Bipolar electrosurgical features for targeted hemostasis

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9572622-B2
Application number	US-201213709473-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 10, 2012
Priority date	Dec 10, 2012
Publication date	Feb 21, 2017
Grant date	Feb 21, 2017

Abstract

An apparatus is configured to operate on tissue. The apparatus includes an end effector with an upper jaw and a lower jaw. The upper jaw is configured to pivot relative to the lower jaw. The apparatus also includes an electrode cap coupled to either the upper or lower jaw. The electrode cap includes a first electrode surface configured at a first polarity and a second electrode surface configured at a second polarity. The second polarity is opposite to the first polarity. The electrode cap is configured to be applied to tissue such that the electrode cap is operable to deliver bipolar RF energy to the tissue. The electrode cap may be used to selectively weld bleeding tissue in a localized fashion, without having to place the tissue between the jaws, and without having to use an instrument separate from the jaws.

First claim

We claim:

1. An apparatus for operating on tissue, the apparatus comprising:
(a) an end effector, wherein the end effector comprises:
(i) an upper jaw,
(ii) a lower jaw, wherein the upper jaw is configured to pivot relative to the lower jaw,
(iii) a first electrical contact, and
(iv) a second electrical contact; and

(b) an electrode cap, wherein the electrode cap is selectively coupled to one of either the upper or lower jaw, wherein the electrode cap comprises:
(i) a first electrode surface, wherein the first electrode surface is configured to electrically communicate with the first electrical contact when the electrode cap is selectively coupled to one of either the upper or lower jaw, wherein the first electrode surface is configured to operate at a first polarity, and
(ii) a second electrode surface, wherein the second electrode surface is configured to electrically communicate with the second electrical contact when the electrode cap is selectively coupled to one of either the upper or lower jaw, wherein the second electrode surface is configured to operate at a second polarity, wherein the second polarity is opposite to the first polarity;
wherein the electrode cap is configured to be applied to tissue, wherein the electrode cap is operable to deliver bipolar RF energy to tissue.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the electrode cap is coupled to the lower jaw.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the lower jaw comprises an engagement recess, wherein the electrode cap comprises a protrusion, wherein the protrusion is configured to be inserted within the engagement recess to couple the electrode cap to the lower jaw.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first electrode surface and the second electrode surface are positioned to extend along the electrode cap such that the first and second electrode surfaces are substantially parallel.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first electrode surface is configured in a waved pattern, wherein a plurality of second electrode surfaces are positioned between peaks in the waved pattern.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the electrode cap comprises a plurality of first electrode surfaces and a plurality of second electrode surfaces, wherein the first and second electrode surfaces are positioned obliquely across the electrode cap, wherein the first electrode surfaces are configured to alternate with the second electrode surfaces.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first electrode surface is positioned in an arc configuration, wherein the second electrode surface is positioned in an arc configuration, wherein the first electrode surface is positioned between the arc of the second electrode surface.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first and second electrode surfaces comprise a color changing material configured to provide visual feedback when the first and second electrode surfaces are energized.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the color changing material is configured to change colors in response to heat.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the upper and lower jaws are operable to deliver bipolar RF energy to tissue positioned between the upper and lower jaws.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first and second electrode surfaces are positioned on a tip of the electrode cap.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the first electrode surface is recessed relative to the second electrode surface.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the first electrode surface is resiliently biased to a first position such that the first electrode surface is de-activated, wherein the first electrode surface is configured to translate to a second position such that the first electrode surface is activated.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the second electrode surface is resiliently biased to a first position such that the second electrode surface is de-activated, wherein the second electrode surface is configured to translate to a second position such that the second electrode surface is activated.

15. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the first electrode surface is positioned under a sponge, wherein the first electrode surface is activated when the sponge is saturated with bodily fluid.

16. An apparatus for operating on tissue, the apparatus comprising:
(a) an end effector, wherein the end effector comprises:
(i) first jaw comprising a first electrode surface, wherein the first electrode surface is configured to operate at a first polarity, and
(ii) a second jaw, wherein the first jaw is configured to pivot relative to the second jaw, wherein the second jaw comprises a second electrode surface, wherein the second electrode surface is configured to operate at a second polarity, wherein the first polarity is opposite the second polarity; and

(b) an electrode cap, wherein the electrode cap is selectively coupled to one of either the first jaw or the second jaw, wherein the electrode cap comprises:
(i) a third electrode surface, wherein the third electrode surface is in communication with the first electrode surface, and
(ii) a fourth electrode surface, wherein the fourth electrode surface is configured to operate at the second polarity;
wherein the electrode cap is configured to be applied to tissue, wherein the electrode cap is operable to deliver bipolar RF energy to tissue.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the electrode cap further comprises an insulated layer of film, wherein the insulated layer of film defines an opening to expose the third electrode surface and the fourth electrode surface.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the third electrode surface forms an annular shape, wherein the fourth electrode surface is coaxially positioned within the third electrode surface.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the fourth electrode surface is proximal in relation to the third electrode surface.

20. An apparatus for operating on tissue, the apparatus comprising:
(a) an end effector, wherein the end effector comprises:
(i) a first jaw comprising a first electrode surface, wherein the first electrode surface is configured to operate at a first polarity, and
(ii) a second jaw, wherein the first jaw is configured to pivot relative to the second jaw, wherein the second jaw comprises a second electrode surface, wherein the second electrode surface is configured to operate at a second polarity, wherein the first polarity is opposite the second polarity; and

(b) an electrode cap, wherein the electrode cap is selectively coupled to one of either the first jaw or the second j aw, wherein the electrode cap comprises:
(i) a third electrode surface, wherein the third electrode surface configured to electrically communicate with the first electrode surface when the electrode cap is selectively coupled to one of either the first jaw or the second jaw, and
(ii) a fourth electrode surface, wherein the fourth electrode surface is configured to operate at the second polarity, wherein the fourth electrode surface is configured to electrically communicate with the second electrode surface when the electrode cap is selectively coupled to one of either the first jaw or the second jaw;
wherein the electrode cap is configured to be applied to tissue, wherein the electrode cap is operable to deliver bipolar RF energy to tissue.

Assignees

• Ethicon Endo Surgery Inc
• Ethicon Endo Surgery Llc

Inventors

• Shelton Iv Frederick E
• Baxter Iii Chester O
• Yates David C
• Hunt John V
• Modi Kreena R

Classifications

• A61B2018/00809

  measured thermochromatically · CPC title

• A61B2018/00702

  Power or energy · CPC title

• A61B2018/00005

  Cooling or heating of the probe or tissue immediately surrounding the probe · CPC title

• A61B2218/002

  Irrigation · CPC title

• A61B2018/0063

  Sealing · CPC title