GB2588231A

GB2588231A - Electrosurgical instrument

Info

Publication number: GB2588231A
Application number: GB1915120.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Davidge Matthew; Atwell Tony
Original assignee: Gyrus Medical Ltd
Current assignee: Gyrus Medical Ltd
Priority date: 2019-10-18
Filing date: 2019-10-18
Publication date: 2021-04-21
Anticipated expiration: 2039-10-18
Also published as: GB2588231B; GB201915120D0

Abstract

An electrosurgical instrument 100, comprising: a handle 104 including first and second arms 105,106 being relatively movable between an open position with arms 105,106 spaced apart and a closed position with arms 105,106 brought closer together; an end effector 101 movable between first and second conditions in response to arm 105,106 movement; and a switch 116 located on handle 104. Switch 116 comprises: an activation button 117 operable to deliver RF energy to end effector 101; and a moveable component, moveable between first and second positions, the respective positions placing activation-button 117 in enabled and disabled conditions. Preferably, in the enabled condition, activation-button 117 is activatable by one of arms 105,106 when handle 104 is in the closed position. The moveable-component may rotate around an axis of first arm 106, the moveable-component comprising a rotatable collar 118 with activation-button 117 mounted thereupon. Preferably, activation-button 117 is on second-arm 105 and the moveable-component on first-arm 106, the moveable-component having a protrusion moveable between first and second positions along a track on a surface of first-arm 106, where in the first position the protrusion aligns with activation-button 117 so when handle 104 is in the closed position, the protrusion actuates activation-button 117.

Description

ELECTROSURGICAL INSTRUMENT

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present invention described herein relate to a switch mechanism for an electrosurgical device, and in particular a switch mechanism moveable between an enabled and disabled condition

Background to the Invention and Prior Art

Electrosurgical instruments provide advantages over traditional surgical instruments in that they can be used for coagulation and tissue sealing purposes. Electrosurgical forceps are used to clamp tissue or vessels before cutting and/or sealing the tissue by delivering a coagulation RF signal to one or more electrodes located at the end of the instrument. Most handheld electrosurgical forceps have an activation button located between the handles of the instrument for activating the coagulation RE signal, which is automatically depressed by pressing the handles together with a load.

In such electrosurgical instruments, there is a risk of accidentally activating the coagulation RE signal if a user of the electrosurgical forceps grips the handles together too tightly when manipulating tissue or dissecting. Some systems already known in the art aim to solve this problem by having the activation button on the screen of the electrical generator to which the instrument is connected to disable automatic coagulation via the button on the handles. However, such a switch cannot always be accessed directly or easily by the user, and thus do not provide a practical solution in cases where the user needs to be able to freely activate and deactivate the coagulation button. Other systems attempt to solve this problem by providing the user with tactile feedback, which allows them to feel a load before the coagulation button engages. However, this is solution is still susceptible to human error.

One particular prior art arrangement is provided in EP 1 769 767, which describes an endoscopic forceps including a housing having a shaft including a pair of j aw members. The forceps also include a drive assembly disposed in the housing which move the jaw members from a first position to a second position. A pair of handles is operatively connected to the drive assembly and the handles are moveable relative to the housing to actuate the drive assembly to move the jaw members. Each jaw member is adapted to connect to a source of electrical energy. The forceps also include two switches disposed on the housing for selectively delivering energy to at least one jaw member for treating tissue in a monopolar or a bipolar fashion.

Summary of the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved switch mechanism for delivering an RF energy supply to an end effector of an electrosurgical instrument, such as a pair of bipolar forceps that are controlled by two movable arms. The switch mechanism is located on the handle of the instrument and has a moveable component that places the activation button for delivering the RF energy supply in either an enabled mode or a disabled mode. In the enabled mode, the activation button can be automatically activated when the movable arms are brought together to close the forceps. In the disabled mode, the switching mechanism is arranged so that the activation button is not automatically activated when the movable arms are brought together to close the forceps. As such, the user is able to easily move the moveable component using the hand holding the instrument, to thereby switch between operating the instrument with or without the electrosurgical function. Furthermore, when the electrosurgical function is not required, the user can place the activation button in the disabled mode to avoid accidental activation.

