Patent Publication Number: US-2023135303-A1

Title: Ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil and ultrapolar electrosurgery blade

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation patent application of utility patent application having Ser. No. 15/725,640, filed Oct. 5, 2017, which claims priority to provisional patent application having Ser. No. 62/404,292 entitled “Ultrapolar Telescopic Electrosurgery Pencil,” filed Oct. 5, 2016, which are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties. This application also relates to patent application having Ser. No. 15/697,335 entitled “Ultrapolar Electrosurgery Blade and Pencil For Use In ESU Monopolar And Bipolar Modes” which is also herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention is generally directed to an ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil for use in both monopolar mode and bipolar mode for cutting and coagulation. The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil includes a handpiece member having first and second ends, a hollow telescopic member having first and second ends where at least a portion of the hollow telescopic member is concentrically positioned within the first end of the handpiece member, and an electrosurgery blade positioned within the first end of the hollow telescopic member where the electrosurgery blade includes a nonconductive member with opposing planar sides and a cutting edge, an active electrode positioned on one of the opposing planar sides such that at least a portion of the opposing planar side is exposed near the cutting edge, and a return electrode positioned on the other opposing planar side such that at least a portion of the other opposing planar side is exposed near the cutting edge. The hollow telescopic member and the handpiece member may also form an evacuation channel for evacuating smoke and/or debris away from the surgical site. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Electrosurgery uses an RF electrosurgical generator (also known as an electrosurgical unit or ESU) and a handpiece with an electrode to provide high frequency, alternating radio frequency (RF) current input at various voltages to cut or coagulate biological tissue. The handpiece may be a monopolar instrument with one electrode or a bipolar instrument with two electrodes. When using a monopolar instrument, a return electrode pad is attached to the patient and the high frequency electrical current flows from the generator, to the monopolar instrument, through the patient to the patient return electrode pad, and back to the generator. Monopolar electrosurgery is commonly used due to its versatility and effectiveness. However, the excessive heat generated with monopolar electrosurgery can cause excessive tissue damage and necrosis of the tissue because the return electrode positioned on the back of the patient causes high voltage and high RF energy to pass through the patient. 
     In bipolar electrosurgery, active output and patient return functions both occur at the surgery site because both the active and return electrodes are contained in the bipolar instrument. Therefore, the path of the electrical current is confined to the biological tissue located between the active and return electrodes. Although bipolar electrosurgery enables the use of lower voltages and less energy and thereby reduces or eliminates the likelihood of tissue damage and sparking associated with monopolar electrosurgery, it has limited ability to cut and coagulate large bleeding areas. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for an electrosurgery blade and an electrosurgery pencil that can be used in both monopolar and bipolar modes for cutting and coagulation thereby allowing flexibility for cutting and coagulation of large areas of tissue without the tissue damage when used in monopolar mode and which eliminates passing of energy through the patient when used in bipolar mode. An ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil with an ultrapolar electrosurgery blade having a sharp cutting end and an active electrode positioned on one opposing planar side of a non-conductive member and a return electrode positioned on the other opposing planar side of the non-conductive member would meet this need. The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil described with reference to the present invention can be used in both monopolar and bipolar modes thereby providing flexibility to a surgeon or operator. The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil described with reference to the present invention also enables a user or surgeon to more easily and efficiently access the surgical site with enhanced viewing capability by extending the telescopic member of the pencil as well as the electrosurgery blade positioned within the telescopic member of the pencil. Some embodiments of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil described with reference to the present invention also enable a user or surgeon to evacuate smoke and/or debris form the surgical site while being able to perform precise cutting at the surgical site as well as cutting and coagulation of tissue areas located at the surgical site. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to an ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil which includes a handpiece member having first and second ends, a hollow telescopic member having first and second ends with the second end of the hollow telescopic member concentrically positioned within the first end of the handpiece member, and an electro surgery blade positioned at least partially within the first end of the hollow telescopic member where the electrosurgery blade includes a non-conductive member with opposing planar sides and a cutting edge, an active electrode positioned on one of the opposing planar sides so that at least a portion of the opposing planar side is exposed near the cutting edge, and a return electrode positioned on the other opposing planar side so that at least a portion of the other opposing sides is exposed near the cutting edge. The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil can be used in both a monopolar mode and a bipolar mode when used to perform electrosurgery. In addition, the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present invention is capable of cutting and coagulating tissue at a low power level, namely a power level that is less than 20 watts. 
