suctioning smoke during electrosurgery. 
         [0023]    Shown in  FIG. 1  is the proximal end of an electrosurgical device  20  having a longitudinal axis  45 . The electrosurgical device  20  includes a hollow body  22  enclosing a passageway  302  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) extending through the longitudinal axis  45  from a distal end  1104  (shown in  FIG. 11 ) holding an electrode  1100  to a proximal end  39  having a port  306 . The proximal end  39  and port  306  of the body  22  is disposed adjacent to a swivel portion  42  having a barbed fitting  28  for attachment to a conduit such as a vacuum tube  202  or plastic hose leading to the vacuum power unit  204  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). Port  306 , passageway  302 , outlet  104 , and passageway  304  are fluidly connected. A conduit  202  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) may extend from a vacuum power unit  204  to the barbed fitting  28  at the end of the electrosurgical device  20  operable for removing the surgical smoke through the body  22  and passageway  302  of the electrosurgical device  20  and through vacuum tube  202 . The distal end  1104  of the electrosurgical device  20  (shown in  FIG. 11 ) may be provided with an inlet  1102  to passageway  302 . The smoke generated by the electrosurgical device  20  enters the inlet  1102  which is in fluid communication with a passageway  302  through the body  22  of the electrosurgical device  20 . The passageway  302  is disposed in fluid communication with swivel portion  42  having a hollow passageway  304  and an outlet  104  of the electrosurgical device  22  where the barbed fitting  28  is located. Accordingly, smoke and debris from the procedure may be conveyed from the inlet  1102  through the electrosurgical device  20  and hollow passageway  304  of swivel portion  42  to the outlet  104  of the electrosurgical device  20  surrounded by the barbed fitting  28 . From the outlet  104 , the smoke and debris is conveyed through a conduit  202  toward the vacuum source  204 . It is further noted that barbed fitting  28  does not have to be a barbed fitting  28 , and that any male or female connection can be substituted. For example, a female connector may be used in place of barbed fitting  28  so as to keep the inner diameter of the fitting, and hence the passageway  304  (see  FIG. 3 ), as large as possible. 
         [0024]    As shown, the electrosurgical device  20  may be provided with a cut button  33  and a coagulate button  36  that provide different levels of current to the electrode  1100  at the distal end  1104  of the electrosurgical device  20 . In one embodiment, the cut button  33  is operable to activate the electrode  1100  at a first power level and coagulate button  36  is operable to activate the electrode  1100  at a second power level. The first power level in embodiments is different from the second power level. The proximal end  39  of the body  22  is disposed adjacent to a swivel portion  42 . The swivel portion  42  is connected to the body  22  but is configured and arranged to rotate about the longitudinal axis  45  of the electrosurgical device  20 . The rotatable connection between the swivel portion  42  and the body  22  is shown in  FIG. 3 . Returning to  FIG. 1 , the barbed fitting  28  may be pivotally attached to the swivel portion  42  such that the barbed fitting may rotate relative to the swivel portion  42  which in turn may rotate relative to the body  22 . Accordingly, the system provides significant flexibility with regard to the positioning of the conduit  202  leading to the vacuum unit  204 . As indicated by arrows  48  and  51 , the barbed fitting  28  can be rotated upward or downward with respect to the orientation shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0025]    Turning to  FIG. 2 , as described above the swivel portion  42  is configured and arranged to rotate freely in either direction about the longitudinal axis  45  of the electrosurgical device  20  in the direction of arrows  55  and  58 . 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the swivel portion  42  has a ring portion  60  that rotates inside a slot  61  defined in the inner wall of the body  22 . The engagement of the ring portion  60  with the slot  61  provides for rotation of the swivel portion  42  relative to the body  22  and also prevents the swivel portion  42  from disconnecting from the body  22 . 
         [0027]    The barbed fitting  28  includes passageway  304  to provide an air pathway to the conduit  202  that is attached to the outlet  104 . The barbed fitting  28  is connected to a ball  64  that fits inside a socket  67  formed in the end of the swivel portion  42 . Accordingly, the barbed fitting  28  may be pivoted and rotated in many different directions in the ball and socket configuration. 
         [0028]    Turning to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the barbed fitting  28  may be connected to the swivel portion  42  in the direction of the longitudinal axis  45  as shown in  FIG. 4A . Alternatively and in order to provide a greater range in movement of the swivel assembly, the swivel portion  42  may be angled along a side  402  as shown in  FIG. 4B . Accordingly, the barbed fitting  28  is connected at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis  45  of the electrosurgical device  20 . Embodiments of angled side  402  create an angle between 0 degrees to 90 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis  45 . 
