阅读说明：本技术 Rf剃刀连接器 (RF razor connector ) 是由 N·P·布莱克 R·霍迪诺特 于 2021-05-11 设计创作，主要内容包括：RF剃刀连接器。本公开涉及一种电外科器械,所述电外科器械被构造成可释放地连接到手持件。电外科器械包括细长轴、在细长轴的远端处的末端执行器、以及电连接器接口。电连接器接口具有至少一个母电插孔,所述母电插孔被构造成在使用中接收手持件的至少一个公电插针。在第一次使用之前,所述至少一个母电插孔通过可刺穿密封层相对于所述电外科器械的外部被密封。密封层被构造成在第一次使用时被至少一个公电插针刺穿。本公开的另一方面涉及一种电外科系统,所述电外科系统包括电外科器械、手持件和电外科发生器。(An RF razor connector. The present disclosure relates to an electrosurgical instrument configured to be releasably connected to a handpiece. An electrosurgical instrument includes an elongate shaft, an end effector at a distal end of the elongate shaft, and an electrical connector interface. The electrical connector interface has at least one female electrical receptacle configured to receive, in use, at least one male electrical pin of the handpiece. Prior to first use, the at least one female electrical receptacle is sealed with respect to an exterior of the electrosurgical instrument by a pierceable sealing layer. The sealing layer is configured to be pierced by the at least one male electrical pin upon first use. Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to an electrosurgical system that includes an electrosurgical instrument, a handpiece, and an electrosurgical generator.)

1. An electrosurgical instrument configured to be releasably connected to a handpiece, the electrosurgical instrument comprising:

a slender shaft, a plurality of long and thin long shafts,

an end effector located at a distal end of the elongate shaft, an

An electrical connector interface having at least one female electrical receptacle configured to receive, in use, at least one male electrical pin of the handpiece,

wherein prior to first use, the at least one female electrical socket is sealed relative to the exterior of the electrosurgical instrument by a pierceable sealing layer, the arrangement being such that the sealing layer is configured to be pierced by the at least one male electrical pin upon first use.

2. An electrosurgical instrument according to claim 1, configured such that, in use, the sealing layer provides a fluid seal around the at least one male electrical pin.

3. An electrosurgical instrument according to claim 1 or 2, configured such that, after removal of the at least one male electrical pin from the at least one female electrical socket, the sealing layer closes to seal the at least one female electrical socket from the exterior of the electrosurgical instrument.

4. An electrosurgical instrument according to any preceding claim, wherein the sealing layer is a septum pad.

5. Electrosurgical instrument according to any preceding claim, wherein the sealing layer comprises a polymeric material, preferably an elastomeric material.

6. An electrosurgical instrument according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one receptacle comprises at least one electrical contact, the sealing layer being disposed between the at least one electrical contact and the opening of the at least one female receptacle.

7. An electrosurgical instrument according to any preceding claim, wherein the end effector comprises at least one cutting surface and/or at least one electrode for cutting, ablating and/or coagulating tissue.

8. An electrosurgical system comprising an electrosurgical instrument according to claims 1 to 7 and a handpiece comprising at least one male electrical pin configured to correspond with the at least one female electrical receptacle.

9. An electrosurgical system according to claim 8, wherein at least one male electrical pin includes a conductive portion configured such that, in use, the conductive portion is sealed within the female electrical pin bore by the sealing layer.

10. An electrosurgical system according to claim 9, wherein at least one male electrical pin further comprises an electrically insulating portion configured such that, in use, the sealing layer seals around an outer peripheral surface of the electrically insulating portion.

11. An electrosurgical system comprising a radio frequency electrosurgical generator, an electrosurgical instrument according to claims 1 to 7 and a handpiece according to any of claims 8 to 10.

12. An electrosurgical system according to claim 11, wherein the radio frequency electrosurgical generator is contained within the handpiece as an integral part thereof.

Technical Field

Embodiments of the invention described herein relate to electrosurgical devices, and in particular to electrosurgical devices that: wherein the disposable instrument is connectable to the handpiece via a connector that facilitates electrical and mechanical connection therebetween.

Background

Electrosurgical instruments offer advantages over conventional surgical instruments in that they can be used for coagulation and tissue sealing purposes. One such prior art device is known from US 5,904,681, which describes a surgical instrument that includes a mechanical cutting portion (e.g., a rotating blade or burr), and a Radio Frequency (RF) cutting and/or cauterizing portion that contains an electronic surgical device that operates in a bipolar mode.

