Patent Description:
Electrosurgery involves applying a radio frequency (RF) electric current (also referred to as electrosurgical energy) to biological tissue to cut, coagulate, or modify the biological tissue during an electrosurgical procedure. Specifically, an electrosurgical generator generates and provides the electric current to an active electrode, which applies the electric current (and, thus, electrical power) to the tissue. The electric current passes through the tissue and returns to the generator via a return electrode (also referred to as a "dispersive electrode"). As the electric current passes through the tissue, an impedance of the tissue converts a portion of the electric current into thermal energy (e.g., via the principles of resistive heating), which increases a temperature of the tissue and induces modifications to the tissue (e.g., cutting, coagulating, ablating, and/or sealing the tissue). <CIT> discloses a combination of an electrically stimulating needle and electrically stimulating catheter wherein the two main elements are supplied integrally with one another, with the catheter being preloaded into the needle and locked into position. The catheter assembly is primarily defined by a sheath formed from a thermoplastic or similar material. A helical coil of wire may also be utilised in conjunction with catheter sheath. For its entire length, the catheter assembly defines a central bore through which a liquid may freely pass.

<CIT> discloses systems, devices and methods to selectively apply electrical energy and thermal energy to structures within a patient's body, such as the intervertebral disc. The systems, devices and methods thereof shall be used for shrinkage, ablation, and/or hemostasis of tissue and other body structures in open and endoscopic spine surgery.

The invention is defined in the independent claim. The illustrative examples, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and descriptions thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative example of the present disclosure when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:.

Disclosed examples will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all of the disclosed examples are shown. Indeed, several different examples may be described and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein. Rather, these examples are described so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

By the term "approximately" or "substantially" with reference to amounts or measurement values described herein, it is meant that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide.

As noted above, an electrosurgical device can use electrical energy supplied by an electrosurgical generator to apply electrosurgical energy from an electrosurgical blade to a tissue. As such, the electrosurgical device generally includes a housing in which one or more conductors are disposed for supplying the electrosurgical energy to the electrosurgical blade. Some electrosurgical devices include a shaft that is telescopically adjustable relative to the housing. This can facilitate adjusting a length of the electrosurgical device to treat differently sized and/or shaped target tissues. This can present a challenge in that the electrical conductors may need to move relative to each other to accommodate the movement of the shaft relative to the housing.

One approach to conducting electrosurgical energy to the electrosurgical blade of such electrosurgical devices includes providing the electrosurgical device with a plurality of stamped metal parts that are slidably arranged relative to each other. However, this approach can be costly to manufacture and/or labor intensive to assembly.

The present disclosure describes an electrosurgical device that can address one or more of the challenges associated with prior approaches to supplying electrosurgical energy to the electrosurgical blade of a telescopically adjustable electrosurgical device. Within examples, the electrosurgical device includes a housing defining an interior bore, a shaft telescopically moveable in the interior bore of the housing, an electrosurgical blade coupled to the shaft, and a helical conductor coiled around the shaft and configured to supply electrosurgical energy from an electrosurgical generator to the electrosurgical blade. In this arrangement, the helical conductor can be compressible and expandable such that the helical conductor can accommodate the shaft telescopically moving into and/or out of the housing to retract and/or extend, respectively, the electrosurgical blade relative to the housing.

In an example, an electrosurgical device is described. The electrosurgical device includes a housing defining an interior bore. The electrosurgical device also includes a shaft telescopically moveable in the interior bore of the housing, an electrosurgical blade coupled to the shaft, and a helical conductor coiled around the shaft and configured to supply electrosurgical energy from an electrosurgical generator to the electrosurgical blade.

In another example, a method of making an electrosurgical device is described. The method includes forming a housing defining an interior bore, coupling a shaft to the interior bore of the housing such that the shaft is telescopically moveable in the interior bore of the housing, coupling an electrosurgical blade to the shaft, and coiling a helical conductor around the shaft to form a helical shape of the helical conductor. The helical conductor is configured to supply an electrosurgical energy from an electrosurgical generator to the electrosurgical blade.

