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Publication Number
US-10842554-B2
Publication Date
2020-11-24
Expiration Date
Abstract
One embodiment of the present invention relates to an electrosurgical device for conducting surgery. The device includes a tubular housing and a plurality of electrodes disposed within said tubular housing. The device further includes an actuator connected to the plurality of electrodes to extend and retract at least one of the plurality electrodes to and from the tubular housing.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an electrosurgical device for conducting surgery that includes a tubular housing and a plurality of electrodes disposed within the tubular housing. An actuator is connected to the plurality of electrodes to extend and retract at least one of the plurality of electrodes to and from the tubular housing independent of a remainder of the plurality of electrodes. Each of the plurality of electrodes includes at least two conductors separated by a dielectric region to form a bipolar electrode, and each electrode includes a semispherical head portion.
At least one semispherical head portion is separated into quarter spheres by a dielectric region to electrically isolate the quarter spheres, where the at least one head portion is a head portion of a bipolar electrode. The device further includes a conductive sheath positioned between the tubular housing and insulation, with the conductive sheath connected to ground to complete an electrical circuit with the electrodes.
The tubular housing can include a curved or angular configuration to change an electrode exit direction relative to an axis of the handpiece, including predefined curvature and a directional relationship between the tubular housing curvature and the predefined curvature of at least one of the plurality of electrodes. Multiple electrodes may be independently actuated using separate triggers, and options for suction or delivery of fluids or gases through regions between the electrode and sheath are disclosed.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim coverage is directed to an electrosurgical device with a tubular housing and independently extendable/retractable electrodes, where each electrode is bipolar with dielectric separation and a semispherical head further divided into quarter spheres. The independent inventive features are expressed in the main independent claim and refined in dependent claims by a grounded conductive sheath and curved or angular electrode orientation.
Independent extension and retraction of at least one electrode within a tubular housing
An electrosurgical device with a tubular housing and a plurality of electrodes disposed within the tubular housing, where an actuator is connected to the plurality of electrodes to extend and retract at least one of the plurality of electrodes to and from the tubular housing independent of a remainder of the plurality of electrodes.
Bipolar electrode conductors separated by dielectric region
Each of the plurality of electrodes has at least two conductors separated by a dielectric region to form a bipolar electrode.
Semispherical head portion with quarter-sphere dielectric isolation
Each electrode includes a semispherical head portion, wherein at least one of the head portions is separated into quarter spheres by a dielectric region to electrically isolate said quarter spheres, wherein the at least one of the head portions is a head portion of a bipolar electrode.
Grounded conductive sheath for circuit completion
The electrosurgical device includes a conductive sheath positioned between the tubular housing and the electrodes/insulation, connected to ground to complete an electrical circuit with the electrodes.
Angular bend of tubular housing to reorient electrodes
The tubular housing has an angular bend that angles a plurality of electrodes relative to a longitudinal axis of the device.
Predefined curvature of electrodes at the housing face
Multiple electrodes have predefined curvature and curve relative to a face of the tubular housing as they exit that face.
Directional relationship between tubular housing curvature and electrode curvature
The tubular housing has a predefined curve that bends in the same direction as the predefined curvature of at least one of the plurality of electrodes.
Specified four-electrode configuration
The device includes exactly four electrodes.
Across the independent claim and its dependent refinements, the core claimed structure combines a tubular housing, bipolar electrodes with dielectric-isolated conductors and a semispherical head divided into quarter spheres, independent extend/retract actuation of at least one electrode, and additional refinements including a grounded conductive sheath and curved or angled electrode geometry and orientation. A dependent refinement further specifies a four-electrode configuration.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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