|Publication number||US7150747 B1|
|Application number||US 10/348,343|
|Publication date||19 Dec 2006|
|Filing date||22 Jan 2003|
|Priority date||22 Jan 2003|
|Publication number||10348343, 348343, US 7150747 B1, US 7150747B1, US-B1-7150747, US7150747 B1, US7150747B1|
|Inventors||Christopher McDonald, Michael A. Brodsky, Karen Drucker, Albert R. Lopes, Jr., Douglas D. Sjostrom|
|Original Assignee||Smith & Nephew, Inc.|
|Export Citation||BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan|
|Patent Citations (108), Non-Patent Citations (37), Referenced by (47), Classifications (9), Legal Events (3)|
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet|
A disclosed embodiment relates generally to arthroscopic surgery, and more particularly to a hand-held arthroscopic instrument providing an electrically conductive blade for mechanical cutting and electrosurgery.
Arthroscopic instruments can be used to cut tissue mechanically in various parts of a body, such as, for example, a knee, using a blade that is rotated, or otherwise brought into contact with the tissue to be cut. Arthroscopic instruments are also known that include a monopolar or bipolar electrode configuration for coagulating tissue using radio frequency (“RF”) energy.
A described embodiment provides an arthroscopic or endoscopic instrument having a blade that is used both to cut tissue mechanically and to coagulate the cut tissue. The blade is electrically conductive and serves as an active electrode in a bipolar arrangement with a return electrode located nearby on the instrument. The blade is rotated to cut the tissue mechanically, yet no brush is used to transfer electrical energy to the rotating blade. Instead, electrical energy is transferred to the blade through contact between distal tips of a non-rotating tube and a concentric rotating tube containing the blade.
According to one aspect, a surgical device includes a first member, a second member, an electrical connector, and a tension device. The second member defines a lumen for receiving the first member, the first member and second member being configured to be movable relative to each other to cut tissue. The electrical connector is physically and electrically coupled to the second member, the electrical connector being configured to electrically couple the second member to a source of electricity. The tension device is for holding a distal region of the first member in electrical contact with a distal region of the second member.
Embodiments of this aspect may include one or more of the following features.
The electrical connector is self-centering on the second member. The second member includes a tube and the electrical connector includes a three-point connector that is self-centering on the tube.
A third member is physically coupled to the second member and electrically isolated from the distal region of the first member. A first electrode is in electrical contact with the distal portion of the first member; the third member includes a second electrode; and the surgical device is operable as a bipolar electrosurgical device using the first and second electrodes. The first member includes a first tube, the second member includes a second tube that is cylindrical, and the third member includes a third tube disposed about the second tube. An exposed surface area of the second electrode is at least approximately five times larger than an exposed surface area of the first electrode.
An electrode is in electrical contact with the distal portion of the first member, and the surgical device is operable as a monopolar electrosurgical device using the electrode. The electrode is part of the first member.
The tension device holds a tip of the first member in electrical contact with a tip of the second member. The first member defines a longitudinal axis and the tension device applies tension along the longitudinal axis of the first member. The tension device includes a spring. A lock is physically coupled to the second member for coupling the second member to the tension device. A drive unit is coupled to the first member to move the first member relative to the second member, wherein the second member is fixed with respect to the drive unit.
The first member includes an electrically conductive cutting surface configured to cut tissue mechanically and to perform electrosurgery. The cutting surface includes a blade or a burr. The electrosurgery includes coagulation. The second member includes a cutting surface configured to cut tissue mechanically in cooperation with the electrically conductive cutting surface of the first member. A portion of the cutting surface of the second member is electrically conductive and is configured to perform electrosurgery along with the cutting surface of the first member. The cutting surfaces of the first member and the second member are configured to be moved past each other and to cut tissue mechanically that is disposed between the two cutting surfaces as the two cutting surfaces are moved past each other. The second member includes an electrically insulating cutting surface configured to cut tissue mechanically in cooperation with the electrically conductive cutting surface of the first member.
The first member is configured to be rotated relative to the second member to cut tissue. The first member includes a first tube, and the second member includes a second tube that is cylindrical. The first member defines an inner lumen operable as an aspiration lumen.
The first member is substantially electrically insulating, and the first member includes an electrically conductive material at the distal portion of the first member. The second member is substantially electrically insulating, and includes an electrically conductive material at the distal portion of the second member.