Another prior art device is known from US 9,017,851, which describes an apparatus for powering a medical device, comprising a protective layer covering the battery pack and connection features. The connection feature provides a fluid seal, for example by having electrodes that: the electrode may pierce the protective layer to establish electrical communication with the medical device from within the protective layer, thereby allowing the unsterilized battery to deliver power to the sterilized medical device.

Another prior art device is known from EP0746251B1, which describes an integrated catheter assembly comprising a catheter with an irrigation fluid lumen, a distal tip portion with electrodes, and a needle extending through the lumen in the catheter lumen and the distal tip portion. The catheter is carried by a hub structure that provides sealed access to a needle that is displaceable between an extended position and a retracted position while being electrically isolated.

Another prior art device is known from US2009/221955a1, which describes an ablation device having a distal end at which an ablation probe driven by a transducer can be vibrated to ablate tissue.

Disclosure of Invention

Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved surgical instrument having an elongate shaft that includes an electrical connector interface and an end effector. The end effector may comprise known end effectors capable of performing various procedures, including mechanical cutting of tissue and electrosurgical ablation, sealing, and/or coagulation of tissue. The electrosurgical instrument may be connected to a handpiece for providing fluid, mechanical power, and/or Radio Frequency (RF) electrical signals. The electrical connector interface may be contained in a hub (hub) of the instrument that is configured to allow mechanical and electrical connection with the handpiece. The electrical connector interface includes at least one receptacle. The handpiece includes at least one electrical pin. The at least one receptacle may be defined by an electrical contact surface or may include an electrical contact disposed in the receptacle that may receive at least one electrical pin of the handpiece. Each of the at least one receptacle includes a sealing layer configured to provide separation of the receptacle from an exterior of the electrical connector interface, thereby sealing the electrical contact within the receptacle hub. The sealing layer may be pierced by the electrical plug pins when the hand piece is in intimate contact with the electrical connector interface. The proximal end of the electrical pin includes an electrically insulative portion. In this way, the electrical pin may be configured such that when fully inserted into the receptacle, the entire conductive portion of the electrical pin is sealed within the hub by the sealing layer. This provides an electrical connection between the electrical pins and the electrical contacts while ensuring that the sockets are protected from the ingress of fluids or other substances, thereby allowing a clean and dry electrical connection between the electrosurgical instrument and the handpiece, and isolating the electrical pins from each other to prevent short circuits therebetween.

Advantageously, this arrangement allows for an electrical connection between the electrosurgical instrument and the handpiece such that the handpiece provides the infrastructure required to provide electrical power to the electrosurgical instrument. This is an improvement over existing electrosurgical systems in which the handpiece does not contain the infrastructure to provide power to the electrosurgical instrument, requiring the addition of external cables, which reduces the usability of the system. In addition to increasing the number of components of the system, such external cables often need to be properly sealed with the electrosurgical instrument and/or handpiece to prevent electrical shorting, and the arrangement of the present invention integrates such a requirement into the electrosurgical instrument itself.

In view of the above, from one aspect, the present invention provides an electrosurgical instrument configured to be releasably connected to a handpiece, the electrosurgical instrument comprising:

a slender shaft, a plurality of long and thin long shafts,

an end effector located at a distal end of the elongate shaft, an

An electrical connector interface having at least one female electrical receptacle configured to receive, in use, at least one male electrical pin of the handpiece,

wherein prior to first use, the at least one female electrical receptacle is sealed with respect to the exterior of the electrosurgical instrument by a pierceable sealing layer, the arrangement being such that the sealing layer is configured to be pierced by the at least one male electrical pin upon first use.

This arrangement improves upon those known in the art by providing an electrosurgical instrument that can be powered using an integrated electrical connector interface, thereby eliminating the need for external cables. In this way, the device is more compact and can be operated more easily by the user. This advantage is achieved without compromising the ingress protection requirements of such devices. In particular, the female electrical receptacle sealed by the pierceable sealing layer prevents moisture and other substances from entering the female electrical receptacle. This arrangement reduces the likelihood of a short circuit between the electrical pins of the handpiece.

