Connecting Device and Monopolar Cable For Monopolar and Bipolar Operable Surgical Instruments, Surgical Instrument and Surgical System

Abstract

The present invention relates to a connecting device and to a monopolar cable for surgical instruments operable in a monopolar and bipolar manner, especially for high-frequency surgery, and a corresponding surgical instrument and surgical system. An electrical terminal of the connecting device is designed to be connectable either to a monopolar cable for monopolar operation or to a bipolar cable for bipolar operation. A first contact and a second contact of the electrical terminal are electrically connected to an accessory coupling of the connecting device and are designed with insulation such that an accessory coupled by the accessory coupling is operable either in a monopolar or bipolar manner via the two contacts. The present invention further relates to a monopolar cable for such a connecting device, to a surgical instrument comprising such a connecting device and to a surgical system comprising such a surgical instrument and such a monopolar cable.

Claims

1. A connecting device for surgical instruments operable in a monopolar and bipolar manner, especially for high-frequency surgery, comprising: a housing; an accessory coupling disposed on the housing and designed for mechanical and electrical coupling of an accessory operable in a monopolar and/or bipolar manner; and an electrical terminal that is disposed on the housing and has a first contact and a second contact, wherein the electrical terminal is designed to be connectable either to a monopolar cable or to a bipolar cable, and wherein the first contact and the second contact are designed to be electrically connected to the accessory coupling and isolated in such a way that an accessory coupled by the accessory coupling is operable either in a monopolar or bipolar manner via the two contacts.

2. The connecting device of claim 1, further comprising a contact insulation for electrical isolation of the first contact and of the second contact from one another.

3. The connecting device of claim 2, wherein a first power lead for electrical connection of the first contact and a second power lead for electrical connection of the second contact to the accessory coupling are disposed in or on the housing, and further comprising a lead insulation for electrical isolation of the first power lead and of the second power lead from one another and from the environment thereof.

4. The connecting device of claims 3, wherein the contact insulation and/or the lead insulation has an isolation gap designed for AC currents in monopolar operation, preferably for coagulation and/or electrotomy.

5. The connecting device of claim 4, wherein the electrical terminal is designed for optional connection of the first contact and of the second contact to a monopolar cable or to a bipolar cable via a common plug.

6. The connecting device of claim 5, wherein the electrical terminal is adapted as the common plug and has, on its outer surface, in its longitudinal direction, the first contact in a first contact region, the contact insulation in an insulation region, and the second contact in a second contact region.

7. The connecting device of claim 5, wherein the electrical terminal takes the form of a common socket, and on its inner surface, in its longitudinal direction, has the first contact in a first contact region, the contact insulation in an insulation region, and the second contact in a second contact region.

8. The connecting device of claim 1, further comprising an actuating element disposed on the housing, and a drive disposed in or on the housing, the drive being mechanically coupled to the actuating element, and wherein the drive is designed to transmit a movement of the actuating element to a mechanism of an accessory that is mechanically connectable via the accessory coupling.

9. The connecting device of claim 8, wherein the drive is designed so as to be at least partly electrically conductive and forms at least partly either the first power lead and/or the second power lead.

10. The connecting device of claim 8, wherein the accessory coupling is designed for mechanical and electrical coupling of an accessory in the form of a clamp or shears.

11. The connecting device of claim 9, wherein the accessory coupling is designed for mechanical and electrical coupling of an accessory in the form of a clamp or shears.

12. The connecting device of claim 3, wherein the contact insulation and/or the lead insulation each have an isolation gap designed for AC currents with a voltage of up to 5.5 kV [kilovolts], preferably up to 4.3 kV and more preferably up to 3.0 kV.

13. A surgical instrument for high-frequency surgery, comprising: a connecting device, the connecting device comprising a housing, an accessory coupling disposed on the housing and designed for mechanical and electrical coupling of an accessory operable in a monopolar and/or bipolar manner, and an electrical terminal that is disposed on the housing and has a first contact and a second contact, wherein the electrical terminal is designed to be connectable either to a monopolar cable or to a bipolar cable, and wherein the first contact and the second contact are designed to be electrically connected to the accessory; and the accessory, coupled electrically and mechanically to the connecting device via the accessory coupling of the connecting device.