A drive unit is coupled to the first member to move the first member relative to the second member, and the second member is fixed with respect to the drive unit. A first electrode is in electrical contact with the distal portion of the first member, and the first electrode includes a cutting surface configured to cut tissue mechanically and to perform electrosurgery. A second electrode is physically coupled to the second member and electrically isolated from the distal region of the first member, and the distal region of the first member includes a tip of the first member and the distal region of the second member includes a tip of the second member.
According to another aspect, performing surgery includes inserting a surgical device into a body. The surgical device includes a first member and a second member, and the second member defines a lumen for receiving the first member. The first member and the second member are moved relative to each other to cut tissue. A distal region of the first member is held in electrical contact with a distal region of the second member. Electrical power is provided to the first member through the second member.
Embodiments of this aspect may include one or more of the following features.
A distal tip of the first member is maintained in electrical connection with a distal tip of the second member. Inserting the surgical device includes inserting a surgical device having an inner cutting surface on the first member and an outer cutting surface on the second member. Moving the first member and the second member relative to each other includes cutting tissue in the body using the inner cutting surface and the outer cutting surface. Providing electrical power includes performing electrosurgery on the cut tissue using the inner cutting surface.
Moving the first member and the second member relative to each other includes rotating the first member relative to the second member, such rotating causing the inner cutting surface to pass by the outer cutting surface and causing tissue disposed between the two cutting surfaces to be cut mechanically. A conductive environment is provided in the body, and inserting the surgical device into the body includes inserting the inner cutting surface into the conductive environment. Performing electrosurgery includes performing bipolar electrosurgery using the inner cutting surface as an electrode. Inserting the surgical device includes inserting a surgical device that includes a third member coupled to the second member and including a return electrode.
According to another aspect, a surgical device includes a first member, a second member, and an electrical connector. The second member defines a lumen for receiving the first member, and the first member and the second member are configured to be movable with respect to each other to cut tissue. The electrical connector is physically and electrically coupled to the second member for electrically coupling the second member to a source of electricity. The surgical device includes a mechanism for holding a distal region of the first member in electrical contact with a distal region of the second member.
Described instruments allow tissue to be cut mechanically and coagulated with a single instrument, and the tissue can be cut and coagulated with the same surface of the instrument. Because the same surface can be used, the mechanical cutting and electrosurgery can also occur at approximately the same time. The instruments can perform other electrosurgery on tissue with or without also mechanically cutting tissue, and the electrosurgery can be monopolar or bipolar. In one instrument including an inner tube rotating within a second tube, electrical power is coupled to an electrode on the inner tube through contact at the distal end of the instrument between the inner and second tubes.
The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.
Electroblade 114 includes a ridge 240 for connecting electroblade 114 to MDU 112. Ridge 240 is deflected radially inward when electroblade 114 is inserted into MDU 112 and ridge 240 retracts slightly (radially outward) when ridge 240 comes into alignment with a corresponding surface (not shown) in MDU 112. Ridge 240 thus engages the surface, attaching electroblade 114 to MDU 112. Electroblade 114 also includes a release 250 for releasing electroblade 114 from MDU 112. Pressing release 250 deflects ridge 240 radially inward disengaging ridge 240 from the groove, and allowing electroblade 114 to be withdrawn from MDU 112. Electroblade 114 further includes a tab 260 that is rotated by MDU 112. Commercial implementations of MDU 112 are available from Smith & Nephew, Inc., of Andover, Mass., in part numbers 7205354, 7205355, and 7205971.
Outer tube 510 defines a lumen 545 and an opening 550 at a distal end in communication with lumen 545. Outer tube assembly 500 also includes an outer tube hub 560. Outer tube hub 560 includes an outer tube connector 570 for electrically connecting one of the conductors in RF power cord 116 to exposed proximal portion 530 of outer tube 510. Outer tube hub 560 also includes a middle tube connector 580 for electrically connecting the second conductor in RF power cord 116 to an exposed portion of middle tube 610. Connectors 570 and 580, and their connections, are further explained in the discussion of
Outer tube assembly 500 has an approximate length for dimension L1 of, for example, 6.4 inches, and an approximate length for dimension L2 of, for example, 5.9 inches. These dimensions are not critical to operation and can vary depending on, for example, the location of the body tissue on which surgical device 110 is to operate.