Further features and advantages of embodiments of the invention will be further apparent from the appended claims.

Drawings

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments of the invention, which are presented by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an electrosurgical system including an electrosurgical instrument, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an electrosurgical system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is another perspective view of a handpiece of an electrosurgical system according to embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a side view of an electrosurgical instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an electrosurgical instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of an electrosurgical system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 is another side cross-sectional view of an electrosurgical system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a further side cross-sectional view of an electrosurgical system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Electrosurgical instruments are described herein in the context of an electrosurgical system for performing procedures such as ablation, sealing, resection, and coagulation of tissue. The apparatus includes an electrosurgical generator configured to provide a mechanical and/or RF output. Such output may be controlled by various user inputs such as buttons and switches, indicating levels of various settings and other information on the display. The generator is connected to the electrosurgical device via a connection cable configured to transmit power and RF signals to the electrosurgical device. In addition, an irrigation and aspiration source is provided that is capable of aspirating fluid from or providing fluid to the electrosurgical device through the tube. The connecting cable and tube are connected to a handpiece of the electrosurgical device. The handpiece provides a means by which a physician can manipulate the electrosurgical device and may have additional user input means thereon for controlling the mechanical and/or RF output of the generator.

The handpiece includes a connection portion that allows the electrosurgical instrument to be releasably connected with the handpiece. The connecting portion includes a male electrical pin and the electrosurgical instrument includes a hub having a female electrical contact. The female electrical contact may be configured to surround at least a portion of the male electrical pin when the female electrical contact and the male electrical pin are in contact with each other. The female electrical contacts are contained within the receptacle of the hub at the electrical connector interface of the electrosurgical instrument. At least one receptacle is covered by a deformable sealing layer to seal the interior of the receptacle from the exterior. The electrical connector interface is configured such that when the male electrical pin of the handpiece is brought towards the receptacle, the male electrical pin pierces the sealing layer creating a void in the sealing layer to allow the male electrical pin to access the female electrical contact in the interior of the receptacle to allow an electrical connection between the male electrical pin and the female electrical contact. In particular, the sealing layer provides a means of sealing the interior of the receptacle to protect the receptacle from ingress, such as fluid ingress, from the exterior of the hub while allowing the male electrical pins to enter via the voids. The sealing layer is arranged such that upon removal of the male electrical pin from the receptacle, a void in the sealing layer closes such that the sealing layer continues to provide ingress protection to the interior of the receptacle. In addition, the pierced sealing layer may act as a wiper when reinserting the male electrical pin into the receptacle to allow cleaning and drying of the electrical pin as it enters the receptacle.

Referring to the drawings, figure 1 shows an electrosurgical apparatus comprising an electrosurgical generator 1 having an output jack 2, the output jack 2 providing a Radio Frequency (RF) output for an electrosurgical device 12 via a connecting cable 4. The device 12 has an irrigation and aspiration tube 14 connected to an irrigation fluid and aspiration source 10, and activation of the generator 1 may be performed by the device 12 via a manual switch (not shown) on the device 12, or by means of a foot switch unit 5 separately connected to the rear of the generator 1 by a foot switch connection cable 6. In the illustrated embodiment, the foot switch unit 5 has two foot switches 5a and 5b for selecting a coagulation mode or a cutting or vaporisation (ablation) mode of the generator 1, respectively, although it is envisaged in some embodiments of the electrosurgical device 12 described herein to use only one or the other of the coagulation or ablation modes, with cutting being provided mechanically by a rotating tube having a sharp cut-out. The generator front panel has buttons 7a, 7b for setting the ablation (cutting) or coagulation power level, respectively, which is indicated in the display 8. A button 9 is provided as an alternative means for selecting between an ablation (cutting) mode and a coagulation mode.

Figure 2 shows an electrosurgical device 12 forming the basis of an embodiment of the present invention. The electrosurgical device 12 includes a handpiece 100 and an electrosurgical instrument 120 fully inserted into the handpiece 100. The handpiece 100 may also include an activation button (not shown) to allow an operator to activate the mechanical cutting or electrosurgical operation of the device. Instrument 120 includes an elongate shaft 124 having an end effector assembly 126 at a distal end and a hub 110 at a proximal end. In the example shown, hub 110 is fixed about shaft 124 and is itself releasably connected to handpiece 100. In this manner, instrument 120 is releasably connected to handpiece 100. Although the handpiece 100 is described above as being powered via the electrosurgical generator 1, it should be understood that the mechanical drive and/or the RF signal may be provided as part of an integral component of the handpiece from the handpiece itself, without the need for the electrosurgical generator to operate.