         [0029]    In another embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , a swivel portion  70  may be angled at approximately ninety degrees. However, it should be appreciated that embodiments of swivel portion  70  include being angled between 0 degrees to 90 degrees. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the body  22  connects with a first end  72  of the swivel portion  70 . The first end  72  rotates about the longitudinal axis  45  in the direction of arrow  66 . The second end  78  of the swivel portion  70  may be disposed at an approximately ninety degree angle with respect to the first end  72 . However, embodiments include the second end  78  of swivel portion  70  being disposed anywhere between approximately 0 degrees to 90 degrees. The hose connector  80  may also be angled at approximately ninety degrees between a first end  82  and a second end  84 . Embodiments include the hose connector  80  being angled anywhere between approximately 0 degrees to 90 degrees. The first end  82  of the hose connector  80  is capable of rotating relative to the second end  78  of the swivel portion  70  in the direction of arrow  85 . 
         [0030]    In  FIG. 6 , shown is a cross-sectional view of the swivel to body connection and swivel to hose connection are shown in detail. The body  22  may be formed with a projection  90  that fits into a slot  92  formed in the swivel portion  70 . The engagement of the projection  90  with the slot  92  allows for rotation between the parts but maintains the coupling of the two parts. The hose connection  80  includes a projection  602  coupled to hose connection  80  that fits into a slot  604  formed in the swivel portion  70 . Other mechanical means for joining the parts but allowing rotation of the swivel portion relative to the body will be evident to persons of ordinary skill in the art based on this disclosure. 
         [0031]    Turning to  FIGS. 7A and 7B , in another embodiment a swivel portion  100  may be attached at an angle to a hose connector  105 . The hose connector  105  is connected to the swivel portion  100  at an approximately forty-five degree angle. However, it should be appreciated that embodiments include the hose connector  105  being connected to the swivel portion  100  between approximately 0 degrees to 45 degrees. The angle allows the hose connection to be pointed straight back ( FIG. 7A ), collinear to the pen body  22 , perpendicular to the pen body  22  ( FIG. 7B ), or any angle in between. While a forty-five degree angle is shown, the angle may increase or decrease to allow for a different range of movement. The hose connector  105  may rotate in the direction of arrows  110  and  120 . 
         [0032]    Turning to  FIG. 8 , a second pivot point  800  may be located between the body and the swivel portion. The swivel portion is connected to the body as disclosed in  FIG. 3  discussed above and may rotate about the longitudinal axis of the body as illustrated by arrows  802 ,  804 . 
         [0033]    Turning to  FIG. 9 , shown is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8  depicting the swivel  100  to body  22  connection and the swivel  100  to hose  105  connection. The swivel  100  to body  22  connection is similar to the connection shown and described in  FIG. 3  with a projection  904  extending into a corresponding slot  902  allowing for rotation of swivel  100  relative to body  22 . Illustrated in  FIG. 9  is the swivel  100  to hose  105  connection at a forty five degree angle. The connection between swivel  100  and hose  105  uses a projection  908  and a corresponding slot  906  that provides for rotation but does not allow the parts to separate. In other embodiments, each of the swivel  100  to body  22  connection and the swivel  100  to hose  105  connection may be set at alternative angles. For example, the swivel  100  to body  22  connection may be at a twenty degree angle while the swivel  100  to hose  105  connection may be at a ninety degree angle. A barbed fitting  28  is disposed on the outlet  104  of the hose  105  connection. 
         [0034]    In  FIG. 10 , another embodiment of the invention includes a swivel portion  200  having a pair of arms  210  and  215  that extend parallel to each other. A hose connection  220  is pivotally attached to the swivel portion  200  by means of a pivot pin  222  extending between the arms  210 ,  215 . The hose connection  220  has an opening for receiving the pivot pin  222 . The swivel portion  200  and the arms  210  and  215  are all hollow such that air from the passageway  302  passes through the body  22  and into the swivel portion  200 . From the swivel portion  200 , the air flows into the hose  220  connector through a hollow pivot pin  222 . The air then exits through the center of the hose connector  220 . 
         [0035]    This disclosure has been described in detail with particular reference to an embodiment, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalents thereof are intended to be embraced therein.