Accordingly, in a first aspect, an electrosurgical instrument is provided, comprising: a handle comprising a first arm and a second arm, at least one of the arms being movable with respect to the other between an open position in which the arms are spaced one from another and a closed position in which the arms are brought closer together; an end effector movable between first and second conditions in response to the relative movement of the at least one arm; and a switch mechanism located on the handle, comprising: an activation button operable to deliver a source of radio frequency (RF) energy to the end effector; and a moveable component, configured to move between at least a first position and a second position, such that in the first position, the moveable component places the activation button in an enabled condition, and in the second position, the moveable component places the activation button in a disabled condition.

As such, the moveable component is configured to place the activation button in an enabled condition where it may be automatically activated during use of the electrosurgical instrument to deliver RF energy to the end effector, or a disabled condition where automatic activation is not possible whilst the electrosurgical instrument is in use. In doing so, accidental activation of the RF energy supply is avoided.

The switch mechanism may be arranged on the handle such that, when the moveable component places the activation button in the enabled condition, the activation button can be activated by one of the first and second arms when the handle is in the closed position. That is to say, when the handle arms are squeezed together, the activation button may be triggered as a result to thereby initiate delivery of the RF energy to the end effector. As such, the user can activate the supply of RF energy to the end effector at the same time as controlling a movement of the end effector.

Conversely, when the moveable component places the activation button in the disabled condition, the activation button cannot be activated by one of the first and second arms when the handle is in the closed position. As such, the switch mechanism can be arranged so that the activation button is not automatically activated when the handle arms are brought together.

In some examples, the switch mechanism may be arranged on the first arm, the moveable component being configured to rotate around an axis of the first arm. For example, the moveable component may comprise a rotatable collar, wherein the activation button is mounted on said rotatable collar. Rotation of the moveable component to a first radial position may thus place the activation button in the enabled condition, such that actuation of the handle into the closed position causes the activation button to be activated by a part of the second arm. In this respect, the first radial position may be an angle of 00 relative to the second arm. That is to say, when the moveable component has been rotated such that the activation button is directed towards the second arm, the activation button is pressed by the second arm when the first and second arms are brought together.

Conversely, rotation of the moveable component to a second radial position may then place the activation button in the disabled condition, such that the activation button is not activated by a part of the second arm when the handle is in the closed position. For example, the second radial position may be an angle of at least 45° relative to the second arm. However, it will be appreciated that the second radial position may be any preferable angle around the axis of the first arm, for example, 90°, 180°, or 2700 relative to the second arm. Moreover, the moveable component may also be configured to lock at the first and/or second radial positions. As such, when the moveable component has been rotated such that the activation button is directed away from the second arm, the activation button is not pushed as a result of the first and second arms being brought together. Therefore, in this configuration, the user cannot accidentally activate the RF energy supply whilst opening and closing the handle arms.

In another example, the moveable components may be located on the first arm, whilst the activation button is located on the second arm. The moveable component may comprise a protrusion configured to move along the longitudinal axis of the first arm so as to move between a first longitudinal position and a second longitudinal position along the length of the first arm. For example, the protrusion may move along a track located on a surface of the first arm. The protrusion may be aligned with the activation button in the first longitudinal position, such that actuation of the handle into the closed position causes the protrusion to activate the actuation button. That is to say, the activation button may be in a corresponding position along the second arm, such that when the first and second arms are brought together, the protrusion pushes the activation button to activate the supply of RF energy. Conversely, the protrusion and the activation button may then be at different longitudinal positions when the protrusion in moved to the second longitudinal position, such that the protrusion does not activate the activation button when the handle is in the closed position. As such, the activation button is not pushed by any part of the handle or switching mechanism when the two arms are brought together, thus preventing accidental activation of the RF energy.

In some arrangements, the end effector may be a pair of first and second opposing jaw members movable about a pivot between the open position and the closed position.. At least one of the first and second jaw members may include an electrically conductive sealing surface for communicating RF energy through tissue held therebetween, wherein the handle comprises radio RF electrical connections capable of connecting the electrically conductive sealing surface to a source of RF energy.

The end effector may comprise a pair of bipolar forceps.

