GB2567495A

GB2567495A - Surgical instruments

Info

Publication number: GB2567495A
Application number: GB1716970.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nagtegaal Marno
Original assignee: Gyrus Medical Ltd
Current assignee: Gyrus Medical Ltd
Priority date: 2017-10-16
Filing date: 2017-10-16
Publication date: 2019-04-17
Anticipated expiration: 2037-10-16
Also published as: GB201716970D0; GB2567495B

Abstract

Surgical tweezers 1 having first and second elongate arms 10,14 which are biased open. The distal end of each arm defines a hook portion 13,17 which extends transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the arm. The distal end of each arm also includes first and second electrodes 20,22,24,26 separated by a dielectric portion 21,25. The electrodes may be operated independently of each other; alternatively, the first electrodes may be linked and the second electrodes may be linked. Preferably the hook portions extend parallel to each other, narrow to pointed tips, and are formed by the first electrode portions. Each first electrode may provide a cutting region between the hook tip and an electrode surface. A power supply and control unit 7 may be connected to a body 2 of the tweezers via a cable 8 and connection 6; an electrically insulating hand grip 3 may be mounted on the body.

Description

(57) Surgical tweezers 1 having first and second elongate arms 10,14 which are biased open. The distal end of each arm defines a hook portion 13,17 which extends transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the arm. The distal end of each arm also includes first and second electrodes 20,22,24,26 separated by a dielectric portion 21,25. The electrodes may be operated independently of each other; alternatively, the first electrodes may be linked and the second electrodes may be linked. Preferably the hook portions extend parallel to each other, narrow to pointed tips, and are formed by the first electrode portions. Each first electrode may provide a cutting region between the hook tip and an electrode surface. A power supply and control unit 7 may be connected to a body 2 of the tweezers via a cable 8 and connection 6; an electrically insulating hand grip 3 may be mounted on the body.

FIG. 4

12 17

/

12 17

SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS

The present invention relates to surgical instruments, and, in particular, to surgical tweezers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Surgical tweezers are well known and commonly used surgical instruments used for various surgical tasks. For example, surgical tweezers may be used for gripping and removing tissue during surgery. Another use of surgical tweezers is to provide a pair of electrodes for the supply of radio frequency energy to tissue for coagulation of that tissue.

However, existing designs of surgical tweezers are not particularly suitable for removing tough tissue, and so other instruments must be used for such tissue removal. The need to change instrument during a procedure reduces the efficiency of the procedure and can introduce complications.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a surgical instrument that addresses the drawbacks of the previously-considered designs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention are set out in the attached claims.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a surgical instrument comprising first and second elongate arms which extend from a proximal end of the instrument to respective distal end regions of the arms and which define respective longitudinal axes, the arms having an open position in which the distal end regions are separated from one another, and a closed position in which the distal end regions are substantially adjacent one another, the arms being biased towards the open position, wherein the distal end region of each arm defines a hook portion which extends transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the arm concerned, wherein the distal end region of each arm includes first and second electrodes substantially electrically insulated from one another by an insulating portion.

In one example, the electrodes are electrically controllable independently of one another.

One example has a first operating configuration in which the first electrode of the first arm is electrically linked with the first electrode of the second arm. In such an example, in the first operating configuration, the second electrode of the first arm may be electrically linked with the second electrode of the second arm.

In one example, the distal end region of each arm comprises a first electrode portion which extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the arm concerned and is of an electrically conducting material, an insulating portion which extends along a surface of the first electrode portion and is of an electrically insulating material, and a second electrode portion which extends along a surface of the insulating layer so as to be separated from the first electrode portion and is of an electrically conductive material.

In one example, each such hook portion narrows from a first length to a substantially pointed hook tip. In one example, the hook portions extend substantially parallel to one another.

In one example, the hook portions are provided by the first electrode portions.

