ELECTROSURGICAL HANDHELD DEVICE AND ALSO A PROXIMAL, CENTRAL AND DISTAL PORTION OF A MAIN BODY OF AN ELECTROSURGICAL HANDHELD DEVICE

Abstract

Electrosurgical handheld devices are used mainly for endoscopic applications in urology or in gynaecology. However, the field of use of these instruments is not limited to these regions of the human body and instead also includes the treatment of further organs in the lower part of the human abdomen. The invention makes available an electrosurgical handheld device and also a handle, a main body and an adapter, which are particularly easy and cost-effective to produce and which at the same time ensure a laminar flow of the irrigation liquid at the distal end of the handheld device. This is achieved by the fact that a feedthrough extending through a handle is funnel-shaped, wherein a cross section of the feedthrough tapers from a distal side to a proximal side of the handle.

Claims

1. A central portion of a main body for an electrosurgical handheld device, wherein the central portion is releasably or permanently connectable, at a distal side, to a distal portion of the main body and, at a proximal side to a proximal portion of the main body, and wherein the central portion has an axial bore for passage of a shaft-like component of the handheld device, and wherein the central portion has, parallel to the axial bore, at least one feedthrough for passage of an electrode arm of an electrode instrument of the handheld device, wherein the feedthrough is funnel-shaped, wherein a cross section of the feedthrough tapers from the distal side to the proximal side of the handle.

2. The central portion according to claim 1, wherein a first cross section of the feedthrough at the distal side is oval, and a second cross section of the feedthrough at the proximal side is circular.

3. The central portion according to claim 2, wherein the first cross section of the feedthrough merges continuously into the second cross section of the feedthrough, the oval cross section of the feedthrough merges continuously into the circular cross section of the feedthrough.

4. The central portion according to claim 2, wherein a main axis of the oval first cross section of the feedthrough is oriented vertically, and a secondary axis of the oval first cross section of the feedthrough is oriented horizontally.

5. The central portion according to claim 1, wherein two feedthroughs for passage of a respective electrode arm of the electrode instrument of the handheld device, wherein both feedthroughs are funnel-shaped and are oriented parallel to each other and also to the axial bore.

6. The central portion according to claim 5, wherein the two main axes of the oval cross sections of both feedthroughs are oriented parallel to each other.

7. The central portion according to claim 1, wherein the portion is produced as an injection moulding made of plastic.

8. The distal portion of a main body for an electrosurgical handheld device, wherein the distal portion is connected at a distal side to a tubular shaft and is releasably or permanently connectable, at a proximal side, to the central portion according to claim 1, of the main body, and wherein this portion has an axial opening or bore for passage or reception of a shaft-like component of the handheld device, and wherein the portion has, parallel to the axial opening, at least one feedthrough for passage of an electrode arm of an electrode instrument of the handheld device, wherein the at least one feedthrough has an oval or oblong cross section.

9. The distal portion according to claim 8, wherein a main axis of the oval cross section of the feedthrough is oriented vertically, and a secondary axis of the oval cross section is oriented horizontally.

10. The distal portion according to claim 8, wherein two feedthroughs for passage of a respective electrode arm of the electrode instrument of the handheld device, wherein both feedthroughs have an oval or oblong cross section and are oriented parallel to each other and also to the axial opening.

11. The distal portion according to claim 10, wherein the two main axes of the oval cross sections of both feedthroughs are oriented parallel to each other.

12. The distal portion according to claim 8, wherein the opening and the at least one feedthrough are formed as a common opening.

13. The proximal portion of a main body for an electrosurgical handheld device, wherein this portion is releasably or permanently connectable, at a distal side, to the central portion according to claim 1 of the main body and, at a proximal side, is connected to a tubular shaft, and wherein the proximal portion has an axial bore for passage of a shaft-like component of the handheld device, and wherein the portion has, parallel to the axial bore, at least one feedthrough for passage of an electrode arm of an electrode instrument of the handheld device, wherein the at least one feedthrough has a circular cross section.

14. The proximal portion according to claim 13, wherein the at least one feedthrough has a seal, which is integrated into the proximal portion.

15. The proximal portion according to claim 13, wherein two feedthroughs for passage of a respective electrode arm of the electrode instrument of the handheld device, wherein both feedthroughs have a circular cross section and are oriented parallel to each other and also to the axial bore.

