HIGH-FREQUENCY ELECTRODE FOR USE IN A HANDHELD SURGICAL DEVICE, ELECTRODE INSTRUMENT, AND RESECTOSCOPE

Abstract

High-frequency electrodes for handheld surgical devices are used above all in urology in electrosurgical work in the bladder, prostate, and urethra. These electrodes are known to be manufactured from a platinum-iridium alloy. The costs of these materials have proven to be particularly disadvantageous. A high-frequency electrode, an electrode instrument, and a resectoscope for which the production costs are reduced and the reliability of the electrode during the treatment is ensured. This is achieved in that the high-frequency electrode consists of a platinum-tungsten alloy, in particular is produced therefrom.

Claims

1. A high-frequency electrode for use in a handheld surgical device, wherein the high-frequency electrode can be supplied with electrical energy via at least one electrical conductor, wherein the high-frequency electrode consists of a platinum-tungsten alloy.

2. The high-frequency electrode as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tungsten proportion of the alloy is 5% to 12%.

3. The high-frequency electrode as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tungsten proportion of the alloy is 9% to 11%.

4. The high-frequency electrode as claimed in claim 1, wherein the high-frequency electrode is formed as a loop, strip, or pin.

5. The high-frequency electrode as claimed in claim 4, wherein the loop has a wire diameter of 0.25 mm to 0.35 mm.

6. The high-frequency electrode as claimed in claim 1, wherein the alloy has a tensile strength of 1300 N/mm.sup.2 to 1700 N/mm.sup.2.

7. The high-frequency electrode as claimed in claim 1, wherein an elongation at fracture of the alloy is 2% to 10%.

8. An electrode instrument, for use in a handheld surgical device, wherein the electrode instrument has an elongate shaft section having two support arms, through which at least one conductor extends, which at a distal end of the electrode instrument forms a high-frequency electrode as claimed in claim 1 to which high-frequency current can be applied, and which is arranged between the distal ends of the support arms.

9. A resectoscope having an electrode instrument as claimed in claim 8.

Description

[0013] A preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention is described in more detail hereinafter on the basis of the single FIGURE of the drawing.

[0014] FIGURE. The FIGURE shows a schematic representation of a resectoscope with an indicated outer shaft.

[0015] A resectoscope 10 is shown as an example of a handheld surgical device in the FIGURE. This resectoscope 10 essentially consists of a transporter 11, a handle unit 12, and a shaft 13, which is to be guided into a corresponding body opening for the treatment of a patient. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the shaft 13 is composed of an outer shaft tube, an optical unit 15, and an electrode instrument 16. The optical unit 15 consists of a long tube, in which lenses or glass fibers can be arranged to observe the region of the treatment at the distal end 19 of the shaft 13 through an eyepiece 17 arranged proximally on the shaft 13. Reference is made to the known prior art for a more detailed description of a resectoscope.

[0016] The electrode instrument 16 is essentially composed of a high-frequency electrode 18 and at least one electrical conductor 20. The at least one electrical conductor 20, on the one hand, supplies the high-frequency electrode 18 with a high-frequency voltage and, on the other hand, the conductor 20 and possibly a further element serves as a mount of the electrode 18 on the electrode instrument 16. The electrical conductor 20 leads from the distal end 19 of the resectoscope 10 through the shaft 13 and is connected via further lines to a high-frequency generator (not shown) for generating the high-frequency electromagnetic energy. It is conceivable here that the at least one conductor 20 of the electrode instrument 16 is fixed by mounts 14 inside the shaft 13, preferably on the optical unit 15.

[0017] Body tissue may be manipulated by means of the high-frequency electrode 18, for example. For this purpose, the high-frequency electrode 18 can be designed either as a monopolar or bipolar electrode. In the case of a bipolar electrode, it is connected to two electrical conductors 20. In the exemplary embodiment of a monopolar electrode, the electrode 18 is only connected to one electrical conductor 20. A further neutral electrode is attached to the patient or is integrated in the resectoscope. By applying electrical energy to the high-frequency electrode 18, a plasma is generated at the electrode 18, by means of which tissue is manipulated by a corresponding movement of the electrode instrument 16.

[0018] The high-frequency electrode 18 according to the present invention is formed as a loop or cutting loop. However, the high-frequency electrode 18 can also be formed as a knob, bar, strip, pin, or the like. This high-frequency electrode 18 is produced from a special alloy to have, for the above-described high-frequency applications, both sufficient resistance with respect to chemical and physical influences and also to be durable with respect to mechanical forces. According to the concept of the invention, the high-frequency electrode 18 consists of a platinum-tungsten alloy. This alloy has the advantage over the known alloys made of platinum and iridium that the material acquisition costs are significantly lower and in addition the production of the electrode is less complex and less costly. Moreover, a high-frequency electrode 18 may also be implemented by this alloy which at least fulfils the necessary process requirements.