Electrosurgical fallopian tube sealing devices with suction and methods of use thereof

Abstract

An electrosurgical device includes an elongated shaft, an active electrode, and a return electrode. The elongated shaft has an end effector that is operably engaged with a distal portion thereof and a channel defined therethrough. The distal portion of the elongated shaft includes a distal tip that is configured to provide suction from a suction surface to the distal tip through the channel. The end effector may include a flare a proximal end thereof. The active electrode is positioned adjacent the distal tip of the elongated shaft and is configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to tissue. The return electrode is positioned on an outer surface of the end effector proximal of the active electrode. The return electrode is configured to provide a return path for the electrosurgical energy.

Claims

1. An electrosurgical device, comprising: an elongated shaft defining a longitudinal axis, the elongated shaft having an end effector operably engaged with a distal portion of the elongated shaft and a channel defined through the elongated shaft, the end effector including a distal tip and configured to provide suction from a suction source to the distal tip through the channel, the end effector having a distal outer periphery disposed about the longitudinal axis, the distal outer periphery extending a first radial distance from the longitudinal axis, the end effector including a flare at a proximal end of the end effector, the flare having a proximal outer periphery, the proximal outer periphery having a second radial distance from the longitudinal axis, the second radial distance being larger than the first radial distance; an active electrode positioned adjacent the distal tip of the elongated shaft and configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to tissue; and a return electrode positioned on an outer surface of the flare of the end effector proximal of the active electrode, the return electrode configured to provide a return path for the electrosurgical energy.

2. The electrosurgical device according to claim 1, further comprising an insulator disposed about the elongated shaft between the active and return electrodes.

3. The electrosurgical device according to claim 1, wherein the flare radially expands as the flare extends proximally from the distal tip of the elongated shaft.

4. The electrosurgical device according to claim 3, wherein the return electrode is disposed on a proximal outer edge of the flare.

5. The electrosurgical device according to claim 1, further comprising a handle operably engaged to a proximal portion of the elongated shaft.

6. The electrosurgical device according to claim 5, wherein the handle includes a vacuum source disposed therein, the vacuum source in communication with the channel of the elongated shaft and configured to provide suction through the distal tip of the elongated shaft.

7. The electrosurgical device according to claim 1, wherein the elongated shaft is flexible.

8. The electrosurgical device according to claim 1, wherein the channel of the elongated shaft is curved between a proximal portion and the distal portion of the elongated shaft.

9. An electrosurgical system, comprising: an electrosurgical device including: an elongated shaft having a distal portion and a channel defined through the elongated shaft, the distal portion having a distal tip and curving outwardly in a proximal direction to define a concavity; an active electrode positioned adjacent the distal tip of the elongated shaft, the active electrode configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to tissue; and a return electrode positioned on an outer surface of the distal portion of the elongated shaft proximal of the active electrode, the return electrode configured to provide a return path for the electrosurgical energy; a vacuum source in communication with the channel and configured to provide suction to the distal tip of the elongated shaft; and an electrosurgical generator in electrical communication with the active electrode and the return electrode.

10. The electrosurgical system according to claim 9, further comprising: a first control in communication with the vacuum source and configured to control activation of the vacuum source; and a second control in communication with the electrosurgical generator and configured to control activation of the electrosurgical generator.

11. The electrosurgical system according to claim 10, wherein the first and second controls are operably engaged to one another as a single two-stage switch.

12. The electrosurgical system according to claim 10, wherein the electrosurgical device includes a handle operably engaged with a proximal portion of the elongated shaft, at least one of the first or second controls disposed on the handle.

13. The electrosurgical system according to claim 10, wherein at least one of the first or second controls is a foot pedal.

14. The electrosurgical system according to claim 9, further comprising a guide tube having a channel defined therethrough and distal end configured to position the electrosurgical device within a patient.

15. The electrosurgical system of claim 9, wherein an outer surface of the distal portion has a distal diameter and a proximal diameter, and wherein the proximal diameter is larger than the distal diameter.