16. The electrosurgical handheld device with an electrode instrument and a main body that can be composed of three portions, namely the central portion according to claim 1, a distal portion and a proximal portion, wherein a distal side of the proximal portion is releasably or permanently connectable to a proximal side of the central portion, and a distal side of the central portion is releasably or permanently connectable to a proximal side of the proximal portion, and axial bores and an opening or bore of the portions coincide congruently in the connected state, and wherein the portions each have, parallel to the axial bores or to the opening, at least one feedthrough for passage of an electrode arm of the electrode instrument, wherein a first cross section of a funnel-shaped feedthrough of the central portion, at the distal side of the central portion, is identical to an oval or oblong cross section of a feedthrough of the distal portion, and a second cross section of the funnel-shaped feedthrough of the central portion, at the proximal side of the central portion, is identical to a circular cross section of a feedthrough of the proximal portion, wherein, in the connected state, the feedthroughs of the distal portion, central portion and proximal portion coincide to form an electrode arm guide.

17. The electrosurgical handheld device with an electrode instrument and a main body that has three portions, namely a distal portion, a proximal portion and a central portion, wherein the portions have a bore for receiving an optical unit and, parallel thereto, at least one feedthrough for passage of an electrode arm of the electrode instrument, wherein the feedthrough is composed of three feedthrough portions, wherein a first cross section of the feedthrough portion through the distal portion is oval or oblong, and a third cross section of the feedthrough portion through the proximal portion is circular, and wherein a second cross section of the feedthrough portion through the central portion is funnel-shaped, wherein the funnel-shaped cross section changes continuously from the first cross section to the third cross section.

18. The electrosurgical handheld device according to claim 17, wherein the distal portion, the central portion and the proximal portion each have two feedthroughs which are oriented parallel to each other and to the axial bores and/or the opening and serve to receive two electrode arms of the electrode instrument.

19. The electrosurgical handheld device according to claim 16, wherein the at least one electrode arm of the electrode instrument has an offset, wherein this offset is configured as a step-like transition between a proximal and a distal region of the electrode arm, and the two regions are oriented parallel to each other.

20. The electrosurgical handheld device according to claim 16, wherein the at least one feedthrough of the distal portion or the feedthrough portion with the oval or oblong cross section is configured in such a way that the offset of the electrode arm is movable to and fro in the proximal and distal directions in this feedthrough or in the feedthrough portion.

21. The electrosurgical handheld device according to claim 16, wherein the second cross section of the at least one funnel-shaped feedthrough or of the feedthrough portion at the proximal side of the central portion, and the circular cross section of the at least one feedthrough or of the feedthrough portion of the proximal portion, are configured to receive the proximal region of at least one electrode arm.

22. The electrosurgical handheld device according to claim 16, wherein a seal is integrated into the at least one feedthrough of the distal portion and, in the connected state of the central portion and of the distal portion, is fixable by the proximal side of the central portion.

23. The electrosurgical handheld device according to claim 16, wherein the main body with the three portions is configured as an integral metallic body through which the bore and the feedthrough portions extend.

Description

[0035] A preferred illustrative embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing, in which:

[0036] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a resectoscope,

[0037] FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of an electrode instrument,

[0038] FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of a distal portion, a central portion and a proximal portion,

[0039] FIG. 4 shows a view of a distal end of the central portion, and

[0040] FIG. 5 shows a section through the distal portion, central portion and proximal portion.

[0041] A possible illustrative embodiment of an electrosurgical handheld device, namely a resectoscope 10, is depicted highly schematically in FIG. 1. The resectoscope 10 has a working element 11 on which an elongate, tubular shaft 12 can be fastened. This shaft 12 is indicated by hatching in FIG. 1 and is fastened with a proximal end to a main body 52 of the working element 11.

[0042] The working element 11 has, in addition to the main body 52, a grip unit 14. This grip unit 14 is assigned to a central portion 15. This portion 15 can have a handle, in particular a releasable handle. While the central portion 15 is arranged fixedly or releasably on the main body 52, a gripping means 16 is assigned to a contact body 17 in the illustrative embodiment of the working element 11 shown here. It is conceivable that the gripping means 16 is screwed firmly on the contact body 17.

[0043] The contact body 17 is guided slidingly on a tubular optical guide 18. Since the contact body 17 can move to and fro on the optical guide 18 along a longitudinal direction of the resectoscope 10 or a longitudinal axis of the shaft 12, the contact body 17 is also designated as a slide. While the optical guide 18 is releasably connectable with a distal end to the central portion 15 via a proximal portion 19, in particular an adapter, of the main body 52, an optical guide plate 20 is fastened at a proximal end of the optical guide 18. The tubular optical guide 18 extends through the optical guide plate 20, such that the optical guide 18 is accessible from the proximal direction.

[0044] The gripping means 16 and the contact body 17 are connected to the optical guide plate 20 via a spring element 21. This spring element 21 can be a tension spring or a compression spring, depending on the configuration of the working element 11.