14. The surgical instrument of claim 13, wherein the connecting device is designed as a handle.

15. The surgical instrument of claim 14, wherein the handle is a movable handle with an actuating element for actuating an accessory coupled thereto, preferably in the form of a clamp or shears.

16. The surgical instrument of claim 13, further comprising: an HF generator having at least one monopolar output; and a monopolar cable connected by the electrical terminal element on the connecting device side to the electrical terminal of the connecting device of the surgical instrument and by the electrical terminal element on the generator side to the monopolar output of the HF generator, wherein the monopolar cable comprises an electrical terminal element on the generator side, designed for connection to a monopolar output of the HF generator, and an electrical terminal element on the connecting device side, designed for connection to an electrical terminal of the connecting device, and a bridge designed for electrical bridging of the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact of the electrical terminal, wherein the accessory of the surgical instrument is connected in a monopolar manner via the connecting device and the connected monopolar cable to the monopolar output of the HF generator.

17. The surgical instrument of claim 16, wherein the bridge is formed either in the electrical terminal element on the generator side, in the electrical terminal element on the connecting device side or in a region along the monopolar cable between the electrical terminal element on the generator side and the electrical terminal element on the connecting device side.

18. A monopolar cable for surgical instruments operable in a monopolar and bipolar manner, especially for high-frequency surgery, comprising: an electrical terminal element on a generator side, designed for connection to a monopolar output of a high-frequency AC generator; and an electrical terminal element on the connecting device side, designed for connection to an electrical terminal of a connecting device, wherein the connecting device comprises a housing, an accessory coupling disposed on the housing and designed for mechanical and electrical coupling of an accessory operable in a monopolar and/or bipolar manner, an electrical terminal that is disposed on the housing and has a first contact and a second contact, wherein the electrical terminal is designed to be connectable either to a monopolar cable or to a bipolar cable, and wherein the first contact and the second contact are designed to be electrically connected to the accessory coupling and isolated in such a way that an accessory coupled by the accessory coupling is operable either in a monopolar or bipolar manner via the two contacts; and a bridge designed for electrical bridging of the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact of the electrical terminal.

19. The monopolar cable of claim 18, wherein the bridge is formed either in the electrical terminal element on the generator side, in the electrical terminal element on the connecting device side or in a region along the monopolar cable between the electrical terminal element on the generator side and the electrical terminal element on the connecting device side.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0073] FIG. 1 shows a working example of a surgical instrument with a connected bipolar cable.

[0074] FIG. 2 is an enlarged detail view from FIG. 1.

[0075] FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail view of the working example of the surgical instrument from FIG. 1 with a connected monopolar cable.

[0076] FIG. 4 shows a section view of a working example of a surgical instrument.

[0077] FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail view from FIG. 4.

[0078] FIG. 6 shows a further section view of the surgical instrument from FIG. 4.

[0079] FIG. 7 illustrates the surgical instrument from FIG. 4 with a connected monopolar cable according to a working example.

[0080] FIG. 8 shows a working example of a surgical system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF REPRESENTATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0081] FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate a schematic of a first working example of a surgical instrument 100 with a connected cable 30, 40.

[0082] The surgical instrument comprises a working example of a connecting device 1 and an accessory 20.

[0083] The accessory 20 here is an accessory operable in a monopolar and bipolar manner. It is of course also possible to connect an accessory operable solely in a monopolar manner or solely in a bipolar manner to the surgical instrument 100.

[0084] The connecting device 1 takes the form of a handle and comprises a housing 2 with a distal grip limb 3 (remote from the user/surgeon and facing a patient's body), an accessory coupling 4, an electrical terminal element 5 with a first contact 6, a second contact 7, a contact insulation 8, a first power lead 9, a second power lead 10, a lead insulation 11, an actuating element 12 designed as a proximal grip limb (facing the user/surgeon and remote from a patient's body), and a drive 13.

[0085] The accessory coupling 4 is disposed at a distal end of the connecting device. It is designed for detachable mechanical and electrical connection of the accessory 20 to the connecting device 1. The accessory coupling 4 is designed here by way of example as a ring sprung in radial direction, which can snap into, or is snap-fittable with, a groove on the outer surface of a shaft of a tool.