16. The electrosurgical system of claim 9, wherein the elongated shaft defines a longitudinal axis, and wherein the channel is coaxial with the longitudinal axis.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Various aspects of the present disclosure are described hereinbelow with reference to the drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a side view of an exemplary electrosurgical system provided in accordance with the present disclosure including an electrosurgical device, an electrosurgical generator, and a vacuum source;

(3) FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a distal portion of the electrosurgical device of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the distal portion of the electrosurgical device of FIG. 2;

(5) FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a uterus of a patient with a portion of the electrosurgical device of FIG. 1 positioned within a fallopian tube of the uterus;

(6) FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the portion of the uterus illustrating the electrosurgical device within the fallopian tube of FIG. 4;

(7) FIG. 6 is the enlarged view of the portion of the uterus of FIG. 4 with the electrosurgical device applying suction and electrosurgical energy to the fallopian tube;

(8) FIG. 7 is the enlarged view of the portion of the uterus of FIG. 4 with the portion of the electrosurgical device shown withdrawn from the fallopian tube;

(9) FIG. 8 is a side view of another exemplary electrosurgical system provided in accordance with the present disclosure including a guide tube, an electrosurgical device, an electrosurgical generator, and a vacuum source;

(10) FIG. 9 is an enlarged view if the indicated area of detail of FIG. 8;

(11) FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of a uterus of a patient with a distal end of the guide tube of FIG. 8 positioned within a fallopian tube of the uterus;

(12) FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the portion of the uterus illustrating the distal end of the guide tube of FIG. 10 positioned within the fallopian tube with a distal portion of the electrosurgical device of FIG. 8 extending from the distal end of the guide tube;

(13) FIG. 12 is the enlarged view of the portion of the uterus of FIG. 10 with the electrosurgical device applying suction and electrosurgical energy to the fallopian tube; and

(14) FIG. 13 is the enlarged view of the portion of the uterus of FIG. 10 with the distal portion of the electrosurgical device shown withdrawn from the fallopian tube.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(15) Embodiments of the present disclosure are now described in detail with reference to the drawings in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. As used herein, the term “clinician” refers to a doctor, a nurse, or any other care provider and may include support personnel. Throughout this description, the term “proximal” refers to the portion of the device or component thereof that is closer to the clinician and the term “distal” refers to the portion of the device or component thereof that is farther from the clinician.

(16) Referring now to FIG. 1, an electrosurgical system 1 is disclosed in accordance with the present disclosure and includes an electrosurgical generator 10, a vacuum source 20, and an electrosurgical device 100. The electrosurgical generator 10 is configured to provide electrosurgical energy to the electrosurgical device 100. As detailed herein, the electrosurgical energy is bipolar RF energy. Other types of energy are contemplated and may be utilized to accomplish the same or similar purpose, e.g., optical, microwave, ultrasonic, ultrasound, or thermal.

(17) The vacuum source 20 is in communication with the electrosurgical device 100 and provides suction through one or more ports as detailed below. The vacuum source 20 may be external to the electrosurgical device 100 or may be disposed within a portion of the electrosurgical device 100 as shown as in phantom as vacuum source 120. In embodiments, the vacuum source 20, 120 is supplied with energy from the electrosurgical generator 10.

(18) The electrosurgical device 100 includes a handle 110, an elongated body or shaft 112 extending from the handle 110, and an end effector 140 supported by a distal portion of the elongated shaft 112. The elongated shaft 112 may be flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid. In embodiments the elongated shaft 112 is curved along a longitudinal axis thereof to aid in insertion into a fallopian tube as detailed below. The elongated shaft 112 defines a suction channel 116 that is open at a distal tip 116 of the elongated shaft 112. The suction channel 116 may be defined by an outer wall of the elongated shaft 112. In embodiments, the suction channel 116 is defined by a tube that extends through the elongated shaft 112. The suction channel 116 is in communication with the vacuum source 20 connected to the handle 110. In embodiments, the vacuum source 20 may be releasably coupled to the handle 110 through a vacuum port 22. In particular embodiments, the vacuum source for the electrosurgical device 100 may be provided as a vacuum source 120 within the handle 110 with the suction channel 116 in communication with or terminating at the vacuum source 120. When the vacuum source 120 is disposed within the handle 110, the vacuum source 120 may be powered by a battery disposed within the handle 110, be powered by the electrosurgical generator 10, or be powered by a separate external power source (not shown).