In another example, a method of using an electrosurgical device is described. The method includes providing an electrosurgical device. The electrosurgical device includes a housing defining an interior bore, a shaft telescopically moveable in the interior bore of the housing, an electrosurgical blade coupled to the shaft, and a helical conductor coiled around the shaft. The method also includes telescopically moving the shaft relative to the housing such that (i) a position of a distal end of the helical conductor remains fixed relative to the housing and (ii) a position of a proximal end of the helical conductor translates relative to the housing. The method further includes coupling the electrosurgical device to an electrosurgical generator. Additionally, the method includes supplying, via the helical conductor, electrosurgical energy from the electrosurgical generator to the electrosurgical blade.

Referring now to <FIG>, an electrosurgical system <NUM> is shown according to an example. As shown in <FIG>, the electrosurgical system <NUM> includes an electrosurgical generator <NUM> and an electrosurgical device <NUM>. In general, the electrosurgical generator <NUM> can generate electrosurgical energy that is suitable for performing electrosurgery on a patient. For instance, the electrosurgical generator <NUM> can include a power converter circuit <NUM> that can convert a grid power to electrosurgical energy such as, for example, a radio frequency (RF) output power. As an example, the power converter circuit <NUM> can include one or more electrical components (e.g., one or more transformers) that can control a voltage, a current, and/or a frequency of the electrosurgical energy.

Within examples, the electrosurgical generator <NUM> can include a user interface <NUM> that can receive one or more inputs from a user and/or provide one or more outputs to the user. As examples, the user interface <NUM> can include one or more buttons, one or more switches, one or more dials, one or more keypads, one or more touchscreens, and/or one or more display screens.

In an example, the user interface <NUM> can be operable to select a mode of operation from among a plurality of modes of operation for the electrosurgical generator <NUM>. As examples, the modes of operation can include a cutting mode, a coagulating mode, an ablating mode, and/or a sealing mode. In one implementation, the modes of operation can correspond to respective waveforms for the electrosurgical energy. As such, in this implementation, the electrosurgical generator <NUM> can generate the electrosurgical energy with a waveform selected from a plurality of waveforms based, at least in part, on the mode of operation selected using the user interface <NUM>.

The electrosurgical generator <NUM> can also include one or more sensors <NUM> that can sense one or more conditions related to the electrosurgical energy and/or the target tissue. As examples, the sensor(s) <NUM> can include one or more current sensors, one or more voltage sensors, and/or one or more temperature sensors. Within examples, the electrosurgical generator <NUM> can additionally or alternatively generate the electrosurgical energy with an amount of electrosurgical energy (e.g., an electrical power) and/or a waveform selected from among the plurality of waveforms based on one or more parameters related to the condition(s) sensed by the sensor(s) <NUM>.

In one example, the electrosurgical energy can have a frequency that is greater than approximately <NUM> kilohertz (KHz) to reduce (or avoid) stimulating a muscle and/or a nerve near the target tissue. In another example, the electrosurgical energy can have a frequency that is between approximately <NUM> and approximately <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the electrosurgical generator <NUM> also includes a connector <NUM> that can facilitate coupling the electrosurgical generator <NUM> to the electrosurgical device <NUM>. For example, the electrosurgical device <NUM> can include a power cord <NUM> having a plug, which can be coupled to a socket of the connector <NUM> of the electrosurgical generator <NUM>. In this arrangement, the electrosurgical generator <NUM> can supply the electrosurgical energy to the electrosurgical device <NUM> via the coupling between the connector <NUM> of the electrosurgical generator <NUM> and the power cord <NUM> of the electrosurgical device <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the electrosurgical device <NUM> can include a housing <NUM> defining an interior bore, a shaft <NUM> telescopically moveable in the interior bore of the housing <NUM>, and an electrosurgical blade <NUM> coupled to the shaft <NUM>. In general, the housing <NUM> can be configured to facilitate a user gripping and manipulating the electrosurgical device <NUM> while performing electrosurgery. For example, the housing <NUM> can have a shape and/or a size that can facilitate a user performing electrosurgery by manipulating the electrosurgical device <NUM> using a single hand. In one implementation, the housing <NUM> can have a shape and/or a size that facilitates the user holding the electrosurgical device <NUM> in a writing utensil gripping manner (e.g., the electrosurgical device <NUM> can be an electrosurgical pencil).