[0045] Starting from the main body 52 or a distal portion 13, in particular a body, a tubular inner tube 22 extends in the distal direction. An electrode instrument 23 extends parallel to the inner tube 22. This electrode instrument 23 is guided through the distal portion 13, the central portion 15 and the proximal portion 19 or through the three feedthrough portions 49, 50 and 51 and with at least one proximal contact is mechanically and releasably coupled to the contact body 17. The electrode instrument 23 has an electrode 24 at a distal end. An electrical RF voltage can be applied to this electrode 24. The diseased tissue can be manipulated or cut by means of a thermal plasma forming at the electrode 24. For this purpose, the operator moves the gripping means 16, having a thumb ring 25, relative to the central portion 15. For stabilizing the electrode instrument 23, the latter can be guided on the inner tube 22 by guides 26.

[0046] For performing the intervention, a rod-like optical unit is guided through the inner tube 22 or through the optical guide 18. A distal end (not visible here) of this optical unit is directed in the direction of the electrode 24, so that the operator has a view of the manipulation of the tissue. This optical unit can be a rod lens system or an optical fibre. As is shown in FIG. 1, an eyepiece 27 or a camera is located at the proximal end of the optical guide.

[0047] FIG. 2 shows a possible illustrative embodiment of the electrode instrument 23 for the resectoscope 10. This electrode instrument 23 is composed mainly of two electrode arms 28, 29, which are connected to each other at a distal region 30 via the electrode 24. As has been described above, the proximal ends 31, 32 of the two electrode arms 28, 29 serve for both mechanical and electrical coupling to the contact body 17. The two electrode arms 28, 29 are oriented parallel to each other and also to an axis 33. In order to stabilize the two arms 28, 29 and to guide the electrode instrument 23 on the inner tube 22, the electrode arms 28, 29 in the illustrative embodiment shown here are connected to each other via the two guides 26.

[0048] The distal regions 30 of the two electrode arms 28, 29 are offset, parallel to each other, in relation to proximal regions 34, in each case by a step-shaped offset 35. This S-shaped offset 35 serves to bring the two proximal ends 31, 32 of the electrode arms 28, 29 into a preferred position for the mechanical and electrical coupling. It has proven particularly advantageous for this offset 35 to be relocated into the proximal region 34, since in this way a particularly good flow behaviour of the irrigation liquid can be established in the distal region 30.

[0049] FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the distal portion 13, the central portion 15 and the proximal portion 19. In the illustrative embodiment shown here, the proximal portion 19 is connected permanently to the tubular optical guide 18. At the proximal end, this optical guide 18 is connected to the optical guide plate 20. As has been described above, the contact body 17 is pushed over this optical guide 18 in the assembled state of the resectoscope 10. The further features of the optical guide plate 20 will not be discussed in any detail here, since they are not relevant to the claimed invention.

[0050] The proximal portion 19, or the adapter, has an axial bore 36 which extends directly into the optical guide 18. Similarly, the central portion 15, or the handle, has an axial bore 37.

[0051] The distal portion 13, or the body, also has an axial opening or bore, although this is not visible in FIG. 3. When the distal portion 13, the central portion 15 and the proximal portion 19 are joined together, the axial bores 36, 37 and the opening lie congruently over each other, such that they form a common passage, for example for the optical unit.

[0052] The distal portion 13 is assigned the inner tube 22 in the distal direction. This inner tube 22 constitutes a direct continuation of the axial bores 36, 37 and of the optical guide 18.

[0053] As is shown in FIG. 3, the distal portion 13, the central portion 15 and the proximal portion 19 are releasably connectable to one another by three screws 38. For this purpose, a distal side 41 of the proximal portion 19 is placed onto a proximal side 42 of the central portion 15, and a distal side 43 of the central portion 15 is placed onto a proximal side 44 of the distal portion 13. The three screws 38 are then guided from the proximal direction through three corresponding bores 39 in the proximal portion 19 and through three corresponding bores 40 (FIG. 4) in the central portion 15 and are screwed into three corresponding bores in the distal portion 13 with an inner thread (not shown here). For repairs or for maintenance purposes, the three portions 13, 15, 19 or the three components can be disassembled again by loosening the screws.