     The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil may include a retaining member located within the hollow telescopic member for retaining at least a portion of the electrosurgery blade within the telescopic member. The handpiece member and the hollow telescopic member may form an evacuation channel for evacuating smoke and/or debris away from the surgical site where the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil is being employed. 
     A nozzle member may be connected to the first end of the hollow telescopic member so that at least a portion of the electrosurgery blade is positioned in the nozzle member as well as within the first end of the hollow telescopic member. The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil may also include a swivel member connected to the second end of the handpiece member to inhibit twisting and kinking of a vacuum tube connected to the electrosurgery pencil for evacuating smoke and/or debris from the surgical site. In embodiments of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present invention that accommodate evacuation of smoke and/or debris from the surgical site, the nozzle, hollow telescopic member, handpiece member, and swivel member may all form part of an evacuation channel for diverting smoke and/or debris away from the surgical site. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present invention includes a handpiece member having first and second ends, a hollow telescopic member having first and second ends with the second end of the hollow telescopic member concentrically positioned within the first end of the handpiece member, and an electrosurgery blade positioned at least partially within the first end of the hollow telescopic member where the electrosurgery blade includes a non-conductive member with opposing planar sides and a cutting edge, an active electrode positioned on one of the opposing planar sides so that at least a portion of the opposing planar side is exposed near the cutting edge, and a return electrode positioned on the other opposing planar side so that at least a portion of the other opposing sides is exposed near the cutting edge, a first insulated wire connected to the active electrode of the electrosurgery blade and a first retaining element for retaining at least a portion of the first insulated wire near a top interior of the handpiece member, and a second insulated wire connected to the return electrode of the electrosurgery blade and a second retaining element for retaining at least a portion of the second insulated wire near a bottom interior of the handpiece member. This exemplary embodiment may also include the nozzle and swivel members previously described above and the nozzle member, hollow telescopic member, handpiece member, and swivel member may form an evacuation channel for evacuating smoke and/or debris away from the surgical site. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present invention includes a handpiece member having first and second ends, a hollow telescopic member having first and second ends with the second end of the hollow telescopic member concentrically positioned within the first end of the handpiece member, and an electrosurgery blade positioned at least partially within the first end of the hollow telescopic member where the electrosurgery blade includes a non-conductive member with opposing planar sides and a cutting edge, an active electrode positioned on one of the opposing planar sides so that at least a portion of the opposing planar side is exposed near the cutting edge, and a return electrode positioned on the other opposing planar side so that at least a portion of the other opposing sides is exposed near the cutting edge, a conductive elongated contact member attached to a top interior surface of the handpiece member and a conductive contact member connected to the active electrode of the electrosurgery blade such that the conductive contact member can be slidably engaged with respect to the conductive elongated contact member, and a hollow conductive tube member contained within the hollow telescopic member that is connected to the return electrode of the electrosurgery blade and a solid conductive rod member connected to the handpiece member such that the solid conductive rod member can slide within and along a length of the hollow conductive tube member. 
     In this second exemplary embodiment, at least a portion of the conductive contact member may be positioned within and interior of the hollow telescopic member and at least a portion of the conductive contact member may be positioned on an exterior surface of the conductive contact member. In addition, instead of a hollow conductive tube member contained within the hollow telescopic member and connected to the return electrode of the electrosurgery blade, it could be a solid conductive rod contained within the hollow telescopic member and connected to the return electrode of the electrosurgery blade. In this case, instead of a solid conductive rod connected to the handpiece member, a hollow conductive tube member would be connected to the handpiece member so that the solid conductive rod contained within the hollow telescopic member could slide within the hollow conductive tube member contained within the handpiece member. Like the first exemplary embodiment described above, this second exemplary embodiment may also include the nozzle and swivel members previously described and the nozzle member, hollow telescopic member, handpiece member, and swivel member may form an evacuation channel for evacuating smoke and/or debris away from the surgical site. 
