Electrode unit and endoscope system
Inventors
Ikuma, Soichi • Sakai, Yuji • Hayashida, Tsuyoshi • Tsukagoshi, Takayuki • Kubo, Kei
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12582462-B2
Publication Date
2026-03-24
Expiration Date
Abstract
An electrode unit configured to resect or coagulate tissue inside a subject by using a high-frequency current, including: an electrode supporting portion provided with a pair of distal end rigid portions surfaces of which are covered by an electrically insulating material, and an elastic region portion having lower bending rigidity than bending rigidity of each of the pair of distal end rigid portions, the elastic region portion being provided on a proximal end side of each of the pair of distal end rigid portions; and an electrode configured with electrode bodies respectively protruding downward from the pair of distal end rigid portions and an installation portion that installs respective lower ends of the electrode bodies.
Core Innovation
An electrode unit for endoscopic high-frequency resection/coagulation is described with an electrode supporting member that includes a pair of distal end rigid portions covered by electrically insulating material and an elastic region member provided on a proximal end side. The bending rigidity of the elastic region member is such that, when the electrode is pressed against a tissue surface, the elastic region member elastically deforms and is curved relative to the distal end rigid portions.
An exposed wire electrode is located between the pair of distal end rigid portions, and a surface of the electrode is configured to directly press against the tissue while applying high-frequency energy. The exposed wire electrode has a flat portion extending linearly between the pair of distal end rigid portions, and a pair of base portions directly extending perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis from respective distal end rigid portions toward each other from opposed faces when viewed along the longitudinal axis.
The geometry of the electrode is configured to avoid overlapping the distal rigid portions relative to viewing axes, and the distal rigid faces act as stoppers. This stoppers arrangement keeps penetration depth and thus resected tissue thickness substantially constant despite variations in applied force and electrode trajectory. An endoscope/resectoscope system is further described as a bipolar electro-surgical apparatus that includes perfusate and a collection electrode together with an electrode connector.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes three independent claims. Across these claims, the inventive coverage centers on an exposed wire electrode between a pair of electrically insulated distal rigid members with an elastic proximal region of lower bending rigidity that elastically deforms and curves when pressed against tissue, plus specific exposed-wire geometry defined by a flat portion and perpendicularly extending base portions.
Exposed wire electrode between insulating distal rigid members with elastic region curvature
An electrode unit comprising an electrode supporting member with a pair of distal end rigid members extending along a longitudinal axis, each covered by an electrically insulating material, and an elastic region member on a proximal end side of each distal end rigid member, wherein an electrode located between the pair applies high-frequency energy to tissue and is an exposed wire configured to directly press against the tissue; and wherein the bending rigidity of the elastic region member elastically deforms and is curved relative to the distal end rigid member when pressed against a tissue surface.
Flat exposed-wire portion with perpendicular base portions from distal rigid members
The electrode unit of the electrode supporting member, wherein the electrode comprises a flat portion extending linearly between the pair of distal end rigid members and a pair of base portions directly extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis from a respective distal end rigid member of the pair toward each other from opposed faces when viewed along the longitudinal axis.
Bending rigidity difference between elastic region and distal rigid members with exposed-wire direct tissue pressing
An electrode unit comprising an electrode supporting member with a pair of distal end rigid members extending along a longitudinal axis, each covered by an electrically insulating material, and an elastic region member provided on a proximal end side of each distal end rigid member, wherein the elastic region member has a lower bending rigidity than the bending rigidity of the pair of distal end rigid members; and an electrode located between the pair applying high-frequency energy to tissue, the electrode comprising a flat portion extending linearly between the pair of distal end rigid members and a pair of base portions directly extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis from a respective distal end rigid member toward each other from opposed faces when viewed along the longitudinal axis, wherein the electrode is an exposed wire having a surface configured to directly press against the tissue.
Elastic region curvature relative to insulators with exposed-wire direct tissue pressing and base portions
An electrode unit comprising a pair of insulators extending along a longitudinal axis and an elastic portion located on a proximal end side of each of the pair of insulators, and an electrode located between the pair of insulators, wherein a bending rigidity of the elastic region member such that the elastic region member elastically deforms and is curved relative to the pair of insulators when the electrode is pressed against a tissue surface; the electrode is an exposed wire having a surface configured to directly press against the tissue surface; and the electrode comprising a pair of base portions directly extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis from a respective insulator of the pair of insulators toward each other from opposed faces when viewed along the longitudinal axis.
Across the independent claims, the coverage is directed to an electrode unit that places an exposed wire electrode between a pair of electrically insulated rigid members/insulators, while an elastic proximal region with lower bending rigidity elastically deforms and curves when the electrode is pressed against tissue. The claims further define the exposed-wire geometry via a flat portion extending linearly between the rigid members/insulators and a pair of perpendicularly extending base portions toward each other.
Stated Advantages
Keeps penetration depth and thus resected tissue thickness substantially constant despite variations in applied force and electrode trajectory.
Documented Applications
Endoscopic high-frequency resection/coagulation using the described electrode unit.
Bipolar electro-surgical apparatus application in connection with perfusate and a collection electrode within an endoscope/resectoscope system.
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