Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
79
ELECTROSURGERY SURGICAL BLADE
BACKGROUND OF TtlE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention -- The present invention
relate~ to a suryical implement, and, more particularly, relates
to a surgical tooI for performing electro-surgical and
electro-cautery procedures which provides for different modes of
operation including a standard electro-surgical cutting blade
and/or an electro-cautery blade and in which the blade is made to
vibrate during use at a predetermined amplitude and frequency
whereby cavitation results at the blade surface to free it of the
build-up of organic debris.
II. Description of the Prior Art -- Various prior art
electro-surgery and electro-cautery blades have been less than
effective in that either a special material is required for the
blades, or they comprise a combination of structures which are
primarily ornamental and non-functional, and which require a
considerable drive voltage which often cause undue tissue damage.
Some of the prior art devices do not allow for
appropriate coupling of their blade member to their voltage
sources and tend to be ineffectual.
Other types of prior art blades utilize extremely
elaborate and complex electrical circuits with standard type of
blade structures which do not, in the end, accomplish a desirable
result o~ an effective surgical blade capable of operation in
more than one mode.
One of the most severe problems with the prior art is
the adhesioll of charred tissue and blood to the blade which
shorts out the two conductors, and therefore, renders the blade
useless as an electro-surgery device.
The present invention provides a tool for performing
electro-surgical and/or electro-cautery procedures which, by
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utilizing st~te-of-the-art s~micolld~ctor m~lsking t~chnology, c~n
be lesigned to function as a standard surgical blade, or as a
electrified blade. The present invention also provides a
surgical tool which includes a capacitive blade. An important
feature of the present invention is the provision of a piezo-
ceramic, or other like element, coupled to a surgical blade for
vibrating the blade so as to produce a cavitation effect which
cleans the blade continuously during use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The general purpose of the present invention is to
provide an electro-cautery/electro-surgery tool which can be
utilized as a standard surgical cutting blade with a sharp edge
when no electrical power is applied to it; as an electro-
surgical blade when a high voltage is applied between conductive
surfaces sufficient to create a discharge for cutting and
cauterizing of tissue; and as a low voltage electro-cautery tool
where I2R losses heat the blade to cauterize the tissue.
Another principal object of the present invention is to
provide an electro-surgical tool utilizing a capacitive type
blade in which two conductors are separated by an insulator and
driven by an alternating current.
Irrespective of the particular blade style, the present
invention incorporates a piezo-ceramic or like transducer element
for vibrating the blade sufficient to producé a cavitation
effect, thereby preventing adherence of tissue debris on the
blade. The transducer may be affixed to the blade member or
disposed in the handle member intimate contact with the blade so
as to vibrate the blade producing cavitation at the interface
between the tissue and the blade.
In one embodiment of the present invention, there is
provided an electro-cautery surgical tool, including a base
member of a conductive material, such as stainless steel or the
like, the base material fashioned in the form of a surgical blade
with a sharpened edge leading to a point, layers of insulation
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. . .
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disposed on opposing sides of t:he bln~lf~, a s(~(~on(l l,ly-~l Or
con~uctive material deposited over tlle ;nsul(~t;on rnatel-;al., and a
plurality of geometrical gaps extend;ng through the sccond
conductive layer which may be formed by selniconductor technology
techniques including sandblasting by masking, laser machining,
chemical action, electrode discharge machining (EDM), electron
beam drilling, ion milling, or grinding, to define a conductive
comb-shaped electrodes on the opposing sides of the blade.
Alternative embodiments of the present invention include opposing
gaps on opposing surfaces of the blade, staggered gaps on
opposing surfaces of the blade, holes partially through the
second conductive portion to the first conductive portion of the
blade, and a sandwiched alternating configuration of gaps.
Another alternative embodiment of the present invention
comprises an electro-surgical tool which includes a conductive
blade, a thick insulation layer extending across the conductive
blade except at a defined sharpened cutting edge of the blade, a
narrow conductor, such as a foil or the like, positioned slightly
offset from the edge of the thick insulation, and a final thinner
layer insulation covering the narrow conductor whereby the narrow
conductor and the underlying blade conductor provide a capacitive
effect for bioelectrically breaking down flesh.