In one example, each first electrode portion provides a cutting region between the hook tip and a surface of the first electrode portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a surgical instrument embodying an aspect of the present invention in use;

Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the instrument of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the instrument of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a more detailed schematic perspective view of a portion of the instrument of Figures 1 and 2; and

Figure 5 is a schematic end view of the portion of Figure 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of a surgical instrument, also known as surgical tweezers, 1 in use, and Figure 2 illustrates a side view of the instrument. Figure 3 illustrates a close-up perspective view of a part of the instrument of Figures 1 and 2. The

The instrument comprises a body 2, around which is mounted a hand grip 3. In Figure 1, the hand 4 of a user is shown holding the instrument 1 using the hand grip 3. The hand grip 3 is preferably of an electrically insulating material. In this example, the instrument 1 includes an electrical connection 6 located, in this example, at a rear end of the body 2. An electrical power supply and control unit 7 is connected to the instrument via a cable 8 and the connection 6. The power and control unit 7 supplies electrical power to the instrument, as will be described in more detail below.

First and second arms 10, 14 extend from a front end of the body 2 to respective distal ends, and define respective longitudinal axes. Each arm 10, 14 includes a first arm portion 11,15 that extends from the body 2, and a second arm portion 12, 16 that extends from the first arm portion 11,15 to the distal end of the instrument 1. The first arm portion 11, 15 of each arm 10, 14 is preferably of an electrically insulating material. In this example, the second arm portions 12, 16 are of an electrically conductive material, so that the second arm portions 12, 16 provide respective electrodes for each of the first and second arms 10, 14. The first arm portions 11,15 insulate the second arm portions 12,16 from the body 2 of the instrument 1 and from the user. The electrodes provided by the second arm portions 12,16 are connected electrically to the electrical power supply and control unit 7 by way of electrical conductors that run through the arms 10, 14 and body 2, to the electrical connection 6 and cable 8.

The electrical power supply and control unit 7 supplies radio frequency energy to the electrodes in order to provide the instrument 1 with a coagulation function. As is well known, supplying radio frequency energy to tissue can result in coagulation of any bleeding from that tissue. Providing electrodes on the arms (10, 14) of the instrument 1 enables the user to perform gripping and coagulation without the need to change instruments during a procedure or part of a procedure.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, each of the second arm portions 12, 16 has a hook portion extending from a distal end region. The hook portion 13 of the second arm portion 12 of the first arm 10 extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of the first arm 10. The hook portion 13 narrows from a first length to a substantially pointed hook tip. The second arm portion 17 of the second arm 14 extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of the second arm 10, and, similarly to the first arm, the hook portion 17 of the second arm 14 narrows from a first length to a substantially pointed hook tip.

The hook portions 13 and 17 enable the user of the instrument to hold onto and pull tissue, as such, the design of surgical instrument embodying the present invention enable a use to remove tough tissue without the need to swap instruments.

Figure 4 illustrates a more detailed perspective view of the distal end regions of the first and second arms of the instrument of Figures 1 to 3 embodying the principles of the present invention. Figure 5 illustrates and end view of the arms of Figure 4.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, each arm is provided with a pair of electrodes at the distal end region of the arm concerned. In particular, the second portion 12 of the first arm 10 comprises an elongate first electrode portion 20 of electrically conductive material. In this example, the first electrode portion 20 extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first arm 10 and provides the hook portion 13 for that arm. The second portion 12 of the first arm 10 also includes an elongate insulating portion 21 of electrically insulating material. The insulating portion 21 extends along a lower surface of the first electrode portion 20.

An elongate second electrode portion 22 extends parallel with the longitudinal axis of the first arm 10, along a lower surface of the insulating portion 21. The second electrode portion 22 is thereby electrically insulated from the first electrode portion 20. The first and second electrode portions 20 and 22 and the insulating portion 21 provide the second portion 12 of the first arm 10.

Similarly, the second portion 16 of the second arm 14 comprises an elongate first electrode portion 24 of electrically conductive material. In this example, the first electrode portion 24 extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first arm 14 and provides the hook portion 17 for that arm. The second portion 16 of the first arm 14 also includes an elongate insulating portion 25 of electrically insulating material. The insulating portion 2251 extends along a lower surface of the first electrode portion 24.

