Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses an electrosurgical pencil, which includes a main body portion having an open electrode end and an open exhaust end. The main body portion includes an internal longitudinal wall structure that forms an elongate airflow vent. The vent has a wider section adjacent to the exhaust end, the wider section including a rounded ball socket which receives a separate ball-swivel member. The ball-swivel member has a ball portion integrally connected to a tubular section. A straight internal passage extends the length of the ball-swivel member, and this passage has an inner end at which is always open to the airflow vent formed in the main body portion.

A swivel device for connection to an ESU pencil is disclosed by <CIT>. The swivel device includes a fixed member, a rotating member and a pivoting member. The rotating member is capable of rotating within the fixed member. The pivoting member is capable of pivoting within the rotating member.

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'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.

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus, electrosurgical device and method for surgical procedures. The invention is set out by the appended claims.

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.

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.

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.

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., crosshatching, 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.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to <FIG> thereof, an electrosurgical device is provided which has a vacuum port, generally indicated at <NUM>, which is particularly adapted for (but not limited to) suctioning smoke during electrosurgery.

Shown in <FIG> is the proximal end of an electrosurgical device <NUM> having a longitudinal axis <NUM>. The electrosurgical device <NUM> includes a hollow body <NUM> enclosing a passageway <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) extending through the longitudinal axis <NUM> from a distal end <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) holding an electrode <NUM> to a proximal end <NUM> having a port <NUM>. The proximal end <NUM> and port <NUM> of the body <NUM> is disposed adjacent to a swivel portion <NUM> having a barbed fitting <NUM> for attachment to a conduit such as a vacuum tube <NUM> or plastic hose leading to the vacuum power unit <NUM> (shown in <FIG>). Port <NUM>, passageway <NUM>, outlet <NUM>, and passageway <NUM> are fluidly connected. A conduit <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) may extend from a vacuum power unit <NUM> to the barbed fitting <NUM> at the end of the electrosurgical device <NUM> operable for removing the surgical smoke through the body <NUM> and passageway <NUM> of the electrosurgical device <NUM> and through vacuum tube <NUM>. The distal end <NUM> of the electrosurgical device <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) may be provided with an inlet <NUM> to passageway <NUM>. The smoke generated by the electrosurgical device <NUM> enters the inlet <NUM> which is in fluid communication with a passageway <NUM> through the body <NUM> of the electrosurgical device <NUM>. The passageway <NUM> is disposed in fluid communication with swivel portion <NUM> having a hollow passageway <NUM> and an outlet <NUM> of the electrosurgical device <NUM> where the barbed fitting <NUM> is located. Accordingly, smoke and debris from the procedure may be conveyed from the inlet <NUM> through the electrosurgical device <NUM> and hollow passageway <NUM> of swivel portion <NUM> to the outlet <NUM> of the electrosurgical device <NUM> surrounded by the barbed fitting <NUM>. From the outlet <NUM>, the smoke and debris is conveyed through a conduit <NUM> toward the vacuum source <NUM>. It is further noted that barbed fitting <NUM> does not have to be a barbed fitting <NUM>, and that any male or female connection can be substituted. For example, a female connector may be used in place of barbed fitting <NUM> so as to keep the inner diameter of the fitting, and hence the passageway <NUM> (see <FIG>), as large as possible.

As shown, the electrosurgical device <NUM> may be provided with a cut button <NUM> and a coagulate button <NUM> that provide different levels of current to the electrode <NUM> at the distal end <NUM> of the electrosurgical device <NUM>. In one embodiment, the cut button <NUM> is operable to activate the electrode <NUM> at a first power level and coagulate button <NUM> is operable to activate the electrode <NUM> at a second power level. The first power level in embodiments is different from the second power level. The proximal end <NUM> of the body <NUM> is disposed adjacent to a swivel portion <NUM>. The swivel portion <NUM> is connected to the body <NUM> but is configured and arranged to rotate about the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the electrosurgical device <NUM>. The rotatable connection between the swivel portion <NUM> and the body <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. Returning to <FIG>, the barbed fitting <NUM> may be pivotally attached to the swivel portion <NUM> such that the barbed fitting may rotate relative to the swivel portion <NUM> which in turn may rotate relative to the body <NUM>. Accordingly, the system provides significant flexibility with regard to the positioning of the conduit <NUM> leading to the vacuum unit <NUM>. As indicated by arrows <NUM> and <NUM>, the barbed fitting <NUM> can be rotated upward or downward with respect to the orientation shown in <FIG>.

Turning to <FIG>, as described above the swivel portion <NUM> is configured and arranged to rotate freely in either direction about the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the electrosurgical device <NUM> in the direction of arrows <NUM> and <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the swivel portion <NUM> has a ring portion <NUM> that rotates inside a slot <NUM> defined in the inner wall of the body <NUM>. The engagement of the ring portion <NUM> with the slot <NUM> provides for rotation of the swivel portion <NUM> relative to the body <NUM> and also prevents the swivel portion <NUM> from disconnecting from the body <NUM>.

The barbed fitting <NUM> includes passageway <NUM> to provide an air pathway to the conduit <NUM> that is attached to the outlet <NUM>. The barbed fitting <NUM> is connected to a ball <NUM> that fits inside a socket <NUM> formed in the end of the swivel portion <NUM>. Accordingly, the barbed fitting <NUM> may be pivoted and rotated in many different directions in the ball and socket configuration.

Turning to <FIG>, the barbed fitting <NUM> may be connected to the swivel portion <NUM> in the direction of the longitudinal axis <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. Alternatively and in order to provide a greater range in movement of the swivel assembly, the swivel portion <NUM> may be angled along a side <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. Accordingly, the barbed fitting <NUM> is connected at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the electrosurgical device <NUM>. Embodiments of angled side <NUM> create an angle between <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees relative to the longitudinal axis <NUM>.