[0086] The electrical terminal element 5 is disposed at a proximal end of the connecting device 1 and is designed as a common plug. The common plug 5 here, by way of example, has an essentially cylindrical shape with circular cross section and an outer surface that extends over the outside of the cylindrical form. In a first region, the proximal region here, the first contact 6 is disposed on the outer surface of the common plug 5. In a second region, the distal region here, the second contact 7 is disposed on the outer surface of the common plug 5. The first contact 6 and the second contact 7 each have an electrical connection toward the distal end of the common plug 5. The first contact 6 and the second contact 7 and the electrical connections thereof are electrically insulated from one another by the contact insulation 8 along the common plug 5.

[0087] The contact insulation 8 is designed such that, in monopolar or bipolar operation at an AC current with a voltage of up to 5.5 kV, no short circuit or flashover can occur between the first contact 6 and the second contact 7 (in bipolar operation) or between these and their environment (in monopolar and bipolar operation). In monopolar operation, the current can flow merely from one or two of the contacts to a neutral electrode provided on the patient.

[0088] A cable 30, 40 is electrically connected, and detachably mechanically connected, to the common plug 5 via a suitable terminal element 32, 42 on the connecting device side. For this purpose, the electrical terminal element 32, 42 on the connecting device side is designed as a fitting common socket and is pushed onto the common plug 5.

[0089] The first power lead 9 electrically connects the first contact 6 by a part of the accessory coupling 4 that is movable by means of a drive rod 14. Part of the first power lead 9 is formed here by the drive rod 14 of the drive 13.

[0090] The second power lead 10 electrically connects the second contact 7 to a fixed part of the accessory coupling 4. Part of the second power lead 10 is formed here by a sliding sleeve 16 of the drive 13.

[0091] The first power lead and the second power lead are electrically insulated from one another and at least partly from their environment by the lead insulation 11. Part of the lead insulation 11 is formed here by a sliding sleeve 15 of the drive 13. The lead insulation 11 is designed such that, in monopolar or bipolar operation at an AC current with a voltage of up to 5.5 kV, no short circuit or flashover can occur between the first power lead 9 and the second power lead 10 (in bipolar operation) or between these and their environment (in monopolar and bipolar operation).

[0092] The actuating element 12 is designed as a proximal grip limb. The proximal grip limb 12 is rotatably mounted in the housing 2 and may be turned/rotated or pivoted relative to the distal grip limb 3. By means of the proximal grip limb 12, it is thus possible to transmit a torque or rotary movement to the drive 13.

[0093] The drive 13 comprises the drive rod 14 and a sliding sleeve 15 with guiding sleeve 16 disposed thereon.

[0094] The drive rod 14 is mounted in the sliding sleeve 15 so as to be movable translationally in the direction toward the accessory coupling 4 with respect to the housing 2. By means of a sliding surface 17 at its proximal end, the drive rod 14 is mechanically connected to the proximal grip limb 12. The drive rod 14 extends up to the accessory coupling 4, such that it can transmit a force or translation there to a mechanism (not shown here) of the coupled-on accessory 20.

[0095] The sliding sleeve 15 firstly provides the slide mounting for the drive rod 14 with respect to the housing 2 and secondly part of the lead insulation 11. For this purpose, the sliding sleeve 15 is surrounded by the guide sleeve 16 at its outer surface. The sliding sleeve 15 may be manufactured from a plastic, especially a friction-reducing and preferably steam-sterilizable plastic such as PEEK, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and the like. The guide sleeve 17 contains an electrically conductive material, preferably stainless steel, gold, platinum, copper, aluminium or the like, especially gold-coated stainless steel. As a result, the drive rod 14 is movable in a linear manner with a low sliding friction within the sliding sleeve 15, and is additionally electrically insulated with respect to the second power lead 10 and the electrically conductive guide sleeve 17.

[0096] By means of the sliding surface 17, a torque or rotary motion or rotation of the proximal grip limb 12 is transmitted to the drive rod 14 and converted to a translational force or translational movement or translation. The drive rod 14 transmits the force or translation to the mechanism of the coupled-on accessory 20.

[0097] Thus, as well as the mechanical connection to the housing 2 on the accessory coupling 4, firstly an electrical connection is established between the accessory 20 coupled to the housing 2 and the first contact 6 and the second contact 7, and secondly a mechanical connection between the mechanism of the accessory 20 and the drive 13.

[0098] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of an enlarged detail of the surgical instrument according to FIG. 1 with a connected bipolar cable 30.