     The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present invention can be used in both monopolar and bipolar modes when used to perform electrosurgery. The insulated wire or conductive contact member in the electrosurgery pencil that is in communication with the active electrode of the electrosurgery blade is connected to a circuit board contained within the electrosurgery pencil for activating the electrosurgery pencil and the circuit board is in turn connected to an electrosurgery unit generator through an electrical connection means such as a wire. In addition, the insulated wire or conductive rod or hollow member that is in communication with the return electrode of the electrosurgery blade is also connected to the electrosurgery unit generator through an electrical connection means such as a wire so that both the active and return contacts of the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade in the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil are connected to the electrosurgery unit generator. When the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present invention is used in monopolar mode, the monopolar power output mode is selected on the electrosurgical unit generator. When the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present invention is used in bipolar mode, the bipolar power output mode is selected on the electrosurgical unit generator. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The subject invention will hereafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and 
         FIG.  1    is a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an ultrapolar electrosurgery blade used in the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present invention; 
         FIG.  2    is an opposite side view of the exemplary embodiment of the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade shown in  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is a side cross-sectional view showing separate components of one exemplary embodiment of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present invention with the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade depicted in  FIGS.  1  and  2    shown seated within the hollow telescopic member of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present invention; 
         FIG.  4    is a side cross-sectional view showing separate components of another exemplary embodiment of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present invention with the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade depicted in  FIGS.  1  and  2    shown seated within the hollow telescopic member of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present invention; and 
         FIG.  5    is a side cross-sectional view showing separate components of yet another exemplary embodiment of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present invention with the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade depicted in  FIGS.  1  and  2    shown seated within the hollow telescopic member of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     The exemplary embodiments of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil for use in electrosurgical unit (ESU) monopolar and bipolar modes of the present invention enable a user or surgeon to perform cutting with the sharp non-conductive tip of the electrosurgery blade in the pencil as well as coagulation of large areas of biological tissue by using the electrical contacts of the electrosurgery blade. The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present invention may also perform cutting with the active and return electrodes of the electrosurgery blade. Exemplary embodiments of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present invention include an ultrapolar electrosurgery blade that has a non-conductive member having first and second opposite planar sides and a sharp cutting edge, an active electrode positioned on the first opposite planar side of the non-conductive member such that at least a portion of the first opposite planar side is exposed near the cutting edge, and a return electrode positioned on the second opposite planar side of the non-conductive member such that at least a portion of the second opposite planar side is exposed near the cutting edge. The cutting edge of the non-conductive planar member can form a sharp non-conductive cutting edge for cutting biological tissue while the active and return electrodes located on opposite planar side of the non-conductive member can be used to perform coagulation as well as cutting of biological tissue. 
     The present invention is directed to an ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil which includes a handpiece member having a first end and a second end, a hollow telescopic member having a first end and a second end where the second end of the hollow telescopic member is concentrically positioned within the first end of the handpiece member, and an electrosurgery blade positioned within the first end of the hollow telescopic member where the electrosurgery blade includes a non-conductive member with opposing planar sides and a cutting edge, an active electrode positioned on one of the opposing planar sides such that at least a portion of the opposing planar side is exposed near the cutting edge, and a return electrode positioned on the other opposing planar side such that at least a portion of the other opposing planar side is exposed near the cutting edge. 
     The active electrode located on an opposing planar side of the non-conductive member may mirror at least a portion of the return electrode located on the other opposing planar side. Active and return electrodes on the electrosurgery blade can be conductive layers having a same thickness throughout. The top of the non-conductive member can be wider than the sharp cutting edge of the non-conductive member and the non-conductive member may be tapered from at least a portion of its top to a portion of its bottom. 