Fig. 3 shows the handpiece 100 without the electrosurgical instrument 120. The handpiece 100 includes a connecting portion 101 at the distal-facing end. In the example shown, the connecting portion 101 is recessed within the handpiece 100. The connecting portion 101 includes at least one male electrical pin 102 protruding from a distal-facing surface of the connecting portion 101. In the example shown, the connection portion 101 includes five male electrical pins 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d, 102e arranged in a pentagonal fashion. Three of the male electrical pins 102a to 102c have a larger diameter and protrude further from the connection portion 101 than the remaining two male electrical pins 102d, 102 e. Referring to one particular male electrical pin 102a, a conductive portion 103 is provided at the distal end of male electrical pin 102a and an electrically insulative portion 104 is provided at the proximal end of male electrical pin 102 a. An equivalent electrically conductive portion and electrically insulative portion may be provided on each of the remaining male electrical pins 102 b-102 e. The handpiece 100 also includes a bore 105 having a top recess 109a and a bottom recess 109 b.

Fig. 4 shows electrosurgical instrument 120 without handpiece 100. Electrosurgical instrument 120 includes an elongate shaft 124. An electrical connector interface 110a is disposed at a proximal end of the elongate shaft 124. The electrical connector interface 110a may be contained within the hub 110. An end effector 126 is disposed at the distal end of the elongate shaft 124. The end effector 126 may include at least one electrode (not shown) for ablation and/or coagulation procedures, and may alternatively or additionally include at least one cutting blade (not shown) for mechanical cutting procedures. At least one cutting surface of the cutting blade may be concentrically disposed within the end effector 126 to allow rotation thereof about an axis of the end effector 126.

Fig. 5 shows the proximal end of the electrosurgical instrument 120, and in particular shows further details of the electrical connector interface 110a of the hub 110. The shaft 124 may be received in the circular hole 116 of the hub 110. Electrical connector interface 110a includes at least one receptacle 112 having an entrance facing in a proximal direction of electrosurgical instrument 120. In the example shown, the electrical connector interface 110a includes five such receptacles 112a, 112b, 112c, 112d, 112e arranged in a pentagonal pattern corresponding to the pentagonal pattern of the male electrical pins 102 a-102 e. The diameter of the entrance of three of the receptacles 112a to 112c is larger than the diameter of the entrance of the remaining two receptacles 112d, 112 e. In the example shown, the hub 110 also includes a circular plug 115 extending from the hub 110 in a proximal direction of the electrosurgical instrument 120. The plug 115 is disposed on the hub 110 in a position corresponding to the aperture 105 of the handpiece 100 to be received therein. The plug 115 may include an alignment device 118, which in this illustration is shown as a set of teeth extending axially from the plug 115 in the proximal direction of the instrument 120. The plug 115 may also include a top tongue 119a and a bottom tongue 119b that are radially disposed about the plug 115 at locations corresponding to the locations of the top groove 109a and the bottom groove 109b of the handpiece 100. A sealing layer 114 is provided at the entrance of at least one of the receptacles 112. The sealing layer 114 may be a soft polymer diaphragm gasket (septa gasket) and may be an elastomer. In the example shown, each of the receptacles 112 a-112 e includes a sealing layer 114 at an entrance thereof. Further details of the sealing layer 114 are described below with respect to fig. 6.

Fig. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the hub 110 of the instrument 120 and the connecting portion 101 of the handpiece 100. The hub 110 and handpiece 100 are shown arranged such that the plug 115 is partially inserted into the connecting portion 101. With reference to a particular receptacle 112a, a corresponding electrical contact 113a is provided. In the example shown, the receptacle 112a is an elongated cavity in the hub 110. The elongated chamber has a reduced diameter opening defined by a rim 111. The electrical contacts 113a may be female electrical contacts disposed within the receptacle 112 a. The sealing layer 114 may be disposed at the entrance of the receptacle 112a, between the electrical contact 113a and the opening of the receptacle 112 a. In particular, the sealing layer may be disposed between the electrical contact 113a and the edge 111. The sealing layer 114 may extend around at least a portion of the inner longitudinal surface of the receptacle 112 a. The foregoing description is equally applicable to the remaining jacks 112 b-112 e.

