GB2550680A

GB2550680A - Electrode assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2550680A
Application number: GB1706553.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Atwell Tony
Original assignee: Gyrus Medical Ltd
Current assignee: Gyrus Medical Ltd
Priority date: 2016-05-23
Filing date: 2017-04-25
Publication date: 2017-11-29
Anticipated expiration: 2037-04-25
Also published as: GB201706553D0; US20170333114A1; GB201609019D0; GB2550680B; US10758299B2

Abstract

An electrode assembly 3 for use in a resectoscope comprises a pair of pivotally mounted arms 4 movable between a retracted position in which they lie alongside one another (Fig 1) and a deployed position in which they diverge one from another. An energisable tissue treatment element 9, such as a wire electrode, further depends from the distal end of each arm 4 and preferably extends between them. The tissue treatment element 9 is further movable between at least two different operating positions. In arrangements wherein the tissue treatment electrode 9 comprises a cutting wire, one of the operating positions preferably comprises an end effect position (Fig 2), in which the cutting wire 9 extends longitudinally from the end of the arms 4. Another of the operating positions in such an arrangement preferably comprises a side effect position (Fig 5), in which the cutting wire 9 extends laterally from the arms 4. In such an arrangement the cutting wire 9 preferably moves between the different operating positions through rotation.

Description

ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY

This invention relates to an electrode assembly for a surgical instrument for the treatment of tissue, particularly an electrosurgical endoscopic instrument. Such systems are commonly used for the vaporisation and/or coagulation of tissue in surgical intervention, most commonly in “keyhole” or minimally invasive surgery.

One type of electrosurgical procedure is endoscopic urological surgery using a rcscctoscopc. Such systems arc well known in the art, examples being given in US Patents 5,007,907 and 6,322,494. Such systems include an electrosurgical instrument deployable by means of a resectoscope, and an electrosurgical generator powering the instrument. Instruments used in electrosurgical urology surgery are either bipolar, in which case two electrodes are present at the distal end of the instrument, or monopolar, in which case one electrode is present on the instrument and a second electrode is provided in the form of a patient return plate.

Bladder tumour resection is often difficult due to the curved shape of the tissue, and the fact that there is no clear dissection plane visible to the surgeon. Deviating from the ideal depth of tissue removal either means that insufficient tissue is removed, or the too much tissue is removed, including the possibility of perforating the bladder.

The present invention attempts to provide a solution to this problem by providing an electrode assembly for use in a resectoscope, the electrode assembly comprising a pair of arms, the arms being pivotably mounted one to the other such that they are movable between a retracted position in which they lie alongside one another and a deployed position in which they diverge one from another, arm actuation means for moving the arms between their retracted and deployed positions. a tissue treatment element depending from the arms, and connection means for connecting the tissue treatment element to a source of electrosurgical energy, characterised in that the tissue treatment element is disposed at the distal and of each arm such that it is movable between at least two different operating positions.

The above instrument can be inserted into a surgical site such as the bladder of a patient using a resectoscope with the arms in their retracted position such that they lie alongside one another offering a relatively small profile. Once in position within the surgical site, the arms can be activated into their deployed position in which they diverge.

Preferably, the tissue treatment element is a cutting wire. The cutting wire can conceivably form a loop, or alternatively extend relatively linearly between the arms. As previously mentioned, the cutting wire is disposed at the distal end of each arm such that it is movable between at least two different operating positions. Typically, one of the at least two operating positions is an end effect position, in which the cutting wire extends longitudinally from the end of the arms. Alternatively or additionally, one of the at least two operating positions is a side effect position, in which the cutting wire extends laterally from the arms towards the end thereof. By providing specific end-effect and side-effect configurations, the cutting wire can be moved into an optimum configuration for whichever type of operation is required.

The cutting wire is typically rotatable between its different operating positions, such that the electrode assembly can be switched between its different configurations quickly and easily. Preferably, the electrode assembly includes a wire actuation means for rotating the cutting wire between its different operating positions. The distal ends of the arms are conveniently curved so as to move smoothly over tissue to be treated. Typically, the distal ends of the arms have a circular cross-section. In this way, the arms present a smooth surface capable of riding over the tissue to the treated regardless of which of their operating positions they are in.

Preferably, the arms are pivotably mounted one to the other at a proximal end of each arm. According to one convenient arrangement, the arm actuation means moves the arms by rotating one arm with respect to the other. In this way, the arms rotate from an aligned position to a diverging position. Alternatively, the arm actuation means moves the arms by pushing one arm apart from the other. In this arrangement, the arms deploy by splaying out one from the other. Whichever arrangement is employed, the tissue treatment element is conveniently connected to each arm at the distal end of each arm.

The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an electrode assembly in accordance with the present invention, the electrode assembly being shown in a retracted position,

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the electrode assembly of Figure 1, the electrode assembly being shown in a first deployed position,

Figures 3 & 4 are schematic views of the electrode assembly of Figure 2 being used to resect tissue, and

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the electrode assembly of Figure 1, the electrode assembly being shown in a second deployed position.

Referring to Figure 1, an electrosurgical instrument shown generally at 1 includes an elongate shaft 2 and an end effector 3. The end effector 3 comprises first and second arms 4, the arms having a proximal end 5 and a distal end 6. In Figure 1, the arms 4 lie parallel to one another, but they are pivoted for swivelling movement about pivot pins 7 & 8, the pivot pins being located towards the proximal end 5 of each arm.

An electrosurgical cutting wire electrode 9 interconnects the arms 4 at the distal end 6 of the arms. The wire electrode 9 is mounted on each arm by means of a rotatable mounting, as will be described with reference to Figure 2. The instrument 1 is introduced using a resectoscope (not shown) into a surgical site such as a human bladder, with the arms in their parallel position as shown in Figure 1 so as to facilitate insertion of the instrument into the patient.