     The non-conductive planar member may comprise a ceramic and the active and return electrodes may comprise a stainless steel, a copper, and/or a tungsten. The active and return electrodes may each take the form of an elongated conductive layer that extends more than half the length of the non-conductive member. At least a portion of the elongated conductive layer of the active electrode may extend to, and along a partial length of, one or more opposing elongated edges of an opposing planar side of the non-conductive member and at least a portion of the elongated conductive layer of the return electrode may extend to, and along a partial length of, one or more opposing elongated edges of the other opposing planar side of the non-conductive member. 
       FIG.  1    is a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an ultrapolar electrosurgery blade  10  used in the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present invention. Ultrapolar electrosurgery blade  10  includes non-conductive member  12  having first and second opposite planar sides  14 ,  16 , a top  18 , a bottom  20 , a cutting end  22  with a sharp cutting edge  26 , and a non-cutting end  24 , and an active electrode  30  positioned on the first opposite planar side  14  of the non-conductive member  12  such that at least a portion of the first opposite planar side  14  is exposed near the sharp cutting edge  26 . Angle X of sharp cutting edge  26  relative to a bottom portion of blade  10  may be less than 20 degrees as shown in  FIG.  1   . Ultrapolar electrosurgery blade  10  also includes conductive insert members  80  that are in communication with active and return electrodes contained on the non-conductive member.  FIG.  1    shows the active electrode  30  on first opposite planar side  14  in communication with one of the conductive insert members  80  thereby making that conductive insert member a top active conductive insert member. Active electrode  30  may be a conductive layer that is deposited on the first opposite planar side  14  of the non-conductive member  12  and may comprise stainless steel, copper, and/or tungsten. As shown in  FIG.  1   , active electrode  30  is an elongated conductive layer that extends along a length of the first opposite planar side  14  of the non-conductive member  12  near the top  18  of the non-conductive member  12  with a “V” shaped hook like shape that is positioned on the first opposite planar side  14  of the non-conductive member  12  near the cutting end  22  of the non-conductive member  12 . The active electrode  30  also extends along an entire length of the first opposite planar side  14  of the non-conductive member  12  to the non-cutting end  24  of the non-conductive member  12  and then wraps around the non-cutting end  24  of non-conductive member  12  so that active electrode  30  is in communication with one of conductive insert members  80 . Non-conductive member  12  also includes openings (not shown) within the non-cutting end  24  for insertion of conductive insert members  80  and a rounded portion  94  which lies adjacent to an inner circumference of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil when the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade  10  is positioned within the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil. 
       FIG.  2    is an opposite side view of the exemplary embodiment of the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade  10  shown in  FIG.  1   . Ultrapolar electrosurgery blade  10  includes non-conductive member  12  having first and second opposite planar sides  14 ,  16 , a top  18 , a bottom  20 , a cutting end  22  with a sharp cutting edge  26 , and a non-cutting end  24 , and a return electrode  32  positioned on the second opposite planar side  16  of the non-conductive member  12  such that at least a portion of the second opposite planar side  16  is exposed near the sharp cutting edge  26 . Ultrapolar electrosurgery blade  10  also includes conductive insert members  80  that are in communication with active and return electrodes contained on the non-conductive member  12 .  FIG.  2    shows the return electrode  32  on second opposite planar side  16  in communication with one of the conductive insert members  80  thereby making that conductive insert member a bottom return conductive insert member. Return electrode  32  may be a conductive layer that is deposited on the second opposite planar side  16  of the non-conductive member  12  and may comprise stainless steel, copper, and/or tungsten. As shown in  FIG.  2   , return electrode  32  is an elongated conductive layer that extends along a length of the second opposite planar side  16  of the non-conductive member  12  near the top  18  of the non-conductive member  12  with a “V” shaped hook like shape that is positioned on the second opposite planar side  16  of the non-conductive member  12  near the cutting end  22  of the non-conductive member  12 . The return electrode  32  also extends along an entire length of the second opposite planar side  16  of the non-conductive member  12  to the non-cutting end  24  of the non-conductive member  12  and then wraps around the non-cutting end  24  of non-conductive member  12  so that return electrode  32  is in communication with one of conductive insert members  80 . Non-conductive member  12  also includes openings (not shown) within the non-cutting end  24  for insertion of conductive insert members  80  and a rounded portion  94  which lies adjacent to an inner circumference of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil when the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade  10  is positioned within the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil. Active electrode  30  and return electrode  32  located on first and second opposite planar sides  14 ,  16  of non-conductive member  12 , respectively, are opposing mirror images of one another. 