[0054] In the state with the portion 13, the portion 15 and the portion 19 joined together, the two proximal ends 31, 32 of the electrode instrument 23 for mechanical and electrical coupling are guided through these three portions 13, 15, 19, in order to then latch in place in the contact body 17. For this purpose, the proximal portion 19 has circular feedthroughs 45. These feedthroughs 45 are spaced apart from each other and arranged parallel to the axial bore 36. To ensure that no irrigation liquid can escape during the use of the resectoscope 10, these two feedthroughs 45 can each be assigned a sealing ring 46. In the assembled state, these two sealing rings 46 are clamped or locked between the distal side 41 of the proximal portion 19 and the proximal side 42 of the central portion 15.

[0055] The central portion 15 likewise has two parallel feedthroughs 47. These feedthroughs 47 are funnel-shaped, wherein a first cross section of the feedthroughs 47 at the distal side 43 of the central portion 15 is oval or oblong (FIG. 4). A second cross section of the feedthroughs 47 at the proximal side 42 of the central portion 15 has the same cross section or diameter as the feedthroughs 45 of the proximal portion 19. The cross section of the feedthroughs 47 tapers continuously or in a funnel shape from the distal side 43 to the proximal side 42 of the central portion 15 (FIG. 4).

[0056] The distal portion 13 also has two feedthroughs 48. These feedthroughs 48 (not visible in FIG. 3) are likewise oriented parallel to each other and also parallel to the bores 37, 36 or to the inner tube 22 and have an oval or oblong cross section matching the cross section of the feedthroughs 47 of the central portion 15 at the distal side 43 of the central portion 15. The feedthroughs 48 of the distal portion 13 do not change in their cross section.

[0057] In the assembled state, the feedthroughs 45, 47 and 48 lie congruently over one another, such that they from a continuous guide for the two electrode arms 28, 29. As is shown in the sectional view according to FIG. 5, the electrode instrument 23 is guided through the feedthroughs 45, 47 and 48 in such a way that the offset 35 of the electrode arms 28, 29 lies exactly in the oblong feedthroughs 48 of the distal portion 13.

[0058] It is likewise very clear from FIG. 5 how the funnel-shaped feedthrough 47 of the central portion 15 serves as an insertion aid for the proximal end 31 of the electrode arm 28. Upon insertion of the electrode arm 28 into the feedthrough 48, the end 31 is guided automatically into the feedthrough 45 by the funnel-shaped configuration of the feedthrough 47. Here, the feedthrough 45 is sealed off from the feedthroughs 47, 48 in a fluid-tight manner by the seal 46.

[0059] The feedthroughs 48 are configured in such a way that the offset 35 is movable in the distal and proximal directions upon axial displacement of the electrode instrument 23. This is necessary in order, as has been described above, to perform the cutting movement by means of the electrode 24. By relocating the offset 35 into the main body 52, the distal region of the inner tube 22 remains free for undisrupted flow of the irrigation liquid.

[0060] Whereas the feedthroughs 45, 48 in the metallic proximal portion 19 and in the metallic main body 52 can be produced by drilling or milling or wire erosion, the more complicated funnel-shaped feedthrough 47 of the central portion 15 can be produced by injection moulding. Accordingly, by means of the presently described configuration of the individual components, production is made easier, costs are reduced, and the flow behaviour of the irrigation liquid is improved.

[0061] Alternatively, however, provision is also made that the main body 52 is made in one piece, in which case the main body 52 can be subdivided into the three portions 13, 15, 19. In this illustrative embodiment according to the invention, the axial bores 36, 37 and the feedthrough portions 49, 50, 51 are formed continuously through the entire main body 52.

[0062] These integral portions 13, 15, 19 of the main body 52 are all produced from a metal, preferably by drilling, turning, milling and/or erosion, in particular sink erosion.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0063] 10 resectoscope [0064] 11 working element [0065] 12 shaft [0066] 13 distal portion [0067] 14 grip unit [0068] 15 central portion [0069] 16 gripping means [0070] 17 contact body [0071] 18 optical guide [0072] 19 proximal portion [0073] 20 optical guide plate [0074] 21 spring element [0075] 22 inner shaft [0076] 23 electrode instrument [0077] 24 electrode [0078] 25 thumb ring [0079] 26 guide [0080] 27 eyepiece [0081] 28 electrode arm [0082] 29 electrode arm [0083] 30 distal region [0084] 31 proximal end [0085] 32 proximal end [0086] 33 axis [0087] 34 proximal region [0088] 35 offset [0089] 36 bore [0090] 37 bore [0091] 38 screw [0092] 39 bore [0093] 40 bore [0094] 41 distal side [0095] 42 proximal side [0096] 43 distal side [0097] 44 proximal side [0098] 45 feedthrough [0099] 46 seal [0100] 47 feedthrough [0101] 48 feedthrough [0102] 49 feedthrough portion [0103] 50 feedthrough portion [0104] 51 feedthrough portion