[0099] In the embodiment shown, the bipolar cable 30 has been pushed onto the common plug 5 by an electrical terminal element 32 on the connecting device side in the form of a common socket. In further embodiments, the common plug 5 may additionally be surrounded by a plug sleeve 18, not shown here for better clarity (see FIG. 5), with greater internal diameter compared to the terminal element 32, which protects the plug 5 and is designed to accommodate the connecting element 32 of the bipolar cable in the form of a common socket.

[0100] The common socket 32 has a hole in essentially cylindrical form with circular cross section, designed to accommodate the common plug 5. The common socket 32 together with the common plug 5 forms a transition fit or an interference fit, such that sufficient static friction for detachable mechanical connection exists between the two. Additionally or alternatively, the mechanical connection may be established by means of an O-ring or a radially sprung (snap) ring between the common socket 32 and the common plug 5.

[0101] In a proximal region of the common socket 32, a first cable contact 33 is arranged along the internal circumference of the hole. In a distal region of the common socket 32, a second cable contact 34 is arranged along the inner circumference of the hole. A cable contact insulation 35 is arranged between the first cable contact 33 and the second cable contact 34, which electrically isolates the first cable contact 33 from the second cable contact 34.

[0102] When the common socket 32 has been pushed onto the common plug 5, there is a detachable mechanical connection between the bipolar cable 30 and the connecting device 1. In addition, the first cable contact 33 exclusively adjoins the first contact 6, and the second cable contact 34 exclusively adjoins the second contact 7, such that there is an electrical connection between these in each case.

[0103] The surgical instrument 100 can be operated in a bipolar manner via the connected bipolar cable 30.

[0104] FIG. 3 shows a schematic of an enlarged detail of the surgical instrument of FIG. 1 with a connected monopolar cable 40 according to one working example. All that are elucidated hereinafter are the differences from the bipolar cable 30 from FIG. 2. The rest is as described above in relation to FIG. 2.

[0105] The monopolar cable 40 has been pushed onto the common plug 5 by its electrical terminal element 42 on the connecting device side, in the form of a common socket. The common socket 42 has a hole in essentially cylindrical form with a circular cross section. The common socket 42 together with the common plug 5 forms a transition fit or an interference fit, such that sufficient static friction for detachable mechanical connection exists between the two. Additionally or alternatively, the mechanical connection can be established via an O-ring or radially sprung (snap) ring between the common socket 42 and the common plug 5.

[0106] A first cable contact 43 is arranged in a proximal region of the common socket 42 along the inner circumference of the hole. A second cable contact 44 is arranged in a distal region of the common socket 42 along the inner circumference of the hole. A bridge 45 is arranged between the first cable contact 43 and the second cable contact 44, which electrically bridges the first cable contact 43 and the second cable contact 44. Alternatively, it is also possible for just a single elongated cable contact that extends over the entire area of the first and second cable contacts 43, 44 to be disposed within the hole.

[0107] When the common socket 42 has been pushed onto the common plug 5, there is a detachable mechanical connection between the monopolar cable 40 and the connecting device 1. In addition, the first cable contact 43 exclusively adjoins the first contact 6, and the second cable contact 44 exclusively adjoins the second contact 7, such that the two contacts 6, 7 are bridged via the bridge 45 and the two cable contacts 43, 44 of the monopolar cable 40.

[0108] The surgical instrument 100 can be operated in a monopolar manner via the connected monopolar cable 40.

[0109] FIGS. 4 to 7 show a schematic of a further working example of the surgical instrument 100 according to the present invention, corresponding essentially to the working example of FIGS. 1 to 3. All that are elucidated hereinafter are differences from the working example of FIGS. 1 to 3. The rest is accordingly applicable to the details given in relation to FIGS. 1 to 3 above.

[0110] The common plug 5 additionally has a plug sleeve 18 that surrounds the cylindrical common plug 5 at a predefined radial distance. The plug sleeve 18 protects the common plug 5 from mechanical deformation and facilitates the pushing of a common socket of a cable onto the common plug 5 by virtue of its guiding properties. In addition, an O-ring or radially sprung (snap) ring may be provided, which increases the friction between the common socket and the common plug 5 or the plug sleeve 18.