Additionally, for example, the housing <NUM> can be constructed from one or more materials that are electrical insulators (e.g., a plastic material). This can facilitate insulating the user from the electrosurgical energy flowing through the electrosurgical device <NUM> while performing the electrosurgery.

As noted above, the shaft <NUM> is telescopically moveable relative to the housing <NUM> and the electrosurgical blade <NUM> is coupled to the shaft <NUM> (e.g., movable along a longitudinal axis of the electrosurgical device <NUM>). This can provide for adjusting a length of the electrosurgical device <NUM>, which can facilitate performing electrosurgery at a plurality of different depths within tissue (e.g., due to different anatomical shapes and/or sizes of patients) and/or at a plurality of different angles. In some examples, the shaft <NUM> can be rotatable about an axis of rotation that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the electrosurgical device <NUM>. This can provide for adjusting an angle of the electrosurgical blade <NUM> relative to one or more user input devices <NUM> of the electrosurgical device <NUM>.

The user input device(s) <NUM> can select between the modes of operation of the electrosurgical device <NUM> and/or the electrosurgical generator <NUM>. For instance, in one implementation, the user input device(s) <NUM> can be configured to select between a cutting mode of operation and a coagulation mode of operation. Responsive to actuation of the user input device(s) <NUM> of the electrosurgical device <NUM>, the electrosurgical device <NUM> can (i) receive the electrosurgical energy with a level of power and/or a waveform corresponding to the mode of operation selected via the user input device(s) <NUM> and (ii) supply the electrosurgical energy to the electrosurgical blade <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the electrosurgical device <NUM> includes a plurality of electrical components that facilitate supplying the electrosurgical energy, which the electrosurgical device <NUM> receives from the electrosurgical generator <NUM>, to the electrosurgical blade <NUM>. For example, the electrosurgical device <NUM> can include a printed circuit board <NUM> (e.g., a flexible printed circuit board), a helical conductor <NUM>, and/or one or more conductive leads <NUM> that can provide a circuit for conducting the electrosurgical energy from the power cord <NUM> to the electrosurgical blade <NUM>.

Within examples, the user input device(s) <NUM> can include one or more buttons on an exterior surface of the housing <NUM>. Each button of the user input device(s) <NUM> can be operable to actuate a respective one of a plurality of switches <NUM> of the printed circuit board <NUM>. In general, the switches <NUM> and/or the printed circuit board <NUM> are operable to control a supply of the electrosurgical energy from the electrosurgical generator <NUM> to the electrosurgical blade <NUM>. For instance, in one implementation, when each button is operated (e.g., depressed), the respective switch <NUM> associated with the button can be actuated to cause the printed circuit board <NUM> to transmit a signal to the electrosurgical generator <NUM> and cause the electrosurgical generator <NUM> to responsively supply the electrosurgical energy with a level of power and/or a waveform corresponding to a mode of operation associated with the button. In another implementation, operating the button and thereby actuating the respective switch <NUM> associated with the button can close the switch <NUM> to complete a circuit to electrosurgical generator <NUM> to cause the electrosurgical generator <NUM> to responsively supply the electrosurgical energy with a level of power and/or a waveform corresponding to a mode of operation associated with the button.