Fig. 7 shows another cross-sectional view of the hub 110 and the connecting part 101, showing the hub 110 fully inserted into the connecting part 101. In this arrangement, the plug 115 may fit within the hole 105 while the tongues 109a, 109b may slide along the grooves 119a, 119b to ensure the axial and radial position of the electrical connector interface 110a relative to the handpiece 100. After bringing the electrical connector interface 110a towards the connection portion 101 of a particular electrosurgical instrument 120, the electrical pins 102a may be inserted into the receptacles 112a to connect with the electrical contacts 113 a. When the electrical pin 102a is first inserted into the receptacle 112a, the sealing layer 114 may be pierced by the electrical pin 102a, allowing the electrical pin 102a to enter the receptacle 112 a. The sealing layer 114 may act as a radial seal around the electrical pin 102a when the electrical pin 102a is fully inserted into the receptacle 112 a. In addition, the sealing layer 114 may act as a wiper seal to prevent non-sterile substances from entering the receptacle 112 a.

The electrical pins 102a may be arranged such that when the electrical connector interface 110a is fully inserted into the handpiece 100, the entire conductive portion 103 is sealed within the receptacle 112a by the sealing layer 114. Electrical pin 102a may be electrically connected to handpiece 100 by a wire (not shown) disposed within electrically insulative portion 104 of electrical pin 102 a. In this way, electrical pin 102a may be brought into contact with electrical contact 113a while preventing potentially non-sterile substances from entering receptacle 112a, thereby allowing a dry and clean connection between electrical pin 102a and electrical contact 113 a. The foregoing description may apply equally to the receptacles 112 b-112 e having female electrical contacts 113 b-113 e. Thus, another advantage of this arrangement can be seen in that the conductive portion 103 of a particular electrical pin 102 is sealed within its respective receptacle, isolated from other electrical pins 102, thereby reducing the likelihood of shorting between multiple electrical pins 102.

After the electrical connector interface 110a is removed from the handpiece 100, the electrical pins 102 a-102 e are removed from their corresponding receptacles 112 a-112 e and out of contact with the electrical contacts 113 a-113 e. Once electrical prong 102 is completely removed from receptacle 112, the resilient nature of sealing layer 114 may cause it to close, thereby sealing receptacle 112 from the exterior of the instrument to prevent the ingress of moisture or other substances. Upon reinsertion of the electrical pin 102 into the receptacle 112, the sealing layer 114 may act as a wiper seal to remove material from the electrical pin 102 as it enters the receptacle 112. In this way, the sealing layer 114 seals the conductive portion 103 of the at least one male electrical pin 102 to provide ingress protection and prevent shorting even for subsequent reinsertion of the electrical connector interface 110a into the handpiece 100.

Fig. 8 shows further details of the receptacle 112a of the electrical connector interface 110a of the hub 110. In particular, fig. 8 illustrates such a surface: sealing layer 114 seals on the surface. In the example shown, the sealing layer 114 may act as a radial seal to provide a seal around the outer circumferential surface of the electrical pin 112a, in particular around the electrically insulating portion 104 of the electrical pin 112 a. In addition, the sealing layer 114 may provide a seal around the surface of the rim 111 to prevent fluid or other matter from bypassing the sealing layer 114. The sealing layer 114 may be provided as a separate sealing layer 114 for each of the at least one receptacles 112, wherein each sealing layer comprises a soft polymer membrane gasket. In an alternative arrangement, the sealing layer 114 may be provided as a single layer configured to seal all of the receptacles 112 simultaneously, for example by providing a soft polymer moulding (mould) over the hub 110. While the sealing layer 114 is shown as being located at an interior location of the receptacle 112a, it will be understood that the sealing layer 114 may be located on an exterior surface of the electrical connector interface 110a, provided as a single sealing layer or as multiple separate sealing layers. Further, alternative arrangements may include more than one sealing layer per receptacle.

Various modifications may be made to all of the above-described embodiments, whether by way of addition, deletion and/or substitution, to provide further embodiments, any and/or all of which are intended to be covered by the appended claims.