Middle tube assembly 600 is fixed to outer tube assembly 500, such that both assemblies 500 and 600 are stationary. That is, neither assembly 500 or 600 is rotated by MDU 112. Middle tube 610 and insulating layer 620 are positioned inside of outer tube 510 and protrude past distal opening 550 of outer tube 510, as shown in
Middle tube assembly 600 has an approximate length for dimension L3 of, for example, 7.5 inches, and an approximate length for dimension L4 of, for example, 6.0 inches. These dimensions are not critical to operation and can vary depending on, for example, the location of the body tissue on which surgical device 110 is to operate.
Inner tube assembly 700 can be rotated by MDU 112 while middle tube assembly 600 and outer tube assembly 500 remain stationary. Inner tube 710 is positioned inside of middle tube 610. As explained earlier, tension device 420 applies longitudinal pressure. The pressure applied by tension device 420 causes a distal rounded portion 750 of an outer surface 760 of inner tube 710 to abut distal portion 645 of inner surface 647 of middle tube 610 (
Inner tube assembly 700 has an approximate length for dimension L5 of, for example, 7.0 inches. This dimension is not critical to operation and can vary depending on, for example, the location of the body tissue on which surgical device 110 is to operate.
Referring again to
As inner tube assembly 700 (
Inner tube assembly 700 can be rotated continuously or intermittently in either a forward or a reverse direction, or oscillated in both directions. The direction of rotation, the speed of rotation, the timing of oscillations between the two directions, the torque control, and other variables can be varied as appropriate for a given application. Inner tube 710 can be locked in one position by MDU 112 to prevent rotation of inner tube 710, and a locking position can be selected. These and other variables can be controlled at MDU 112 using, for example, hand controls, such as, for example, pushbuttons. Variables also can be controlled at, for example, control box 120 or a hand switch or foot switch positioned between control box 120 and MDU 112.
As mentioned earlier, a first electrode is defined by the exposed distal portions of inner tube 710 and, incidentally, middle tube 610 that contact tissue. These exposed portions include a variable portion of inner tube 710 that is visible through opening 640, and that part of middle tube 610 forming edge 820 and the crescent-shaped exposed portion 825 proximal to edge 820. The portion of inner tube 710 visible through opening 640 is variable because inner tube 710 can be rotated. The first electrode has a proximal portion 840, a middle portion 850, and a distal portion 860, as shown in
A second electrode is defined by exposed distal portion 540 of outer tube 510. A circuit is completed between the two electrodes by immersing both electrodes in a conductive environment. A conductive environment can be produced, for example, from a 9% normal saline solution, or from Ringers lactate, a physiologically compatible conductive solution. The conductive solution also can serve as an irrigant and to distend a body cavity. In practice, the circuit typically also extends through tissue that is positioned adjacent the first electrode.
The second electrode has a surface area that is approximately five times larger than the surface area of the first electrode, and the greater surface area allows for a lower current density at the second electrode than at the first electrode. Specifically, when inner tube 710 is fully closed, the surface area of the second electrode is five times larger than the exposed surface area of inner tube 710. The ratio is larger when inner tube 710 is in another position, such as, for example, only three-fourths closed. The ratio is minimally affected when the exposed surface area of middle tube 610 is considered as part of the first electrode.
The current density at the first electrode is further increased at sharp edge 810 of inner tube 710. The higher current density at the first electrode generally gives rise to a tissue effect being seen on tissue adjacent or near the first electrode and not on tissue adjacent or near the second electrode. Tissue effects include, for example, coagulation and shrinkage and the term electrosurgery encompasses electrical surgery that achieves these or other tissue effects.
Electrical energy can be applied to tissue using one of the first or second electrodes, and electrical energy can return to electroblade 114 through the other of the two electrodes. Accordingly, either electrode can act as an active electrode or as a return electrode. However, for simplicity, the first electrode is referred to as the active electrode and the second electrode is referred to as the return electrode.
Housing 920 also defines a tube channel 950, through which one or more tubes and/or insulating layers are fixed during assembly. In an assembled electroblade, middle tube 610, middle tube insulating layer 620, and outer tube 510 each are fixed within tube channel 950. Tube channel 950 has varying diameters to accommodate the various tubes and insulating layers.
RF power is applied to electroblade 114 using generator 140 and RF power cord 116 (
By applying RF power during a mechanical cutting operation, the RF power can be used, for example, to coagulate tissue as the tissue is cut mechanically. RF power also can be applied when no mechanical cutting operation is taking place in order, for example, to coagulate previously cut tissue. If no mechanical cutting is desired, inner tube 710 can be locked in a particular position, such as, for example, a position that “closes” or obscures three-fourths of opening 640 in middle tube 610. A three-fourths-closed position exposes additional surface area of inner tube 710 to provide a greater area, for example, for coagulation, and still provides a one-fourth opening for aspiration. Inner tube 710 can be locked by setting MDU 112 so that prongs 410 do not allow rotation.