In both example implementations, the electrosurgical energy supplied by the electrosurgical generator <NUM> can be supplied from (i) the power cord <NUM>, the printed circuit board <NUM>, and/or the switches <NUM> to (ii) the electrosurgical blade <NUM> by the helical conductor <NUM> and the conductive lead(s) <NUM>. As such, as shown in <FIG>, the printed circuit board <NUM> can be coupled to the power cord <NUM>, the helical conductor <NUM> can be coupled to the printed circuit board <NUM> and the conductive lead(s) <NUM>, and the conductive lead(s) <NUM> can be coupled to the electrosurgical blade <NUM>. In this arrangement, the helical conductor <NUM> can conduct the electrosurgical energy (supplied to the helical conductor <NUM> via the printed circuit board <NUM>) to the conductive lead(s) <NUM>, and the conductive lead(s) <NUM> can conduct the electrosurgical energy to the electrosurgical blade <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the printed circuit board <NUM> and the helical conductor <NUM> can be located in the housing <NUM> (e.g., in an internal cavity of the housing <NUM>). The conductive lead(s) <NUM> can extend along the shaft <NUM>, which can telescopically move relative to the housing <NUM>. The helical conductor <NUM> is coiled around the shaft <NUM> in the housing <NUM>. In particular, the shaft <NUM> can include a proximal portion in the housing <NUM> and a distal portion that extends outwardly from the housing <NUM>, and the helical conductor <NUM> can be coiled around the proximal portion of the shaft <NUM> in the housing <NUM>. As described in further detail below, coiling the helical conductor <NUM> around the shaft <NUM> can assist in maintaining electrical communication between upstream electrical components (e.g., the printed circuit board <NUM>, the switches <NUM>, and/or the power cord <NUM>) and downstream electrical components (e.g., the conductive lead(s) <NUM> and/or the electrosurgical blade <NUM>) as the shaft <NUM> telescopically moves relative to the housing <NUM>.

In general, the helical conductor <NUM> can include one or more conductive elements that provide an electrically conductive bus for supplying the electrosurgical energy to the electrosurgical blade <NUM>. In one example, the helical conductor <NUM> can include a plurality of individual strands of insulated wires coiled into a helical shape. In another example, the helical conductor <NUM> can include a multiple-wire ribbon cable wound into a helical shape. In yet another example, the helical conductor <NUM> can include a multiple-conductor flex-circuit cable wound into a helical shape. In each of these examples, the helical conductor <NUM> can be compressible and expandable such that the helical conductor <NUM> can accommodate the shaft <NUM> telescopically moving into and/or out of the housing <NUM> to retract and/or extend, respectively, the electrosurgical blade <NUM> relative to the housing <NUM>.

Within examples, the conductive lead(s) <NUM> can extend from the helical conductor <NUM> to the electrosurgical blade <NUM>. In one example, the conductive lead(s) <NUM> can include one or more wires. In another example, the conductive lead(s) <NUM> can include one or more conductive traces formed by, for instance, screen printing, sputtering, electroplating, and/or laser ablation. The conductive lead(s) <NUM> can be disposed in an internal conduit of the shaft <NUM> and an exterior surface of the shaft <NUM> can be formed of an electrically insulating material. This can help reduce (or prevent) loss of the electrosurgical energy prior to the electrosurgical blade <NUM>.

In some examples, as shown in <FIG>, the electrosurgical device <NUM> can additionally include a light source <NUM> that is configured to emit light. In particular, the light source <NUM> can be configured to emit light in a distal direction toward a surgical site to illuminate the surgical site while performing electrosurgery using the electrosurgical blade <NUM>. In <FIG>, the light source <NUM> is coupled to the shaft <NUM> (e.g., the light source <NUM> can be at a distal end of the shaft <NUM>). As such, the light source <NUM> can also move telescopically with the shaft <NUM> relative to the housing <NUM>. However, in other examples, the light source <NUM> can be coupled to the housing <NUM>. As examples, the light source <NUM> can include one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs), organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), optical fibers, non-fiber optic waveguides, and/or lenses.

In implementations that include the light source <NUM>, the user input device(s) <NUM>, the printed circuit board <NUM>, the switches <NUM>, the helical conductor <NUM>, and/or the conductive lead(s) <NUM> can additionally supply an electrical power from a direct current (DC) power source <NUM> to the light source <NUM>. In one example, the DC power source <NUM> can include a battery disposed in the housing <NUM> and/or the plug of the power cord <NUM>. Although the electrosurgical device <NUM> includes the DC power source <NUM> in <FIG>, the DC power source <NUM> can be separate and distinct from the electrosurgical device <NUM> in other examples. For instance, in another example, the electrosurgical generator <NUM> can include the DC power source <NUM>.

