Surgical tool and method having multiple electrodes
Inventors
Ellman, Alan G • Stek, Meindert • Pikramenos, John • Goldsmith, Scott • Buhrke, Paul • Ellman, Spencer • Ian, Ellman
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9788887-B2
Publication Date
2017-10-17
Expiration Date
Abstract
An electrosurgical device that has a head having a face. A handle connectable to an RF generator. The device has a plurality of teeth extending from the face. At least one of the plurality of teeth as a first electrical charge. A second of the plurality of teeth has a second electrical charge.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an electrosurgical device including a handle connectable to an RF generator. The device includes a head with a face connected at one end of the handle and a plurality of teeth extending from the face, wherein at least one tooth has a first electrical charge and a second tooth has a second electrical charge. The head further includes a blade extending substantially perpendicular from the face with respect to a direction of the plurality of teeth.
The face includes a distal end located away from the handle and a proximal end located proximate the handle. The blade includes a front edge facing toward the distal end and a rear edge facing the proximal end. The head is described with configurations in which different teeth or regions provide different electrical charges for RF current delivery during disc replacement/abrasion.
The disclosure further describes variations in which the blade face can be divided into bipolar/monopolar configurations using a dielectric insulator, and in which exposed electrodes can be present or omitted. Example geometries include diamond shaped teeth and configurations where forward/rearward blades and exposed spherical or annular electrodes are used for cutting, coagulation, or improved results when exposed electrodes are omitted or reduced.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim provides an electrosurgical device architecture with an RF-generator connectable handle, a head face with multiple teeth that carry first and second electrical charges, and a blade extending substantially perpendicular to the teeth with front and rear edges facing distal and proximal ends. Dependent claims refine the blade by adding a side electrode and specifying exemplary shapes for the front and rear edges and the side electrode.
RF-generator connectable handle and head face with plurality of teeth carrying first and second electrical charges
The device includes a handle connectable to an RF generator, a head with a face connected at one end of the handle, and a plurality of teeth extending from the face, wherein at least one of the plurality of teeth includes a first electrical charge and a second of the plurality of teeth includes a second electrical charge.
Blade extending substantially perpendicular with front and rear edges facing distal and proximal ends
The device includes a blade extending substantially perpendicular from the face with respect to a direction of the plurality of teeth, wherein the face includes a distal end away from the handle and a proximal end proximate the handle, and wherein the blade includes a front edge facing toward the distal end and a rear edge facing the proximal end.
Side electrode located between front edge and rear edge
The blade further includes a side electrode located between the front edge and the rear edge.
Front and rear edges as flat annular rings with a surrounding spherical side electrode
The front edge and rear edge are flat annular rings, and the side electrode is a sphere surrounded by the flat annular ring.
Diamond-shaped front and rear edges
The blade front edge and rear edge form a diamond shape.
Overall claim coverage is directed to an electrosurgical device that combines an RF-generator connectable handle, a head face with multiple teeth providing first and second electrical charges, and a substantially perpendicular blade having front and rear edges oriented toward distal and proximal ends, with refinements that add a side electrode and specify particular edge and side electrode geometries including flat annular rings with a surrounding sphere and diamond-shaped edges.
Stated Advantages
Used for cutting, coagulation, or improved results when exposed electrodes are omitted or reduced.
Documented Applications
Disc replacement/abrasion, including upper disc and lower disc.
Tissue cutting and coagulation.
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