In another embodiment shown in <FIG>, a swivel portion <NUM> may be angled at approximately ninety degrees. However, it should be appreciated that embodiments of swivel portion <NUM> include being angled between <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees. As shown in <FIG>, the body <NUM> connects with a first end <NUM> of the swivel portion <NUM>. The first end <NUM> rotates about the longitudinal axis <NUM> in the direction of arrow <NUM>. The second end <NUM> of the swivel portion <NUM> may be disposed at an approximately ninety degree angle with respect to the first end <NUM>. However, embodiments include the second end <NUM> of swivel portion <NUM> being disposed anywhere between approximately <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees. The hose connector <NUM> may also be angled at approximately ninety degrees between a first end <NUM> and a second end <NUM>. Embodiments include the hose connector <NUM> being angled anywhere between approximately <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees. The first end <NUM> of the hose connector <NUM> is capable of rotating relative to the second end <NUM> of the swivel portion <NUM> in the direction of arrow <NUM>.

In <FIG>, shown is a cross-sectional view of the swivel to body connection and swivel to hose connection are shown in detail. The body <NUM> may be formed with a projection <NUM> that fits into a slot <NUM> formed in the swivel portion <NUM>. The engagement of the projection <NUM> with the slot <NUM> allows for rotation between the parts but maintains the coupling of the two parts. The hose connection <NUM> includes a projection <NUM> coupled to hose connection <NUM> that fits into a slot <NUM> formed in the swivel portion <NUM>. 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.

Turning to <FIG>, in another embodiment a swivel portion <NUM> may be attached at an angle to a hose connector <NUM>. The hose connector <NUM> is connected to the swivel portion <NUM> at an approximately forty-five degree angle. However, it should be appreciated that embodiments include the hose connector <NUM> being connected to the swivel portion <NUM> between approximately <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees. The angle allows the hose connection to be pointed straight back (<FIG>), collinear to the pen body <NUM>, perpendicular to the pen body <NUM> (<FIG>), 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 <NUM> may rotate in the direction of arrows <NUM> and <NUM>.

Turning to <FIG>, a second pivot point <NUM> may be located between the body and the swivel portion. The swivel portion is connected to the body as disclosed in <FIG> discussed above and may rotate about the longitudinal axis of the body as illustrated by arrows <NUM>, <NUM>.

Turning to <FIG>, shown is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in <FIG> depicting the swivel <NUM> to body <NUM> connection and the swivel <NUM> to hose <NUM> connection. The swivel <NUM> to body <NUM> connection is similar to the connection shown and described in <FIG> with a projection <NUM> extending into a corresponding slot <NUM> allowing for rotation of swivel <NUM> relative to body <NUM>. Illustrated in <FIG> is the swivel <NUM> to hose <NUM> connection at a forty five degree angle. The connection between swivel <NUM> and hose <NUM> uses a projection <NUM> and a corresponding slot <NUM> that provides for rotation but does not allow the parts to separate. In other embodiments, each of the swivel <NUM> to body <NUM> connection and the swivel <NUM> to hose <NUM> connection may be set at alternative angles. For example, the swivel <NUM> to body <NUM> connection may be at a twenty degree angle while the swivel <NUM> to hose <NUM> connection may be at a ninety degree angle. A barbed fitting <NUM> is disposed on the outlet <NUM> of the hose <NUM> connection.

In <FIG>, another embodiment of the invention includes a swivel portion <NUM> having a pair of arms <NUM> and <NUM> that extend parallel to each other. A hose connection <NUM> is pivotally attached to the swivel portion <NUM> by means of a pivot pin <NUM> extending between the arms <NUM>, <NUM>. The hose connection <NUM> has an opening for receiving the pivot pin <NUM>. The swivel portion <NUM> and the arms <NUM> and <NUM> are all hollow such that air from the passageway <NUM> passes through the body <NUM> and into the swivel portion <NUM>. From the swivel portion <NUM>, the air flows into the hose <NUM> connector through a hollow pivot pin <NUM>. The air then exits through the center of the hose connector <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An electrosurgical device (<NUM>), the electrosurgical device (<NUM>) comprising:
a body (<NUM>) having a longitudinal axis (<NUM>), the body comprising a hollow passageway (<NUM>) extending through the longitudinal axis (<NUM>) from an inlet (<NUM>) at a distal end (<NUM>) to a port (<NUM>) at a proximal end (<NUM>);
an electrode (<NUM>) extending from the distal end (<NUM>) of the body (<NUM>) adjacent to the inlet (<NUM>); and
a swivel portion (<NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>) moveably coupled to the port (<NUM>), the swivel portion (<NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>) having a second hollow passageway (<NUM>) fluidly coupled to the hollow passageway (<NUM>), the second hollow passageway (<NUM>) extending from the port (<NUM>) to an outlet (<NUM>);
wherein the swivel portion (<NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>) comprises a first swivel element (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) and a second swivel element (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>);
wherein the first swivel element (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) is operable to rotate around the longitudinal axis (<NUM>) relative to the body (<NUM>); and
wherein the second swivel element (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) is operable to rotate relative to the first swivel element (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) and the body (<NUM>); and
wherein the first swivel element (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) is connected to the second swivel element (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) at an angle between <NUM> degrees and <NUM> degrees relative to the longitudinal axis (<NUM>);
characterised in that the second swivel element (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) is operable to rotate around an axis which is oriented at an angle between <NUM> degrees and <NUM> degrees relative to the longitudinal axis (<NUM>).