Additionally, in implementations that include the light source <NUM>, the user input device(s) <NUM> can be operable to cause the light source <NUM> to emit the light. In one example, the user input device(s) <NUM> can include a button that independently controls the light source <NUM> separate from the button(s) that control the electrosurgical operational modes of the electrosurgical device <NUM>. In another example, the user input device(s) <NUM> and the printed circuit board <NUM> can be configured such that operation of the button(s) that control the electrosurgical operational mode simultaneously control operation of the light source <NUM> (e.g., the light source <NUM> can be automatically actuated to emit light when a button is operated to apply the electrosurgical energy at the electrosurgical blade <NUM>).

As shown in <FIG>, responsive to operation of the user input device(s) <NUM> to actuate the light source <NUM>, the DC power source <NUM> can supply the electrical power (e.g., a DC voltage) to the light source <NUM> via the printed circuit board <NUM>, the helical conductor <NUM>, and/or the conductive lead(s) <NUM>. In this implementation, one or more of the conductive elements of the helical conductor <NUM> can be configured to supply the electrical power from the DC power source <NUM> to the light source <NUM> and/or return the electrical power from the light source <NUM> to the DC power source <NUM>. Accordingly, the helical conductor <NUM> can additionally or alternatively assist in providing electrical communication between the DC power source <NUM> and the light source <NUM> as the shaft <NUM> and the light source <NUM> telescopically move relative to the housing <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, a perspective view of an implementation of the electrosurgical device <NUM> is shown according to an example. As shown in <FIG>, the electrosurgical device <NUM> includes the housing <NUM> defining an interior bore <NUM>, the shaft <NUM> telescopically moveable in the interior bore <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, and the electrosurgical blade <NUM> coupled to the shaft <NUM>.

Additionally, in <FIG>, the light source <NUM> is at a distal end <NUM> of the shaft <NUM>. In this arrangement, the light source <NUM> can telescopically move with the shaft <NUM> relative to the housing <NUM>. In <FIG>, the light source <NUM> surrounds the electrosurgical blade <NUM>. This can help to emit the light in a relatively uniform manner by reducing (or preventing) shadows due to an orientation of the light source <NUM> and the electrosurgical blade <NUM> relative to the surgical site. However, in other examples, the light source <NUM> may not extend entirely around the electrosurgical blade <NUM> at the distal end <NUM> of the shaft <NUM>.

In some examples, the electrosurgical device <NUM> can include a collar <NUM> at a proximal end of the housing <NUM>. The collar <NUM> can be rotatable relative to the housing <NUM> to increase and/or decrease friction between an outer surface of the shaft <NUM> and an inner surface of the collar <NUM>. In this way, the collar <NUM> to allow and/or inhibit axial telescopic movement of the shaft <NUM> relative to the housing <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the electrosurgical device <NUM> includes the power cord <NUM>. At a proximal end <NUM> of the power cord <NUM>, the power cord <NUM> includes a plug <NUM> configured to couple to the connector <NUM> of the electrosurgical generator <NUM>. A distal end of the power cord <NUM> is coupled to the printed circuit board <NUM> in an interior cavity of the housing <NUM>. In this arrangement, the power cord <NUM> extends proximally from the housing <NUM> to the plug <NUM>.

Additionally, as shown in <FIG>, the user input device(s) <NUM> include a first button 230A, a second button 230B, and a third button 230C on an exterior surface of the housing <NUM>. In one implementation, the first button 230A can be actuated to operate the electrosurgical device <NUM> in a cutting mode of operation, the second button 230B can be actuated to operate the electrosurgical device <NUM> in a coagulation mode of operation, and the third button 230C can be actuated to operate the light source <NUM> (i.e., to cause the light source <NUM> to emit light or cease emitting light). As described above, the user input device(s) <NUM> can be configured differently in other examples.