(19) With additional reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the end effector 140 includes a flare 142 disposed about the elongated shaft 112. The flare 142 expands radially as it extends proximally from the distal tip 116 of the elongated shaft 112. The flare 142 includes a first or active electrode 144 and a second or return electrode 146 positioned proximal of the active electrode 144. The active electrode 144 is disposed adjacent the distal tip 116 of the elongated shaft 112. The return electrode 146 is positioned on an outer surface of the flare 142 and may be disposed at a proximal outer edge of the flare 142 that defines a distal end of the flare 142. Each of the active and return electrodes 144, 146 are in electrical communication with the electrosurgical generator 10. For example, the active and return electrodes 144, 146 may each be electrically coupled to the electrosurgical generator 10 by leads 145, 147 that extend through the elongated shaft 112 to the handle 110 of the electrosurgical device 100 and the electrosurgical generator 10 may be releasably coupled to the handle 110. The leads 145, 147 may be disposed within walls of the elongated shaft 112. In some embodiments, the electrosurgical device 100 includes a generator cable 149 that extends from the handle 110 to electrically connect the leads 145, 147 to the electrosurgical generator 10.

(20) The end effector 140 includes an insulator 148 positioned on the flare 142 between the active electrode 144 and the return electrode 146. The insulator 148 insulates the active and return potentials from one another such that tissue is energized via the active electrode 144 and transferred through the tissue to the return electrode 146.

(21) Referring back to FIG. 1, the handle 110 includes a control assembly 130 having one or more controls 132, 134, 136 for controlling the end effector 140. One of the controls is a vacuum control, e.g., control 136, that is operably connect to the vacuum source 20, 120 to control activation of suction from the vacuum source. Another of the controls is an energy control, e.g., control 134, that is operably connected to the electrosurgical generator 10 to control delivery of electrosurgical energy to the active electrode 144. In embodiments, the energy control may be a foot switch, e.g., foot switch 11 (FIG. 8), connected directly to the electrosurgical generator 10 or the handle 110 to control delivery of electrosurgical energy to the active electrode 144. In some embodiments, the vacuum control and the energy control function as a two-stage switch such that initial activation activates suction and subsequent activation activates delivery of electrosurgical energy. For example, a control 132 may be stacked on control 134 such that an initial pressing of control 132 activates suction as the control 132 is depressed into control 134 and additional pressing of control 132 depresses control 134 towards the handle 110 to activate delivery of electrosurgical energy. Alternatively, the order of movement of the controls may be reversed such that initial pressing of the control 132 moves both control 132 and control 134 towards the handle 110 to activate suction and subsequent pressing of the control 132 moves control 132 into control 134 to activate delivery of electrosurgical energy.

(22) With reference now to FIGS. 4-7, a method of sealing a fallopian tube with the electrosurgical device 100 will be detailed with reference to the electrosurgical system 1 of FIGS. 1-3. Initially, the end effector 140 of the electrosurgical device 100 is inserted into a fallopian tube 800 through a hysteroscopic approach, as shown in FIG. 4, such that the end effector 140 is disposed within a fallopian tube 800 to be sealed. The elongated shaft 112 may be curved to aid in insertion into the fallopian tube 800. In embodiments, the elongated shaft 112 is semi-rigid or flexible allowing the elongated shaft 112 to adjust to an anatomy of the patient for insertion into the fallopian tube 800.