A further aspect provides an electrosurgical system, comprising an RF electrosurgical generator, and an electrosurgical instrument as described above.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be further described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts, and wherein: Figure 1_ is a side view of an electrosurgical instrument according to a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein a switch mechanism is shown in an enabled condition; Figure 2 is a side view of an electrosurgical instrument according to the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein the switch mechanism is shown in a disabled condition;

D

Figure 3 is a side view of an electrosurgical instrument according to a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein a switch mechanism is shown in an enabled condition; Figure 4 is a side view of an electrosurgical instalment according to the second embodiment of the present invention, wherein the switch mechanism is shown in a disabled condition; Figure 5 is a representation of an electrosurgical system including a generator and an instrument in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

Description of the Embodiments

Referring to the drawings, Figures 1 and 2 show an electrosurgical instrument 100 according to a first example of the present invention. The instrument 100 includes a distal end effector 101 comprising a first jaw member 102 and second jaw member 103, thereby defining a pair of opposing jaws. At least one of the jaw members 102, 103 is moveable relative to the other between a first open position in which the jaw members 102, 103 are disposed in a spaced relation relative to one another, and a second closed position in which the jaw members 102, 103 cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The jaw members 102, 103 are capable of being connected to a source of electrical energy such that the jaws are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal or coagulate. To effect this, the jaw members 102, 103 may comprise one or more electrodes (not shown) arranged on or as the inner opposed surfaces of the jaw members 102, 103 and which in use have connections to receive an electrosurgical radiofrequency (RF) signal for the sealing or coagulation of tissue.

The jaw members 102, 103 may also be further provided with a slot or other opening within the inner opposed surfaces through which a mechanical cutting blade (not shown) or the like may protrude, when activated by the user. The jaw members 102, 103may be curved so that the active elements of the instrument 100 are always in view. This is important in vessel sealing devices that are used to operate on regions of the body that obscure the user's vision of the device during use.

In this present example, the end effector 101 is actuated using a handle shown generally at 104, wherein the handle comprises an upper arm 105 extending from the proximal end of the lower jaw member 103, and a lower arm 106 extending from the proximal end of the upper jaw member 102, the two arms 105, 106 being movable relative to each other. The proximal end of the handle 104 may include a mechanism for actuating each arm 105, 106, for example, a finger loop 110, 112 or the like. The distal end of the two arms 105, 106 are pivotally coupled together through a central or main pivot 108. As such, when the arms 105, 106 are moved relative to each other between a first open position, in which the arms 105, 106 are disposed in a spaced relation relative to one another, and a second closed position, this movement causes a corresponding opening and closing of the jaw members 102, 103.

The electrosurgical instalment 100 may include a powerline 114 to supply RF energy to the end effector 101. The electrosurgical instrument 100 may also include a mechanical cutting blade (not shown) coupled to a blade actuator, such as a blade trigger 120. The cutting blade may be disposed within one of the arms 105, 106 such that actuation of the blade trigger 120 translates the cutting blade along the respective arm 105, 106 and between the two jaw members 102, 103 to thereby cut any tissue grasped therebetween.

The electrosurgical instrument 100 is also provided with a switch mechanism shown generally at 116, the switch mechanism 116 comprising an activation button 117 located on the handle 104 for activating the RF signal for coagulating tissue. In the example of Figures 1 and 2, the activation button 117 is provided on the lower arm 106 of the handle 104, but it will be appreciated that it could also be provided on the upper arm 105. 117117The activation button 117 is mounted on a rotatable collar 118, allowing the activation button 117 to rotate around the axis 122 of the lower arm 106 such that the activation button 117 may face any radial direction around the axis of the lower arm 106. For example, in Figure 2, the activation button 117 is facing 180° away from the upper handle 105, whilst in Figure 1, the activation button 117 is positioned such that it faces toward the upper handle 105. 117The rotatable collar 118 may be configured such that the collar 118 can be locked into place with the activation button 117 at 00, 90°, 180°, 270° or any preferable angle around the axis 122 of the lower arm 106. This may be done by ay suitable means, for example, the collar 118 may comprise a further switch mechanism comprising a pin configured to engage with a locking surface the arm on which it is disposed to hold the collar 118 in place, the pin being disengaged from the locking surface to allow the collar 118 to rotate.