<FIG> depict the electrosurgical device <NUM> with a portion of the housing <NUM> omitted to facilitate illustration of an interior cavity <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. In particular, <FIG> depicts the electrosurgical device <NUM> with the shaft <NUM> in a retracted position relative to the housing <NUM>, and <FIG> depicts the electrosurgical device <NUM> with the shaft <NUM> in an extended position relative to the housing <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, a proximal portion of the shaft <NUM> is in the interior cavity <NUM> of the housing <NUM> and a distal portion of the shaft <NUM> extends distally from the housing <NUM>. Also, as shown in <FIG>, the helical conductor <NUM> is coiled around the shaft <NUM> (e.g., the proximal portion of the shaft <NUM>) and configured to supply electrosurgical energy from an electrosurgical generator <NUM> to the electrosurgical blade <NUM>.

In <FIG>, a proximal end of the helical conductor <NUM> is coupled to the proximal portion of the shaft <NUM> and a distal end of the helical conductor <NUM> is fixedly coupled to the housing <NUM> such that when the shaft <NUM> telescopically moves relative to the housing <NUM>: (i) a position of a distal end of the helical conductor <NUM> remains fixed relative to the housing <NUM> and (ii) a position of a proximal end of the helical conductor <NUM> translates relative to the housing <NUM>. Specifically, in <FIG>, the shaft <NUM> can include a first terminal <NUM> at which the proximal end of the helical conductor <NUM> is electrically coupled to the conductive lead(s) <NUM>. In this way, the proximal end of the helical conductor <NUM> can be coupled to the conductive lead(s) <NUM> that extend along the shaft <NUM> from the proximal portion of the shaft <NUM> to the electrosurgical blade <NUM>.

Additionally, in <FIG>, the distal end of the helical conductor <NUM> can be coupled to the printed circuit board <NUM> at a second terminal <NUM>. The printed circuit board <NUM> is fixedly coupled to the housing <NUM>. Accordingly, in <FIG>, the distal end of the helical conductor <NUM> is fixedly coupled to the housing <NUM> via a printed circuit board <NUM>. The printed circuit board <NUM> is coupled to the power cord <NUM> at a third terminal <NUM>.

In this arrangement, the position of a distal end of the helical conductor <NUM> remains fixed relative to the housing <NUM> (e.g., at the second terminal <NUM>), whereas the position of a proximal end of the helical conductor <NUM> (e.g., at the first terminal <NUM>) translates relative to the housing <NUM> as the shaft <NUM> telescopically moves relative to the housing <NUM> between a proximal-most position of the shaft <NUM> shown in <FIG> and a distal-most position of the shaft <NUM> shown in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the helical conductor <NUM> can define a coil having a first diameter when the shaft <NUM> is in the proximal-most position. As shown in <FIG>, the coil can have a second diameter when the shaft <NUM> is in the distal-most position. In this example, the second diameter is greater than the first diameter. In other words, the diameter of a helical shape defined by the helical conductor <NUM> can expand and/or retract to accommodate the telescopic movement of the shaft <NUM> relative to the housing <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

Additionally, in <FIG>, the helical conductor <NUM> defines a plurality of turns around the shaft <NUM>, and a spacing between adjacent turns of the plurality of turns is adjusted as the shaft <NUM> telescopically moves relative to the housing <NUM> between the positions shown in <FIG>. This can additionally or alternatively help the helical conductor <NUM> to accommodate the telescopic movement of the shaft <NUM> relative to the housing <NUM> shown in <FIG>. In some examples, the helical conductor <NUM> can include a coating and/or film on an exterior surface that can help to reduce friction between the helical conductor <NUM> and the shaft <NUM>. For instance, the helical conductor <NUM> can include a Teflon coating that engages an exterior surface of the shaft <NUM>.