(23) Referring now to FIG. 5, as the end effector 140 is inserted into the fallopian tube 800, the flare 142 may expand the fallopian tube 800 about the end effector 140 and form a substantially airtight seal within the fallopian tube 800. When the end effector 140 is disposed within the fallopian tube 800 such that a substantially airtight seal is formed, the vacuum source 20, or 120, is activated to apply suction through the channel 114 of the elongated shaft 112. The suction collapses the fallopian tube 800 about the end effector 140 such that the fallopian tube 800 is closed at the tip 116 of the elongated shaft 112 as shown in FIG. 6. The suction is sufficient to overcome air which may seep through the air tight seal formed by the flare 142 but not enough to tear the walls of the fallopian tube 800. The suction may draw a portion of the fallopian tube 800 into the distal tip 116 and within the channel 114.

(24) With the fallopian tube 800 collapsed at or within the distal tip 116, the electrosurgical generator 10 is activated such that electrosurgical energy is provided to the active electrode 144. The electrosurgical energy flows from the active electrode 144 through the collapsed fallopian tube 800 and to the return electrode 146 such that a seal 810 is formed in the fallopian tube 800 at the tip 116 of the elongated shaft 112. The insulator 148, positioned on the flare 142, directs or shapes the flow of energy from the active electrode 144 through tissue of the fallopian tube 800 to improve the seal 810.

(25) When the seal 810 is formed, the electrosurgical generator 10 is deactivated and the vacuum source 20, or 120, is deactivated. The electrosurgical generator 10 may be deactivated in advance of deactivating the vacuum source 20, 120 or the electrosurgical generator 10 and vacuum source 20, 120 may be deactivated simultaneously.

(26) When the electrosurgical generator 10 and the vacuum source 20, 120 are deactivated, the end effector 140 is withdrawn from the fallopian tube 800 leaving the seal 810 as shown in FIG. 7. The end effector 140 may be used to seal the other fallopian tube 800 or be removed from the patient.

(27) The method of sealing a fallopian tube 800 detailed above may be performed in a medical office without requiring general anesthesia and may be completed without leaving implanted or foreign materials within the patient. Further, the method of sealing a fallopian tube 800 detailed above forms an immediate and permanent seal of the fallopian tube 800 which may reduce the time of a surgical procedure, reduce the cost of a surgical procedure, and improve patient outcomes associated with sealing fallopian tubes.

(28) With reference to FIG. 8, another electrosurgical system 205 is disclosed in accordance with the present disclosure. The electrosurgical system 205 includes the electrosurgical generator 10, the vacuum source 20, an electrosurgical device 200, and a guide tube 220. The guide tube 220 is a rigid or semi-rigid tube that is inserted through a hysteroscopic approach to position a distal end 222 of the guide tube 220 within a fallopian tube and guide the electrosurgical device 200 into the fallopian tube, as detailed below. The electrosurgical generator 10 may include a foot pedal 11 and the vacuum source 20 may include a foot pedal 21 to activate the respective one of the electrosurgical generator 10 or the vacuum source 20. In embodiments, a single two-stage foot pedal (not shown) may be used to activate the vacuum source 20 at a first stage and the electrosurgical generator 10 with the vacuum source 20 at a second stage.

(29) With additional reference to FIG. 9, the electrosurgical device 200 is in the form of a catheter 200 having an elongated body or shaft that is flexible and includes a distal portion 210, a proximal portion 212, and a channel 214 defined therethrough. The distal portion 210 is configured to extend from the distal end 222 of the guide tube 220 and to act as an end effector of the electrosurgical device 200 to deliver suction and electrosurgical energy to tissue beyond the distal end 222 of the guide tube 220 as detailed below. The proximal portion 212 includes channel 214 defined therethrough that is in communication with the vacuum source 20 such that when the vacuum source 20 is activated, suction is provided through the distal tip 216 of the electrosurgical device 200.