As such, the user is able to quickly and easily rotate the collar 118 to move the activation button 117 to the required position depending on whether they want the coagulation function to be enabled or disabled. For example, Figure 1 shows the switch mechanism 116 in a first position, wherein the coagulation function is enabled. In this first position, the activation button 117 is facing towards the upper arm 105 such that when the arms 105, 106 are squeezed together so as to close the jaw members 102, 103, the activation button 117 is compressed to initiate the supply of the coagulation RE signal to the jaw members 102, 103. Figure 2 shows the switch mechanism 116 in a second position, wherein the coagulation function is disabled. Here, the collar 118 has been rotated such that the activation button 117 is positioned at 180° relative to the upper arm 105, such that when the arms 105, 106 are squeezed together so as to close the jaw members 102, 103, the activation button 117 is not activated and no energy is supplied to the jaw members 102, 103. However, it will be appreciated that the coagulation function may be disabled by moving the activation button 117 to any suitable position such that it is not activated when the lower and upper arms 105, 106 are brought together, for example, 900 or 2700 relative to the enabled position.

Having the activation button 117 directed away from the upper arm 105, as in Figure 2, reduces the risk of accidentally activating the activation button 117 and coagulating if the user grips the handles together too tightly when manipulating tissue or dissecting, yet still allowing easy access to the activation button 117, In this respect, the user can easily rotate the collar 118, even using a finger of the hand that is holding the instrument 100.

Figures 3 and 4 shows a further example a switch mechanism 316 for the electrosurgical instrument 100, wherein the activation button 117 is located in a recess 302 located in an inner surface of the upper arm 105. When the arms 105, 106 are squeezed together, the activation button 117 is actuated by a protrusion 304, in a first 'enabled' position, located on an inner surface of the lower arm 106, as shown in Figure 3. The protrusion 304 can be moved in a direction parallel to the axis 122 of the lower arm 106, to be in a second 'disabled' position, as shown in Figure 4. For example, the protrusion 304 may be translated along a track (not shown) located in the inner surface of the lower arm 106. When the protrusion 304 is in the disabled position, the protrusion 304 does not actuate the activation button 117 upon closing of the handles 104, 106. Instead, the protrusion 304 enters the portion of the recess 302 adjacent the activation button 117 such that the activation button 117 is not actuated. It will again be appreciated that the activation button 117 and recess 302 may be located on the lower arm 106, with the moveable protrusion 304 being located on the upper arm 105.

In operation, the arms 105, 106 are manipulated by a user to move the jaw members 102, 103, selectively opening and closing the jaw members 102, 103. The jaw members 102 103 and arms 105, 106 are moveable through multiple positions, preferably at least three. In a first position, the jaw members 102, 103 and the arms 105, 106 are open so that the distal ends of the upper and lower jaw members 102, 103are spaced apart and the proximal ends of the upper and lower arms 105, 106 are spaced apart. In a second position, the jaw members 102, 103 and arms 105, 106are closed so that the upper and lower jaw members 102, 103 are proximate one another, and the upper and lower arms 105, 106 are proximate one another. In a third position, the jaw members 102, 103 remain closed as in the second position, whilst the arms 105, 106 are clamped shut, and in some cases actuate the coagulation activation button 117.

If the activation button arrangement is configured such that the activation button 117 is actuated in the third position, associated circuitry or contacts are connected to connect appropriate electrodes of the jaws with associated connections of an electrosurgical generator to supply RF energy to fuse tissue grasped between the jaws.

Referring now to Figure 5, the instalment 100 in use is intended for connection to an electrosurgical generator 500 having a controllable RF source therein (not shown) that in use produces an RF coagulation signal that coagulates or seals tissue when applied thereto via the electrodes of the end effector of the instrument 100. Electrosurgical generator 500 includes control input switches 504 and 502, to respectively allow the generator to be turned on and off and to allow the power of the RF coagulation signal fed to the instalment 100 to be controlled. In these respects, the electrosurgical generator 500 is conventional.

The instrument 100 is connected in use to generator 500 by control and power line 114, which contains separate electrical lines to allow an RF signal to be fed to the end effector of the instrument 100 via internal wiring, and also to allow a control signal to be received from the activation button 117 of the instrument 100, to command the electrosurgical generator to output an RF coagulation signal to the instrument 100. In use the surgeon activates the generator via on-off switch 504, and selects the coagulation or sealing signal strength to be generated by the internal RF source using buttons 502. During a surgical procedure with the instrument when a sealing or coagulation RF signal is required at the end effector, the surgeon controls the generator to produce such a signal by pressing the activation button 117 on the instrument, the generated RF signal then being passed via the electrical lines 114 to the end effector. That is, pressing of the activation button 117 in use causes an RF coagulation or sealing signal to be supplied to the appropriate electrodes contained within the end effector.