Once the instrument has been introduced into the surgical site, the end effector is moved to the position shown in Figure 2. Between the arms 4 is a pushrod 10, attached to two linkages 11 & 12 by means of pivot pins 13 & 14. An actuator (not shown) causes the pushrod 10 to advance, pivoting the linkages 11 & 12 about the pivot pins 13 & 14 into a generally “Y”-shape as shown in Figure 2. This causes the arms 4 to be splayed apart, such that their distal ends 6 become separated laterally one from another.

The separation of the distal ends of the arms 4 causes the wire electrode 9 to be stretched therebetween. The electrode 9 comprises a relatively flexible central portion 15, which becomes deployed into a substantially straight cutting wire when the arms are splayed apart. The electrode has stiffer portions 16 & 17 adjacent each arm, such that the central portion is offset from the arms by a preset spacing “x”. The wire electrode 9 is attached to each arm by means of a rotatable mounting 18, the rotatable mountings in Figure 2 being oriented such that the central portion 15 of the electrode 9 is offset longitudinally from the arms 4 by the spacing “x”.

The use of the instrument 1 will now be described with additional reference to Figures 3 & 4. The instrument is shown in proximity to a curved tissue surface, such as a bladder wall 20. The instrument is pressed against the curved bladder wall 20 such that the arms 4 depress the tissue surface 21, causing the tissue therebetween to be straightened into a linear section 22 between the arms. This is the situation shown in Figure 4. Electrosurgical energy is then supplied to the electrode 9, and the instrument is translated across the tissue surface 21, excising a layer of tissue defined by the preset spacing “x” between the central portion 15 of the electrode and the distal ends of the arms 4. Tissue is removed from the bladder wall 20 along with other target tissue, such as tumour 23.

If a relatively constant downward pressure is applied from the arms 4 onto the tissue surface 21, then the movement of the instrument will cause the removal of a constant depth of tissue, notwithstanding that the tissue surface 21 is naturally curved. Once sufficient tissue has been excised from the bladder wall, the end effector 2 is retracted back into the form shown in Figure 1, and removed from the surgical site. The excised tissue can be removed from the surgical site separately, for example using a surgical graspers and a tissue bag (not shown).

The end effector of Figure 2 acts as an end-effect instrument, with the central portion 15 of the electrode 9 being offset longitudinally from the arms 4. Figure 5 shows the instrument 1 in a configuration to act as a side-effect instmment. In this instance, the rotatable mountings 18 have been rotated such that the electrode protrudes laterally from the arms 4, with the central portion 15 extending laterally from the end of the arms by the preset offset “x”. An actuator (not shown) may be present to rotate the mountings 18 between the positions shown in Figures 2 & 5.

The operation of the instrument of Figure 5 is substantially as before, with pressure being applied by the arms 4 to the tissue to be treated. However, with the electrode 9 in the side-effect position of Figure 5, the instrument is pressed laterally against the tissue, and then translated parallel to the surface of the tissue, usually in a retrograde manner. As before, once sufficient tissue has been excised from the bladder wall, the end effector 3 is retracted back into the form shown in Figure 1, and removed from the surgical site.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that arrangements other than those described above can be employed without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, while the embodiments of Figures 1 to 5 illustrate the use of a wire electrode, other electrodes such as rollers, sliders or buttons can be employed, with the arms 4 still being deployed between parallel and splayed positions. Where a wire electrode is employed, various wire cross-sections may be envisaged, ranging from generally circular cross-sections for simple cutting to various flatter or other shaped cross-sections capable of providing an element of haemostasis along with the cutting action. The wire electrode may also be distended in different ways, either linearly as shown in Figure 2 & 5, or with a more curved profile. Whichever form of electrode is employed, the arms can be used to press against tissue to form a linear resection plane, and ensuring that a predetermined distance “x” is maintained between the arms and the cutting surface of the electrode, whatever type of electrode is employed.

Claims

1. An electrode assembly for use in a resectoscope, the electrode assembly comprising a pair of arms, the arms being pivotably mounted one to the other such that they are movable between a retracted position in which they lie alongside one another and a deployed position in which they diverge one from another, arm actuation means for moving the arms between their retracted and deployed positions, a tissue treatment element depending from the arms, and connection means for connecting the tissue treatment element to a source of electrosurgical energy, characterised in that the tissue treatment element is disposed at the distal end of each arm such that it is movable between at least two different operating positions.

2. An electrode assembly according to claim 1, wherein the tissue treatment element is a cutting wire.

3. An electrode assembly according to claim 2, wherein one of the at least two operating positions is an end effect position, in which the cutting wire extends longitudinally from the end of the arms.

4. An electrode assembly according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein one of the at least two operating positions is a side effect position, in which the cutting wire extends laterally from the arms towards the end thereof.

5. An electrode assembly according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the cutting wire is rotatable between its different operating positions.

6. An electrode assembly according to claim 5, wherein the electrode assembly includes a wire actuation means for rotating the cutting wire between its different operating positions.

7. An electrode assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the arms are pivotably mounted one to the other at a proximal end of each arm.

8. An electrode assembly according to claim 7, wherein the arm actuation means moves the arms by rotating one arm with respect to the other.

9. An electrode assembly according to claim 7, wherein the arm actuation means moves the arms by pushing one arm apart from the other.

10. An electrode assembly according to any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the tissue treatment element is connected to each arm at the distal end of each arm.

11. An electrode according to any preceding claim, wherein the distal ends of the arms are curved so as to move smoothly over tissue to be treated.

12. An electrode according to claim 11, wherein the distal ends of the arms have a circular cross-section.