Electroblade 114 is designed to coagulate tissue at the active electrode, and not to ablate tissue under normal operating conditions which are discussed below. The relative surface areas of the active and return electrodes, and the use of formations (for example, edges) both promote coagulation by controlling current density, as discussed above. The inter-electrode distance has also been designed to facilitate coagulation. The return electrode of electroblade 114 is closest to the active electrode at approximately the middle 850 of the active electrode, and the return electrode is farthest from the active electrode at the proximal end 840 of the active electrode. Such spacing has been found to provide a current density appropriate for coagulation.
Design parameters and/or operating conditions can be varied to provide coagulation capability in different embodiments. For example, design parameters such as the relative surface areas of the two electrodes, the types of formations on the electrodes (for example, edges), and the distance between the active and return electrodes can be varied to affect current densities. The current density tends to be greatest where the inter-electrode distance is smallest, and where there are formations, such as, for example, edges, that concentrate current. As a further example, operating conditions such as the power level for coagulation can be varied depending on, for example, the surface area of the electrodes and the amount of tissue being cut.
The RF power that is applied can be controlled using, for example, generator 140, a foot switch or other foot-operated control, and a hand switch or other hand-operated control including controls integrally mounted in MDU 112 or electroblade 114. RF power controls can be provided for parameters, such as, for example, the type and/or shape of the RF waveform, the level of power, the direct current (“DC”) bias, and the duration of the RF power. RF control also can include temperature detection and feedback using, for example, a thermocouple or thermistor that is integrally mounted in electroblade 114. Frequencies outside of the RF band also can be used.
Connector 1010 has an approximate length for dimension L6 of, for example, 0.26 inches. This dimension is not critical to operation and can vary depending on, for example, the diameter of the concentric tubes 510, 610, and 710.
Referring again generally to
Typical generator settings are between zero and seventy watts for coagulation, with the generator allowing settings up to one-hundred watts. Typical settings for use with an inner tube and cutting surface that are stationary include minimum coagulation settings of between twenty and forty watts, and recommended coagulation settings of between thirty and fifty watts. Such settings are used, for example, when inner tube 710 is locked in a position closing off three-fourths of opening 640 in middle tube 610. If the inner tube is moving, thus providing simultaneous mechanical cutting and RF electrosurgery, typical minimum power settings for coagulation range from thirty to fifty watts, and recommended coagulation power settings range from fifty to seventy watts.
The generator provides, for example, waveforms having an open circuit maximum peak-to-peak voltage of 800 volts with no load. Typical settings on one of the Valleylab generators include both 320 volts peak-to-peak and 750 volts peak-to-peak, with a maximum peak-to-peak voltage of 1000 volts. Frequency settings typically range from approximately 470–510 kilohertz (“kHz”) for a sinusoidal wave, with a nominal setting of 500 kHz.
The electroblade is sized to accommodate the desired application. For example, for use in a shoulder the electroblade is sized differently from one for use in a prostate. Applications include, for example, use in a shoulder, a knee, and other joints, as well as use in natural orifices such as, for example, a uterus, a urethra, a nasal cavity, and a mouth.
The electroblade assembly is designed as, for example, a single-use, sterile, disposable assembly. Alternatively, the electroblade is a multiple-use assembly that can be cleaned and re-sterilized. Single-use assemblies obviate the need to clean between the tubes and may be made using materials, such as, for example, plastics, that cannot be steam re-sterilized, thereby preventing multiple uses. Conversely, device components, such as, for example, outer tube 510 and middle tube 610, need not be fixed to outer tube hub 560, thus allowing such components to be more amenable to cleaning.
Referring again to
Referring again generally to
Outer tube insulating layer 520 and middle tube insulating layer 620 are, for example, heat shrinkable tubing that is placed over outer tube 510 or middle tube 610, respectively, then shrunk and trimmed to desired dimensions, or a halar coating having a thickness of, for example, 0.009 inches or more. Other embodiments may use materials that are, for example, painted, sprayed, or deposited on one or more surfaces (for example, interior and exterior) of a tube. Materials include, for example, ceramics, plastics, and silicone. Other embodiments may use one or more insulating layers that are not secured to a tube. Non-secured insulating layers may be made from plastic or ceramic, for example. Further, middle tube insulating layer 620 may be on the inner surface of outer tube 710 rather than, or in addition to, middle tube 610.