An electrical-to-mechanical transducer, such as a
piezo-ceramic, such as barium titanate, ca~ be attached to or
mechanically coupled to the surgical blade for vibrating the
blade so as to provide a cavitation effect.
One significant aspect and feature of the present
invention is an electro-cautery/electro-surgical blade which can
be utilized in a plurality of modes including a standard surgical
blade, an electro-surgical blade mode, or a mode where the blade
is heated during cauterization.
Another significant aspect and feature of the present
invention is an electro-cautery/electro-surgical blade which
utilizes a capacitive relationship between two conductors.
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317~79
It is ~ principal ob j~ct ~l~r~o~ to provi~c ~n impl-ov~3
el tro-cautery/electro-surgical blade.
Another object is to provide an electro-
cautery/electro-surgical blade which is ultrasonically vibrated.
A further object of the present invention is to provide
a surgical blade which is disposable and produced by state-of-
the-art semiconductor integrated circuit manufacturing processes.
Yet another object of the present invention is a
surgical blade which uti.li~es a capacitive effect by the spacing
of two conductors, the one conductor being insulated from a blade
conductor, the blade conductor including a sharp edge.
A still further object of the present invention is to
utilize an electrical-to-mechanical transducer to vibrate the
blade at a predetermined amplitude and frequency at any time
during a surgical procedure thereby preventing build-up of debris
on the surgical blade,
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of
the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same
becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed
description when considered in connecti.on with the accompanying
drawings, in which like reference numerals designate like parts
throughout the figures thereof and wherein:
FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an
electro-cautery/surgical blade;
FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional view taken along line
2-2 of FIG. l;
FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional view taken along line
3-3 of FIG. l;
FIG. 4 illustrates the electro-cautery/surgical blade
wired to an electro-surgical power supply;
FIG. 5 is a folded view illustrating an alternative
embodiment of an electro-cautery/surgical blade;
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FIG. 6 illustrates a sectional view taken ~long lin~
of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional end view along
line 7-7 of FIG. 5;
FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an
alternative embodiment of a surgical blade;
FIG. 9 illustrates a sectional view taken along line
9-9 of FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional end view along
line 10-10 of FIG. 9;
FIG. ll illustrates another cross-sectional view of a
further alternative embodiment;
FIG. 12 illustrates a sectional view taken along line
12-12 of FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 illustrates a cross-sectional end view taken
along line 13-13 of FIG. 11;
FIG. 14 illustrates a plan view of a capacitive
surgical blade;
FIG. 15 illustrates a sectional view taken along line
15-15 of FIG. 14;
FIG. 16 illustrates a plan view of a capacitive
8urgical blade with an ultrasonic transducer;
FIG. 17 illustrates a plan view of a resistive surgical
blade with an ultrasonic transducer;
FIG. 18 illustrates a plan view of a blade holder with
an ultrasonic transducer; and
FIG. 19 illustrates a view taken along line 19-19 of
FIG. 18.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the blade
portion 10 of an electro-cautery/electro-surgical tool including
a conductive base member 12, such as stainless steel or the like,
which is capable of being ground or honed to a sharp cutting
edge. Stainless steel is particularly suitable for surgical
--5--
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reasons in that it maintains ~ sh~ d~Je, nllcl it c~n be worke(l
in machining and manuf~cturing point of view, and is ~ In~t~rial
which is recognized in a surgical ~nd medical sense by the Food
and Drug Administration. An insulation layer 14 is deposited
over the conductive base 12 on both of its sides by known
processes in the art. A second conductive material 16 is
deposited over the insulation material 14 in a predetermined
pattern. A plurality of gaps may be formed along the edge, the
gaps being of a finite height and width. Processes, such as
sandblasting, laser machining, chemical etching, electro-
discharge machining (EDM), electron beam drilling, ion milling,
grinding or the like, may be used to form a comb-like conductive
electrode with opposing gaps with insulating material between the
teeth. Subsequently, a sharp cutting edge is honed on the base
member 12. The blade can take any predetermined geometrical
configuration including one having a sharp point, a rounded point
as illustrated in FIG. 1, or any other geometrical figure
depending upon the type of surgery as well as the surgeon's
preference.