The jaw members 102, 103may each have an electrode or conductive pad. In such cases, the conductive pad of the upper jaw member 102 and the conductive pad of the lower jaw member 103 are electrically coupled to the electrosurgical generator 500 via wires and connectors to supply RF energy to tissue grasped between the conductive pads. The conductive pads are arranged to have opposing polarity. Wires and associated connections may extend from the activation button 117 through the upper arm 105 and/or the lower arm 106 to the upper and lower jaw members 102, 103 and the respective connections to the upper and lower electrodes. The activation button 117 may complete a circuit when actuated by electrically coupling at least two leads together. As such, an electrical path is then established from an electrosurgical generator 500 to an actuator to supply RF energy to the instrument 100.

Various modifications whether by way of addition, deletion, or substitution of features may be made to above described embodiment to provide further embodiments any and all of which are intended to be encompassed by the appended claims. I0

Claims

Claims An electrosurgical instrument, comprising: a handle comprising a first arm and a second arm, at least one of the arms being movable with respect to the other between an open position in which the arms are spaced one from another and a closed position in which the arms are brought closer together; an end effector movable between first and second conditions in response to the relative movement of the at least one arm; and a switch mechanism located on the handle, comprising: an activation button operable to deliver a source of radio frequency (RF) energy to the end effector; and a moveable component, configured to move between at least a first position and a second position, such that in the first position, the moveable component places the activation button in an enabled condition, and in the second position, the moveable component places the activation button in a disabled condition.
2 An electrosurgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the switch mechanism is arranged on the handle such that, when the moveable component places the activation button in the enabled condition, the activation button can be activated by one of the first and second arms when the handle is in the closed position
3. An electrosurgical instrument according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the switch mechanism is arranged on the handle such that, when the moveable component places the activation button in the disabled condition, the activation button cannot be activated by one of the first and second arms when the handle is in the closed position.
4 An electrosurgical instrument according to any preceding claim, wherein the switch mechanism is arranged on the first arm, the moveable component being configured to rotate around an axis of the first arm.
5. An electrosurgical instrument according to claim 4, wherein the moveable component comprises a rotatable collar, the activation button being mounted on said rotatable collar.
6 An electrosurgical instrument according to claims 4 or 5, wherein rotation of the moveable component to a first radial position places the activation button in the enabledIIcondition, such that actuation of the handle into the closed position causes the activation button to be activated by a part of the second arm
7. An electrosurgical instrument according to claim 7, wherein the first radial position is at an angle of 0° relative to the second arm.
8. An electrosurgical instrument according to any of claims 4 to 7, wherein rotation of the moveable component to a second radial position places the activation button in the disabled condition, such that the activation button is not activated by a part of the second arm when the handle is in the closed position.
9. An electrosurgical instrument according to claim 8, wherein the second radial position is at an angle of at least 45° relative to the second arm.
10. An electrosurgical instrument according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the moveable components is located on the first arm, and the activation button is located on the second arm.
11. An electrosurgical instrument according to claim 10, wherein the moveable component comprises a protrusion configured to move along the longitudinal axis of the first arm so as to move between a first longitudinal position and a second longitudinal position along the length of the first arm
12. An electrosurgical instrument according to claim 11, wherein the protrusion is configured to move along a track located on a surface of the first arm.
13. An electrosurgical instrument according to claim 12, wherein the protrusion is aligned with the activation button in the first longitudinal position, such that actuation of the handle into the closed position causes the protrusion to activate the actuation button 14.
An electrosurgical instrument according to any of claims 11 to 13, wherein the protrusion and the activation button are at different longitudinal positions when the protrusion in moved to the second longitudinal position, such that the protrusion does not activate the activation button when the handle is in the closed position.
An electrosurgical instrument according to any preceding claim, wherein the end effector is a pair of first and second opposing jaw members movable about a pivot between the open position and the closed position.
16. An electrosurgical instrument according to claim 15, wherein at least one of the first and second jaw members includes an electrically conductive sealing surface for communicating RF energy through tissue held therebetween, wherein the handle comprises radio RF electrical connections capable of connecting the electrically conductive sealing surface to a source of RF energy.
17. An electrosurgical instrument according to any preceding claim, wherein the end effector comprises a pair of bipolar forceps.
18. An electrosurgical system, comprising: an RF electrosurgical generator; and an electrosurgical instrument according to any preceding claim.