As noted above, the helical conductor <NUM> can include one or more conducting elements. In <FIG>, the helical conductor <NUM> includes a plurality of conducting elements. Specifically, in <FIG>, the conducting elements include a first conducting element <NUM>, a second conducting element <NUM>, and a third conducting element <NUM>. The first conducting element <NUM> is configured to supply the electrosurgical energy to the electrosurgical blade <NUM>. Whereas, the second conducting element <NUM> and the third conducting element <NUM> are configured to supply the electrical power to the light source <NUM>.

As noted above, the shaft <NUM> can be rotatable relative to the housing <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the electrosurgical device <NUM> can include a mechanical stop <NUM> that can limit an extent of rotation of the shaft <NUM> relative to the housing <NUM>. This can help to mitigate (or prevent) the helical conductor <NUM> decoupling from the printed circuit board <NUM> due to the shaft <NUM> over-rotating relative to the housing <NUM> and exerting excessive force on the helical conductor <NUM>. In one example, the mechanical stop <NUM> can limit the extent of rotation of the shaft <NUM> relative to the housing <NUM> to approximately <NUM> degrees of rotation. In implementations in which the electrosurgical blade <NUM> has a symmetric shape, rotation of the shaft <NUM> and the electrosurgical blade <NUM> up to approximately <NUM> degrees can allow for a the electrosurgical blade <NUM> to provide a full range of angular orientations of the electrosurgical blade <NUM> relative to the user input device(s) <NUM> on the housing <NUM>. However, in other examples, the mechanical stop <NUM> can limit the extent of rotation of the shaft <NUM> relative to the housing <NUM> to approximately <NUM> degrees of rotation to approximately <NUM> degrees of rotation.

In <FIG>, the mechanical stop <NUM> includes a first protrusion that extends inwardly from an interior surface of the housing <NUM> toward the shaft <NUM>. The first protrusion of the mechanical stop <NUM> can engage with a second protrusion <NUM> on a proximal end of the shaft <NUM> when the shaft <NUM> is in at least one rotational position relative to the housing <NUM> to prevent further rotation of the shaft <NUM> relative to the housing <NUM>. The mechanical stop <NUM> can be configured differently in other examples.

Referring now to <FIG>, an electrosurgical device <NUM> is shown according to another example. The electrosurgical device <NUM> is substantially similar (or identical) to the electrosurgical device <NUM> described above, except (i) the electrosurgical device <NUM> includes a suction port <NUM> at a distal end of a shaft <NUM> instead of the light source <NUM> and (ii) the electrosurgical device <NUM> includes a helical conductor <NUM> in the form of a ribbon cable (e.g., a three-wire ribbon cable). In this example, the shaft <NUM> can include an internal lumen in communication with the suction port <NUM> and configured to apply a vacuum to the suction port <NUM> when the internal lumen is coupled to a vacuum source (e.g., via a vacuum tube extending proximally from a housing of the electrosurgical device <NUM>).

In the examples described above, the helical conductor <NUM>, <NUM> is coiled around the shaft <NUM>, <NUM> to form a helical shape of the helical conductor <NUM>, <NUM>. As described above, this can allow for the helical conductor <NUM>, <NUM> to expand and/or retract to accommodate the telescopic movement of the shaft <NUM>, <NUM> relative to the housing <NUM>. In another example, an electrosurgical device (e.g., the electrosurgical device <NUM>, <NUM>) can include a conductor having a saw-tooth shape coupled to the shaft instead of the helical conductor. The saw-tooth shape of the conductor can facilitate expanding and/or retracting the conductor to accommodate the telescopic movement of the shaft relative to the housing.

Referring now to <FIG>, a flowchart for a process <NUM> of using an electrosurgical device is shown according to an example. At block <NUM>, the process <NUM> can include providing an electrosurgical device. The electrosurgical device can include a housing defining an interior bore, a shaft telescopically moveable in the interior bore of the housing, an electrosurgical blade coupled to the shaft, and a helical conductor coiled around the shaft.