       FIG.  3    is a side cross-sectional view showing separate components of one exemplary embodiment of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil  100  of the present invention with the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade  10  depicted in  FIGS.  1  and  2    shown seated within the hollow telescopic member of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil  100  of the present invention. The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil  100  includes a handpiece member  102  with first and second ends  104 ,  106 , a hollow telescopic member  112  with first and second ends  114 ,  116  where the second end  116  of the hollow telescopic member  112  is concentrically positioned within (and retained within) the first end  104  of the handpiece member  102  when the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil  100  is assembled for use. Ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil  100  also includes ultrapolar electrosurgery blade  10  positioned in the first end  104  of handpiece member  102 . Ultrapolar electrosurgery blade  10  includes a non-conductive planar member  12  having opposing planar sides  14 ,  16 , a cutting end  22  with a sharp cutting edge  26 , an opposite non-cutting end  24 , an active electrode  30  located on one opposing planar side  14  where at least a portion of the opposing planar side  14  is exposed near the non-conductive cutting end  22  of the non-conductive planar member  12 , and a return electrode  32  (not shown as it is on the opposite side) located on the other opposing planar side  16  (not shown) where at least a portion of the other opposing planar side is exposed near the non-conductive cutting end  22  of the non-conductive planar member  12 . Conductive insert members  80  are located at the non-cutting end  24  of the non-conductive planar member  12  and are in communication with the active and return electrodes  30 ,  32 , respectively. 
     The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil  100  also includes a conductive elongated contact member (which may take the form of a conductive channel)  120  attached to a top interior surface of handpiece member  102  and a conductive contact member  122  connected to the active electrode  30  of electrosurgery blade  10  through conductive insert member  80  such that a portion of the conductive contact member  122  is slidably engaged with conductive elongated contact member  120  contained within handpiece member  102  when the second end  116  of hollow telescopic member  112  is positioned within handpiece member  102 . A portion of conductive contact member  122  may be positioned within an interior of hollow telescopic member  112  and a portion of conductive contact member  122  may be positioned on an exterior surface of hollow telescopic member  112 . The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil  100  also includes a hollow conductive tube member  140  contained within the hollow telescopic member  112  that is connected to return electrode (not shown) of electrosurgery blade  30  through conductive insert member  80  and a solid conductive rod member  142  contained within the handpiece member  102  so that solid conductive rod member  142  can slide within, and along a length of, hollow conductive tube member  140 . A first support member  150  may be connected to hollow telescopic member  112  for retaining hollow conductive tube member  140  within hollow telescopic member  112  and a second support member  152  may be connected to handpiece member  102  for retaining solid conductive rod member  142  within handpiece member  102 . 
     Conductive elongated contact member  120  is connected to a circuit board  160  via an electrical communication means such as a wire thereby connecting the active electrode  30  of ultrapolar electrosurgery blade  10  to circuit board  160 . Communication means such as a wire  170  connects circuit board  160  to an electrosurgery unit (not shown) to provide power to the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil  100  which can be operated via activation buttons  164  located on a top  166  of the electrosurgery pencil  100 . Communication means such as a wire  172  may also be used to connect return electrode (not shown) to the electrosurgery unit (not shown) via the hollow conductive tube member  140  and the solid conductive rod member  142 . The slidable engagement of the conductive contact member  122  with the conductive elongated contact member  120  and the slidable engagement of the solid conductive rod member  142  within the hollow conductive tube member  140  enables telescoping of the hollow telescopic member  112  with respect to the handpiece member  102 . This allows a surgeon or user to lengthen or shorten the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil to better facilitate its use depending on the type and area of the electrosurgery being performed. 