[0111] The accessory 20 is executed here as a clamp. The clamp 20 comprises a mechanism 21 and a manipulator 22 formed here by two clamp jaws. The clamp jaws can be turned toward one another and away from one another again via the mechanism 21. The mechanism 21 is mechanically connected to the accessory coupling 4 by the drive 13, especially by the drive rod 14. The drive rod 14 transmits a torque or rotary movement as translational force or translation to the mechanism 21. The mechanism 21 converts the translational force or translation to a torque or rotary movement and transmits said torque or rotary movement to the clamp jaws of the manipulator 22.

[0112] FIG. 5 shows a schematic of an enlarged detail of the surgical instrument of FIG. 4.

[0113] The common plug 5 here is protected within the plug sleeve 18, which is mechanically connected in a detachable or fixed manner to the housing 2. The plug sleeve 18 may also be executed in an integral or one-piece manner with the housing 2. In further embodiments, a plug sleeve 18 in a grip limb, preferably the immobile grip limb 3, would also be conceivable.

[0114] FIG. 6 shows a schematic of the surgical instrument of FIG. 4 in a section plane at right angles to that of FIG. 4.

[0115] A torque or rotary movement of the proximal grip limb 12 is transmitted to the drive rod 14 at the sliding surface 17. The interplay of sliding surface 17 and drive rod 14 translationally guided within the sliding sleeve 15 converts the torque or rotary movement to a translational force or translation.

[0116] In FIG. 7, the surgical instrument of FIG. 4 with a connected monopolar cable 40 is shown in schematic form in a further working example, corresponding essentially to the working example of FIG. 3. All that are elucidated hereinafter are differences from the working example of FIG. 3. The rest is as described above in relation to FIG. 3.

[0117] Rather than two cable contacts with a bridge (cf. FIG. 3), the monopolar cable 40 has just a single elongated cable contact 46 in the electrical terminal element 42 on the connecting device side in the form of a common socket. The cable contact 42 electrically connects and hence bridges the first contact 6 and the second contact 7.

[0118] FIG. 8 shows a schematic of a working example of a surgical system 200.

[0119] The surgical system 200 comprises the surgical instrument 100 according to FIGS. 1 to 3 or 4 to 7, the monopolar cable 40 according to FIG. 3 or 7, a high-frequency generator (HF generator) 50 and a counterelectrode or neutral electrode 60.

[0120] The monopolar cable 40 is connected to a monopolar output 51 of the HF generator 50 by an electrical terminal element 41 on the generator side. The electrical terminal element 42 on the connecting device side connects the monopolar cable 40 to the common plug 5 of the connecting device 1 of the surgical instrument 100. The first contact and the second contact of the common plug 5 are bridged by the bridge of the monopolar cable 40 and electrically connected to the one pole of the HF generator 50. The accessory 20 of the surgical instrument 100 is connected mechanically and electrically to the connecting device 1 via the accessory coupling 4 of the connecting device 1. The accessory 20 here is electrically connected to the one pole of the HF generator 50 via the connecting device 1.

[0121] The counterelectrode 60 is connected via a monopolar cable to a counterelectrode output 52 of the HF generator 52 and mounted on a patient 70, for example in the form of an adhesive electrode. Thus, the counterelectrode 60 or the patient 70 is electrically connected to an opposite pole of the HF generator 50.

[0122] A surgeon can use the surgical instrument 100 operated in a monopolar manner by the generator via the monopolar cable 40 in a surgical intervention to cut tissue in the patient 70 with monopolar AC current between the accessory 20 and the counterelectrode 60 (electrotomy) and simultaneously or alternatively to stem bleeding (coagulation).

[0123] Changing to bipolar operation during the surgical intervention requires merely, rather than the monopolar cable 40, a bipolar cable with its electrical terminal element on the connecting device side to be pushed onto the common plug 5, and to be connected by its electrical terminal element on the generator side to a bipolar output of the HF generator 50.

[0124] Even though the present invention has been described in full above with reference to preferred working examples, it is not limited thereto, but is modifiable in various ways.

[0125] For example, rather than a bridge in the monopolar cable, it is also possible for bridging by a switchable bridge to be provided in the connecting device or in the HF generator (for example by means of a switch in the connecting device and/or in the HF generator).

[0126] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

[0127] Although the invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. The combinations of features described herein should not be interpreted to be limiting, and the features herein may be used in any working combination or sub-combination according to the invention. This description should therefore be interpreted as providing written support, under U.S. patent law and any relevant foreign patent laws, for any working combination or some sub-combination of the features herein. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the invention, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the invention. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.