At block <NUM>, the process <NUM> can include telescopically moving the shaft relative to the housing such that (i) a position of a distal end of the helical conductor remains fixed relative to the housing and (ii) a position of a proximal end of the helical conductor translates relative to the housing. At block <NUM>, the process <NUM> can include coupling the electrosurgical device to an electrosurgical generator. At block <NUM>, the process <NUM> can include supplying, via the helical conductor, electrosurgical energy from the electrosurgical generator to the electrosurgical blade.

Referring now to <FIG>, a flowchart for a process <NUM> of making a urine collection device is shown according to an example. As shown in <FIG>, at block <NUM>, the process <NUM> includes forming a housing defining an interior bore. At block <NUM>, the process <NUM> includes coupling a shaft to the interior bore of the housing such that the shaft is telescopically moveable in the interior bore of the housing. At block <NUM>, the process <NUM> includes coupling an electrosurgical blade to the shaft. At block <NUM>, the process <NUM> includes coiling a helical conductor around the shaft to form a helical shape of the helical conductor. The helical conductor is configured to supply an electrosurgical energy from an electrosurgical generator to the electrosurgical blade.

<FIG> depict additional aspects of the process <NUM> according to further examples. As shown in <FIG>, the process <NUM> can also include fixedly coupling a printed circuit board to the housing at block <NUM>, coupling a distal end of the helical conductor to a printed circuit board that is fixedly coupled to the housing at block <NUM>, and coupling a proximal end of the helical conductor to a proximal portion of the shaft at block <NUM>. The printed circuit board can include a plurality of switches that are operable to control a supply of the electrosurgical energy from the electrosurgical generator to the electrosurgical blade.

As shown in <FIG>, the process <NUM> can also include coupling a light source to a distal end of the shaft at block <NUM>, and coupling the light source to the helical conductor at block <NUM>.

One or more of the blocks shown in <FIG> may represent a module, a segment, or a portion of program code, which includes one or more instructions executable by a processor for implementing specific logical functions or steps in the process. The program code may be stored on any type of computer readable medium or data storage, for example, such as a storage device including a disk or hard drive. Further, the program code can be encoded on a computer-readable storage media in a machine-readable format, or on other non-transitory media or articles of manufacture. The computer readable medium may include non-transitory computer readable medium or memory, for example, such as computer-readable media that stores data for short periods of time like register memory, processor cache and Random Access Memory (RAM). The computer readable medium may also include non-transitory media, such as secondary or persistent long term storage, like read only memory (ROM), optical or magnetic disks, compact-disc read only memory (CD-ROM), for example. The computer readable media may also be any other volatile or nonvolatile storage systems. The computer readable medium may be considered a tangible computer readable storage medium, for example.

In some instances, components of the devices and/or systems described herein may be configured to perform the functions such that the components are actually configured and structured (with hardware and/or software) to enable such performance. Example configurations then include one or more processors executing instructions to cause the system to perform the functions. Similarly, components of the devices and/or systems may be configured so as to be arranged or adapted to, capable of, or suited for performing the functions, such as when operated in a specific manner.

Claim 1:
An electrosurgical device (<NUM>), comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) defining an interior bore (<NUM>);
a shaft (<NUM>) telescopically moveable in the interior bore (<NUM>) of the housing (<NUM>), wherein the shaft (<NUM>) comprises a proximal portion in the housing (<NUM>) and a distal portion that extends outwardly from the housing (<NUM>);
an electrosurgical blade (<NUM>) coupled to the shaft (<NUM>); and
a helical conductor (<NUM>) coiled around the proximal portion of the shaft (<NUM>) and configured to supply electrosurgical energy from an electrosurgical generator to the electrosurgical blade (<NUM>), wherein a proximal end of the helical conductor (<NUM>) is coupled to the proximal portion of the shaft (<NUM>) and a distal end of the helical conductor (<NUM>) is fixedly coupled to the housing (<NUM>) such that when the shaft (<NUM>) z telescopically moves relative to the housing (<NUM>):
(i) a position of a distal end of the helical conductor (<NUM>) remains fixed relative to the housing (<NUM>) and (ii) a position of a proximal end of the helical conductor (<NUM>) translates relative to the housing (<NUM>).