     The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil  100  also includes a nozzle member  180  connected to the first end  114  of the hollow telescopic member  112  so that at least a portion of the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade  10  is contained within the nozzle member  180  and the first end  114  of the hollow telescopic member  112 . Nozzle member  180  may be transparent and functions to funnel smoke and/or debris into a smoke evacuation channel of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencils that include smoke evacuation channels such as those embodiments shown in  FIGS.  4  and  5   . Ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil  100  also includes a swivel member  186  connected to the second end  106  of the handpiece member  102 . 
       FIG.  4    is a side cross-sectional view showing separate components of another exemplary embodiment of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil  200  of the present invention with the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade  10  depicted in  FIGS.  1  and  2    shown seated within the hollow telescopic member of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present invention. The main differences between the embodiment shown in  FIG.  3    and this embodiment is that this embodiment of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil  200  includes a smoke evacuation channel and the active and return contacts of the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade are eventually connected to active and return wires that are both contained within an insulated power cord which is used to connect the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil  200  to an electrosurgery unit/electrosurgery unit generator (ESU). 
     The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil  200  includes a handpiece member  202  with first and second ends  204 ,  206 , a hollow telescopic member  212  with first and second ends  214 ,  216  where the second end  216  of the hollow telescopic member  212  is concentrically positioned within (and retained within) the first end  204  of the handpiece member  202  when the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil  200  is assembled for use. Ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil  200  also includes ultrapolar electrosurgery blade  10  positioned in the first end  204  of handpiece member  202 . Ultrapolar electrosurgery blade  10  includes a non-conductive planar member  12  having opposing planar sides  14 ,  16 , a cutting end  22  with a sharp cutting edge  26 , an opposite non-cutting end  24 , an active electrode  30  located on one opposing planar side  14  where at least a portion of the opposing planar side  14  is exposed near the non-conductive cutting end  22  of the non-conductive planar member  12 , and a return electrode  32  (not shown as it is on the opposite side) located on the other opposing planar side  16  (not shown) where at least a portion of the other opposing planar side is exposed near the non-conductive cutting end  22  of the non-conductive planar member  12 . Conductive insert members  80  are located at the non-cutting end  24  of the non-conductive planar member  12  and are in communication with the active and return electrodes  30 ,  32 , respectively. 
     The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil  200  also includes a conductive elongated contact member (which may take the form of a conductive channel)  220  attached to a top interior surface of handpiece member  202  and a conductive contact member  222  connected to the active electrode  30  of electrosurgery blade  10  through conductive insert member  80  such that a portion of the conductive contact member  222  is slidably engaged with conductive elongated contact member  220  contained within handpiece member  202  when the second end  216  of hollow telescopic member  212  is positioned within handpiece member  202 . A portion of conductive contact member  222  may be positioned within an interior of hollow telescopic member  212  and a portion of conductive contact member  222  may be positioned on an exterior surface of hollow telescopic member  212 . The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil  200  also includes a hollow conductive tube member  240  contained within the hollow telescopic member  212  that is connected to return electrode (not shown) of electrosurgery blade  30  through conductive insert member  80  and a solid conductive rod member  242  contained within the handpiece member  202  so that solid conductive rod member  242  can slide within, and along a length of, hollow conductive tube member  240 . A first support member  250  may be connected to hollow telescopic member  212  for retaining hollow conductive tube member  240  within hollow telescopic member  212  and a second support member  252  may be connected to handpiece member  202  for retaining solid conductive rod member  242  within handpiece member  202 . 
     Conductive elongated contact member  220  is connected to a circuit board  260  via an electrical communication means such as a wire thereby connecting the active electrode  30  of ultrapolar electrosurgery blade  10  to circuit board  260 . Communication means such as a wire  270  connects circuit board  260  to an electrosurgery unit (not shown) to provide power to the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil  200  which can be operated via activation buttons  264  located on a top  266  of the electrosurgery pencil  200 . Communication means such as a wire  272  may also be used to connect return electrode (not shown) to the electrosurgery unit (not shown) via the hollow conductive tube member  240  and the solid conductive rod member  242 . Wires  270  and  272  are contained within an insulated power cord  274  which provides for easier connection of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil  200  to the different monopolar and bipolar connection modes on the electrosurgical unit (ESU). The slidable engagement of the conductive contact member  222  with the conductive elongated contact member  220  and the slidable engagement of the solid conductive rod member  242  within the hollow conductive tube member  240  enables telescoping of the hollow telescopic member  212  with respect to the handpiece member  202 . This allows a surgeon or user to lengthen or shorten the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil to better facilitate its use depending on the type and area of the electrosurgery being performed. 