(30) The distal portion 210 includes an active electrode 244, a return electrode 246, and an insulator 248. The active electrode 244 is positioned adjacent the distal tip 216 of the catheter 200 in electrical communication with the electrosurgical generator 10. The active electrode 244 may be positioned on the distal tip 216 or may be positioned on an outer surface of the distal portion 210 at the distal tip 216. The return electrode 246 is positioned on an outer surface of the distal portion 210 proximal of the active electrode 244 and is in electrical communication with the electrosurgical generator 10. The insulator 248 is disposed about the outer surface of the distal portion 210 between the active and return electrodes 244, 246. The insulator 248 insulates the active and return potentials from one another such that tissue is energized via the active electrode 244 and transferred through the tissue to the return electrode 246 as detailed below.

(31) With reference now to FIGS. 10-13, a method of sealing a fallopian tube with the electrosurgical device 200 will be detailed with reference to the electrosurgical system 205 of FIGS. 8 and 9. Initially referring to FIG. 10, the guide tube 220 is inserted into a fallopian tube 800 through a hysteroscopic approach such that the distal end 222 of the guide tube 220 is positioned within the fallopian tube 800 to be sealed.

(32) With particular reference to FIG. 11, with the distal end 222 positioned within the fallopian tube 800, the electrosurgical device 200 is inserted through guide tube 220 until the distal portion 210 of the electrosurgical device 200 extends from the distal end 222 of the guide tube 220 into the fallopian tube 800. The electrosurgical device 200 may be extended until the return electrode 246 is positioned beyond the distal end 222. In certain embodiments, the electrosurgical device 200 is extended over the guide tube 220 such that the guide tube 220 is disposed within the electrosurgical device 200. In embodiments, the distal portion 210 of the electrosurgical device 200 may be positioned in the fallopian tube 800 without the use of the guide tube 220. In some embodiments, a guide wire (not shown) may be used to position the distal portion 210 of the electrosurgical device 200 within the fallopian tube 800 instead of the guide tube 220. Once the distal portion 210 of the electrosurgical device 200 is positioned within the fallopian tube 800, the guide tube 220 may remain within or may be removed from the patient for the remainder of the procedure.

(33) With the distal portion 210 positioned within the fallopian tube 800, the vacuum source 20 is activated to apply suction from the distal end 216 to collapse or close the fallopian tube 800 beyond or at the distal end 216 as shown in FIG. 12. The vacuum source 20 may be activated by depressing the foot pedal 21. The electrosurgical generator 10 is activated when the vacuum source 20 is applying suction through the electrosurgical device 200 such that electrosurgical energy is delivered to tissue, e.g., the fallopian tube 800, by the active electrode 244 and is returned to the electrosurgical generator 10 via the return electrode 246. As electrosurgical energy is delivered by the electrosurgical generator 10, the electrosurgical device 200 is withdrawn in the direction indicated by arrow W in FIG. 12 to form a seal 810. The position of the insulator 248 insulates the active and return potentials from one another such that tissue is energized with electrosurgical energy to form the seal 810 in the fallopian tube 800 at or beyond the distal end 216 as the distal portion 210 is withdrawn. When the seal 810 has sufficient length, the electrosurgical generator 10 is deactivated and the vacuum source 20 is deactivated while the electrosurgical device 200 is fully withdrawn from the fallopian tube 800 leaving the seal 810 within the fallopian tube 800 as shown in FIG. 13. The electrosurgical generator 10 may be deactivated in advance of deactivating the vacuum source 20 or the electrosurgical generator 10 and vacuum source 20, or 120, may be deactivated simultaneously. The return electrode 246 may be disposed within the guide tube 200 while electrosurgical energy is being delivered by the active electrode 244. The electrosurgical device 200 may be used to seal the other fallopian tube 800 or removed from the patient after the seal 810 is formed.

(34) The method of sealing a fallopian tube 800 detailed above may be performed in a medical office without requiring general anesthesia and may be completed without leaving implanted or foreign materials within the patient. Further, the method of sealing a fallopian tube 800 detailed above forms an immediate and permanent seal of the fallopian tube 800 which may reduce the time of a surgical procedure, reduce the cost, and improve patient outcomes associated with sealing fallopian tubes.

(35) While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in the drawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Any combination of the above embodiments is also envisioned and is within the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope of the claims appended hereto.