The various tubes and insulating layers can be selected to facilitate energy transfer. The inner and middle tubes can be coated, for example, to expose only the edge of the cutting surfaces and the bearing surfaces, thereby focusing energy and facilitating electrosurgery. Further, the bearing surfaces of tubes, such as, for example, the interior and exterior of the tubes, need not be exposed and can be, for example, coated with silicone. The tubes themselves need not be metal, or entirely conductive. For example, the inner tube can be plastic with a conductor at a distal end to make electrical contact with the middle tube and to provide conductive cutting edges where contact is made with tissue. Such an embodiment reduces metal exposed to any saline fluid and concentrates energy. As another example, a plastic middle tube can be used having a conductive strip, metal or otherwise, between the distal end and the proximal connection to RF power cord 116. As a further example, an inner tube can be non-conductive, although it still may have a cutting edge, and the active electrode is provided by the middle tube having a conductive cutting edge. As yet another example, one embodiment does not use a middle tube, but instead uses a brush mechanism to make electrical contact between a rotating inner tube and a connector from an RF power cord. Such a brush embodiment also may include a middle tube that is not conductive and that has a cutting edge that mates with a cutting edge on the inner tube.
The electroblade can be a monopolar instrument without an outer tube. Whether monopolar or bipolar, embodiments may provide electrosurgery at the surface that provides mechanical cutting or at another surface.
As described earlier, electrical contact between the inner and middle tubes is reliably maintained using a spring or other tensioning device, such as, for example, a coil spring, a leaf spring, or a rubber grommet or other elastic material that is coated, if desired, with a lubricant. Regardless of the tension device, physical contact between inner tube 710 and middle tube 610 can occur across various surface areas and/or points of contact. For example, the location and extent of contact can depend on the shapes of the distal ends of tubes 610 and 710 (for example, flat or rounded, and, if rounded, the relative radii of curvature) and the size and location of openings 640 and 730.
Electrical contact between tubes 610 and 710 can be provided by, for example, (i) providing physical contact along some part of the longitudinally extending walls of tubes 610 and 710, (ii) designing and machining tubes 610 and 710 with small (tight) tolerances so that an electrical connection is maintained during rotation without the use of an additional tensioning device, (iii) having a conductive solution fill some of the space between tubes 610 and 710, or (iv) using a conventional brush and slip ring mechanism.
The various references to a brush being used to provide electrical contact between middle tube 610 and inner tube 710 do not suggest that a brush would enjoy all of the benefits of the present invention. Rather, a brush is mentioned to provide another example of a manner of providing electrical contact. A brush, and other known techniques of providing electrical contact, may be used in conjunction with advantageous features disclosed herein.
Other motions can be used to perform mechanical cutting, such as, for example, a reciprocating motion. Electrical contact in a reciprocating embodiment can be maintained by using, for example, tight tolerances, a flexible wire, or a brush and slip-ring mechanism.
A variety of cutting surfaces can provide mechanical cutting. Such surfaces include, for example, blades that are curved, burred, straight, serrated, or miniature. Mechanical cutting is typically achieved with speeds in the thousands of cycles (for example, revolutions or reciprocations) per minute. Further, embodiments need not have cutting surfaces on both inner tube 710 and middle tube 610, for example, only inner tube 710 includes a cutting surface and opening 640 in middle tube 610 does not have a sharp edge.
A resistive element can be used to provide heat energy for coagulation. Embodiments may be designed to operate in a non-conductive environment with both electrodes configured to touch the tissue to be treated.
A number of embodiments have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made. For example, features of the above-described embodiments generally may be combined in ways not discussed and other features or variations not discussed also may be used. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.
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|U.S. Classification||606/45, 606/49, 606/180|
|Cooperative Classification||A61B2018/00208, A61B2018/1861, A61B2018/00601, A61B18/148|
|25 Apr 2003||AS||Assignment|
Owner name: SMITH & NEPHEW, INC., MASSACHUSETTS
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:MCDONALD, CHRISTOPHER;BRODSKY, MICHAEL A.;DRUCKER, KAREN;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:013995/0047;SIGNING DATES FROM 20030404 TO 20030409
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Year of fee payment: 4
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Year of fee payment: 8