     The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil  200  also includes a nozzle member  280  connected to the first end  214  of the hollow telescopic member  212  so that at least a portion of the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade  10  is contained within the nozzle member  280  and the first end  214  of the hollow telescopic member  212 . Nozzle member  280  may be transparent and functions to funnel smoke and/or debris into a smoke evacuation channel  292  from the area  290  within nozzle  280  surrounding blade  10 . Ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil  200  also includes a swivel member  286  having one end connected to the second end  206  of the handpiece member  202  and the other end connectable to a vacuum tube  298  for evacuating smoke and debris from the surgical site. In this embodiment of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil  200 , the nozzle  280 , the hollow telescopic member  212 , the handpiece member  202 , and the swivel member  286  together form a smoke evacuation channel contained within the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil  200 . 
       FIG.  5    is a side cross-sectional view showing separate components of yet another exemplary embodiment of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil  300  of the present invention with the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade depicted in  FIGS.  1  and  2    shown seated within the hollow telescopic member of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil  300  of the present invention. The main difference between the embodiment shown in  FIG.  4    and this embodiment is that this embodiment of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil  300  does not use any slidable engagement means within the hollow telescopic member and the handpiece member to connect to the active and return electrodes of the electrosurgery blade  10 . 
     The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil  300  includes a handpiece member  302  with first and second ends  304 ,  306 , a hollow telescopic member  312  with first and second ends  314 ,  316  where the second end  316  of the hollow telescopic member  312  is concentrically positioned within (and retained within) the first end  304  of the handpiece member  302  when the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil  300  is assembled for use. Ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil  300  also includes ultrapolar electrosurgery blade  10  positioned in the first end  304  of handpiece member  302 . Ultrapolar electrosurgery blade  10  includes a non-conductive planar member  12  having opposing planar sides  14 ,  16 , a cutting end  22  with a sharp cutting edge  26 , an opposite non-cutting end  24 , an active electrode  30  located on one opposing planar side  14  where at least a portion of the opposing planar side  14  is exposed near the non-conductive cutting end  22  of the non-conductive planar member  12 , and a return electrode  32  (not shown as it is on the opposite side) located on the other opposing planar side  16  (not shown) where at least a portion of the other opposing planar side is exposed near the non-conductive cutting end  22  of the non-conductive planar member  12 . Conductive insert members  80  are located at the non-cutting end  24  of the non-conductive planar member  12  and are in communication with the active and return electrodes  30 ,  32 , respectively. 
     The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil  300  also includes a first insulated wire  322  connected to the active electrode of electrosurgery blade  10  and a first retaining element  325  for retaining at least a portion of the first insulated wire  322  near a top interior of the handpiece member  302  and a second insulated wire  324  connected to the return electrode of the electrosurgery blade  10  and a second retaining element  352  for retaining at least a portion of the second insulated wire  324  near a bottom interior of the handpiece member  302 . 
     First insulated wire  322  is connected to a circuit board  360  thereby connecting the active electrode  30  of ultrapolar electrosurgery blade  10  to circuit board  360 . Communication means such as a wire  370  connects circuit board  360  to an electrosurgery unit (not shown) to provide power to the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil  300  which can be operated via activation buttons  364  located on a top  366  of the electrosurgery pencil  300 . Second insulated wire  324  connects return electrode (not shown) to the electrosurgery unit (not shown). First and second insulated wires  322 ,  324  move freely within the hollow telescopic member  312  and the handpiece member  302  when a surgeon or user lengthens or shortens the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil by extending or retracting the hollow telescopic member  322  from or into the handpiece member  302 . 