FIG. 2 illustrates a view taken along line 2-2 of FIG.
1 where all numerals correspond to those elements previously
described. The figure illustrates the opposing comb teeth and
gaps which do not necessarily have to be opposed but can be
staggered. Such opposing gaps are by way of example and for
purposes of illustration only and not to be construed as limiting
of the present invention.
FIG. 3 illustrates an end view of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 illustrates the electro-surgical blade 10
mounted in a holder and connected to a surgical power supply 20
by way of a surgical power cord 22 and a line cord 24. The
surgical power supply is capable of operating in three modes, 26,
28 and 30. The first is a standard surgical blade mode 26 where
no power is applied to the blade. The second mode is an electro-
surgical mode 28 where high voltage is applied between the
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, .
17'~9
conductive rnelllbers c~sing ~ slight di~sch~rge ~rc ~or cuLLinq ~I)d
caucerizing. The third mode involves a low voltage appli~d
between the conductive elements where heat is produced by I2R
losses solely for cauterization.
FIG. 5 illustrates a folded (two-sided) view of an
electrode for electro-cautery and/or electro-surgery including a
non-conductive, insulative support 102, a first conductor 104 and
a second conductor 106 arranged in an opposing matrix and
electrically interconnected with respect to each other across the
working edge 108. The conductors 104 and 106 are comb-shaped and
the teeth extend to the respective opposite side of the support
102 with the extensions being interleaved with the teeth on that
side. The particular tip of the cutting edge is ground to a
sharp point 108.
FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom view of FIG. 5 showing the
particular configuration of the electrodes 104a-104n, 106a-106n,
and insulative material 104.
FIG 7 illustrates a sectional view taken along line
7-7 of FIG. S where all numerals correspond to those elements
previously described.
FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an
electro-cautery surgical blade 200 including a conductive base
member 202, an insulation layer 204, a second conductive material
206 and the insulation 204 to the base blade 202. The holes
208a-208n serve to distribute the electrical current in a
predetermined desired fashion.
FIG. 9 illustrates a sectional view taken along line
9-9 of FIG. 8 where all numerals correspond to those elements
previously described.
FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along
line 10-10 in FIG. 9 where all numerals correspond to those
elements previously described.
FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an
electro-surgical blade 303 including a conductive base member
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,
79
~2, insula~ion layer 30A, and a ,~colld co~-luct-iv~ In~ltf~ 3()~,
~ sited in layer 304 anc~ including a plurality of wr~3pE~ed-
around segments 308 and gaps 310 alternating therebetween, as
also illustrated in the cross-sectional view of EIG. 12.
FIG. 13 illustrates a view taken along line 13-13 of
FIG. 11 where all numerals correspond to those elements
previously described.
MODE OF OPERATION
The electro-cautery/electro-surgical blade is connected
to a power supply which supplies power for three modes of
operation, as a standard surgical blade, a mode of operation as
an electro-surgical blade where a high voltage is applied between
the conductive layers and the resulting discharge arc is used for
cutting and cauterizing, or a mode of operation where the blade
has applied to it a low voltage where heat is produced by the I2R
losses for cauterization.
The insulative material can be a ceramic, glass or
other non-conductive material. The conductive material can be
vapor-deposited or plated and photo-etched onto the insulative
non-conductive material and can be silver, gold, aluminum or the
like. The base member should be high-conductivity metal which
has the property of being honed to a fine sharp edge. More so, a
non-conductive insulative materia' which may be brought to an
edge, such as glass or ceramic, with a photo-etched or vapor-
deposited metal thereon is particularly desirable in this
disclosed group of embodiments.
ALTERNATIVE_EMBODIMENT - CAPACITIVE BLADE
FIG. 14 illustrates a side view of a capacitive electro-
cautery/electro-surgical blade including a blade conductor 400
with a sharp cutting edge 402 formed on the working edge thereof.