An elongate second electrode portion 26 extends parallel with the longitudinal axis of the first arm 14, along a lower surface of the insulating portion 25. The second electrode portion 26 is thereby electrically insulated from the first electrode portion 24. The first and second electrode portions 24 and 26 and the insulating portion 25 provide the second portion 16 of the second arm 14.

An instrument embodying the present invention thereby has four separate electrodes provided at the distal end region of the instrument. These electrodes may be controlled independently to receive radio frequency electrical energy to provide enhanced coagulation and cutting functions for the instrument. The radio frequency electrical energy is provided from the power supply and control unit 7 via the cable 8 and connector 6. Individual electrical connections are provided through the instrument 1 for each of the electrode portions.

In one example, the first electrode portions 20, 24 are electrically linked to provide a single active electrode. In this example, the second electrode portions 22, 26 are electrically linked to provide a single return electrode. With such a configuration, the hook portions 13 and 17 are able to provide an electrically enhanced cutting function for the instrument. Cutting takes 10 place between the hook tips and respective upper surfaces of the first electrode portions 20,

24.

Accordingly, a surgical instrument can provide enhanced gripping, coagulation and cutting functions compared with existing designs.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument comprising first and second elongate arms which extend from a proximal end of the instrument to respective distal end regions of the arms and which define respective longitudinal axes, the arms having an open position in which the distal end regions are separated from one another, and a closed position in which the distal end regions are substantially adjacent one another, the arms being biased towards the open position, wherein the distal end region of each arm defines a hook portion which extends transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the arm concerned, wherein the distal end region of each arm includes first and second electrodes substantially electrically insulated from one another by an insulating portion.

2. A surgical instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electrodes are electrically controllable independently of one another.

3. A surgical instrument as claimed in claim 1, having a first operating configuration in which the first electrode of the first arm is electrically linked with the first electrode of the second arm.

4. A surgical instrument as claimed in claim 2, wherein, in the first operating configuration, the second electrode of the first arm is electrically linked with the second electrode of the second arm.

5. A surgical instrument as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the distal end region of each arm comprises a first electrode portion which extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the arm concerned and is of an electrically conducting material, an insulating portion which extends along a surface of the first electrode portion and is of an electrically insulating material, and a second electrode portion which extends along a surface of the insulating layer so as to be separated from the first electrode portion and is of an electrically conductive material.

6. A surgical instrument as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each such hook portion narrows from a first length to a substantially pointed hook tip.

7. A surgical instrument as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hook portions extend substantially parallel to one another.

8. A surgical instrument as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the hook portions are provided by the first electrode portions.

9. A surgical instrument as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein each first electrode

5 portion provides a cutting region between the hook tip and a surface of the first electrode portion.

Intellectual Property Office

Application No: GB 1716970.7

Claims searched: 1-9

Examiner: Andrew Hughes

Date of search: 6 March 2018

Patents Act 1977: Search Report under Section 17

Documents considered to be relevant:

Category Relevant to claims Identity of document and passage or figure of particular relevance Y 1 at least US 5843080 A (FLEENOR & ISAACSON) bipolar hooked tweezers Y 1 at least CN 202020542 U (YU & XU) bipolar hooked tweezers Y 1 at least CN 203710132 U (BEIJING SANBO BRAIN HOSPITAL) bipolar hooked tweezers Y 1 at least CN 205548674 U (CHEN) bipolar hooked tweezers Y 1 at least US 6086586 A (HOOVEN) bipolar forceps with four electrodes Y 1 at least WO 2014/085334 Al (GYRUS ACMI, INC.) quadripolar forceps A - US 5542945 A (FRITZSCH)

Categories:

X Document indicating lack of novelty or inventive step A Document indicating technological background and/or state of the art. Y Document indicating lack of inventive step if P Document published on or after the declared priority date but combined with one or more other documents of before the filing date of this invention. same category. & Member of the same patent family E Patent document published on or after, but with priority date earlier than, the filing date of this application.

Field of Search:

Search of GB, EP, WO & US patent documents classified in the following areas of the UKCX :

Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.gov.uk/ipo