     The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil  300  also includes a nozzle member  380  connected to the first end  314  of the hollow telescopic member  312  so that at least a portion of the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade  10  is contained within the nozzle member  380  and the first end  314  of the hollow telescopic member  312 . Nozzle member  380  may be transparent and functions to funnel smoke and/or debris into a smoke evacuation channel  392  from the area  390  within nozzle  380  surrounding blade  10 . Ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil  300  also includes a swivel member  386  having one end connected to the second end  306  of the handpiece member  302  and the other end connectable to a vacuum tube  398  for evacuating smoke and debris from the surgical site. In this embodiment of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil  300 , the nozzle  380 , the hollow telescopic member  312 , the handpiece member  302 , and the swivel member  386  together form a smoke evacuation channel contained within the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil  300 . 
     It should be understood that variations of the separate components that comprise the different embodiments of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil can be mixed and matched to create any number of embodiments of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present invention. For example, the power cord shown in  FIG.  4    that contains insulated active and return electrode wires may be used in the embodiment of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil shown in  FIG.  3    as well as in the embodiment of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil shown in  FIG.  5    to create two more exemplary embodiments of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present invention. In yet another unlimiting example, the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade shown in  FIG.  3    may be seated within the hollow telescopic member of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil using a seating member like the one shown in  FIG.  4    so that smoke and debris can be evacuated away from the surgical site, around the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade, and through the open channels in the hollow telescopic member and the handpiece member thereby creating still another exemplary embodiment of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present invention. 
     The handpiece member of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil may include only one activation button for coagulation since the sharp cutting end/edge of the nonconductive planar member can make precise cuts without having power applied to the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade. Alternatively, the handpiece may include more than one activation button for cutting and coagulation. 
     The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present invention may be used in a monopolar mode or a bipolar mode when used to perform electrosurgery. The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil may be capable of cutting and coagulating tissue at power levels of less than 20 Watts and may perform particularly well at 15 Watts. 
     Features and Advantages of the Ultrapolar Telescopic Electrosurgery Pencil 
     The conductive layers that make up the active and return electrodes located on opposing sides of the non-conductive planar member may take on any number of configurations while still enabling the electrosurgery blade to function at very low power levels (such as 15-20 Watts or even less) while cutting and coagulating tissue. The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present invention can operate and function using low power because the tissue resistance is greatly reduced by not having current go through the patient&#39;s body. Unlike other electrosurgery pencils, the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present invention does not require the placement of a return electrode pad on the patient&#39;s body. As a result, no radio frequency current is passing through the patient&#39;s body so the body resistance is almost zero. Therefore, the present invention is much safer than other electrosurgery pencils because the patient is not at risk of being burned by the return electrode since no return electrode is placed on the patient and no current is passing through the body of the patient. 
     The sharp cutting edge of the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil can cut tissue without applying power to the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil and can also cut and coagulate tissue when power is applied to the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil. 
     The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present invention stops tissue from bleeding after cutting with minimal or no lateral damage to the tissue and without charring or burning of the tissue. Further, tissue does not stick to the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil while cutting and/or coagulating tissue. In addition, very little smoke is produced when using the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil due to the low or reduced power required for the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil to function and the minimal or non-existent charring of tissue. 
     The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present invention can be used in both monopolar and bipolar modes thereby providing an electrosurgery pencil that can be used with almost any electrosurgical unit. In addition, the telescopic feature (i.e. the hollow telescopic member) enables a user surgeon to extend or reduce the length of ultrapolar electrosurgery pencil depending on the particular surgical procedure being performed. 
     The above exemplary embodiments are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the disclosure is intended to teach both the implementation of the exemplary embodiments and modes and any equivalent modes or embodiments that are known or obvious to those reasonably skilled in the art. Additionally, all included figures are non-limiting illustrations of the exemplary embodiments and modes, which similarly avail themselves to any equivalent modes or embodiments that are known or obvious to those reasonably skilled in the art. 
     Other combinations and/or modifications of structures, arrangements, applications, proportions, elements, materials, or components used in the practice of the instant invention, in addition to those not specifically recited, can be varied or otherwise particularly adapted to specific environments, manufacturing specifications, design parameters, or other operating requirements without departing from the scope of the instant invention and are intended to be included in this disclosure.