The right end of the bLade when viewed on FIG. 14 acts as a first
electrical contact pad 401. A thick insulator 404, such as .005"
to .015" thick, is positioned over the blade conductor 400, as
best illustrated in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 15. A
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~ 73
nal-row cond~ctor 406 ~el-lnin~t~.s .lt n sr~cond c(>llL.lc~: I)nd 4(~3
ated [rom pad 401, and wraps around tlle forward upper edgc of
the blade is illustrated in FIG. 14. A thin insulator 405 of a
finite thickness of .001" to .002" is positioncd over the top of
the narrow conductor 406 and subsequently over insulator 404, and
is offset slightly below the lower edge of the thick insulator
404. The contact pads 401 and 408 provide for connection to a
source of electrical current for impressing a capacitive charge
across the thick blade conductor 400, insulator 404, and the
thin, narrow conductor 406, thereby providing for dielectric
breakdown when the blade is brought into contact with the flesh
during the operation. The blade can mount in a blade holder,
such as that illustrated in FIG. 18. The blade holder can
include a screw or like for compression clamping about the blade
and providing for electrical contact to the contact pads.
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FIG. 16 illustrates a plan view of a capacitlve electro-
cautery blade 400 where all numerals correspond to those elements
previously described. An electrical-to-mechanical transducer,
such as an ultrasonic transducer 402 is affixed to the blade and
includes two contact pads 422 and 424 for supplying power from an
alternating current source to the transducer 420. contact pads
424 electrically and mechanically connects to the contact pad
401. The transducer 420 vibrates at a frequency determined by
the power supply and at an amplitude which provides a cavitation
effect at the selected frequency. The high frequency vibration
of the blade prevents adherence of debris to the blade 400 during
a surgical procedure. The transducer 420 can be powered
independently or may be driven by the same power source used for
energizing the blade.
ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENT - RESISTIVE BLADE
FIG. 17 illustrates a plan view of a resistive electro-
cautery blade 500 including a sharpened edge 502, a first contact
pad area 504, a layer of insulation 506 on the conductive base
but exposing the cutting edge 502, and a wrap-around exposed
metal surface 508 including a second contact pad 510 deposited on
or affixed to the layer 506. The resistive blade is similar to
that type of blade described previously in FIGS. 1-13. A
transducer element 520, including contact points 522 and 524, is
positioned in intimate contact with the contact surface 504. The
contact point 524 mechanically and electrically connects to the
contact pad 504. The operation of the blade of FIG. 17 in a
vibratory mode is the same as the operation of FIGS. 14-16.
BLADE HOLDER
FIG. 18 illustrates a plan view of a blade holder with a
vibratory transducer, another alternative embodiment of the
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1~ ~17'~
present invention. The blade hold~r 600 includes a slot 602
extending through a forward portion of the handle and upwardly
from a lower edge of the handle into the handle as also
illustrated in FIG. 19. There is also provided a cavity 604 for
supporting piezoelectric transducer 606 which thus locates it
next to a surgical blade, all as later described in detail. The
transducer 606, when mechanically compressed against the surgical
blade, causes the surgical blade to vibrate in a direction
transverse to the longitudinal axis of the blade during a power-
on condition. In the alternative, the cavity may be configuredto accept the surgical blade with the transducer permanently
affixed to the surgical blade. Then, of course, appropriate
electrical contact pads would have to be provided to power the
ultrasonic transducer.
The blade holder 600 also includes two contact pads 608
and 610 for making contact with a surgical blade so as to be able
to selectively provide power to both the blade and the transducer
606. Screws 612 and 614 and wing nuts 616 and 618 provide for
compression of the two halves of the blade holder 620 and 622 so
as to compress the slit 602, and hold a surgical blade in
frictional engagement within the holder 600.
A power source 624 including three power cables 620a-620c
provides power to the surgical blade as well as to the
transducer. The power cables include a common wire 620a, a
transducer wire 620b and a surgical blade power wire 620c. The
power source 624 can be switchable and pulsed as required,
including a transducer waveform source 626a and switching device
626b, and blade waveform source 628a and switching device 628b.
This invention has been described herein in considerable
detail in order to comply with the Patent Statutes and to provide
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those skilled in the art with the information needed to apply the
novel principles and to construct and use such specialized
components as are required. However, it is to be understood that
the invention can be carried out by specifically different
equipment and devices, and that various modifications, both as to
equipment details and operating procedures, can be accomplished
without departing from the scope of the invention itself.
What is claimed is:
,
, . .
.
