DOUBLE-TIP MONOPOLAR ELECTROSURGERY DEVICE

Abstract

The present invention provides a device for monopolar electrosurgery that comprises two parallel spaced active cutting electrodes. The two active electrodes provide simultaneous, parallel or concentric surgical cuts, one cut around the target tissue and the second cut defining the surgical tissue margin. The distance between the two active electrodes provides a relatively consistent tissue margin, so long as the relative orientation of the two active electrodes is maintained relative to the target tissue during the cut. In this way, a consistent margin is simultaneously provided at the same time that the target tissue is surgically removed.

Claims

1. A device for monopolar electrosurgery that comprises: two parallel spaced active electrodes attached to a common handle; wherein the two parallel active electrodes make simultaneous surgical cuts.

2. The device for monopolar electrosurgery of claim 1, wherein the distance between the two parallel active electrodes is from about 5 mm to about 12 mm.

3. The device for monopolar electrosurgery of claim 2, wherein the distance between the two parallel active electrodes is from about 5 mm to about 7 mm.

4. The device for monopolar electrosurgery of claim 1, wherein each of the two active electrodes has a flattened shape.

5. The device for monopolar electrosurgery of claim 4, wherein each of the two active electrodes has rounded ends.

6. The device for monopolar electrosurgery of claim 5, wherein each of the two active electrodes is constructed of stainless stain and coated with non-stick PTFE.

7. A disposable electrode unit for monopolar electrosurgery comprising: two parallel spaced active electrodes attached to a common base, wherein the two parallel active electrodes make simultaneous surgical cuts; wherein the disposable electrode unit is provided as a sterile, disposable unit for single use.

8. The disposable electrode unit for monopolar electrosurgery of claim 7, wherein the distance between the two parallel active electrodes is from about 5 mm to about 12 mm.

9. The disposable electrode unit for monopolar electrosurgery of claim 8, wherein the distance between the two parallel active electrodes is from about 5 mm to about 7 mm.

10. The disposable electrode unit for monopolar electrosurgery of claim 1, wherein each of the two active electrodes has a flattened shape.

11. The disposable electrode unit for monopolar electrosurgery of claim 10, wherein each of the two active electrodes has rounded ends.

12. The disposable electrode unit for monopolar electrosurgery of claim 11, wherein each of the two active electrodes is constructed of stainless stain and coated with non-stick PTFE.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute part of this specification, illustrate the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the features of the invention. In the drawings:

[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a double-tip monopolar electrosurgery device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0011] FIG. 2 provides a picture of a double-tip monopolar active electrode unit in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention. The following describes preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, it should be understood, based on this disclosure, that the invention is not limited by the preferred embodiments described herein.

[0013] The present invention provides a monopolar device for electrosurgery. Accordingly, the active electrodes are placed in the surgical site and are used to cut tissue. A return electrode pad is attached elsewhere to the patient, and the high frequency electrical current then flows from a generator to the active electrodes, through the patient to the patient return electrode pad and back to the generator. The monopolar circuit thus includes a generator, active electrodes, patient, and return electrode pad.

[0014] In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides a device for monopolar electrosurgery that comprises two parallel, spaced active electrodes. The two parallel, spaced active electrodes are attached to a common handle such that while in use the two parallel, spaced active electrodes make simultaneous surgical cuts.

[0015] The invention also provides a double-tip active electrode unit. The double-tip active electrode unit comprises two parallel spaced active electrodes or electrode tips that are attached to a common base. As used herein, double-tip refers to monopolar devices having two active electrode cutting blades that can make simultaneous surgical cuts.

[0016] In use, one active electrode (the first active electrode) will provide the surgical cut proximal to the target tissue, such as a tumor. The device is oriented such that the second active electrode is distal from the target tissue, and during the surgical cut the second active electrode simultaneously provides a surgical cut that is parallel or concentric to the cut provided by the first active electrode. The distance between the first active electrode and the second active electrode provides a consistent margin, so long as the relative orientation of the two active electrodes is maintained during the cut. In this way, a consistent margin is simultaneously provided at the same time that the target tissue is surgically removed.

[0017] In at least one embodiment of the invention, the two active electrodes are interconnected to one another, either directly or by a handle assembly.

[0018] The two active electrodes are spaced apart at the appropriate distance to provide a tissue margin of the desired width. In some embodiments, the distance between the two monopolar active electrodes is between about 5 mm to about 12 mm, and more preferably from between about 5 mm to about 7 mm. In an embodiment of the invention, the distance between the two active electrodes is adjustable. In other embodiments, the distance between the two active electrodes is fixed.

[0019] In certain embodiments, the active electrode blades are flattened in shape. In preferred embodiments of the invention, each of the active electrodes has rounded blade edges, which prevent RF current from concentrating too much energy in one area of the tissue. The active electrodes may be constructed of stainless stain or other appropriate material. In certain embodiments the active electrodes are coated with non-stick PTFE.

[0020] In certain embodiments, the active electrodes are provided as sterile, disposable units for single use.

[0021] In certain embodiments, the target tissue may be a tumor. In specific embodiments, the target tissue may be described herein with respect to a lumpectomy of breast tissue. In other embodiments, the double-tip monopolar electrosurgery device may be designed and utilized for other procedures on tissue having similar texture, density, and physical characteristics for which the simultaneous excision of a margin is desired.

[0022] An electrosurgical generator is the source of the electric current used in the electrosurgery. Suitable monopolar electrosurgical generators are known in the art and are commercially available.

[0023] Because the devices of the present invention are monopolar, they are used with a return electrode that is affixed to the patient's body. The return electrode recovers the current from the patient's body and may be a conductive plate or pad. Suitable return electrodes are known in the art and are commercially available.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 2, the figure shows a double-tip active electrode unit 200. The electrode unit has two parallel, spaced active cutting electrodes 201, 202 (blades). As pictured, the two parallel active electrodes 201, 202 are flattened with rounded blade ends. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the blades is coated with a non-stick coating such as PTFE. The parallel spaced active cutting electrodes 201, 202 are attached to a shaft 203. The shaft 203 may be a standard size that allows for the use of the double-tip active electrode unit 200 with commercially available monopolar electrosurgery pens.

[0025] The monopolar electrosurgical double-tip device is positioned relative to the target tissue with one active electrode (i.e. 201) proximal to the target tissue and the other active electrode distal to the target tissue. The two active electrodes are engaged in a cutting mode and simultaneous cuts from the two active electrodes 201, 202 are provided with a single cutting action. The relative orientation of the two active electrodes relative to the target tissue is maintained to provide a consistent margin and standard excision (lumpectomy) is carried out. In this way, a consistent margin is simultaneously provided at the same time that the target tissue is surgically removed.

[0026] The described simultaneous removal of the target tissue and the margin tissue is believed to provide a more precise, less-jagged, smoother excision of tumors while at the same time providing a more precise definition of the surrounding resection of marginal tissue. It should be especially useful in obtaining a precise and accurate margin, and for providing better margin pathological classification (R0, R1, or R2) for verification of removal of all malignant tissue.

[0027] These and other advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing specification. Accordingly, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. It should therefore be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, but is intended to include all changes and modifications that are within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined in the claims.