Surgery – Instruments – Electrical application
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-30
2002-10-01
Dvorak, Linda C. M. (Department: 3739)
Surgery
Instruments
Electrical application
C606S041000, C606S031000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06458125
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to electro-surgical unit (ESU) pencil apparatus and, more specifically, to electro-surgical pencil apparatus with a variable length electrode and smoke evacuation means, and methods therefor.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the past, when it was desired to change the length of the electrode of an ESU pencil, the electrode would be taken out, and replaced with another of different length. This created a number of problems. First, the electrodes are available only in two or three standard sizes. Thus, if the length desired by the surgeon was different from what was commercially available, then the surgeon would have to compromise and make do with the closest available size. Second, changing electrodes during an operation wastes time. Also, changing electrodes has an economic cost. And third, when an extended length electrode is used, the opening to the smoke evacuation conduit is often situated too far from the operation site to be effective. This meant that a special smoke evacuation shroud had to be used with the extended electrode, thereby further increasing the cost of the operation.
Also, in the past, it had not been possible to use an ESU pencil while operating both an argon beam coagulator and a smoke evacuation system simultaneously. This was true because the operation of the smoke evacuation system would interrupt the flow of the argon beam before it reached the site of the operation and deflect it directly into the smoke evacuation conduit.
Further, in order to evacuate the smoke from the surgical field in laparatomy when an ESU pencil handpiece without a smoke collector is used for cutting and coagulation, several methods have been used but their performances have not been satisfactory. In order to be efficient, the shroud which performs the smoke collection function must be as close as possible to the operating tip of the ESU pencil where the smoke is generated. But, this solution as embodied in prior art tended to obstruct the surgeon's view of the operation site. Accordingly, there was a need for an improved handpiece and shroud arrangement which provided for efficient smoke collection without obstructing the surgeon's view of the surgical site.
Therefore, there existed a need for an improved, reusable ESU pencil that allowed telescoping the electrode assembly containing a standard size electrode, and provided efficient smoke evacuation at all positions of the telescopic electrode assembly. Further, these improvements needed to be incorporated into an ESU-argon beam coagulator pencil.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of this invention is to provide an ESU pencil apparatus in which the distance between the operating tip of the electrode and the handpiece is adjustable to the surgeon's desired length, and methods therefor.
Another object of this invention is to provide a smoke evacuator that functions effectively irrespective of the distance between the operating tip of the electrode. and the handpiece of the ESU pencil, and method therefor.
Another object of this invention is to provide an ESU pencil apparatus that is substantially reusable, and methods therefor.
Another object of this invention is to provide an ESU pencil apparatus that uses a vortex to increase the efficiency of smoke evacuation, and methods therefor.
Another object of this invention is to provide an ESU pencil apparatus where the distance between the operating tip of the electrode and the intake to the smoke evacuation conduit is adjustable, thereby enabling the surgeon to optimize the exhaust suction and visibility of the operating site, and methods therefor.
Another object of this invention is to provide an ESU pencil apparatus that combines an argon gas coagulator with a smoke evacuation system, and methods therefor.
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved smoke evacuation shroud apparatus for use with, but not limited to, an electro-surgical, an ESU-argon beam coagulator pencil, or a laser surgical unit, and methods therefor.
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved smoke evacuation shroud apparatus for use with, but not limited to, a laser surgical, an electro-surgical, or an ESU-argon beam coagulator pencil unit in which the smoke evacuation shroud provides efficient smoke collection without obstructing the surgeon's view of the surgical site, and methods therefor.
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved smoke evacuation shroud apparatus for use with, but not limited to a laser surgical, an electro-surgical, or an ESU-argon beam coagulator pencil unit in which the smoke evacuation shroud provides efficient smoke removal by creating a vortex in the vicinity of the surgical site, and methods therefor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, an electro-surgical unit (ESU) pencil apparatus is disclosed comprising, in combination, cutting means for cutting and coagulating in a medical procedure, smoke evacuation means coupled to the cutting means for removing smoke and debris produced during the medical procedure, and telescopic member means coupled to the cutting means and to the smoke evacuation means for adjusting position of the cutting means and the smoke evacuation means along a lengthwise axis of the ESU pencil. It is well known in the art to provide cutting means that both cut and coagulate. The smoke evacuation means comprises a vacuum source, tubular member means coupled to the vacuum source for conveying the smoke and debris to the vacuum source, locking means coupled to the tubular member means and to the telescopic member means for holding a selected portion of the telescopic member means, and nozzle means coupled to the telescopic member means for evacuating the smoke and debris in proximity to a working site for the medical procedure. Additionally, the nozzle means has connection means for removably connecting the nozzle means to the telescopic member means. The telescopic member means comprises a tubular member slidably retained within conductive element means, conductive cap means coupled to a portion of the tubular member for conducting energy, conductive tang means, extending from a portion of the conductive cap means and contacting an inner surface portion of the conductive element means, for conducting the energy from the conductive element means to the conductive cap means, conducting member means supported within the tubular member for conducting the energy from the conductive cap means, conductive support means coupled between the conductive cap means and the conducting member means for conducting the energy from the conductive cap means to the conducting member means, electrode retainer means coupled to the conducting member means for retaining the cutting means and for transferring the energy to the cutting means, and vortex support means coupled to the conducting member means for supporting the conducting member means and for assisting formation of vortex flow of the smoke and debris. The ESU pencil apparatus further includes switch means for selectively applying the energy from an energy source via a connector to the conductive element means.
In accordance with another embodiment of this invention, an ESU-Argon beam coagulator pencil apparatus is disclosed comprising, in combination, cutting means for cutting in a medical procedure, coagulation means coupled to the cutting means for coagulating a patient's blood, smoke evacuation means coupled to the coagulation means for removing smoke and debris produced during the medical procedure, and telescopic member means coupled to the cutting means, the coagulation means, and the smoke evacuation means for adjusting position of the cutting means, the coagulation means, and the smoke evacuation means along a lengthwise axis of the pencil apparatus. The smoke evacuation means comprises a vacuum source, tubular member means coupled to the vacuum source for transferring the smoke and debris to the
Dvorak Linda C. M.
I. C. Medical, Inc.
Snell & Wilmer L.L.P.
Vrettakos Peter
LandOfFree
Electro-surgical unit pencil apparatus and method therefor does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Electro-surgical unit pencil apparatus and method therefor, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Electro-surgical unit pencil apparatus and method therefor will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2991184